XL Hybrids to Offer Hybrid Ford F-250 Pickup

25 Sep by Vitaliy Dadalyan

XL Hybrids to Offer Hybrid Ford F-250 Pickup

<img width="150" src="http://www.automotive-fleet.com/fc_images/news/m-xlhybrids-f250-xl3-hybridelectric-1.jpg" border="0" alt="

Photo by XL Hybrids.

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Photo by XL Hybrids.

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XL Hybrids will begin producing its XL3R hybrid electric drive system for 2018 Ford Super Duty F-250 pickups in the first quarter of 2018, the vehicle modifier told Heavy Duty Trucking in an exclusive interview.

The company has adapted its XL3 powertrain technology for the 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.

“Ford has been a longtime partner of XL Hybrids and has been very helpful in our product development efforts and after having success with the E-Series and Transit vans solution,” said Clay Siegert, co-founder and COO. “Looking at what models were most popular with commercial fleets, F-Series pickup trucks were the natural extension of what we’ve been doing. We’ve had significant inbound interest for this product on the F-250, a tried and true work truck that’s used for hauling, towing, really heavy duty fleet operations, so fleets are looking to improve the MPG.”

This will be the first time that Ford F-250 trucks can be ordered by fleet customers with hybrid-electric drive technology, according to the company. While adapted specifically for the F-250, the system will continue to offer up to a 25% increase in miles per gallon, as well as the accompanying reductions in CO2 emissions.

“It is the same platform product architecture that we’ve used for the hybrid product we’ve been selling for five years with 51 million real-world miles on them,” added Ed Lovelace, chief technology officer of XL Hybrids.

The XL3 system will be offered as a ship-thru upfit on 2018 F-250 pickups and will be compatible with a range of wheelbases, cab and bed configurations in both 4×2 and 4×4 options. According to Siegert, XL Hybrids is working with a range of upfitters and will be making formal announcement of preferred …Read the rest of this story

Source:: http://www.truckinginfo.com/channel/fuel-smarts/news/story/2017/09/xl-hybrids-to-offer-hybrid-drive-for-ford-f-250-in-q1-2018.aspx