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, Ford says, 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 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.
“XL Hybrids’ business and technology strategy has been designed to align with Ford’s corporate electrification vision, while at the same time providing cost-effective fleet solutions that complement Ford’s chassis, gas powertrain and safety systems, ” said Clay Siegert, co-founder and chief operating officer of XL Hybrids. “We retain everything that is great about Ford’s products by replacing only the OEM driveshaft to deliver a complementary electrification solution. Our solutions are fleet-ready because we are building on an OEM product that fleets trust for operations and durability, while maintaining Ford’s warranty.”
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.
