Ford F-150 Electric to get range extender option

Ford has submitted patent documents to the United States Trademark and Patent Office that reveals it plans to offer a petrol range extender option for its upcoming Ford F-150 Electric pick-up.

The patent for the handy option that will be both removable and disguised as a toolbox was submitted back in April 2018 but only just now discovered by the

The patent drawings reveal that the generator – comprising a small combustion engine and related components – would bolt safely onto the floor of the new-generation F-150's large bed.

They also reveal that Ford is developing more than one range extender configuration, with some designed for long distances.

The blueprints also mention that the system can be removed, suggesting it could be potentially rented or leased via Ford's dealer network.

As seen on the drawings, Ford plans to package the petrol engine, fuel tank, electric inverter and exhaust system all within the space of a large toolbox.

It's not known which small petrol engine Ford plans to use for the range extender but it's thought, despite its compact dimensions, the small direct-injection turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost will be too powerful and thirsty for the job.

This might see engineers spin-off a smaller twin-cylinder engine for the task.

Another option is Ford might create a range extender that's diesel-powered, or even take a more futuristic approach and use a small hydrogen fuel-cell system.

Ford has already begun teasing the battery-powered ute and revealed that when it arrives in mid-2022 it will outperform all its powerful petrol and diesel siblings, including the 336kW EcoBoost V6 F-150 Limited that takes just six seconds to hit 60mph (97km/h).

The blue oval's first-ever electric pick-up will feature a giant frunk (front trunk) that will hold loads of gear.

Finally, the all-electric truck will be capable of acting as a mobile generator, cementing its role as the most useful pick-up in its working class.