Still Curious About the XL Hybrid? Get a Full Charge Right Here
XL Hybrids is making a name for themselves by taking F-Series trucks among other vehicles and making them more palatable for our changing world. Check out their innovation with the new F-250 right here.
An F-Series for tomorrow
XL Hybrids will begin producing their XL3 electric drive hybrid system for the F-250 pickups in the first quarter of 2018, the company told Heavy Duty Trucking during an interview. The company is putting tech it developed into the Super Duty trucks to satisfy the demand from fleet customers who desire better fuel economy for the three-quarter-ton truck.
“Ford has been a longtime partner of XL Hybrids and has been very helpful in our product development efforts and after having success with the E-Series and Transit vans solution,” said Clay Siegert, co-founder, and COO. “Looking at what models were most popular with commercial fleets, F-Series pickup trucks were the natural extension of what we’ve been doing. We’ve had significant inbound interest for this product on the F-250, a tried and true work truck that’s used for hauling, towing, really heavy duty fleet operations, so fleets are looking to improve the MPG.”
>>Join the conversation about the XL Hybrid F-250 right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
A partnership that makes sense
“Ford Super Duty vehicles are in-demand by XL Hybrids’ fleet customers and so we have developed our hybrid-electric up fit solution for the F-250 pickup to meet our customers’ need for power and payload, as well as better fuel economy,” said Ed Lovelace, chief technology officer for XL Hybrids. “We recently surpassed a landmark 50 million total combined customer road miles, and our experience in successfully supporting leading fleets informs our product roadmap. Our solution roadmap continues to be focused on delivering the most seamless, cost-effective fleet electrification solutions for OEM vehicles that our customers ask for.”
“We’re excited to see XL Hybrids launch its hybrid-electric up-fits for our F-250 work trucks to help meet a growing customer need for improved efficiency while maintaining power, torque and work capability,” said Kevin Koswick, Ford director, North American Fleet Lease and Remarketing Operations. “We look forward to supporting XL Hybrids, a qualified eQVM program participant, with their technology and new up fit offerings in the commercial fleet market.”
>>Join the conversation about the XL Hybrid F-250 right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
First the F-150 and now the Super Duty
This conversion is the first time that the F-250 can be ordered by fleet customers with hybrid-electric drive capabilities according to XL. The system that XL offers has been adapted specifically for the F-250 and will offer a 25% increase in mpg in addition to reducing C02 emissions. Even though the XL3 was adapted for the F-250 it will be compatible with a range of wheelbases, cab, and bed configs in both 4x2 and 4x4 options.
“We will also be announcing specific customer commitments in the coming months,” said Siegert. “Generally speaking, the type of fleets that are interested include utilities, municipalities, national parks, as well as fleets that utilize the box delete version of the F-250 chassis for installing work bodies.”
>>Join the conversation about the XL Hybrid F-250 right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
So it's all plug and play?
Installation of the XL3 system can be completed in mere hours on the F-250 as it leaves the stock engine, transmission, fuel system and exhaust untouched. The beauty in this form of installation is that the factory warranty remains intact and in addition to that XL Hybrids throws in a three-year 75,000-mile warranty on the powertrain. The hybrid system requires no special maintenance, charging infrastructure or driver training to use. As a matter of fact, XL Hybrids us an installer in Ford's Electrification Qualified Vehicle Modifier Program.
Ford recently expanded the QNM program for companies that develop as well as install electric powertrains for commercial vehicles including trucks, vans, and shuttles. “The F-250 is a great complement to our existing product line-up,” said Siegert. “Our hybrid electric up-fit solution for the F-250 is XL Hybrids’ second product for Ford pickup trucks, after our XLP plug-in hybrid electric up-fit for Ford F-150 half-ton pickup trucks. As we celebrate the achievement of more than 50 million total combined customer road miles, we are excited to continue introducing new products and meeting our customers’ needs with both hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric solutions.”
>>Join the conversation about the XL Hybrid F-250 right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Ford supports the EV movement
“We recently surpassed a landmark 50 million total combined customer road miles,” Lovelace said, “and our experience in successfully supporting leading fleets informs our product roadmap. For more information on XL Hybrids’ technology and availability, visit www.xlhybrids.com. XL3 hybrid electric upfits for various Ford Transit, E-Series, and F-Series models are available directly from Ford dealers, and Ford Motor Credit financing is available.
>>Join the conversation about the XL Hybrid F-250 right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
For help with service of your truck, check out the how to section of Ford-Trucks.com