Shopping for an electric vehicle under $35,000 feels like hunting for unicorns—plenty of promises, but nothing you can actually buy. Ford’s CEO Jim Farley thinks his company is about to change that reality with what he’s calling a “Model T moment” for affordable EVs. You’ll get the full details on August 11, 2025, when Ford reveals its new low-cost electric platform at a Kentucky event.
This isn’t just another corporate dog-and-pony show. Ford’s been running a Tesla-style skunkworks operation since 2022, led by former Tesla engineering director Alan Clarke. Your typical corporate bureaucracy got tossed aside for startup-speed development focused on one goal: building EVs that don’t require a second mortgage. The platform promises “incredible technology efficiency, space, and features” while keeping sticker prices competitive with Chinese manufacturers flooding the market.
Lithium iron phosphate batteries power this cost-cutting strategy. You lose some energy density compared to premium lithium-ion cells, but gain significant savings and longer lifespan. Ford’s betting most buyers care more about their monthly payment than shaving 20 miles off maximum range. The Kentucky production location isn’t just about American jobs—it helps Ford dodge up to $800 million in annual tariffs on imported EVs while keeping costs down.
Your vehicle options will likely include a compact SUV and mid-size pickup truck (possibly codenamed T3), plus commercial delivery variants. Ford currently trails Tesla and GM in the U.S. electric market with just the Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, and E-Transit. These new models target the massive middle market that existing EVs largely ignore—buyers who need practical transportation, not luxury statements.
The timing isn’t coincidental. Ford aims to launch before federal EV tax credits expire in late September 2025, giving early buyers maximum savings. Whether this actually becomes Ford’s Model T moment depends on execution, but the company’s finally addressing the elephant in the EV room: affordability. Your wallet will be the ultimate judge.
Last modified: July 31, 2025
About the Author: Chris Peters
