These are the first shots of what is believed to be the Ford F-150 Hybrid, which may now be a PHEV.

Spotted in Dearborn, Michigan, going around 35 mph, there were moments when the engine noise would cease and a humming electrical noise would begin. There was a humming noise at the light, clearly an indication of a hybrid-electric powertrain. The engine then fired back up when the light changed.

Ford has pledged to mate the F-150 to a gas-electric hybrid powertrain, and this appears to be the first evidence of it. This prototype started with an engine and then stopped, suggesting it has a drivetrain adapted from Ford’s other hybrid endeavors.

The F-150 was also spotted with what appeared to be a charge port hidden with camouflage, suggesting an Energi version may be in the cards.

Expect a PHEV F-150 to be equipped with a V6 Ecoboost and an electric motor, with mandatory four-wheel drive. Rumors suggest the vehicle could debut for 2020, but it’s likely that it would be previewed as early as next year. It could also be adapted to the new 10-speed automatic set for the Raptor and other rear-drive Ford and GM vehicles.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

These are the first shots of what is believed to be the Ford F-150 Hybrid, which may now be a PHEV.

Spotted in Dearborn, Michigan, going around 35 mph, there were moments when the engine noise would cease and a humming electrical noise would begin. There was a humming noise at the light, clearly an indication of a hybrid-electric powertrain. The engine then fired back up when the light changed.

Ford has pledged to mate the F-150 to a gas-electric hybrid powertrain, and this appears to be the first evidence of it. This prototype started with an engine and then stopped, suggesting it has a drivetrain adapted from Ford’s other hybrid endeavors.

The F-150 was also spotted with what appeared to be a charge port hidden with camouflage, suggesting an Energi version may be in the cards.

Expect a PHEV F-150 to be equipped with a V6 Ecoboost and an electric motor, with mandatory four-wheel drive. Rumors suggest the vehicle could debut for 2020, but it’s likely that it would be previewed as early as next year. It could also be adapted to the new 10-speed automatic set for the Raptor and other rear-drive Ford and GM vehicles.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin vetoed legislation to provide for the issuance of special plates for use on collector vehicles and allow for the transfer of the plates between collector vehicles owned by a collector.

Legislation to provide for the issuance of special plates for use on collector vehicles and allow for the transfer of the plates between collector vehicles owned by a collector was vetoed by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. The bill defined a “collector motor vehicle” as a motor vehicle that is more than 25 years old.

Under West Virginia law, these vehicles may not be used for general transportation and may only be used for participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades and for the purpose of testing their operation, obtaining repairs or maintenance and recreational purposes over weekends and on holidays. 

According to the governor, “Both law enforcement and the Division of Motor Vehicles have expressed concern over the transferability of the plate between potentially unregistered vehicles. They have expressed that this bill may result in confusion in the enforcement of traffic regulations as well as potentially opening the door to subterfuge by certain persons.” 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin vetoed legislation to provide for the issuance of special plates for use on collector vehicles and allow for the transfer of the plates between collector vehicles owned by a collector.

Legislation to provide for the issuance of special plates for use on collector vehicles and allow for the transfer of the plates between collector vehicles owned by a collector was vetoed by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. The bill defined a “collector motor vehicle” as a motor vehicle that is more than 25 years old.

Under West Virginia law, these vehicles may not be used for general transportation and may only be used for participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades and for the purpose of testing their operation, obtaining repairs or maintenance and recreational purposes over weekends and on holidays. 

According to the governor, “Both law enforcement and the Division of Motor Vehicles have expressed concern over the transferability of the plate between potentially unregistered vehicles. They have expressed that this bill may result in confusion in the enforcement of traffic regulations as well as potentially opening the door to subterfuge by certain persons.” 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin vetoed legislation to provide for the issuance of special plates for use on collector vehicles and allow for the transfer of the plates between collector vehicles owned by a collector.

Legislation to provide for the issuance of special plates for use on collector vehicles and allow for the transfer of the plates between collector vehicles owned by a collector was vetoed by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. The bill defined a “collector motor vehicle” as a motor vehicle that is more than 25 years old.

Under West Virginia law, these vehicles may not be used for general transportation and may only be used for participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades and for the purpose of testing their operation, obtaining repairs or maintenance and recreational purposes over weekends and on holidays. 

According to the governor, “Both law enforcement and the Division of Motor Vehicles have expressed concern over the transferability of the plate between potentially unregistered vehicles. They have expressed that this bill may result in confusion in the enforcement of traffic regulations as well as potentially opening the door to subterfuge by certain persons.” 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin signed into law legislation authorizing local governments to hold sanctioned motor-vehicle races on public roads or airports under their jurisdiction.

Legislation authorizing local governments to hold sanctioned motor-vehicle races on public roads or airports under their jurisdiction was signed into law by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. The law also requires issuance of a permit for the racing event and declares that an authorized racing event is not a nuisance or subject to speed restrictions. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin signed into law legislation authorizing local governments to hold sanctioned motor-vehicle races on public roads or airports under their jurisdiction.

Legislation authorizing local governments to hold sanctioned motor-vehicle races on public roads or airports under their jurisdiction was signed into law by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. The law also requires issuance of a permit for the racing event and declares that an authorized racing event is not a nuisance or subject to speed restrictions. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin signed into law legislation authorizing local governments to hold sanctioned motor-vehicle races on public roads or airports under their jurisdiction.

Legislation authorizing local governments to hold sanctioned motor-vehicle races on public roads or airports under their jurisdiction was signed into law by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. The law also requires issuance of a permit for the racing event and declares that an authorized racing event is not a nuisance or subject to speed restrictions. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Senate amended and approved legislation to exempt rare or historically significant vehicles from emissions-control requirements.

Legislation to exempt rare or historically significant vehicles from emissions-control requirements was amended and approved by the Senate. The amendment extends the effective date of the bill to January 1, 2017. The amendment now needs to be approved by the House. Under current law, only vehicles 20 or more years old are exempt.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Senate amended and approved legislation to exempt rare or historically significant vehicles from emissions-control requirements.

Legislation to exempt rare or historically significant vehicles from emissions-control requirements was amended and approved by the Senate. The amendment extends the effective date of the bill to January 1, 2017. The amendment now needs to be approved by the House. Under current law, only vehicles 20 or more years old are exempt.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.