Ford Plans Extended-Range F-150 Lightning as It Reconsiders Full EV Strategy

Ford is rethinking the future of its electric pickup lineup. After several years of mixed results with the all-electric F-150 Lightning, the automaker has confirmed that its next-generation Lightning will add a gasoline engine—not to drive the wheels, but to generate electricity and dramatically extend driving range.

The move reflects a broader recalibration of Ford’s EV ambitions as adoption slows, incentives fade, and truck buyers continue to prioritize towing capability and long-distance usability.

Why the Original Lightning Fell Short

When the F-150 Lightning launched, it promised to electrify America’s best-selling truck without compromising capability. It delivered instant torque, zero tailpipe emissions, and standout features like the ability to power a home during outages.

Yet the truck also exposed the challenges of fully electric pickups. High prices and steep range losses while towing turned off many traditional truck buyers. Compared with gas and hybrid F-150s, Lightning sales remained modest, and Ford acknowledged that it often sold the vehicle at a loss.

Those realities ultimately forced a strategic rethink.

Ford Shifts to an Extended-Range EV Pickup

Ford now says production of the current Lightning will end permanently. In addition, the company has canceled development of its next-generation full-size electric truck platform, internally known as T3.

In its place, Ford will introduce an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) version of the F-150 Lightning. This configuration pairs a large battery and electric drivetrain with a gasoline engine that acts solely as a generator. Ford expects the setup to deliver more than 700 miles of total range.

According to Ford executives, the truck will operate as an EV for most daily driving while eliminating anxiety around long-distance towing and hauling.

Targeting Real-World Truck Use

Ford says the EREV Lightning is designed around how pickup owners actually use their vehicles. Most drivers are expected to rely on electricity alone for everyday commuting, while the gas engine steps in during extended trips or heavy towing.

The truck will retain key Lightning features, including the ability to power tools, worksites, and household devices. However, Ford has not yet disclosed pricing, production timing, or detailed specifications.

What is clear is that Ford sees range confidence as non-negotiable for full-size truck buyers—especially as charging infrastructure remains uneven in rural and work-oriented markets.

The End of the Current Lightning

Ford confirmed that production of the existing all-electric Lightning will not resume, effectively closing the chapter after roughly three and a half years on sale. The decision follows earlier production pauses and reflects lower-than-expected EV demand.

Executives pointed to multiple headwinds, including slower battery cost declines, changes in emissions regulations, and the expiration of consumer EV tax credits. Together, those factors have reduced urgency for buyers to switch to fully electric trucks.

EREVs Gain Momentum Globally

While extended-range EVs are not yet sold in the U.S., they are gaining traction elsewhere—particularly in China. Automakers increasingly view EREVs as a bridge technology that combines modern EV platforms with familiar refueling convenience.

When it launches, Ford’s EREV Lightning could compete with upcoming models such as the Scout Harvester and the Ram 1500 REV, both of which also emphasize extended usability over pure electrification.

Ford’s Broader EV Reset

The Lightning shift is part of a wider pullback. Ford has canceled a planned electric commercial van for Europe and repurposed parts of its BlueOval City campus to focus on affordable gas-powered trucks. A Kentucky battery facility will now also produce stationary energy storage systems.

Despite these changes, Ford insists it has not abandoned EVs entirely. The company reaffirmed its commitment to its Universal EV Platform, a U.S.-built lineup aimed at affordability, starting with a $30,000 electric truck planned for 2027.

For now, Ford is betting that a hybridized approach—not an all-electric one—offers the clearest path forward for America’s most important pickup.

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