2027 Ford electric truck replaces 12V with 48V zonal architecture

WXman

Active Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2026
Threads
0
Messages
36
Reaction score
44
Location
Kentucky
Vehicles
2024 Ram 2500 Cummins - 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Country flag
The more I read, the more I dislike this vehicle. On the F-150 Lightning (and other EVs as well from what I’ve seen across the Web) one of the common issues is that the system will drain the 12V battery in about a week. That’s why it’s so important to totally disconnect 12V power if you plan to store the truck for a while. And it’s also why 12V batteries don’t last long on these EVs. So now they are going to replace the job the 12V battery used to do with a 48V battery? A 48V battery that certainly is not going to be stocked at every Walmart and auto parts store in America like 12V batteries are.

This is more and more starting to sound like a vehicle that Ford is building to save money at time of sale, but as the years pass the owner will shell it out in dealership repairs instead.
 

metroshot

Well-Known Member
First Name
Pat
Joined
Aug 6, 2026
Threads
3
Messages
64
Reaction score
61
Location
CA
Website
www.kudo-ume-farms.com
Vehicles
Mach E + Honda PHEV
Country flag
The more I read, the more I dislike this vehicle. On the F-150 Lightning (and other EVs as well from what I’ve seen across the Web) one of the common issues is that the system will drain the 12V battery in about a week. That’s why it’s so important to totally disconnect 12V power if you plan to store the truck for a while. And it’s also why 12V batteries don’t last long on these EVs. So now they are going to replace the job the 12V battery used to do with a 48V battery? A 48V battery that certainly is not going to be stocked at every Walmart and auto parts store in America like 12V batteries are.

This is more and more starting to sound like a vehicle that Ford is building to save money at time of sale, but as the years pass the owner will shell it out in dealership repairs instead.
What rumors have you been reading ?

My EV's 12V battery has never given me an issue - 3 + years & 50,000 miles.

I have left my Mach E at the airport parking lot for a month recently while away in Europe and never an issue upon return. The HV battery was still at the same charge level and TCU modem worked well with connectivity via the Ford Pass app even from halfway around the world.

My wife's PHEV original OEM 12V battery was recently replaced after 7 + years and 80,000 miles.
 

ScooterAsheville

Well-Known Member
First Name
Scooter
Joined
Mar 15, 2026
Threads
0
Messages
76
Reaction score
132
Location
Asheville, NC
Vehicles
2022 Maverick XLT, 2022 Volvo XC40
Country flag
The more I read, the more I dislike this vehicle. On the F-150 Lightning (and other EVs as well from what I’ve seen across the Web) one of the common issues is that the system will drain the 12V battery in about a week. That’s why it’s so important to totally disconnect 12V power if you plan to store the truck for a while. And it’s also why 12V batteries don’t last long on these EVs. So now they are going to replace the job the 12V battery used to do with a 48V battery? A 48V battery that certainly is not going to be stocked at every Walmart and auto parts store in America like 12V batteries are.

This is more and more starting to sound like a vehicle that Ford is building to save money at time of sale, but as the years pass the owner will shell it out in dealership repairs instead.
You're aware UEV vehicles don't have a low voltage battery, right? They use a DC to DC converter (generally a highly reliable component if properly specified and cooled) to supply low voltage directly from the high voltage battery.

You're not wrong about some vehicles having battery drain issues. Heck, Maverick hybrids were dying for that reason in the early days. But it's completely irrelevant to the UEV platform.

I don't think there's any data out there suggesting the UEV will be a glorious source of wealth to dealerships. In general, BEVs are extremely low maintenance, and dealerships hate selling them for that reason (most dealer profit originates from service). And also, the UEV platform can be updated OTA for software issues - unlike my Maverick, which has been flashed four times in four years for recalls.

I think generally people start disliking a vehicle, and then they come up with reasons to explain why they dislike it. The same is true in reverse. Over on the Slate forum, you should see the total baloney people put out just to justify totally nutty narratives about how the Slate walks on water.

Another narrative out there is that "stealerships" will charge $5,000 over list. Let them. Just buy from one of the national volume dealerships at a discount and have them ship it to your door. You don't have to use your legs. Click the mouse a few times. Click a few keyboard keys. You've got a discounted Fathom in two minutes. Maverick owners have been doing this for years (not me, because Asheville Ford ROCKS).
 
Last edited:

metroshot

Well-Known Member
First Name
Pat
Joined
Aug 6, 2026
Threads
3
Messages
64
Reaction score
61
Location
CA
Website
www.kudo-ume-farms.com
Vehicles
Mach E + Honda PHEV
Country flag
...... Over on the Slate forum, you should see the total baloney people put out just to justify totally nutty narratives about how the Slate walks on water.

Another narrative out there is that "stealerships" will charge $5,000 over list. Let them. Just buy from one of the national volume dealerships at a discount and have them ship it to your door. You don't have to use your legs. Click the mouse a few times. Click a few keyboard keys. You've got a discounted Fathom in two minutes. Maverick owners have been doing this for years (not me, because Asheville Ford ROCKS).
Oh, aren't you so correct about the Slate forum - they are talking like it's the best EV since sliced bread...
Anything negative or comparing to the Fathom will bring on jeers and hate speech by the Slate forum members.

As for ADM and dealer add-on BS - it's worth calling around or emailing the dealerships about their ADM and add ons.

When I got the '22 Lightning and '23 Mach E - had to call around many dealers to find ones that would not mark up nor add on silly things like $600 plastic door edge guards ($10 from Amazon), $1200 alarm system (same dinky ones used for lot security), and $400 for nitrogen in tires.

For my Fathom order since I just retired, I am looking at flying into Wichita, KS and picking up the Fathom at a discount from Long McArthur Ford in Salina, KS and driving her back to So Calif.
 

paneubert

Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2026
Threads
0
Messages
16
Reaction score
18
Location
Seattle
Vehicles
2025 Hybrid Maverick XLT/4K/AWD/CoPilot/Eruption Green
Country flag
For my Fathom order since I just retired, I am looking at flying into Wichita, KS and picking up the Fathom at a discount from Long McArthur Ford in Salina, KS and driving her back to So Calif.
Do it. 100%. I have done the drive back to Seattle from Salina twice with my Maverick(s). They will pick you up from the airport, drive you to the dealership, and take care of you. For me, one time I did all the paperwork once I was there, the other time I did all the financing a day or two before I flew in. For that second time, they pretty much handed me the keys, a stack of already signed papers, and said I had nothing to sign and could head out as soon as I wanted to. They will put a Kansas temporary plate on it that is valid for something like 60 days. In WA State, I think we only get a 30 day plate. Either way, you have a long time to tax/title/license it once you get back to California. You can drive around on the Kansas plate for a long time if needed.
 

metroshot

Well-Known Member
First Name
Pat
Joined
Aug 6, 2026
Threads
3
Messages
64
Reaction score
61
Location
CA
Website
www.kudo-ume-farms.com
Vehicles
Mach E + Honda PHEV
Country flag
Do it. 100%. I have done the drive back to Seattle from Salina twice with my Maverick(s). They will pick you up from the airport, drive you to the dealership, and take care of you. For me, one time I did all the paperwork once I was there, the other time I did all the financing a day or two before I flew in. For that second time, they pretty much handed me the keys, a stack of already signed papers, and said I had nothing to sign and could head out as soon as I wanted to. They will put a Kansas temporary plate on it that is valid for something like 60 days. In WA State, I think we only get a 30 day plate. Either way, you have a long time to tax/title/license it once you get back to California. You can drive around on the Kansas plate for a long time if needed.
DM sent
 

paneubert

Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2026
Threads
0
Messages
16
Reaction score
18
Location
Seattle
Vehicles
2025 Hybrid Maverick XLT/4K/AWD/CoPilot/Eruption Green
Country flag
Replied. Let me know if you have any other questions! They are a well oiled machine over there when it comes to out of state sales, so there is probably no scenario with an out of state buyer they have not seen before.
 
 
Top