Ford has explicitly framed its Universal Electric Vehicle platform as a way to compete with Chinese cars on cost and technology. According to Ford CEO Jim Farley, the company has succeeded in at least one way: efficiency.

"There's another area that we really found to be quite advantaged relative to a BYD. And that is the efficiency of our motors, gearbox and inverters, which are about 30% more efficient than theirs and allows us to design a battery that's much less," Farley said today on the automaker's third-quarter earnings call. "I think that's really critical."

Farley says that's one of the keys to keeping costs down for the UEV platform, which debuts with the $28,350 Fathom pickup. The more efficient motor, gearbox, and drivetrain have allowed Ford to install a smaller battery, which is the biggest single cost in an EV. The company pitches its new platform—which features fewer parts, better efficiency, and overhauled manufacturing process—as a way to make EVs that are far more economically viable than the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning.

Ford hasn’t said exactly what the Fathom’s battery size is, but past reports have estimated somewhere in the 50 to 60 kWh battery range. For a workable range of more than 200 miles, Ford will need to take advantage of every efficiency gain it can and make the most out of its not-so-big battery. It also wasn't clear exactly which BYD powertrain Farley was comparing Ford's to.

Source link