Ford's Ambitious Move into Electric Trucks

Ford's next-generation electric truck, Fathom, is set to start at $28,350, a major bet for the automaker as it attempts to catch up with category leader Tesla and Chinese EVs.

Aiming to Compete with Tesla's Cybertruck

The Fathom will have a number of features that set it apart from other electric trucks, including Apple Maps built into its operating system, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay support. However, it will not support Apple's next-generation CarPlay Ultra. The truck will also have a large, high-resolution touch screen and a digital car key.

Every Fathom will be BlueCruise-capable, meaning it will come with the tech integrated, but buyers will likely have to pay extra to enable Ford's hands-free advanced driver assistance system.

Bidirectional Power and Range

The Fathom will be capable of bidirectional power, much like the Lightning and the hybrid F-150. However, Ford hasn't yet said how many miles the truck can drive on a single charge.

• The Fathom will have five seats, providing more interior space than a Toyota RAV4.
• The truck will have a "standard range" lithium iron phosphate battery pack.
• Ford hasn't yet revealed the truck's exact range, but it's expected to be competitive with other electric trucks on the market.

A Major Bet for Ford

The Fathom represents a major bet for Ford as it attempts to compete with Tesla's Cybertruck and other Chinese EVs. The automaker has dramatically pulled back on its once-ambitious plans to build electric vehicles, but the Fathom is a major step forward for the company.

Ford is gambling by choosing the truck form factor for its first UEV platform vehicle, but there are some inherent upsides. The Fathom and other vehicles built on the platform will be the first that Ford has designed from the ground up to use electric powertrains.

A More Affordable Option

The Fathom's starting price of $28,350 is a major accomplishment in a market where the average new car costs $50,000. The truck won't have a lot of competition in that range, making it a more affordable option for consumers.

• The Fathom will have a number of features that set it apart from other electric trucks, including Apple Maps and Android Auto support.
• The truck will be capable of bidirectional power and have a digital car key.
• Every Fathom will be BlueCruise-capable, but buyers will likely have to pay extra to enable the tech.
• Ford hasn't yet revealed the truck's exact range, but it's expected to be competitive with other electric trucks on the market.