The disguised Fathom is on the roads of Las Vegas. An electric pickup for less than $30,000
Ford is building excitement ahead of the debut of its latest “baby” – an electric pickup. On X, Ford President Jim Farley shared photos of the vehicle driving through Las Vegas streets. The Fathom, as it’s called, is the first model built on the new Universal EV platform. Its base price will be exactly $28,350, which is around 111,000 zł, aiming to bring electric pickups to the mass market segment. Information gathered so far suggests that Americans are focusing on simplicity, low costs, and practicality, targeting a market that has previously been out of reach for affordable BEVs.
In short:
The Fathom is set to revolutionize the pickup market overseas
Why? Simplicity and a price under $30,000
The car will use the new Universal EV platform
It will be available in RWD version with one engine and AWD version with two motors
Range? Around 300 miles, but only with an upgrade
Debut? Orders will begin at the start of 2027
Fathom: The electric truck that could make a splash
Ford has been building anticipation around Fathom, its new electric pickup designed to be the first model built on the entirely new Universal EV platform. This project is intended to be for Ford what the Model T was a century ago: a breakthrough in car design, production, and pricing. The excitement ahead of its debut was further heightened by Ford’s CEO, who recently posted on X photos of the disguised Fathom model driving around Las Vegas.
Pricing ahead of debut: approximately 111,000 Polish zlotys
According to Ford Authority, the price of the Fathom has been initially set at $28,350, with destination fees adding another $29,945. When converted, this amounts to approximately 105,188 zł and 111,163 zł respectively (based on the exchange rate as of September 4, 2026). These figures place the electric pickup in a completely different price segment compared to most EVs available today.
The platform designed to streamline production
The Fathom is the first vehicle built on the new Universal EV platform, an architecture aimed at drastically simplifying production. Evcube.Net reports that Ford has adopted a 48-volt electrical system, which allows for reducing wire harnesses by about 4,000 feet (over 1,200 meters), and it replaces 146 stamped components with two large aluminum castings.
This isn’t a flashy technology suitable for advertising, but it is such changes that determine whether an electric pickup can cost not 250 thousand złoty, but just a little over 100 thousand złoty.
Ford CEO Jim Farley described the Fathom as a “Model T moment” — an attempt to build a cheap, mass-market EV from scratch rather than adapting internal combustion engine designs. “It’s a deliberate approach to reinventing production, reducing complexity, and creating an affordable yet highly profitable EV,” reported The Electric Duo while covering the model’s presentation on August 6, 2026, according to Motor Trend journalists.
Performance and Technology: Fast, Simple, Practical
Ford has not disclosed the full technical specifications. It is only known that the Fathom will be available in an RWD version with a single engine and an AWD version with two engines—an induction motor at the front and a synchronous motor at the back. According to Ford Authority, the acceleration is expected to be similar to that of the Ford Mustang EcoBoost, around 4.5 seconds to 60 mph (96 km/h).
Range? The Americans have only confirmed that a range of about 300 miles (approximately 483 km) will be available, though at an additional cost. The 4wdTalk site emphasizes that this is one of the most important unknowns, along with payload capacity, towing capacity, battery size, and charging speed, which Ford has not yet revealed.
The cabin will naturally feature Apple Maps as the default navigation system, at no additional cost, which is a significant difference from other Ford models where a subscription must be purchased after one year. BlueCruise, which enables semi-autonomous driving on highways, will also be standard, though full activation after the trial period will be paid — according to Car and Driver.
Size and Practicality: More Like the Maverick Than the F-150
Fathom is intended to be similar in size to the Ford Maverick, a compact pickup that became popular in the U.S. due to its low price and simplicity. According to Ford Authority, Fathom will be comparable in length and width but will offer a cabin space similar to that of the Ford Ranger, meaning a true five-seater layout.
Evcube.Net adds that passengers are expected to have more space than in a Toyota RAV4, and the vehicle will come with both a front trunk and a traditional cargo area—a combination that is rare in the affordable EV segment.
Competition: Who is really competing for customers at 100,000–120,000 zł?
In the segment of electric pickups under $30,000, competition is surprisingly strong today, though still in its early stages. The main competitor is the Slate Truck, priced at $24,950 (about 92,500 zł). It is a more compact vehicle with a shorter range (205 miles), but it targets a similar customer profile: low price, simplicity, and practicality. According to industry media, the Slate does not offer many of the features Ford plans for the Fathom, such as a full audio system or electric windows.
There is also internal competition. This refers to the aforementioned Maverick in its gasoline version. Its starting price is $28,145 (about 104,000 PLN), which is almost identical to the Fathom. This shows how aggressively Ford has priced its electric model. In practice, the Fathom is intended to be an alternative for customers who have previously chosen the cheapest gasoline pickups.
Will the Fathom be a hit?
Ford faces a tough task, as it aims to create an electric pickup that is not only affordable but also genuinely useful. For now, the Fathom appears to be a highly pragmatic project in this segment—without flashy features or extravagance, but with an emphasis on cost, simplicity, and mass production. And a mass market customer.
Oskar Włostowski