Project T3: Ford announces next-generation electric Ute

Ford Motor Company has revealed the first details of its next electric pickup truck, which it calls an “epic follow-up to the F-150 Lightning.”

Codenamed Project T3, which stands for “Trust The Truck,” this Ford electric pickup truck and its battery pack will begin production in 2025 at the company’s uncompleted Blue Oval City Mega campus in West Tennessee.

The automaker has posted a short video on YouTube containing some information about the project T3 and possibly revealing the exterior design in a short shot.

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During the video, there is a shot of what Project T3 might look like in the background, as well as a clay model.

It’s difficult to see details as both objects are either too far away or out of frame. The recording is also extremely short.

Ford has said that the team behind Project T3 aims to create a “truck that people can trust in the digital age.”

It will have tow and payload capabilities, exportable performance, and receive software updates. There will also be “endless new innovations”.

“Project T3 is a unique opportunity to revolutionize America’s trucks,” said Ford CEO Jim Farley.

“We are merging 100 years of Ford truck know-how with world-class electric vehicle, software and aerodynamics talent. It will be a platform for endless innovation and performance.”

Mr Farley added that the electric pickup “will be like the Millennium Falcon – with a rear porch attached”.

The automaker has said that the T3 and Blue Oval City project will be developed at the same time. Once the plant is up and running at full production, it should be able to produce 500,000 electric pickups annually.

That’s more than triple what Ford is currently projecting for its annual F-150 Lightning production rate through the end of 2023.

Production of the F-150 Lightning has just resumed after being temporarily halted due to a battery fire in February.

In 2021, Ford announced it would launch two new electric vehicle (EV) architectures, one of which would be used for full-size pickup trucks.

That suggests Ford is developing a rival for the Chevrolet Silverado EV that will ride on a dedicated EV architecture rather than sharing its platform with the combustion-powered Silverado.

The F-150 Lightning, on the other hand, is based on the 14th generation of the long-lived, combustion-powered F-Series.

Ford also trademarked the Ranger Lightning name, suggesting it will introduce an electric counterpart to the Ranger.

The company has confirmed that the Ranger’s T6 platform will support electrification.

Ford is spending $5.6 billion (AUD$8.4 billion) to complete the Blue Oval City mega-campus and begin production of Project T3.

This comes as Ford announced it expects a US$3 billion (AU$4.5 billion) loss before tax for its Model e EV business.

MORE: Ford is developing another electric pickup truck MORE: Ford is spending $15.7 billion on new electric car manufacturing centers in the US