Ford is overhauling how it designs electric vehicles, shrinking battery packs and dramatically reducing wiring in an effort to bring EV prices closer to those of traditional gasoline-powered cars. The strategy marks a major shift in how the automaker approaches electrification, focusing less on maximizing battery size and more on improving overall efficiency and cost structure.
For years, automakers have chased longer driving range by installing larger batteries. But battery packs can account for up to 40% of an EV’s cost and a significant portion of its weight. Ford believes simply adding more battery capacity is not the answer to making electric vehicles affordable for mainstream buyers.
Instead, the company is developing a new Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform that prioritizes efficiency at every level. Engineers are cutting thousands of feet of wiring, reducing parts count, and simplifying electrical architecture. In some cases, Ford has reduced wiring length by roughly 4,000 feet, trimming weight and material costs in the process.
The company is also moving toward zonal electrical systems and 48-volt architectures, consolidating components and improving energy management. By improving aerodynamics and reducing overall vehicle weight, Ford says it can maintain competitive range even with smaller battery packs.
While EV adoption is growing, high upfront costs remain one of the biggest barriers to mass-market acceptance. Many consumers are hesitant to pay a premium over gasoline vehicles, especially when interest rates and economic uncertainty weigh on purchasing decisions.
By shrinking batteries and reducing manufacturing complexity, Ford aims to lower sticker prices without sacrificing performance or usability. The company has publicly discussed targeting a mid-size electric pickup starting around $30,000 – a price point that would put it in direct competition with traditional gas-powered trucks.
This strategy could help close the cost gap between EVs and internal combustion vehicles, accelerating adoption without relying heavily on government incentives. Smaller batteries also mean lighter vehicles, which can improve efficiency and handling while reducing strain on supply chains for critical battery materials.
For consumers, Ford’s approach could translate into more affordable electric vehicles that still deliver practical range and everyday usability. Instead of chasing 400-mile battery capacities that many drivers rarely need, Ford is focusing on optimizing efficiency so that smaller packs go further.
That means drivers could see EVs priced closer to comparable gas vehicles while still benefiting from lower fuel and maintenance costs over time. Reduced complexity may also improve long-term reliability and simplify repairs.
Ford plans to introduce its first vehicles built on the new UEV platform in 2027, beginning with a mid-size electric pickup. Additional models across different segments are expected to follow.
If successful, this engineering rethink could reshape how the industry approaches EV design. Rather than competing on ever-larger batteries, automakers may pivot toward smarter architecture, weight reduction, and system simplification as the path to affordability.
For Ford, the message is clear: the future of electric vehicles may not be bigger – it may be leaner, lighter, and significantly less expensive.
BYD has launched the third-generation Qin Plus DM-i in China, and the first thing that caught my eye is its price. According to CarNewsChina, the plug-in hybrid sedan starts at 79,900 yuan, which is about $11,980. That’s an incredibly low price for a brand-new car, especially by US standards.
What’s even more impressive is the range. The Qin Plus DM-i can drive up to 137 miles on electricity alone, which should cover most people’s daily commutes without using a drop of gas. Once the battery runs out, the 1.5-liter engine takes over. Thanks to its 17-gallon tank and roughly 91 mpg with a drained battery, the combined range reaches up to 1,423 miles.
Apple won the PC market’s worst quarter, but that’s not the entire story. It won the race by stumbling less than everyone else.
PC makers shipped just 57 million computers worldwide in Q3, which might look good, but it’s a 21% year-over-year plunge (via Counterpoint Research). And despite Apple’s Mac shipments falling by 11%, to 5.6 million, its market share rose from 8.7% to 9.8%. How did that happen?
Update (October 22 23:54 PT): In response to our query, GM clarified that offline recording support is already available on eligible vehicles. Like Tesla's Sentry Mode, it requires owners to connect a USB drive to save incident recordings, which can be viewed on the vehicle's infotainment screen. The upcoming Connected Cameras feature will build on this by giving owners remote access to these recordings via the revamped OnStar app, allowing them to check footage without walking out to their car.
General Motors has announced plans to add a new Connected Cameras feature to its OnStar service starting next year, giving drivers a way to monitor parked vehicles remotely and capture footage of certain incidents.