F-150 Plug-in Hybrid Available in Late 2017
XL Hybrids beats Ford to the punch with first F-150 plug-in hybrid.
Some may find it hard to believe, but plug-in hybrid trucks are in big demand right now. Problem is, nobody currently makes one. Ford has already announced that it will offer an F-150 plug-in hybrid, but not until 2020. So where does that leave customers hungry for electrified trucks today? Turns out, there’s a solution – from a company called XL Hybrids.
The company recently announced that their very first full-size truck conversion will be the Ford F-150. It’s really a no-brainer to start with America’s best-selling truck. But XL also made the decision after meeting with their fleet customers, who are already placing orders for hybrid F-150s with an eye towards sustainability and reduced fuel costs.
XL first announced that they would be converting gas-powered full-size trucks into plug-in hybrids early this year. Their new hybrid system, dubbed XLP, retains all the stock components of the trucks they start with, including the engine, exhaust, and fuel system. They simply install a battery pack and electric motor, and sell the trucks with the original factory warranty intact.
The Ford F-150 plug-in hybrid conversion will take place on 2.7 liter Ecoboost models as well as the new, forthcoming 3.3 liter engine, both with stop/start technology. The conversion takes only a few hours to complete. Charging the battery to capacity can be completed overnight, or in as little as 3 hours with a J1772 plug interface.
XL Hybrids claims that despite the 650 pound weight gain caused by the addition of the battery and motor, the system reduces fuel consumption by up to 50 percent. For truck consumers with an eye toward saving money and the planet, an XLP powered F-150 might be just what they’re looking for.
