Important Update: Ford EV Roadmap & Future of F-150 Lightning (EREV Next Gen Model) - ⛔️ ADMIN WARNING: NO POLITICS

[VAF84]

There’s a lot of blame being thrown around for Ford’s EV stumble—oil companies, the administration, capitalism, Ford itself. From my experience owning both a Lightning and a Sierra EV, and talking with people across the country, the reality feels more mixed: it’s on both Ford and consumers.

Ford talked a big EV game but never fully committed, from dealerships up through corporate. I still remember a Ford salesperson taking me to a GM dealer to charge my Lightning. Traveling through rural America (pre-Tesla access), Ford dealer chargers were often broken or unavailable, while nearby GM dealers filled the gap.

Ford stalled at the Lightning and Mach-E. GM, meanwhile, built a broad EV lineup. The Lightning also ignored traditional truck buyers who were asking for more range and faster charging. GM addressed that head-on with 400–500 mile trucks, largely eliminating range anxiety.

Ford leaned heavily on social media and forums as brand cheerleaders, but the substance wasn’t there. GM stayed quiet, but let the products and support do the talking. It felt like Ford’s heart just wasn’t in it. Farley’s well-publicized Lightning road trip seemed to disillusion him right as things were improving with Tesla Supercharger access, better batteries, and faster charging.

Consumers - Ford is right about one thing, most consumers are still afraid of EVs. That’s understandable. This is the second largest purchase most people ever make. In my conversations, the hesitation has nothing to do with oil/gas. It’s always “I don’t want to wait 30 minutes to charge”, "no one can service it", and "the battery is expensive to replace". In rural areas, it's also "I don't know anyone with an EV, so hesitant to buy until someone I know owns one". That consumer fear directly impacts legacy automakers’ bottom lines.

E-Rev's - I think they’ll flop. Many “interested” buyers will chicken out when the product actually hits the market, or find it too expensive compared to the gas version. Once people go full EV, they don’t go back—and those buyers will land with GM or Tesla. Tech-averse buyers will see an E-REV as overly complex, balk at the price, or seriously consider battery replacement costs along with engine maintenance (as I did with PHEVs) and walk away. A product for the niche within a niche.

Personally, I went from a 6.2L V8 → Lightning → PowerBoost hybrid (hated it after EV) → full EV. Between a hybrid/E-REV and a V8, I’d take the V8. Between a V8 and an EV, I choose EV every time.

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[ScottyG]

My 2022 XLT Lightning is the best vehicle I have ever owned, hands down. I understand that it may not fill everyones need but in my use case it is perfect! In my area (Vancouver Island, Canada) Lightnings are starting to appear like crazy. I know this is a small market, but I took a 90km drive down the highway the other day and I lost count at 20. These are not Tesla number,s but it does tell me I am not the only one who thinks this thing is close to perfect. I do suspect Ford will try and fill this gap with a smaller EV truck, maybe like a Ranger or Maverick, but the little extra space (I have 3 kids) is what makes the F-150 perfect! I was prepared to be a "Lightning" driver till the end of time! I still hope Ford figures this out. But like I said, I do appreciate that manufacturing these are likely very expensive, and only hitting a couple of small markets doesn't get you the ROI. But I am not sure adding "range" is the solution. I have an SR and tow boats, trailers, wood, junk, etc, all the time. But where I live I have pull-through chargers and everything is close so I never think about range. Maybe this is a infrastructure problem, not a Lightning problem? Anyway, I love my lightning and I am happy I got one when I did. I will be holding on to it till the bitter end!

 

[Texas Dan]

I just sold my Ford stock because of this announcement. My values and Ford’s values definitely appear to be diverging.

 

[djwildstar]

Thanks for the update, Brian. It's good to hear the news straight from the horse's mouth.

I'm disappointed that Ford won't be offering a BEV version of the new Lightning. It seems like a relatively small engineering lift to offer an optional "remove the engine and add more batteries and a frunk" package.

I absolutely love my F-150 Lightning, and plan to continue to drive it for years to come.

When the time comes for a new pickup, I hope that Ford will be making a full-size pure-BEV pickup truck, because it would be a shame to let some 20 years of being a Ford-exclusive family -- including Mustang, Flex, Mach-E and Lightning -- come to an end. However, I have very little interest in owning a vehicle with a combustion engine ever again, and my wife even less so. So we will be shopping manufacturers that are selling full-size BEV pickups, whomever they might be.

 

[SNBI18]

Wow this is shocking but kind of expected. The expected part is that the market for an EV full size truck in this country is not strong. The larger portion of truck owners that looked down at this truck are stubborn and refuse to accept changes in not only technology but life. They think a gas-powered truck is more inferior. When in reality outside of towing the lightning outperforms the gas truck in all levels. EV for me means nothing political, I'm certainly not a tree hugger. I love hunting, guns, my boots, and my family. For someone like myself I'm very logical and the performance that you get out of this vehicle, the quiet ride, and the absence of having to stop to get gas was a no-brainer. The vehicle's I choose to drive are about the experience and about the technology and performance. The truck is 4wd all the time, tech updates, the list goes on. I do not want to go back to putting gas in my vehicle. I also don't want a generator powering my EV battery. I don't want to go back to hearing noise in my vehicle. If Ford was up to date with their technology and a solid state battery was used the towing and range concerns would disappear. Get rid of the dumb light bar and make the truck look more like the gas F-150 and your audience will increase. The marking for this truck was zero to none, your dealerships knew nothing about this truck and talked down on it, I live in NJ btw. Ford has always been behind, they no longer make sedans because they failed at it. The brand could be great but their leadership team has no vision. Sad. No idea what I'll be sitting in 1.5 years from now when this truck goes back on lease.

 

[The Weatherman]

Much more work than I planned to do. Hahaha. Looks good.
My back of envelope scribbles got me to 100 bhp for Gen set of 40% efficiency.
Like you say, it ain’t gonna be a Briggs and Stratton lawnmower engine in the bed of the truck.

Might be 1000cc though.

 

[Lomilar]

Might be 1000cc though.

While that could be fine to supplement power while the battery is draining, the exercise was 80mph -- which ended up being 60kw. 28kw is about 60mph sustained. Still super cool.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

First of all, thank you to everyone for the candid feedback and discussions in this forum. I have been sharing common themes with management. I want to triple down on something initially shared. Like all vehicles, we will maintain parts and service for 10 years. We are also committed to ensuring ongoing support of our vehicles’ software quality and experience.

As for existing Lightning customers who might be coming off lease or looking or a new Lightning, we are looking at the following:

• Assist early adopters to purchase or lease a new 25MY Lightning
• Offering extensions to customers who wish to extend their leases beyond the original term
• Providing dealer support to help match customer with available inventory

Sharing more information on the above as I get my hands on it.

• We have good dealer stock of F-150 Lightning now and more in transit to dealers for those who may want one
• We expect to have F-150 Lightning inventory into 2026, so there is plenty of opportunity for customers to get a Lightning for many months
• We will have early bird and renewal programs in place to support returning F-150 Lightning lessees and owners to get into another truck
• We will add additional programs next year to extend leases for customers interested in our new electric (UEV) pickup truck coming in 2027
• We will add additional programs to support off-lease customers who are interested in purchasing their F-150L and keep it for a long time
• Ford Power Promise continues in 2026

 

[Tony Burgh]

While that could be fine to supplement power while the battery is draining, the exercise was 80mph -- which ended up being 60kw. 28kw is about 60mph sustained. Still super cool.

Thanks for input.
I was going to comment “I CAN‘T DRIVE 55”.

 

[Warp Asylum]

First of all, thank you to everyone for the candid feedback and discussions in this forum. I have been sharing common themes with management. I want to triple down on something initially shared. Like all vehicles, we will maintain parts and service for 10 years. We are also committed to ensuring ongoing support of our vehicles’ software quality and experience.


Sharing more information on the above as I get my hands on it.

• We have good dealer stock of F-150 Lightning now and more in transit to dealers for those who may want one
• We expect to have F-150 Lightning inventory into 2026, so there is plenty of opportunity for customers to get a Lightning for many months
• We will have early bird and renewal programs in place to support returning F-150 Lightning lessees and owners to get into another truck
• We will add additional programs next year to extend leases for customers interested in our new electric (UEV) pickup truck coming in 2027
• We will add additional programs to support off-lease customers who are interested in purchasing their F-150L and keep it for a long time
• Ford Power Promise continues in 2026

Thank you for the update. When it comes time to replace my 22 with something, likely in 3 to 5 years, I'm still only interested in what the now cancelled T3 may have been.

I have no interest in downgrading to either an EREV or a smaller entry level truck.

 

[roci]

First of all, thank you to everyone for the candid feedback and discussions in this forum. I have been sharing common themes with management. I want to triple down on something initially shared. Like all vehicles, we will maintain parts and service for 10 years. We are also committed to ensuring ongoing support of our vehicles’ software quality and experience.


Sharing more information on the above as I get my hands on it.

• We have good dealer stock of F-150 Lightning now and more in transit to dealers for those who may want one
• We expect to have F-150 Lightning inventory into 2026, so there is plenty of opportunity for customers to get a Lightning for many months
• We will have early bird and renewal programs in place to support returning F-150 Lightning lessees and owners to get into another truck
• We will add additional programs next year to extend leases for customers interested in our new electric (UEV) pickup truck coming in 2027
• We will add additional programs to support off-lease customers who are interested in purchasing their F-150L and keep it for a long time
• Ford Power Promise continues in 2026

Does this extend outside the US and NA?

 

[The Weatherman]

Might want to check the second bullet point. …….26 or 36

 

[Deleted member 21405]

Thank you for the update. When it comes time to replace my 22 with something, likely in 3 to 5 years, I'm still only interested in what the now cancelled T3 may have been.

I have no interest in downgrading to either an EREV or a smaller entry level truck.

Why are you only interested in something that “may have been” and is confirmed dead??

 

[hturnerfamily]

>>>I love my Lightning period. However, for my next vehicle, I will be looking for a vehicle that can handle those few longer road trips that I take each year when I need to tow my boat.>>>

I don't disagree that a magical 'truck' like you hope is in the future...but, honestly, for those of us only complaining and hoping because we have those 'few' longer road trips, wouldn't we be better off, FINANCIALLY, and also long-term maintenance related, to simply RENT a large truck for these few times?

I don't own a U-Haul truck, but I rent one when needed.
I certainly don't want to buy one, just for that 'infrequent need'...

 

[hturnerfamily]

no matter the news from FORD, or anyone else:

I didn't order my 2022 FORD F150 LIGHTNING PRO SR because anyone else did - I did it for me.

I didn't care whether anyone else ordered one, or not, or in the future.

Whether FORD ever builds another one, I won't care.

And, just because FORD decides to now build something different, it matters not to me.


This AMAZING Machine is everything Jim Farley said it would be, back in early 2021... whether the climate has changed, no pun intended, or whether buyer 'sentiment' is now different, doesn't change the fact. I love it. LOVE it.

Just try to pry this wonderful Truck out of my hands...

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