Ford has pulled the plug on the Ford F-150 Lightning and intends to place greater eMPHasis on hybrids. On the battery-electric vehicle front, the company plans to focus on smaller, more affordable models based on its all-new Universal EV Platform.

Ford Universal EV Platform

The new Ford Universal EV Platform is described as a flexible solution that will underpin multiple models in North America. These new models are to be high-volume, smaller (ranging from small to mid-size, we assume), highly efficient, and affordable (“designed to be accessible to millions of customers”).

Affordability (and profitability) appears to be the primary focus for the Ford Model e business unit. Ford president and CEO Jim Farley hinted that $30,000 is the target price point for EVs based on the Universal EV Platform.

The company does not see any way to achieve profitability with large EVs. Thus, large EV programs are to be canceled and replaced with hybrids, including series hybrids (also known as Extended Range Electric Vehicles or EREV).

“Ford no longer plans to produce select larger electric vehicles where the business case has eroded due to lower-than-expected demand, high costs and regulatory changes”

One of the crucial elements to make EVs more affordable is LFP batteries, which Ford plans to produce in Michigan:

“Separately, Ford will utilize BlueOval Battery Park Michigan in Marshall, Michigan, to produce smaller Amp-hour cells for use in residential energy storage solutions. This plant remains on track to begin manufacturing LFP prismatic battery cells in 2026 to power Ford’s upcoming midsize electric truck, the first model on the new Universal EV Platform.”

Another point worth noting is the “highly efficient” term, as it suggests the batteries will not be very large — which also helps lower costs.

The Ford Universal EV Platform in short:

• High-volume
• Smaller EVs (ranging from small to mid-size, we assume)
• Highly efficient
• Affordable (starting at roughly $30,000)
• The first model in 2027
• LFP batteries

Mid-Size All-Electric Pickup in 2027

The first model, based on the Ford Universal EV Platform, will be “the fully connected mid-size pickup truck, assembled at Louisville Assembly Plant starting in 2027”.

The new electric pickup will be one size smaller than the retired Ford F-150 Lightning, which was a full-size pickup. Mid-size indicates it may be slightly smaller than the Rivian R1T.

Another useful bit of information is the battery type: prismatic LFP lithium-ion battery cells, manufactured in-house by Ford at the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, in Marshall, Michigan.

Having LFP battery cells opens the way to achieve at least good DC fast-charging capabilities (10-80% state of charge in less than 30 minutes), but it’s too early to say for sure.

At this time, it’s difficult to say what will happen with the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Ford E-Transit models. A previously planned new electric commercial van for North America is no longer planned, as the company will now focus on gas and hybrid models.

Europe

There are no signs whether the Universal EV Platform will arrive in Europe. Ford said it will maintain its full lineup of electrified vans but no longer intends to produce a new electric commercial van previously planned for Europe.

At the same time, the company announced a strategic partnership with Renault to collaborate in the development of electric vehicles in both the commercial and passenger segments. This means that any new EV in Europe will most likely be based on Renault’s platforms.

The combined result of all the changes, including launching a battery energy storage system business, will be a higher return on investment, the company believes. Ford expects that its Ford Model e business unit will reach profitability by 2029, with improvements beginning in 2026.

Here is a brief summary of Ford‘s new plan:

Ford changes to the Ford+ Plan announced on December 15, 2025. (Source: Ford)