XL Hybrids, Inc. has decided to pair its XLP plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain with Ford's F-150 pickup, the vehicle modifier has announced. The vehicle will be available in the fourth quarter.

The XLP fleet-ready technology is the industry’s first ship-thru upfit on pickup trucks from a leading OEM, according to XL Hybrids. XL Hybrids announced it would offer a PHEV pickup in December.

“After securing order commitments from our leading fleet customers, we made the decision to begin production on the popular and versatile Ford F-150,” said Clay Siegert, XL Hybrids’ co-founder and chief operating officer. “Already, major fleets are placing orders to be among the first to get the PHEV on the road to positively impact their sustainability initiatives while saving on fuel costs.”

NV Energy and DTE Energy are among the newest utility and municipal fleets who say they intend to purchase XL Hybrids’ XLP PHEV system, which delivers a 50% improvement in miles driven per gallon, as well as significant reduction in C02 emissions. They join previously-announced fleets San Diego Gas & Electric Company — which recently signed a memorandum of understanding to purchase 110 units — Liberty Utilities, Hawaiian Electric Company, Montgomery County Maryland, and the City of Newton, Mass.

The XLP technology will be installed in 2017 Ford F-150 pickups with the 2.7L EcoBoost engine and Ford’s auto stop-start technology. The XLP will also be available for the 2018 F-150 with the 2.7L engine and new 3.3L base engine that feature auto stop-start technology.

Installation of the XLP PHEV system can be completed in just hours on half-ton pickup trucks as a ship-thru upfit. Featuring a volume-production ready high voltage lithium battery pack, XLP will accommodate full charging overnight with Level 1 and less than three hours for Level 2 charging using an industry-standard J1772 plug interface. The XLP technology leaves the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) engine, transmission, fuel system and exhaust system intact. Fleets will maintain the OEM warranty and get a three-year, 75,000-mile warranty from XL Hybrids on the XLP powertrain.

XLP will also include the XL Link cloud-based big data analytics system that measures fuel economy performance and reports carbon dioxide emissions reductions.