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Different strokes for different folks apply to trucks. Some people will never go hybrid and are angrily against electric trucks. But Ford has gas, hybrid, and EV power available for everyone. Plus, the Ford F-150 Hybrid just got more comfortable. 

The Ford F-150 Hybrid dropped its belt starters 

The Ford F-150 Hybrid has never been this smooth before. Ford recently decided to eliminate both of its belt starters. 

Wait, what? Most trucks only have one belt starter?! You’re right about that, but the F-150 Hybrid received a second one integrated into the accessory belt drive. 

But the F-150 Hybrid can spin things up in a unique way. The hybrid motor can start the engine through the transmission. 

To ensure this actually works, the Ford team performed over 300 software enhancements and studied data from hundreds of test miles. Now drivers and passengers benefit from a smoother ride as Ford benefits from lower production costs and reduced complexity. 

The 2024 Ford F-150 Hybrid climbing over rocks
2024 Ford F-150 Hybrid | Ford

This move could further the success of the F-150 Hybrid. Since Ford made the hybrid engine less expensive to obtain sales increased by 65% in May 2024, and the hybrid model now accounts for 25% of all F-150 sales. 

You can upgrade from the turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine with 400 hp and 500 hp to the hybrid variant, which adds an electric motor and a battery pack to generate 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque at no extra cost. 

The regular 3.5-liter engine gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and up to 24 mpg on the highway. The Ford F-150 Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and up to 26 on the highway. During my week with the Powerboost Hybrid, I hovered around 25.4 mpg. 

Also, the F-150 Hybrid can tow up to 12,700 lbs and carry a payload of up to 2,078 lbs. The gas-powered F-150 can tow up to 13,500 lbs and carry a payload of up to 2,445 lbs. 

So, one of the only obvious downsides to the F-150 Hybrid is that it’s slightly less capable of towing and hauling.

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Staff Writer

Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.