2026 F-150 Lightning STX Model Introduced. Replaces the XLT

[RickLightning]

Nice….i wasn’t aware that loophole was added. Especially given the anti-EV sentiment of the crafters of that legislation.

Actually, this loophole wasn't added recently, it's existed for years. The key is a binding contract, with a decent deposit.

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[bmwhitetx]

Will the 2026 Stx Lightening use ccs or Nacs charge port?

Probably no NACS for 2026 either. When Ford announced their deal with Tesla back in 2023, they said:

In 2025, Ford will offer next-generation electric vehicles with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector built-in….

Those next-gen vehicles continue to be delayed. And so far they haven’t changed any first-gen EV to NACS. Would require lots of hardware and software changes to an established and aging platform.

 

[RickLightning]

Will the 2026 Stx Lightening use ccs or Nacs charge port?

Lightning.

Ford has not announced any change in charging port to my knowledge.

 

[Maquis]

Actually, this loophole wasn't added recently, it's existed for years. The key is a binding contract, with a decent deposit.

It wasn’t the case when I got my truck 9 days past 12/31/23 and missed out on the credit. The IRS regulations clearly stated “placed in service.”

 

[Garyl]

Am I correct in my assumption that the STX uses a LFP battery chemistry that actual likes being charged to 100% of capacity on a regular basis. If that's the case it actually would have 75 mile + of additional range over my SR Pro at 80% charge.

 

[RickLightning]

It wasn’t the case when I got my truck 9 days past 12/31/23 and missed out on the credit. The IRS regulations clearly stated “placed in service.”

Agree.

When the rules changed in August 2022, they used this language for the period 1/1/2022 to 8/15/22. I don't know when this rule (binding contract) comes into play and when it doesn't, but it's the same requirement. Maybe @TaxmanHog knows.

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/credits-for-new-electric-vehicles-purchased-in-2022-or-before

 

[Zprime29]

Lightning.

Ford has not announced any change in charging port to my knowledge.

Official Ford account (Brian, not AI) replied to someone on the MachE forum and said future Ford EV's will be "NACS capable".
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/what-happened-to-nacs-native-support.48252/post-999468

Given the circumstances of the post and the discussion, it appears that native NACS port integration is in the works.

 

[RickLightning]

Official Ford account (Brian, not AI) replied to someone on the MachE forum and said future Ford EV's will be "NACS capable".
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/what-happened-to-nacs-native-support.48252/post-999468

Given the circumstances of the post and the discussion, it appears that native NACS port integration is in the works.

Future models, not the Mach-E or Lightning.

 

[bmwhitetx]

Am I correct in my assumption that the STX uses a LFP battery chemistry...

Will not be LFP. Will be Li-Ion (NMC).
The announcement states that the batteries for the STX will be made at BlueOval SK, Kentucky. According to their webpage:
BlueOval SK will make lithium ion batteries to power future Ford and Lincoln brand electric vehicles.
They began commercial operation Aug 19, 2025.

LFP batteries are scheduled to be made next year at the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan and are targeted for the new entry-level affordable vehicles.

 

[TaxmanHog]

8936-A shows the "In Service" date, I don't know if there will be language in the 2025 version for filing in 2026 that accepts a "Binding Contractual Sale Date" in lieu of "In Service Date" ..... we will have to see. This situation would mostly affect those filing for the credit at the time they file thier income tax return in the spring of 2026.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8936sa.pdf

I also wonder if dealers will try or be encouraged to pre-book sales in the system to get the credit before 10/1/2025, some F&I managers might try such a scheme, not sure how that would go if they were audited!!

 

[Garyl]

• The 123kWh battery/290 mile range closes the gap for buyers between a SR and ER. That's an important decision I recall seeing discussed on our forum from potential for owners. Yes SR can work, but often times we recommend ER. Now with the STX the purchase decision is less of a drastic choice.
• The LFP battery out of BlueOval SK factory is important. The cost savings of getting that low cost battery into the vehicles is going to economically keep encouraging Ford to invest in EV trucks. Cheaper battery = more potential profits for Ford and dealers.
• The difference between STX and Flash becomes "do I want a tablet touch screen infotainment or not?" That's the biggest trim comparison that stands out to me. Makes sense as Flash is the tech trim.
• The battery and outdoor focus of the STX is an interesting marketing choice. I'm reading between the lines and believe they're trying to dispell the myth that EVs can't go out and have rugged adventures. The range anxiety of "what do I do out in the trails?" Good Ford honed in on a concern in their feedback and focus groups. We know the Lightning is more than capable of outdoor adventures. Ford just needs to advertise it to the pubic to any potential future owners.
• The louder graphic designs are going to appeal to some folks. Sounds like many of us here are not the target audience. That means Ford did their job of marketing this truck to a people who are not yet owners.
• Conclusion: I'm ok with the trim lineup update. STX trim will hit a different market demographic which is great.

Looks like a quick search turned up bad information. Thanks for the clarification

 

[CD4TNF]

@Garyl @bmwhitetx thanks for the clarification. My mistake. I didn't realize the different SK factories produced different batteries.

 

[rgb1701]

Am I correct in my assumption that the STX uses a LFP battery chemistry that actual likes being charged to 100% of capacity on a regular basis. If that's the case it actually would have 75 mile + of additional range over my SR Pro at 80% charge.

Great observation re: benefits of batteries that allow routine 100% charging. They effectively give you more routine capacity even though energy density may not be as high as Nmc

While I don't own a full ev yet, currently driving an F150 Hybrid Powerboost, I did install 12kw solar on my home and bought 40kwh of lfp batteries for home backup this year.

According to Will Prowse on his YouTube channel, LFP batteries can be charged to 100% basically daily, or at least weekly.
While Will does not have a formal engineering background, he has years of practical diy solar and battery expertise, reviewing and tearing down and building diy lfp battery packs for his homes

 

[RLXXI]

Great observation re: benefits of batteries that allow routine 100% charging. They effectively give you more routine capacity even though energy density may not be as high as Nmc

While I don't own a full ev yet, currently driving an F150 Hybrid Powerboost, I did install 12kw solar on my home and bought 40kwh of lfp batteries for home backup this year.

According to Will Prowse on his YouTube channel, LFP batteries can be charged to 100% basically daily, or at least weekly.
While Will does not have a formal engineering background, he has years of practical diy solar and battery expertise, reviewing and tearing down and building diy lfp battery packs for his homes

There's been reports from users that regularly charge to 100% on these trucks for hundreds of thousands of miles with no ill effects. Since Ford precalculated usable battery size and SOC, there's less on the table for what's known in the industry as "CYA"

Example using my own truck specs, it's listed as having a 123kWh battery yet the sticker clearly shows it to be quite a bit higher at 134.5kWh. My bet is they balanced this out beforehand to as mentioned, CYA, so that when we charge to 100%, we're actually only charging it to 90-95% (cya buffer).

It's easier to understand in terms of hp for an ice vehicle, every gear head knows Ford leaves a lot of power off the table to (CYA) their engines from rapid unscheduled disassembly. Introduce custom tuning.

I don't know of any way to get more power from these ev platforms however, charging to 100% daily should not be an issue.

 

[rgb1701]

There's been reports from users that regularly charge to 100% on these trucks for hundreds of thousands of miles with no ill effects. Since Ford precalculated usable battery size and SOC, there's less on the table for what's known in the industry as "CYA"

Example using my own truck specs, it's listed as having a 123kWh battery yet the owners manual clearly shows it to be quite a bit higher at 142.1kWh. My bet is they balanced this out beforehand to as mentioned, CYA, so that when we charge to 100%, we're actually only charging it to 90-95% (cya buffer).

It's easier to understand in terms of hp for an ice vehicle, every gear head knows Ford leaves a lot of power off the table to (CYA) their engines from rapid unscheduled disassembly. Introduce custom tuning.

I don't know of any way to get more power from these ev platforms however, charging to 100% daily should not be an issue.

Agreed.
The 80% charge rule is about charge speed, not battery damage, degradation.
Charge speed drops significantly after 80%. While that doesn't matter for home, work, overnight charging, it matters for road trip time.
Travelers want to keep charge times low to minimize long distance trips, so usually want to stop charging at 80% when charge rate goes down, which can be very slow depending on vehicle

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