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

[Mikerson]

I’m extremely disappointed by this announcement. I have been a Ford driver since I was 15. My dad retired from Ford credit. I have owned five ford trucks so far in my life including my 2023 Lariat Lightning. I will not be buying any sort of EREV truck and will be looking elsewhere for my next one unless Ford has a change of heart.

I’d like to remind everyone how important it is to keep the pressure on @Ford Motor Company (not Brian). In the 90s when Ford tried to make the FWD Probe into the next Mustang, there was an outcry among Mustang fans and so Ford changed their minds. We don’t have decades of Lightning BEV owners/history to draw on but we have to make our voices heard.

Perhaps leaving this quote in regards to our beloved and best selling EV truck from Thomas Edison, friend and partner with whom Henry Ford built the first electric truck.

Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

Thomas A. Edison

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[wescravinshocker]

Hi F-150 Lightning owners,

I’m coming to you today with an update on our product roadmap. There has been a lot of speculation recently and we just went live with some news. So, I want to give you the facts straight from Ford, explain what is changing, and more importantly, why.

With the F-150 Lightning, we proved an electric truck could be a hit, and it has remained the best-selling electric pickup. Let’s be real about what we’ve learned from you, the owners, and the market over the last few years. You love the electric performance, smoothness, and the tech, but for those that drive long distances, take frequent trips or tow heavy loads across state lines often, an F-150 Lightning might not be the truck for them. And we want it to be.

We took a bet, produced an amazing product that so many people love, and now we’re making adjustments in response to evolving market realities, consumer preferences, and the regulatory environment. No one could have predicted how the EV landscape would change in the U.S., which has impacted the industry.
That is why our next-generation F-150 Lightning will be an EREV. 100% electric power delivery, sub-5-second acceleration – and adds an estimated 700+ mile range with locomotive-like towing capability. That is a game-changer for our customers. Like the current F-150 Lightning, the next-gen version will also offer exportable electricity that can power everything from work sites to camp sites to homes during a power outage.

For those who aren’t familiar with EREVs, this isn't a traditional plug-in hybrid. This is an electric vehicle with an on-board generator. It’s designed to give you the electric capability you enjoy around town, but with the range and towing confidence of a gas truck when you’re hauling a boat or camper. It will be assembled right here in Dearborn at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center.

What this means for the current generation F-150 Lightning and “T3” truck​

Production of the current generation of F-150 Lightning will end this year, and we have also made the decision to no longer produce the next-generation full-size electric truck, also known as “T3”. For those that still wish to purchase a MY25 F-150 Lightning, we have good inventory and interested customers can purchase from dealer stock.

If you have an order in, or were waiting on one, please contact your dealer immediately to see if your vehicle will be built or if they can match you to an existing stock unit.

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

What about support for my current F-150 Lightning?​

I know reading "production is ending" can be nerve-wracking for current owners. I want to be clear: We are committed to ensuring ongoing support of your vehicle’s software updates, quality and experience. Like all vehicles, we will maintain parts and service for 10 years. The team is not walking away from the current F-150 Lightning, and I’m not going anywhere.

The Ford Universal EV Platform​

While we shift F-150 Lightning to EREV, we are absolutely maintaining our plans and investment in the next generation of affordable EVs. The new Universal EV (UEV) platform is now more important than ever for Ford. UEV platform development is well underway. This flexible architecture will underpin a new family of smaller, more affordable, and cost-efficient vehicles—starting with a midsize pickup in 2027.

There is no impact to Mustang Mach-E. Mustang Mach-E is a great success story and is now available in almost 60 markets across the globe. It continues to be a standout electric SUV and plays an important role in the portfolio.

Other News: Battery Technology​

We are also making moves to make our business more sustainable. We are repurposing our Kentucky battery plant to build large-scale battery storage systems (for grid and industrial use), and our Michigan plant will be focusing on prismatic LFP cells. The same Michigan plant will be ramping up production in 2026 to power the new midsize electric truck built on our new Universal EV Platform.

Ford has been in manufacturing for over a century. We understand power management, thermal systems, safety engineering, and large-scale manufacturing. Our licensed LFP prismatic technology is proven, and our brand represents long-term accountability critical for 20+ year infrastructure investments.

I know this is a lot of news, and for the BEV purists, this might be tough to hear. We have a huge opportunity to get more people driving electric – whether that be plug-in hybrid, extended-range electric or pure electric vehicles and our plans set us up to succeed in this mission.

You can read the press release on this news here. I’ll be in the comments a later tonight to answer what I can.

Brian from Ford

When can we expect to go back to work at REVC? I am in the skilled trades. I loved working there and love my LIGHTNING.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

I don’t have an issue with Ford shifting to the EREV. Scout has pretty much the same concept in the vehicles they are preparing to bring to market. I am concerned that Ford is going to basically tank the value of our vehicles by stopping production and bringing a far more capable product in as its replacement. Why would someone buy my 300 mile range 2022 Lightning when they can get a new 700 mile range vehicle? I love my truck but I think this is really going to screw those of us who invested in these trucks thinking Ford was going to stand behind its product.

In short view, yes. In long view, history favors good vehicles with short production runs.

 

[sotek2345]

80mph for 5 hours so a 400 mile trip.
1.25miles / kwh efficiency with a 200kwh battery has us at 250 miles. We need 150 miles ER.

150 additional miles at the same efficiency would need 120kwh. To land at exactly 0% at the end of our trip means we have 5 hours to generate it -> 120kwh/5 hours means a 24kw generator would be needed.

(The generator can use the whole time because the 80mph at 1.25mi/kwh implies a burn rate of 64kw --this is more than the 24kw so there instantly "room" for the ER charge).

Quick backwards check:
200kwh + 24kw * 5 hrs -> 320kwh
320kwh * 1.25 miles / kwh -> 400mi

Why are you assuming such a HUGE battery for the EREV? Ford is making this change to bring down the cost of manufacturing so they can make a profit on each sale. The only way to do that while adding an ICE engine is to substantially shrink the battery. Likely something in the 40kwh to 60kwh range, but maybe smaller. Given that and your math, you would need a motor that can output closer to 60kW, and that would leave you with no reserve passing power at 80mph - you would just be able to overcome air resistance.

 

[Texas Dan]

So many of these posts appear to indicate that the Lightning is going to be abandoned by Ford, I think that’s far from the case. The new EREV Lightning is probably going to have the same electric motors and the same battery modules but just less them. I just hope EREV sales keep Ford EV research alive until Ford can figure out how to build lighter, bigger battery packs that charge faster and cost less.

 

[Timeless Epoch]

So many of these posts appear to indicate that the Lightning is going to be abandoned by Ford, I think that’s far from the case. The new EREV Lightning is probably going to have the same electric motors and the same battery modules but just less them. I just hope EREV sales keep Ford EV research alive until Ford can figure out how to build lighter, bigger battery packs that charge faster and cost less.

Ford already stated it would be about 1 second slower in the 0-60. That math would say, assuming a similar curb weight, of about 460HP. So 120HP less. That would also make sense, because you would want the ICE part of your EREV to put out close to the EV part of your EREV so that you don't end up with a limp noodle after the small battery is flat. You also don't want a huge motor. Net net, the EREV lightning will be lower performing truck than our lightnings.

 

[jsamp17]

Why are you assuming such a HUGE battery for the EREV? Ford is making this change to bring down the cost of manufacturing so they can make a profit on each sale. The only way to do that while adding an ICE engine is to substantially shrink the battery. Likely something in the 40kwh to 60kwh range, but maybe smaller. Given that and your math, you would need a motor that can output closer to 60kW, and that would leave you with no reserve passing power at 80mph - you would just be able to overcome air resistance.

It was part of the homework. The post I was answering set the hypothetical 200kwh battery. I agree it will be a lot less. So much less so that they have to do something else with the cells their factory will be making.

 

[Turbo Dizzle]

I wonder what this means for insurance rates? So do we pamper the truck now to ensure it lasts, or drive it until the wheels fall off

 

[ColonelPanicked]

I was hoping to see an EREV Lightning, to be honest. I get some don't like them but, it made sense to me. I was hoping to see a "frunkless" build and a range extender under the hood. But not instead of the BEV, just complementary to it (i3 style).

If it has 100-150 miles of EV range, I'll probably be interested. Also, HVAC buttons please.

 

[bballr4567]

I have an idea we can test this theory. Go get a generator fire it up in your garage. Get back with us on your results.

A portable generator is much different than a generator that has to meet emission standards. Vehicle engines have to meet emission standards and gladly, you can't just kill yourself with one running.

Just where do we not have enough power for EV charging stations? I don't have any numbers, but my gut says just one of the many many huge data centers built these days will consume more power than all of the charging stations US wide in a day. If there is any kind of power shortage it has nothing to do with EV's.

You are right, the data centers are a problem but they've been green lit by almost every single community as they "make money" for that area. Doesn't make sense to me either.

China produces 9 billion KWh of energy with 60% of it coming from coal. The US produces about half of that with only 16% coming from coal (that's from 2023 as for some reason the EIA hasn't updated numbers)

However, people keep touting China and comparing the US to them where in the US, the grid has to cover far more miles and they have far more EVs on the road and being purchased.

From Dec 1st to 14th, yes, two weeks, they sold 476,000 NEV vs the US sold 346,000 in the 3rd quarter. They're yearly NEV vehicle sales are going to top 12 million (over 50% of the total market) and the US is going to be around 16 million total vehicles with around 10% being NEV.

*Still early with no coffee so some numbers might not be correct but please correct me if not.

 

[sotek2345]

I wonder what this means for insurance rates? So do we pamper the truck now to ensure it lasts, or drive it until the wheels fall off

I have been looking at a few different options on exactly this. Do I dump it now before the resale values completely collapse and spare parts are still available? Unfortunately I am still ~$7k upside down on my loan which is a LOT of negative equity to refinance. Do I hold for another year and hope I break even? Do I keep it until the loan is paid off and hope the insurance rates don't go nuts and spare parts stay available? Right now I am leaning towards #3 as the best option, but who knows how things will go.

 

[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.

 

[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.

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