The highly anticipated all-electric Ford F-150 was recently teased as a future release, generating excitement, especially considering it’s an electric version of America’s best-selling vehicle. However, this model is still a few years away from hitting dealerships. In the meantime, electric F-150s are already in operation today.
A dozen of these electric pickups can be seen on the streets and highways around Montreal, Quebec. They are the result of Ecotuned, a Montreal-based shop that aims to lead the electric vehicle (EV) conversion industry in North America. Ecotuned has completed about 15 electric vehicle conversions and is working on several more. Notable clients include Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, Hydro Quebec, and the IGA grocery chain.
Ecotuned’s focus is on providing electric powertrains for existing vehicles, especially the Ford F-150, Super Duty F-Series trucks, and E-Series vans, to extend their lifespan and reduce emissions. While the company has no interest in becoming a mass-market car manufacturer, they specialize in selecting off-the-shelf components and assembling them into a cohesive, efficient electric conversion package.
The conversion process takes around 32 labor hours (or two full workdays for two mechanics). Ecotuned removes the original engine, transmission, fuel system, and exhaust, replacing them with an electric motor and a two-speed transmission. The battery pack is installed beneath the vehicle, and the fuel gauge is repurposed to show the battery’s charge level.
Ecotuned offers battery packs ranging from 43 kWh to 86 kWh, depending on the vehicle’s requirements. For instance, in a 2014 Ford F-150 with a 48 kWh battery, the vehicle has a driving range of 87 miles, but under ideal conditions, it can exceed 124 miles (200 km). The larger 86 kWh battery can still achieve a 99-mile range, even with a fully loaded vehicle. Charging takes about six hours using a Level 2 charger.
The electric F-150 conversion uses a BorgWarner HVH250 permanent-magnet motor, producing 214 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This setup allows the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 12 seconds and reach a top speed of 106 mph. With the addition of a two-speed transmission, the converted F-150 can tow up to 18,000 pounds, with the motor capable of shifting to low speed for better torque control.
Ecotuned’s use of off-the-shelf components allows the company to offer a turn-key conversion kit for fleet managers, priced between $23,000 and $30,000 (CAD $30,000 to $40,000), depending on the battery size. This price excludes the cost of the donor vehicle, which typically costs under $5,000 at auction. The goal is to lower the kit price to around $19,000 (CAD $25,000) in the future.
For fleet managers, Ecotuned promises that these converted trucks will have the same maintenance needs as conventional F-150s, but without the need for oil changes. With an expected lifespan of up to 600,000 miles (about 1 million kilometers), these electric F-150s offer significant long-term savings and a reduced carbon footprint.
While the Ecotuned electric F-150 isn’t intended for personal use, it’s an affordable, sustainable alternative for fleet operators looking to cut emissions and operating costs. For those eagerly awaiting the fully electric Ford F-150, however, it may still be worth holding out for Ford’s upcoming production model.