Ford's First Ultra-Cheap EV Is Called Fathom, and It's a Full-Featured Truck for $28,350

 Ford's First Ultra-Cheap EV Is Called Fathom, and It's a Full-Featured Truck for $28,350

**"Fathom" translates as "six feet deep," which is probably where Ford would like to bury the Slate Truck.**

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## The Name

On Thursday, Ford Motor Company finally put an end to months of speculation by revealing the name of its highly anticipated affordable electric pickup: the **Fathom** . The name, which denotes a unit of depth roughly equivalent to six feet, is a deliberate shift away from the nostalgia of heritage nameplates like Bronco or Maverick . As Ford explained it, the name represents "a deep understanding of the person who would drive" the truck, and how their "motivations look a little different from the traditional truck customer's" . It signifies reaching "a new depth of innovation," allowing the company to "fathom possibilities once thought beyond reach" .

## The Price

The Fathom's starting price is arguably its most impressive spec. The base model will start at an MSRP of **$28,350** . With the mandatory $1,595 destination and delivery charge, the total comes to **$29,945**—just a hair under the crucial $30,000 psychological barrier . This makes the Fathom one of the cheapest EVs on the U.S. market, competing directly with the no-frills Slate truck ($26,400) and the Chevy Bolt .

### Features

Despite its low price, the Fathom is anything but a stripped-down work truck. Ford has emphasized that this is a "high-tech" and "fun-to-drive" vehicle that offers a compelling list of standard equipment.

#### Standard Equipment

- **BlueCruise Capability:** Every Fathom will come with the hardware necessary for Ford's hands-free highway driving assistant, though activation may require a subscription .

- **Bidirectional Power:** Standard V2G (vehicle-to-grid) capability allows the truck to power a home or tools, just like the F-150 Lightning .

- **Large Touchscreen:** A "large, high-resolution" infotainment screen is standard. The Fathom is also Ford's first vehicle to feature native integration with **Apple Maps** for navigation and route planning, while still supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto .

- **Digital Key & Frunk:** The truck will come with a digital key and an under-hood "frunk" for added cargo flexibility .

#### Space and Utility

Ford projects that the five-seat Fathom will have more passenger volume than a Toyota RAV4, and it will feature a truck bed for utility . The truck is built on the new **Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform**, which is designed to simplify manufacturing and drastically cut costs. Ford has reduced the total number of parts by 20% and eliminated 40% of the process workstations compared to its traditional assembly lines .

## "Burying the Slate Truck"

The playful jab at the Slate Truck is rooted in the competition's relative positioning. The Slate, backed by Jeff Bezos, is priced lower at $26,400 . However, it is famously spartan, offering crank windows and no standard touchscreen . Ford's Kay Hart, general manager of Model E, made a point to say that the Fathom "is not a stripped-down vehicle," implying that Ford is offering significantly more value for the price . The Fathom's sub-$30,000 price point and comprehensive feature list put a target squarely on the Slate's back.

## The Bigger Picture

The Fathom represents a massive gamble for Ford. The company wrote off billions on previous EV projects and discontinued the F-150 Lightning after seeing no path to profitability . The Fathom is the result of a "skunkworks" project led by former Tesla exec Alan Clarke, designed to compete with Chinese affordability and Tesla's market dominance . It will begin production in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2027, with the true test coming when buyers decide if Ford's new "depth" is deep enough to shake up the EV market .

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## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What is the starting price of the Ford Fathom?**

A: The Ford Fathom has a starting MSRP of **$28,350**. With the destination charge ($1,595) included, the total price is **$29,945** .

**Q: When will the Ford Fathom be available?**

A: Pre-orders for the Fathom will begin in **early 2027**. Deliveries are scheduled to start in the **fall of 2027** .

**Q: What is the UEV platform?**

A: UEV stands for Universal Electric Vehicle Platform. It is Ford's new manufacturing architecture designed to significantly reduce production costs by using fewer parts and more efficient assembly methods .

**Q: What features does the Fathom come with at the base price?**

A: Standard features include a large touchscreen with native Apple Maps, BlueCruise capability, bidirectional power, a digital key, and a frunk. It also has more passenger volume than a Toyota RAV4 .

**Q: What is the range of the Ford Fathom?**

A: Ford has not yet announced the official EPA-estimated range for either the standard or extended-range battery packs. The base model will use an LFP battery, and Ford has stated they will offer options, including a 300-mile version .

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## Disclaimer

**IMPORTANT:** This article is for informational purposes only and is based on information available as of August 2026. Vehicle specifications, pricing, and release dates are subject to change. Product images are not yet available and are often represented by manufacturer renderings. For the latest information, consult the official Ford Motor Company website.