Cjutch fan AND electric fan?

[jimmyess333]

I was looking under the hood of my 2007 2.3 yesterday and noticed something odd to me.
On the back of the radiator, in front of the clutch fan, is an electric fan.
Maybe I'm just used to older vehicles but for the life of me I can't figure out why I would need TWO fans.
Is the electric fan a backup in case the engine gets too hot?
Maybe it helps with the air conditioning?
Why wouldn't the clutch fan alone be fine like in the past?
It just seems like unnecesary weight and clutter to me as well as more parts to fail.

 

[shadetree]

Later vehicles use both fans. The electric is to aid during slow, stop/go driving. It takes a little more airflow for r134. shady

 

[jimmyess333]

Thanks

Later vehicles use both fans. The electric is to aid during slow, stop/go driving. It takes a little more airflow for r134. shady

So the electric fan is JUST to help the AC?
IF so that makes me feel a little better that it's not a critical part.
If it breaks later on I'd like to ditch the electric fan AND clutch fan and put in a high flow flex fan if that's possible on these later trucks.
For now, if it ain't broke...

 

[Plum Ranger XLT]

My '08 has both clutch and electric fans and the only time I hear the electric fan come on is when I turn on the A/C or the defrost.