The automotive industry has long been plagued by the complexities of mass-producing electric vehicles (EVs). While manufacturers like Tesla and Rivian have been pushing the boundaries of EV technology, mainstream automakers like Ford have been struggling to keep up with the cost and complexity of building affordable EVs. However, Ford has been working on a new approach to simplify its EV manufacturing process, and the results are promising. Ford's new universal EV platform is designed to reduce the number of components required to build an EV, making it cheaper and more efficient to produce. This approach is embodied by the phrase "The best part is no part," which means that Ford is eliminating unnecessary components and streamlining its design process. The company has already implemented this approach in its midsize electric pickup, which features an integral side mirror design that reduces its size and frontal area, resulting in improved range. ...
The automotive industry has long been plagued by the complexities of mass-producing electric vehicles (EVs). While manufacturers like Tesla and Rivian have been pushing the boundaries of EV technology, mainstream automakers like Ford have been struggling to keep up with the cost and complexity of building affordable EVs. However, Ford has been working on a new approach to simplify its EV manufacturing process, and the results are promising.
Ford’s new universal EV platform is designed to reduce the number of components required to build an EV, making it cheaper and more efficient to produce. This approach is embodied by the phrase “The best part is no part,” which means that Ford is eliminating unnecessary components and streamlining its design process. The company has already implemented this approach in its midsize electric pickup, which features an integral side mirror design that reduces its size and frontal area, resulting in improved range.
But what’s truly innovative about Ford’s new platform is its use of a zonal electrical architecture, which replaces dozens of small electronic control modules with just a few master processing units. This reduces the amount of wiring needed to connect the car’s various digital systems, removing thousands of feet of wiring and associated weight from the final product. This approach not only reduces costs but also improves the overall reliability and performance of the vehicle.
However, Ford’s new platform also comes with a caveat: it relies on integrating multiple functions into each individual component, which adds cost on a per-part basis. This means that individual component prices will increase to reflect this, and service and repair costs may also be affected. Furthermore, batteries still account for nearly 40% of the cost in an EV, and Ford has chosen to prioritize cost controls by using cheaper battery chemistry. This means that its new affordable EVs will still come equipped with physically large and relatively heavy battery packs, but they will be cheaper.
Ford’s new universal EV platform is a significant step forward for the company, and it’s clear that the company is committed to making electric cars more accessible to a wider range of buyers. With its simplified approach to EV manufacturing, Ford is well-positioned to compete with other manufacturers in the affordable EV segment. However, it remains to be seen whether the company’s focus on cost reduction will come at the expense of range and efficiency.
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