Ford is expanding its Advanced Fuel Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) program to include companies that develop and install electrified and hydraulic hybrid powertrains for Ford trucks and vans.
As reported, the new eQVM program helps fleet and commercial customers meet their specific needs for durable, reliable electrified and hydraulic hybrid work trucks that retain the original powertrain warranty.
Ford says it is investing $4.5 billion in 13 new electrified vehicles in the next five years. These include an all-new fully electric small SUV, a high-volume autonomous vehicle, a hybrid F-150, a hybrid Mustang, a Transit Custom plug-in hybrid, and two new pursuit-rated hybrid police vehicles.
“Ford supports electrification for a variety of vehicle types,” says Richard Cupka Jr., Ford sustainability and QVM program manager. “The eQVM program extends that support to the vocational truck industry, where customers need relatively small numbers of specialized vehicles – there is no one-size-fits-all work truck.”
The automaker is kicking off its eQVM program with three developers – XL Hybrids, Motiv Power Systems and Lightning Hybrids. These companies offer electrification or hydraulic hybrid solutions for a range of Ford vehicles popular with fleet and commercial customers, including F-150, F-250 to F-550 Super Duty; F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks; Transit and E-Series vans and chassis; and F-53/F-59 stripped chassis.
The Ford QVM program includes more than 200 companies dedicated to modifying the automaker’s broad commercial vehicle lineup for customer applications in a number of industries, including motorhome, school bus, mobility, emergency services, conversion van, police and limousine. Additionally, QVM upfitters install a wide range of equipment onto Ford trucks and vans to transform them into work trucks.
Ford’s QVM qualification process includes on-site assessments at each location to verify the operation meets manufacturing, assembly, workmanship, customer service and quality requirements and that it has processes in place to produce vehicles that meet federal regulations. Vehicles modified by a Ford QVM in compliance with Ford guidelines retain their factory warranties.
The eQVM program builds on the success of the Advanced Fuel QVM program Ford launched in 2010. Through that program, customers can obtain Ford Transit Connect, Transit or E-450 vans and chassis, F-Series trucks, and F-53/F-59 stripped chassis that run on compressed natural gas or propane.