Cleaning Up Pickups

While it’s easier than ever to find a hybrid sedan, a hybrid work truck is far more challenging. Automakers just aren’t building them yet. With XL’s new hybrid program, technicians convert hardworking pickup trucks like the Ford F150 and F250 into plug-in hybrids, adding an electric motor and battery that boost the trucks’ existing power train during acceleration. Without voiding the warranty, the conversion improves trucks’ gas mileage by as much as 25% to 50% while reducing CO 2 output by 20% to 33%, XL claims. The next step, says XL’s Eric Foellmer, is a fully electric conversion. “We’re getting fleets used to the fact that you can plug in your work truck, and it’s going to perform for you,” he says. —Alex Fitzpatrick