Re:Voltswagen of America
by WorldMaker on Tuesday March 30, 2021 @08:21PM
(#26642147)
Yeah, EVWest has been doing the work for a while now. You are correct that it currently isn't cheap, and is more complicated/DIY than anyone currently wants to call "easy", but that's the definition of "we have the technology". The next steps are productionizing it/industrializing it, which I also pointed out in my comment.
It exists as an "artisanal" option today. Per VW's roadmap they expect to have more "off the shelf" components in the near future. Ford doesn't have it on their radar at all it seems, but as I point out that's likely a blindspot on Ford's part that should be addressed (and if they don't do it, the aftermarket will, even if it starts "bottom up" from the "artisanal" shops).
> The problem is that competent electric pickups have been "coming soon now" for most of a decade
Beyond the ones you mentioned (Via Motors, Tesla Cybertruck):
Rivian have been taking preorders and are expected to deliver some of the first ones this year.
While Ford don't have EV conversions on their radar, they do have new purchased trucks. The electric version of the F-150 is supposed to be their second EV following this year's Mustang Mach-E. Rumors are that the official launch and some very early presales could start as soon as the end of this year (though most analysts are expecting Ford is likely more serious about a 2023 model year).
GM has been relatively cagey what they have planned for the big spectacle 2023 model year, but many indications are that among the "12 currently unannounced EV models" for 2023 at least three or four of them are going to be trucks across the Chevy and GMC brands, on the "Ultium" platform they beta-tested in the 2021 Hummer EV.
Lordstown Motors has seen some fraud concerns and stock shorting controversies, but is entirely focused on EV Trucks right now (similar to Rivian) and were expected to have deliveries of their first model (the Endurance) start last year, but are seemingly delayed to at least "late" this year/early next year.
(Fwiw, the "coming soon now" for the Tesla Cybertruck is also "late" this year/early next year, with delays noted due to pandemic reasons and usual Tesla timeline slippage.)
It exists as an "artisanal" option today. Per VW's roadmap they expect to have more "off the shelf" components in the near future. Ford doesn't have it on their radar at all it seems, but as I point out that's likely a blindspot on Ford's part that should be addressed (and if they don't do it, the aftermarket will, even if it starts "bottom up" from the "artisanal" shops).
> The problem is that competent electric pickups have been "coming soon now" for most of a decade
Beyond the ones you mentioned (Via Motors, Tesla Cybertruck):
Rivian have been taking preorders and are expected to deliver some of the first ones this year.
While Ford don't have EV conversions on their radar, they do have new purchased trucks. The electric version of the F-150 is supposed to be their second EV following this year's Mustang Mach-E. Rumors are that the official launch and some very early presales could start as soon as the end of this year (though most analysts are expecting Ford is likely more serious about a 2023 model year).
GM has been relatively cagey what they have planned for the big spectacle 2023 model year, but many indications are that among the "12 currently unannounced EV models" for 2023 at least three or four of them are going to be trucks across the Chevy and GMC brands, on the "Ultium" platform they beta-tested in the 2021 Hummer EV.
Lordstown Motors has seen some fraud concerns and stock shorting controversies, but is entirely focused on EV Trucks right now (similar to Rivian) and were expected to have deliveries of their first model (the Endurance) start last year, but are seemingly delayed to at least "late" this year/early next year.
(Fwiw, the "coming soon now" for the Tesla Cybertruck is also "late" this year/early next year, with delays noted due to pandemic reasons and usual Tesla timeline slippage.)