Ford Employees Left Heartbroken Over Recent EV Cancellations

[TaxmanHog]

Ford Employees Left Heartbroken Over Recent EV Cancellations

By Brett Foote
February 26, 2026 1:03 am

Back in December, Ford announced a major pivot in strategy that evolved canceling its second-generation EVs - a list that includes a commercial van, which will be replaced by an affordable gas model, as well as the Ford F-150 Lightning, set to return at some point packing an extended range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain. For Lightning owners, specifically, this has proven to be a tough pill to swallow, but as it turns out, many Ford employees were heartbroken over these cancelations, too.

“How we dealt with the EV reckoning weighed heavily on us all last year,” a high-level Ford source told Shifting Gears with Phoebe Wall Howard. “Farley wanted to be decisive and transparent about moving forward strategically … Yeah, we had teams that were heartbroken because they put their heart and soul into these canceled vehicle programs but we needed to move forward. We had wins and losses. But this is about Act II now.”

The source noted that Ford CEO Jim Farley wanted to "rip off the Band-Aid and just recalibrate" quickly, with no delay in action, which necessitated some admittedly "tough decisions." That included giving up on the all-electric F-150 Lighting and instead planning to replace its powertrain with an EREV, which combines a large battery pack with electric motors and a gas generator that only provides power to the battery, while the electric motors drive the wheels.

However, Ford isn't giving up on electric vehicles - not by a long shot. Rather, it's going all-in on the new Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) Platform, which will debut next year in a mid-size pickup. That innovative new product will present buyers with a lot of Ford "firsts" - a 48-volt electrical system, a structural battery pack, a native North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, and aerodynamics designed by folks using learnings from Formula 1 racing to optimize range and efficiency.

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[FloridaMan655321]

I'm still a little bullish on a Lightning return. When Ford first announced the Lightning they predicted around 25k units a year, which is exactly what they sold. The issue is they then said 'naa, now we think it's 100k/yr'.
If there is a redesign of the F150, I could see a more viable 25k/yr Lightning to be released.

 

[MountainAlive]

I just hope Ford is wise enough to plan and design the next Lightning so that it can be either fully electric OR with an onboard engine generator, using the same assembly line.

No one knows how the political and technological tides will shift over the next 3-5 years. They have to be ready for both outcomes.

 

[Legacy_Lightning]

I also believe that Lightning will make a comeback. I also believe that cancelling of the lightning is because of the current political environment. Scout Motors also want to release their EV truck in 2028. These are all not random decisions regardless of what they all say out in the public.

But at the end of the day, electric future is inevitable no matter how hard they try.

 

[Theredshift]

I also believe that Lightning will make a comeback. I also believe that cancelling of the lightning is because of the current political environment. Scout Motors also want to release their EV truck in 2028. These are all not random decisions regardless of what they all say out in the public.

But at the end of the day, electric future is inevitable no matter how hard they try.

Im with you and your spot on on political environment. That killed it

 

[gbuydos]

The Lightning isn't coming back, the vehicle is now tainted.

But can always hope for one in a decade after everyone forgets.

 

[Theredshift]

The Lightning isn't coming back, the vehicle is now tainted.

But can always hope for one in a decade after everyone forgets.

I normally feel that way as well but i think the lightning being built so well, it will really be looked at positively. Just my opinion

 

[chl]

a 48-volt electrical system

Oh my...isn't that special!
No more 12v battery issues...

"Elimination of Legacy 12V Battery: The new architecture removes the need for a separate 12V battery, instead powering lights, locks, and infotainment directly from the main, likely LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate), battery pack."

They'll need to step it down to 12v for some things, after market accessories, etc.

Cuts down on I^2R losses with the higher voltage so more efficient with lower currents, and can use thinner wire.

 

[Albern]

I'm unimpressed by Farley's decision about the Lightning. To me, they framed the Lightning as the scapegoat to their problems.

 

[Roy2001]

The new EREV would be more practical. It would be like a BYD Shark, which has a fairly large battery pack for daily commute or local shopping, and use gas to generate power, still driving like an EV.

That would be my dream truck indeed, with 80+ miles EV range, and you can still use gas when you need.

 

[Altivec]

The new EREV would be more practical. It would be like a BYD Shark, which has a fairly large battery pack for daily commute or local shopping, and use gas to generate power, still driving like an EV.

That would be my dream truck indeed, with 100+ miles EV range, and you can still use gas when you need.

If I want to fill up with gas because I do a lot of long distance driving, I already have plenty of choices with proven technology. Battery tech is on the cusp of next gen (lighter, faster to charge, safer, less expensive, greater longevity). By the time Ford's EREV is out, it will be considered nonsense. EREV's are complex to maintain and repair. Smaller batteries found in EREV's also die out a lot quicker due to the constant cycling. I have an EREV car and learned my lesson. Won't touch an EREV again but its a great marketing idea that will draw in a lot of suc..ers, I mean people.

 

[Scorpio3d]

Ford Employees Left Heartbroken Over Recent EV Cancellations

By Brett Foote
February 26, 2026 1:03 am

Back in December, Ford announced a major pivot in strategy that evolved canceling its second-generation EVs - a list that includes a commercial van, which will be replaced by an affordable gas model, as well as the Ford F-150 Lightning, set to return at some point packing an extended range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain. For Lightning owners, specifically, this has proven to be a tough pill to swallow, but as it turns out, many Ford employees were heartbroken over these cancelations, too.

“How we dealt with the EV reckoning weighed heavily on us all last year,” a high-level Ford source told Shifting Gears with Phoebe Wall Howard. “Farley wanted to be decisive and transparent about moving forward strategically … Yeah, we had teams that were heartbroken because they put their heart and soul into these canceled vehicle programs but we needed to move forward. We had wins and losses. But this is about Act II now.”

The source noted that Ford CEO Jim Farley wanted to "rip off the Band-Aid and just recalibrate" quickly, with no delay in action, which necessitated some admittedly "tough decisions." That included giving up on the all-electric F-150 Lighting and instead planning to replace its powertrain with an EREV, which combines a large battery pack with electric motors and a gas generator that only provides power to the battery, while the electric motors drive the wheels.

However, Ford isn't giving up on electric vehicles - not by a long shot. Rather, it's going all-in on the new Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) Platform, which will debut next year in a mid-size pickup. That innovative new product will present buyers with a lot of Ford "firsts" - a 48-volt electrical system, a structural battery pack, a native North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, and aerodynamics designed by folks using learnings from Formula 1 racing to optimize range and efficiency.

Every time I read about the death of the Lightning it is like a knife through the heart!
🪦🫀

 

[Albern]

The new EREV would be more practical. It would be like a BYD Shark, which has a fairly large battery pack for daily commute or local shopping, and use gas to generate power, still driving like an EV.

That would be my dream truck indeed, with 100+ miles EV range, and you can still use gas when you need.

If anyone is particular about NVH or the auto start-stop feature in ICE vehicles, and think that EREVs are a solution, I suggest you try out a Prius, any other parallel-hybrid, or series-hybrid (with the HV battery depleted) to discover what EREVs will be like. You'll likely hate it.

 

[Roy2001]

EREV's are complex to maintain and repair. Smaller batteries found in EREV's also die out a lot quicker due to the constant cycling. I have an EREV car and learned my lesson. Won't touch an EREV again but its a great marketing idea that will draw in a lot of suc..ers, I mean people.

It is not necessarily complex. For BYD Shark, the engine is mainly a generator, it only drive wheels at freeway for efficiency, so it does not have a transmission.

 

[Roy2001]

If anyone is particular about NVH or the auto start-stop feature in ICE vehicles, and think that EREVs are a solution, I suggest you try out a Prius, any other parallel-hybrid, or series-hybrid (with the HV battery depleted) to discover what EREVs will be like. You'll likely hate it.

No I hate auto start-stop feature on gas car be frankly.

I have 2017 Prius plug-in, it is different from BYD Shark. Prius is not using a 12V starter but rather high voltage (probably 288V) starter which is MUCH MORE smooth.

But, Toyota Hybrid technology is too advanced and it is still a gas car. BYD style hybrid is more like EV.

I prefer BYD style F150, 40kWh battery for local, and gas generator kicks in when need.

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