Ford's midsize EV pickup Fathom starts at $28,350, preorders 2027
Ford has announced the Fathom, a new midsize electric pickup with a base price of $28,350 that is built on the company's new UEV platform.
The biggest shift in Ford’s EV strategy landed this week: a midsize electric pickup called the Fathom with a base price of $28,350, plus a $1,595 delivery charge.
Ford unveiled the name and pricing via a short video and accompanying blog post, confirming details that had been hinted at for months. The company says the name draws from the nautical term for depth, a nod to Mark Twain’s famous river measurements.
Media additions
Beyond the moniker, the Fathom lands on Ford’s new Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform. According to Ars Technica, the platform uses a “zonal architecture” that swaps hundreds of discrete electronic control units for a handful of powerful computers, slashing wiring complexity. The Verge adds that the vehicle will be assembled in parallel lines for front, middle and rear sections, then joined before shipping. Ford claims that “high‑volume manufacturing plus streamlined assembly will be key to making the Fathom’s suggested retail price viable.”
The Verge reports a large, high‑resolution touchscreen with Apple Maps, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, plus the hardware needed for Ford’s hands‑free BlueCruise system. A Jalopnik leak shows in‑bed power outlets and a possible midgate, while a Ford PR source on Reddit confirmed that the truck will use the NACS charging plug.
Ford also confirmed production plans. The company says the Louisville Assembly Plant will begin building the Fathom “next year,” with deliveries slated for before the end of 2027. Pre‑orders are set to open in “early 2027.”
Key dates
- August 2026 – Ford announces the Fathom name and pricing.
- Early 2027 – Pre‑order window opens.
- 2027 (mid‑year) – Production starts at Louisville Assembly Plant.
- Late 2027 – First customer deliveries.
Pricing comparison
| Model | Base MSRP | Destination/Delivery Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Fathom | $28,350 | $1,595 |
| Ford Maverick (electric) | Higher MSRP | Higher destination charge (makes it $45 pricier than Fathom) |
| Slate Truck | Approximately $3,545 less than Fathom (per Jalopnik) | Included in advertised price |
The price point sits just above the Slate Truck’s $24,950 starting price, but Ford argues that the Fathom offers a “full‑featured” experience for a modest premium. While the Slate strips out power windows, a touchscreen and even a basic stereo to hit its low price, the Fathom includes those amenities as standard.
Analysts see the Fathom as Ford’s answer to a “dearth of affordable EV trucks,” a gap that the company highlighted in a Slashgear piece. The outlet notes that the Fathom will directly compete with the Maverick within Ford’s own lineup, as well as with the Slate from an independent startup.
Slashgear points out three risk factors that could shape the Fathom’s market performance:
- Production consistency – past hiccups with the F‑150 Lightning suggest that scaling a new EV platform can encounter bottlenecks.
- Dealership rollout – dealers may prioritize higher‑margin models or inflate showroom prices, potentially pushing the advertised sub‑$30,000 price far higher for consumers.
- Unrevealed specs – range, battery capacity, towing and payload numbers remain undisclosed, and buyers will weigh those against price.
If Ford can deliver the promised interior space—greater than a Toyota RAV4 according to The Verge—and meet the “250‑300 mile range” benchmark that industry observers deem necessary (as cited by SlashGear), the truck may capture a segment that currently leans toward gasoline‑powered midsize pickups.
What to watch next
- Competitive moves – The Slate Truck is slated to hit roads later in 2026; its real‑world pricing and performance will test the Fathom’s value proposition.
