A Fiesta-sized Ford EV is due in 2026

A new range of smaller and more affordable electric Fords is on the drawing board. The firm’s aim is to produce the world’s most efficient electric cars.

Utilising a new platform developed by a former Tesla engineer, the model will be the spiritual successor to the Puma.

This is the first sign that Ford sees a way back to offering more affordable electric models beneath Explorer and Capri.

Marin Gjaja, COO of Ford’s Model E division, told Autocar UK recently that the new electric line-up is all about affordability.

He said that currently Ford has little in the mass market segment. The company needs to be more affordable and profitable. He said that for too long Ford stayed in the affordable segment but did not make a profit.

He added that the new platform is a US design which he says will spawn global offerings. The architecture will underpin the next Puma and will replace the current Puma’s electric variant, which is still yet to launch worldwide.

The first car based on the new platform will arrive probably late in 2026. While it is not yet confirmed, models other than Puma will use this new platform.

Gjaja feels the trend in electric vehicles will be smaller offerings over time.

The development of the new platform is being led by Alan Clarke who was a long term Tesla employee. His former team designed and engineered an electric platform that resulted in highly profitable EVs. 

With Ford he is continuing that work and is joined by other engineers who worked for Tesla, Rivian and Apple. 

Ford CEO Jim Farley said: “All of our EV teams are ruthlessly focused on cost and efficiency in our EV products, because the ultimate competition is going to be the affordable Tesla and the Chinese OEMs.” 

Gjaja said that lithium iron-phosphate (LFP) battery technology will be used because it is more affordable and durable. He added that such battery packs are virtually indestructible.

In future Ford will have fewer models and will not be just chasing volume. It will also slowly switch to electric power. Smaller models will be more premium, like Puma rather than Fiesta. 

The market for EVs has slowed but Ford believes it will come in fits and starts as new technologies arrive and fuel prices rise. Gjaja said EV growth will always outpace that in the ICE business. 

Ford planned to sell only electric passenger cars in Europe by 2030 but has softened on that stance, like most others.