Ford has begun planning a series plug-in hybrid system for use in SUVs and its largest Super Duty heavy-duty pickup trucks, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.
Series hybrid systems use an internal-combustion as a generator, with electric motors actually powering the wheels. A plug-in hybrid version would allow for a big enough battery pack to offer substantial electric range, with the combustion engine acting as a range extender. The report states that Ford is targeting over 700 miles from combined use of the battery pack and engine/generator, but it doesn’t mention an all-electric range target.
2025 Ford Super Duty F-250
This powertrain will begin appearing in larger trucks and SUVs in 2027 at the earliest, around the same time that Ford hopes to refresh its lineup of all-electric vehicles with more-affordable models, according to the report, which cites anonymous sources familiar with the matter.
Ford last year said that it plans to launch more hybrids and cut back on EVs in response to what the automaker views as unfavorable market conditions for all-electric models. It canceled a planned three-row electric SUV originally planned to launch this year, while announcing new midsize and full-size electric pickups for 2027 and a commercial van to be built in Ohio starting in 2026.
2025 Ford Super Duty F-250
Other automakers are looking at gasoline range extenders for trucks. The 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger is set to arrive at dealerships later this year, ahead of its all-electric Ram 1500 REV counterpart, which has been delayed to 2026. The Ram 1500 is a full-size truck—the largest still classified as a light-duty vehicle—while Ford’s Super Duty trucks are classified as heavy-duty vehicles, and thus aren’t subject to the same efficiency and safety standards.
The Volkswagen Group’s new Scout brand also plans to offer an extended-range powertrain, dubbed Harvester, for its Traveler SUV and Terra pickup alongside all-electric powertrains. Both models are due in 2027.
