New Ford Hybrid to Replace Iconic Wildwood Tram Cars? Not Just Yet
This past weekend, the Wildwood Boardwalk saw a new kind of tramcar roaming its planks — a yellow truck. The sight left many people, including us, wondering what was going on.
The iconic yellow and blue Wildwood Tram Cars are famous for their cheerful “Watch the Tramcar, Please!” announcement — a beloved staple of summer strolls along the Boardwalk.
New Ford Hybrid To Replace Iconic Wildwood Tram Cars
Unveiled on Sunday, May 4th, a new Ford Maverick Hybrid made its debut, marking the first major update to the fleet since the introduction of the “Gig” tramcar.
At first, many assumed this truck was set to become the full-time lead tram — but that’s not the case.
Its primary purpose will be to assist the tramcars when they need a tow and will not be used solely to replace them.
The team does plan to test it as a towing vehicle this summer, but no official plans have been made beyond that.
The Ford Maverick Hybrid brings a mix of performance, efficiency, and sustainability to the Boardwalk. Powered by a 2.5L Atkinson-cycle I4 engine paired with a lithium-ion high-voltage battery, the hybrid system delivers a combined 191 horsepower.
While it’s not a plug-in hybrid, it can operate in electric-only mode for short bursts under certain conditions.
With an EPA-estimated 37 mpg and a driving range of approximately 511 miles per tank, the Maverick Hybrid also offers a towing capacity of up to 2,000 lbs — more than enough to pull tramcar carriages up and down the Boardwalk all summer long.
Could We See a Change in the Tramcar in the Future?
Last year, we took you behind the scenes during the off-season to show how the tramcars “sleep” while the Boardwalk is closed (you can find the video tour at the bottom of this article).
What many people don’t realize is that the technology behind the original tramcars is becoming increasingly outdated. These older trams rely on mechanical systems and components that are no longer produced at scale.
Also See: The Tram Car Store to Open Second Location on the Wildwood Boardwalk
Replacement parts are getting harder to source, and the specialized knowledge needed to maintain them is fading.
As modern, energy-efficient alternatives emerge, continuing to maintain — let alone rebuild — the original system is becoming financially unsustainable.
To put things into perspective: according to sources at the Wildwood Video Archive, building a new Wildwood tramcar from scratch could cost up to $150,000.
The Dance of the Wildwood Tramcar
In contrast, a brand-new Ford Maverick Hybrid runs between $27,000 and $33,000, making the switch both economical and practical.
In the meantime, the original tramcars will continue rolling along — offering reliable service and one more nostalgic ride for those who want to relive a beloved Boardwalk tradition.
[Photos and video courtesy of Timmy Smith]