XL Hybrids, Inc., the leader in connected fleet electrification solutions for commercial and municipal fleets, will begin production on the XL3® Hybrid Electric Drive System for Model Year 2018 Ford Super Duty® F-250 pickups in first quarter 2018.
XL3 TECHNOLOGY
XL Hybrids has adapted its XL3 technology for Ford F-250 trucks based on demand from fleet customers who are seeking even better fuel efficiency from Ford’s popular three-quarter-ton work trucks. This will be the first time that Ford F-250 trucks can be ordered by fleet customers with hybrid-electric drive technology. Now, fleets can enjoy an up to 25% increase in miles per gallon—and accompanying reductions in CO2 emissions—on trucks used for rugged towing, hauling capacity, and utility applications. Fleet customer orders to be announced.
“Ford Super Duty vehicles are in-demand by XL Hybrids’ fleet customers and so we have developed our hybrid-electric upfit solution for the F-250 pickup to meet our customers’ need for power and payload, as well as better fuel economy,” says 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 upfits for our F-250 work trucks to help meet a growing customer need for improved efficiency while maintaining power, torque, and work capability,” says 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 upfit offerings in the commercial fleet market.”
MODEL YEAR 2018
The XL3 system will be the first offered as a ship-thru upfit on Model Year 2018 F-250 pickups. XL3 will be upfit on the Ford Super Duty 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine compatible with a range of wheelbases, cab and bed configurations in both 4×2 and 4×4 options. As with each XL3 installation, all components are installed under the vehicle, allowing the pickup bed’s full capacity.
Installation of the XL3 system can be completed in just hours on F-250 pickup trucks as a ship-thru upfit. The XL3 technology leaves the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) engine, transmission, fuel system, and exhaust system completely intact. Fleets maintain the complete OEM warranty, and get a three-year, 75,000-mile warranty from XL Hybrids on the XL3 powertrain. The XL3 system requires no special maintenance, charging infrastructure, or driver training. XL Hybrids is a qualified participant as both a technology provider and an installer in Ford’s Electrification Qualified Vehicle Modifier (eQVM) program.
EXPANDED PROGRAM
Ford recently expanded its Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) program to include companies that develop and install electrified powertrains for commercial vehicles, including trucks, vans, and shuttles. XL Hybrids was the first company included in the program. eQVM helps fleet and commercial fleet customers meet their specific needs for durable, reliable electrified work trucks that retain the original powertrain warranty.
“The F-250 is a great complement to our existing product line-up,” says Clay Siegert, XL Hybrids’ co-founder and chief operating officer. “Our hybrid electric upfit solution for the F-250 is XL Hybrids’ second product for Ford pickup trucks, after our XLP™ plug-in hybrid electric upfit for Ford F-150 half-ton pickup trucks.”
XL Hybrids vehicles include the XL Link™ cloud-based big data analytics system, which measures MPG performance and reports sustainability benefits. XL Link’s proprietary vehicle connectivity is a continuous data link from every vehicle, collecting millions of operational data points, allowing analysis and reports on key performance indicators.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
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. Find out more about XL Hybrids’ technology and availability, visit www.xlhybrids.com.
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MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS: DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE
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