Ford outpaces GM and Ram by revealing an electrified heavy-duty pickup, likely a robust hybrid
Ford confirmed Thursday morning that the next-generation Super Duty will be electrified, potentially making it the first heavy-duty pickup of its kind. While details remain limited, Ford announced that Super Duty production will expand to the Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada. This strategic move enables the company to incorporate “multi-energy technology” into the next generation of Super Duty trucks, offering customers more options and advancing Ford’s electrification goals.
Introducing “multi-energy technology” to Super Duty pickups suggests a move towards hybridization. If this is the case, Ford could potentially beat General Motors and Ram to the market, as no other heavy-duty pickup manufacturers have announced a hybrid model yet.
The specifics of the hybrid system are still unknown, but a design similar to the F-150 PowerBoost’s is a likely option. This setup places an electric motor between the engine and transmission to enhance output and efficiency, using power from a modestly sized battery pack. In the F-150 PowerBoost, this configuration includes a 41-horsepower motor and a 1.5-kilowatt-hour battery. It’s unclear whether Ford will offer hybrid versions of both gas and diesel trucks or just one. Regardless, a hybrid Super Duty would also serve as a powerful mobile power source, allowing users to plug in tools and power entire worksites, much like Ford’s other electrified pickups.
The term “multi-energy” is broad enough to suggest a fully electric Super Duty, but this seems highly unlikely. To manage the towing and hauling tasks of a Super Duty, a massive battery pack would be needed, adding weight, cost, and packaging challenges. Additionally, towing a gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailer would almost certainly require a solid rear axle, and currently, there are no electric solid rear axle setups on the market. Although Ford, Magna, and ZF have designed patents for such setups, they are likely not expected until the 2030s.
Hybrid Super Duty pickups aren’t the only electrified trucks that could come from Ontario. Ford CEO Jim Farley also announced plans to produce electric three-row SUVs, hinting at an Expedition EV.
Ford’s expansion of Super Duty production into Canada begins in 2026, so heavy-duty hybrid pickups could be available by the end of the decade.
