Ford CEO Says Its New EV Tech Is 30% More Efficient Than BYD's

Ford CEO Jim Farley stated that the automaker’s new Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform features powertrain components that are approximately 30% more efficient than those used by Chinese competitor BYD. The claim, made during Ford’s third-quarter earnings call, highlights how improved efficiency in motors, gearboxes, and inverters is being leveraged to reduce battery size and cost for upcoming models.

What Happened

During the earnings call, Farley explained that the efficiency advantage allows Ford to design vehicles with significantly smaller batteries, which are the most expensive component in an electric vehicle. "There's another area that we really found to be quite advantaged relative to a BYD. And that is the efficiency of our motors, gearbox and inverters, which are about 30% more efficient than theirs and allows us to design a battery that's much less," Farley said. The UEV platform is set to debut with the Fathom pickup, priced at $28,350. While Ford has not disclosed the exact battery capacity for the Fathom, past reports have estimated it to be in the 50 to 60 kWh range. Achieving a workable range of more than 200 miles will require maximizing the utility of this smaller battery pack through the claimed efficiency gains. The source notes that it remains unclear which specific BYD powertrain Farley was referencing in his comparison.

Why It Matters

Ford’s strategic focus on the UEV platform reflects an effort to compete directly with Chinese manufacturers on both cost and technology. BYD surpassed Ford in global sales last year, largely due to deep vertical integration. In response, Ford is bringing more of its supply chain in-house and developing the UEV architecture from the ground up, a strategy influenced by its partnership with Geely in Europe. According to Ford executives, the Geely partnership has provided insights into lowering manufacturing costs and accelerating product development. The company pitches the UEV platform—which features fewer parts and an overhauled manufacturing process—as a way to make EVs more economically viable than current models like the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning. Additionally, Ford Chief Operating Officer Kumar Galhotra noted that the engineering improvements in the UEV platform will extend to hybrid vehicles, allowing them to benefit from the same efficiency gains.

The Bottom Line

Ford claims a 30% powertrain efficiency advantage over BYD to enable smaller batteries and lower costs for its new UEV platform, starting with the $28,350 Fathom pickup. The strategy involves vertical integration and lessons from the Geely partnership to compete with Chinese automakers, with efficiency benefits also planned for future hybrid models.