The Ford Escape will return as an EV based on the UEV platform — SkimNews
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- Ford is preparing to launch the Fathom, its first vehicle on the Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform, in the fourth quarter of 2027, with preorders opening in early 2027 starting at $28,350 including fees.
- Ford will revive the Escape as an all-electric SUV based on the UEV platform, with production expected at the Louisville Assembly Plant in 2029, making it the second model on the platform.
- Fathom will be the first Ford vehicle to integrate Apple Maps into its navigation system and will come standard with BlueCruise hands-free driving, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and bidirectional charging.
- UEV platform uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries to reduce costs and supports vehicles from compact crossovers to pickups, with the Fathom spotted charging at a Tesla Supercharger, confirming its NACS port.
- Louisville Assembly Plant has been retooled to produce the Fathom and will later build the electric Escape, after the last gas-powered Escape rolled off the line in 2024.
Why it matters: Ford’s decision to base the electric Escape on the same cost-optimized UEV platform as the sub-$30,000 Fathom signals a push to make mainstream EVs affordable, directly targeting high-volume compact SUV buyers with a familiar nameplate and lower production costs enabled by LFP batteries and shared architecture.
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