New Ford EQVM Program Electrifies Work Trucks

March 15, 2017 by Ram

◾Ford expands its Qualified Vehicle Modifier program to include companies that develop and install electrified and hydraulic hybrid powertrains for commercial vehicles, retaining the original powertrain warranty.

◾Ford eQVM program launches with three developers – XL Hybrids, Lightning Hybrids and Motiv Power Systems

INDIANAPOLIS, March 14, 2017 – Ford is expanding its Advanced Fuel Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) program to include companies that develop and install electrified and hydraulic hybrid powertrains for Ford trucks and vans.

The new eQVM program, unveiled at The Work Truck Show, helps fleet and commercial customers meet their unique and specific needs for durable, reliable electrified and hydraulic hybrid work trucks that retain the original powertrain warranty.

Ford is committed to being a leader in electrification. The company is investing $4.5 billion in 13 new electrified vehicles in the next five years. These include an all-new fully electric small SUV, a high-volume autonomous vehicle, a hybrid F-150, a hybrid Mustang, a Transit Custom plug-in hybrid and two new pursuit-rated hybrid police vehicles.

'Ford supports electrification for a variety of vehicle types,' said Richard Cupka Jr., Ford sustainability and QVM program manager. 'The eQVM program extends that support to the vocational truck industry where customers need relatively small numbers of specialized vehicles – there is no one-size-fits-all work truck.'

The eQVM program kicks off with three developers – XL Hybrids, Motiv Power Systems and Lightning Hybrids. These companies offer electrification or hydraulic hybrid solutions for a range of Ford vehicles popular with fleet and commercial customers, including F-150, F-250 to F-550 Super Duty, F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks, Transit and E-Series vans and chassis, and F-53/F-59 stripped chassis.

The Ford QVM program includes more than 200 companies dedicated to modifying the automaker's broad commercial vehicle lineup for customer applications in a number of industries, including motorhome, school bus, mobility, emergency services, conversion van, police and limousine. Additionally, QVM upfitters install a wide range of equipment onto Ford trucks and vans to transform them into the work trucks that help build America's infrastructure and keep it running.

Ford's thorough QVM qualification process includes on-site assessments at each location to verify the operation meets manufacturing, assembly, workmanship, customer service and quality requirements and that it has processes in place to produce vehicles that meet federal regulations. Vehicles modified by a Ford QVM in compliance with Ford guidelines retain their factory warranties.

The eQVM program builds on the success of the Advanced Fuel QVM program Ford launched in 2010. Through that program, customers can obtain Ford Transit Connect, Transit or E-450 vans and chassis, F-Series trucks and F-53/F-59 stripped chassis that run on compressed natural gas or propane. The eQVM program expands available alternative power options to include electrification and hydraulic hybrid systems.

The eQVM developers are:

◾XL Hybrids: Offers a hybrid electric drive system for Ford Transit, E-350 and E-450 chassis, F-250 to F-550 Super Duty trucks, F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks and

F-53/F-59 stripped chassis; as well as a plug-in hybrid upfit for the F-150 pickup. xlhybrids.com/

◾Motiv Power Systems: Offers an all-electric powertrain for the Ford E-450 and F-59 chassis. motivps.com/

◾Lightning Hybrids: Offers a non-electric hydraulic hybrid energy recovery system for the Ford E-350 and E-450 chassis, F-350 to F-550 Super Duty trucks, F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks and F-59 chassis. lightninghybrids.com/

Attendees at The Work Truck Show in Indianapolis this week can explore several vehicles modified by the eQVM developers. The Ford booth, No. 3239, features a 2017 E-350 chassis cab with the XL Hybrids hybrid electric system installed and an F-59 stripped chassis equipped with the Motiv electric powertrain. Lightning Hybrids will show a Ford E-350 box truck equipped with its hydraulic hybrid energy recovery system at its booth, No. 5475. XL Hybrids will also display a Ford Transit with hybrid electric system and new plug-in hybrid F-150 in booth

No. 425. Test drive a walk-in van built on a Ford F-59 chassis equipped with the Motiv electric powertrain at The Work Truck Show Ride-and-Drive on Wednesday and Thursday.

Photo credit: Ram
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