Ford F-150 Lightning EREV A ‘Smart Move,’ Says Dealer Chairman

[TaxmanHog]

Ford F-150 Lightning EREV A ‘Smart Move,’ Says Dealer Chairman
By Brett Foote
January 28, 2026 9:52 am


Last month, The Blue Oval announced that it was discontinuing the Ford F-150 Lightning - at least, in the existing all-electric guise as we know it. The Lighting will return at some point with an extended range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain, combining a large battery pack with electric motors and a gas generator for superior range, though it's unclear when that might happen. Regardless, it seems as if the Blue Oval's dealer network approves of this notable change.

For now at least, details remain scant when it comes to the future Ford F-150 Lightning EREV, but from what we know so far, it seems promising for a number of reasons. “I’m not privy to that product plan,” Steve Blasing, chairman of the Ford National Dealer Council, told Automotive News in a recent interview. “But just understanding how that type of engine and that model works, I think it would be a big seller.”

“In our area, which is more rural, the customers who bought EV saw the benefit because of their driving habits,” Blasing added. “They drove around town, they commuted to work, they had short distances and it made a lot of sense to those buyers. But most of the customers in our area, and other rural areas, need gas or hybrid because of the longer travel distances. I always tell people, we have a lot of long, long-distance soccer moms. You know, they need a longer range.”

While there's a lot we don't know about the Ford F-150 Lightning EREV, we do know that it will utilize "advanced" technology and have "the seamless, instant power of an electric powertrain and the freedom of a generator-backed estimated range of more than 700 miles," according to the automaker Ford also said that the next-generation Lightning will follow the current EV by boasting exportable electricity - much like the existing Pro Power Onboard feature.

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[Truaz]

Other than range there is so much more that can go wrong.
Fires are more common with gas vehicles. Now you have both gas and lithium batteries.
It’s more technically complex. You have both electric and ICE issues.
You loose the mega frunk.
It was for these reasons dodge abandoned their electric truck, it was supposed to be a EREV.
Ford could have made this work just needed a little more time. Technology didn’t advance as quickly as it should have or was expected to.

 

[Adventureboy]

I think Ford should offer both versions. EV with EREV option. The difference will be the gas generator, or a Frunk and a larger battery, whichever works best for the buyer.

But that might appeal to too many customers.....

 

[Lytning]

Thanks for sharing @TaxmanHog.

The Engineer in me can't help but note the following ...
1. "though it's unclear when that might happen"
2. "details remain scant when it comes to the future Ford F-150 Lightning EREV"
3. "I’m not privy to that product plan"
4. "just understanding how that type of engine and that model works" (really?)
5. "there's a lot we don't know about the Ford F-150 Lightning EREV"

But, the yet writer states ...
6. "we do know that it will utilize "advanced" technology and have "the seamless, instant power of an electric powertrain and the freedom of a generator-backed estimated range of more than 700 miles"

I am betting the writer is a sales / marketing guy. It is obvious that he drank the @Ford Motor Company Kool-Aid.

 

[MountainAlive]

I think Ford should offer both versions. EV with EREV option. The difference will be the gas generator, or a Frunk and a larger battery, whichever works best for the buyer.

But that might appeal to too many customers.....

This is my hope as well. If they can offer two configurations of this truck that would be great news. I have no doubt Ford engineers could design it this way to be either: smaller battery+generator (EREV) or bigger battery+frunk (BEV).

 

[TaxmanHog]

I am betting the writer is a sales / marketing guy. It is obvious that he drank the @Ford Motor Company Kool-Aid.

Par for the course with most media these days!

 

[DaBlue357]

My question is how far away are we from battery tech and efficiencies reaching a threshold in both cost and function to where ICE and EREV are basically obsolete?

The main two tangible reasons the Lightning "failed" is cold weather & towing range and lack of charging infrastructure. DC fast charging speed might be a third, but easily resolved IMO.

After driving a Lightning for a year, I've gotten pretty good insight on where things are at. My guess is about 25% in battery efficiency and what a similar 25% in design efficiency. A slight transition from gas pumps to charging stations at what 10-20% in the next few years?

I don't think these are crazy insurmountable hurdles here.

 

[Sam_oceans]

I think Ford should offer both versions. EV with EREV option. The difference will be the gas generator, or a Frunk and a larger battery, whichever works best for the buyer.

But that might appeal to too many customers.....

I expect that the battery will not have any drive capability. It will not be connected to the drive train. It will simply be a generator producing power to charge the battery. See the Honda Civic EREV. They use an Atkinson 1.5 litre Bike engine to run the charging. BMW had a version 15 years ago that used a lawn mower engine of about 0.650 litre.

 

[Adventureboy]

I expect that the battery will not have any drive capability.

Pretty sure this will not be the case. The drive system will likely be similar to the Lightning with reduced capacity on the EV-only range.

 

[tubby]

I am thinking if us frunk lovers can get used to not having the cool, usable frunk, Ford may surprise us all with something so much cooler, we will forget about it...? Keep dreaming? If this is off topic, just let me know and I will remove this AI pic.

 

[Adventureboy]

I am thinking if us frunk lovers can get used to not having the cool, usable frunk, Ford may surprise us all with something so much cooler, we will forget about it...? Keep dreaming? If this is off topic, just let me know and I will remove this AI pic.

There have been a few creative storage ideas for trucks over the years, but the Frunk is my favourite and by far, the most accessible. Under-bed presents access challenges, body side panel compartments present limitations for covers and caps, Rivian's storage system is neat but cuts into bed space, etc.

 

[ZeusDriver]

I expect that the battery will not have any drive capability.

I'm guessing that you meant "engine" instead of "battery?" For the architecture, just look at the Ram Rev literature. The Ford is aiming for the same sort of figures.

 

[tubby]

There have been a few creative storage ideas for trucks over the years, but the Frunk is my favourite and by far, the most accessible. Under-bed presents access challenges, body side panel compartments present limitations for covers and caps, Rivian's storage system is neat but cuts into bed space, etc.

They could perhaps somehow keep the underhood storage sales/feature pitch going...?

 

[Lytning]

They could perhaps somehow keep the underhood storage sales/feature pitch going...?

New feature! Bake a ham while driving to grandma's house for Thanksgiving.

 

[Shmoe]

Ford F-150 Lightning EREV A ‘Smart Move,’ Says Dealer Chairman
By Brett Foote
January 28, 2026 9:52 am


Last month, The Blue Oval announced that it was discontinuing the Ford F-150 Lightning - at least, in the existing all-electric guise as we know it. The Lighting will return at some point with an extended range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain, combining a large battery pack with electric motors and a gas generator for superior range, though it's unclear when that might happen. Regardless, it seems as if the Blue Oval's dealer network approves of this notable change.

For now at least, details remain scant when it comes to the future Ford F-150 Lightning EREV, but from what we know so far, it seems promising for a number of reasons. “I’m not privy to that product plan,” Steve Blasing, chairman of the Ford National Dealer Council, told Automotive News in a recent interview. “But just understanding how that type of engine and that model works, I think it would be a big seller.”

“In our area, which is more rural, the customers who bought EV saw the benefit because of their driving habits,” Blasing added. “They drove around town, they commuted to work, they had short distances and it made a lot of sense to those buyers. But most of the customers in our area, and other rural areas, need gas or hybrid because of the longer travel distances. I always tell people, we have a lot of long, long-distance soccer moms. You know, they need a longer range.”

While there's a lot we don't know about the Ford F-150 Lightning EREV, we do know that it will utilize "advanced" technology and have "the seamless, instant power of an electric powertrain and the freedom of a generator-backed estimated range of more than 700 miles," according to the automaker Ford also said that the next-generation Lightning will follow the current EV by boasting exportable electricity - much like the existing Pro Power Onboard feature.

Of course the dealers love it.. they love the smell of money.

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