Ford's $30K EV Truck Takes a Tesla-Inspired Route to Lower Costs

Ford is pursuing a $30K mid-size electric pickup using a Tesla-inspired Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform with a 48V architecture, a zonal CPU-based design called Unicasting, three subassemblies (front casting, rear casting, structural battery core), and a structural battery concept. Coupled with LFP cells to cut costs, this approach aims to shorten the wiring, reduce weight, and speed up production while delivering over 300 miles of range, signaling a push to democratize EVs. The piece also notes Tesla’s temporary $59,990 Cybertruck pricing and a JD Power EV experience study that shows high owner satisfaction, underscoring broader shifts in the EV market.