Ford’s $30,000 Electric Pickup Spotted Testing - Here’s What We Know

Ford’s first attempt at an electric truck didn’t exactly set the world on fire, but the automaker is taking another swing with a more affordable model. Spy photographers recently caught a prototype of Ford’s upcoming Universal EV pickup—rumored to be called the Ranchero—testing near Dearborn, Michigan.

The company has said this Maverick-sized electric truck will carry a price tag around $30,000 and start rolling off the line at its Kentucky plant in 2027.

The new images reveal a few key details that Ford has been keeping under wraps. The prototype’s bulky front camouflage might suggest a tall, blocky grille like other Ford trucks, but earlier images from Ford hint at a lower, aerodynamic nose designed to boost efficiency. The spy shots also show 19-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin E Primacy all-season tires, and a peek through the camo reveals a front-facing camera.

Inside, a large center touchscreen dominates the dashboard, though it’s still unclear whether Ford will go with a minimalist, single-screen layout like Tesla or keep some physical controls. Ford claims the cabin will feel roomier than the truck’s compact size suggests, with more interior space than a Toyota RAV4.

The headlights feature a distinctive lighting signature that doesn’t match any current Ford model, and the rear window appears to include a sliding section, a nod to traditional pickup trucks. A spoiler-like piece on the cab roof might be a production element or just a decoy. As for the name, Ford trademarked “Ranchero” last fall, reviving a nameplate from the two-door car-based pickups of the 1950s through 1970s.

Whether that nostalgia will help sell a modern EV remains to be seen, but we’ll have a clearer picture before production begins in 2027.