Quantum to build PHEV Ford F-150 trucks

Quantum Demonstrates F-150 Plug-In Hybrid, 35 Miles Of Range

Quantum is demonstrating its “clean, fuel efficient, Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV)” F-150 pickup truck to nation’s leading fleets at the Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF) Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, this week (or at least until Thursday).

There is both a show vehicle for viewing inside and a test vehicle outside the conference available for test drives.

The Ford PHEV F-150, is a parallel drive system with all electric operation capability, and is capable of driving on pure electricity for the first 35 miles before shifting into hybrid mode. The petrol range of the truck is about 600 miles.

Clearly being sold as a work truck, the plug-in F150 incorporates both 110 and 240V power outlets, allowing up to 30kWh of off-board power for emergencies or for operating tools.

The truck comes with Ford’s 3.7L V6 that puts out 302 hp and 278 lb-ft torque, while the electric motor is rated at 100 kW cont/150 kW peak (134 hp to 201 hp). Refreshingly, the company lists both the total storage capacity of their lithium battery (21 kWh), and the useable amount of energy – 17.1 kWh, which makes a 35 mile range easily attainable.

As with most plug-ins with large on board batteries, the PHEV F-150 qualifies for many federal, state and local incentives including California’s HVIP program — $8,000 for the first two trucks and $6,000 per truck afterwards, along with the federal tax rebate of $7,500

Quantum has shown they are serious about building and selling these trucks, having recently delivered its first plug-in Ford to the Florida Power & Light Company at the end of May.

Like Via with the VTRUX, obtaining exact pricing information on the electric F150 has proven to be somewhat difficult, but we feel that something similar to Via’s estimate of an“anticipated selling price of $79,000 in volume” would also net you the PHEV F 150.

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