Ford F-150 going electric to battle Rivian

Ford has confirmed it is developing both a plug-in hybrid and full pure-electric version of its Ford F-150 to ensure its workhorse ute remains one of the world's best-selling vehicles.

The news a battery-powered Ford F-150 is in the works was announced by Ford president Jim Farley in a speech at the Deutsche Bank Global Automotive Conference in Detroit.

"We're going to be electrifying the F-Series [with] battery-electric and hybrid," Farley told delegates in a move the Ford president said would "futureproof" the F-Series.

Last year Ford sold more than a million F-150s worldwide but it's believed the Blue Oval is concerned new rivals from both Tesla and new Michigan-based start-up, Rivian, could rapidly erode sales of its large pick-up.

No other details were given on the electric F-150's power or range but it will have its work cut out matching the new Rivian R1T's performance, even with Ford's resources.

Revealed at last year's LA motor show, the 2.6 tonne pick-up truck was claimed to be capable of hitting 100km/h in around three seconds and deliver a range between 370km and 650km.

Perhaps more relevant for those who own them, the zero-emission truck, has a limited payload of just 800kg but could tow 5000kg. It goes on sale globally in 2020, and Australia is being eyed off as a potential market.

Ford doesn't officially import the F-150 but it is available in Australia through Victorian-based Ford F-Truck importer and conversion specialist Harrison Motoring Group (HMG).