Electric

Lightning in a (Smaller) Bottle

May 2, 2022

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Jess
Coffman
Solar engineer dreaming about an EV future. Model Y <3

The Ranger EV was one of the most innovative pickup trucks to ever hit the market. It just took twenty years for us to realize it.

Unsurprisingly, it was as an electric pickup truck made by Ford from 1999 to 2002. Picture a Ranger with an electric powertrain and you're already there. Unlike most EVs at the time, which were essentially glorified golf carts, the Ranger EV featured a more powerful and robust powertrain that allowed it to handle heavy loads and tough terrain with ease. Boasting impressive specs such as a top speed of 75 mph, the Ranger EV was perfectly suited for both highway driving and off-road adventures. But perhaps its most noteworthy feature was its range; unlike other EVs of the time, which typically had ranges of only a few miles or less, the Ranger EV could travel up to 100 miles on a single charge.

But it was produced at a time when electric vehicles were rounding errors on sales charts, and it was discontinued after only three years. Despite being discontinued back in 2002, the planet and car industry need mass adoption of this groundbreaking concept.


One reason why the Ranger EV deserves a comeback is the huge demand for this vehicle. Since the nameplate's return two years ago, the Ranger has been one of the best-selling models on earth. As such, bringing back this iconic model could be an incredibly effective way to jumpstart widespread adoption of electric vehicles. What's more, with recent advancements in cheap battery technology, now is arguably the perfect time to reintroduce this high-performing pickup truck.

To truly dominate the burgeoning electric vehicle industry, Ford must take a bold and decisive approach. In order to outcompete the likes of Tesla, they need to offer an affordable and high-quality electric model that appeals to the masses. With their reputation for producing reliable, fully-featured vehicles at reasonable prices, Ford is perfectly positioned to beat Tesla at their own game. Already, we've seen evidence of this with the launch of the innovative and stylish Mach-E. This crossover SUV offers all of the great features that have made Ford a leader in the industry, at a price point that many consumers can afford.

Furthermore, if Ford successfully leverages their position as a top producer of pickups and other high-demand models, they will gain a huge advantage over newer electric car companies. With aggressive pricing and strategic marketing initiatives, Ford can establish dominance within this booming sector of the auto market. And with gas prices expected to continue rising in coming years, there couldn't be a better time for them to make their move.

The two biggest obstacles to widespread adoption of electric vehicles are range and cost. However, both of these issues can be addressed by drop-in electric powertrains. Drop-in electric powertrains are designed to replace the internal combustion engine in a existing vehicle platform. This means that there is no need to develop an entirely new vehicle from scratch- instead, manufacturers can simply retrofit their existing models with an electric powertrain.

This approach has several advantages. First, it reduces the amount of time and money that needs to be invested in developing new technology. Second, it allows manufacturers to leverage their existing expertise in designing and building cars. Finally, it enables them to bring electric vehicles to market much sooner than if they were starting from scratch. As a result, the Ranger and Maverick platforms are perfectly suited for a drop-in electric powertrain. With this technology, we can finally start making the switch to electric vehicles today.

The Ranger and Maverick platforms are also global. Battery prices can be driven down even farther by spreading the investment into developing countries. While still a luxury item there, it can scale in ways that the F-150 cannot. The F-150 may be the most popular truck in America, but it is simply too large for the majority of markets around the world. In fact, there are a number of other trucks that offer a more diverse range of capabilities and features for crowded, poorer countries. But the Ranger? It's available globally and offers a number of features that make it a more appealing option for those who need a truck that can do more than just haul around a load of dirt. The Ranger is also available with a number of different bed sizes, making it a more versatile option for those who need a truck that can haul larger loads.

Now is the time for Ford to capitalize on this momentum and bring back the Ranger EV. Doing so would send a strong message to the market that electric vehicles are here to stay—and that Ford is leading the way.

This shift would not only help to reduce emissions and combat climate change, but it would also give a boost to electric cars as a whole. Just think about how quickly electric sales will grow once all those existing pickup trucks are electrified! And since pickups are such an integral part of our transportation system, this transition is something that we can experience right now, in practical terms. So if we can make this change sooner rather than later, it stands to reason that everyone – from drivers to automakers to policymakers – will benefit in the long run. So let's put our efforts behind making pickups go electric!

As such, there is no doubt that it is time to bring back the Ranger EV and pave the way for a new era of affordable and eco-friendly transportation options. Whether you're a contractor or a weekend warrior, this truck is sure to exceed all your expectations and help keep our planet clean and green for future generations to come.

What do you think?

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