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

[chl]

Not a fan of having a gasoline or diesel powered generator 'range extender' in an electric vehicle. And I don't see a big market for it. Coming down the pike is newer battery tech that will make that unnecessary.

Ford is, sadly, out of touch with the cutting edge battery technology (Solid State ASSBs, silicon electrode and sodium ion) coming down the pike soon to be in EVs from companies like Toyota, Nissan and Chevy and that means their battery production (of LFPs?) will likely fail or have a short run.

Expect ASSBs within the next 2 years with twice the energy density and faster charging than current Li tech. Ford looks like it is going to miss the boat on this.

https://www.greencars.com/greencars-101/the-future-of-ev-batteries

China is beating the pants off other EV makers around the world with less expensive quality EVs, and if it weren't for the US restrictive trade policies (100% tariff on Chinese EVs) they would dominate the US market as well.

In my view the only good news in this news release is this:

"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."

What are they teaching the MBAs that work at Ford these days - don't they learn about price theory anymore? Henry Ford understood it.

If Ford had made a $39.9K EV truck like they said they were going to do when they announced it, they would have dominated the market. I know some things were out of their control, the pandemic supply chain shutdown etc. But that is in the past.

Is Ford like the Titanic, not agile enough to turn on a dime when needed? If they embrace the new battery tech in their UEV platform, they might have a chance.

Wake up, Ford!

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[ElectrifyingMe25]

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

What a surprise. I didn't see this coming, but I understand why it's happening.

The real answer is cheap 1000 mile batteries that don't fail or burn up. This 1000 mile range battery would make the F150 the perfect truck. However, those are at least three years out. So, in the meantime, EREV comes in to save the day. With EREV, Ford will have the very best of both worlds in one product. Ford will produce a F-150 that will out perform all other trucks.

However, I like the fact that my '23 XLT Lightning is pure electric. It's so nice not to have to deal with all the issues that come with ICE power trains. ...no oil changes, spark plug changes, exhaust issues, catalytic converters, deadly exhaust fumes in the garage....

Funny thing, I was in love with the RAM Charger Truck when I first learned of it and it's capabilities. I wanted one. Then I learned of the ridiculous prices, and all those delays in production, So I decided to buy a F-150 Lightning.

I didn't know how much I'd like it, so I opted for a XLT with a lower price and standard range in order to give it a try.

I have fallen in love with this truck. It exceeded all my expectations. I'll never go back to an ICE truck. The Lightning truck will do 99% of what I need to do.

The 1% that is needed to equal 100% is due to the smaller driving range. And to be honest, it's going to take a battery that will get at least 500 miles of range to meet 100% of my needs. I dream of a battery that gets 1000 miles of range.

Even though I like the specs of an EREV, I don't see me buying one. But, the EREV will probably be a big hit for commercial drivers who pull wagons and drive long hauls. The RV hauler will like it too.

I'm glad Ford is building the EREV. At the same time I'm disappointed that they are discontinuing the full sized electric F-150. I believe the EREV will be a transition vehicle that will fill a need until the battery technology catches up and allows the 1000 mile range we need. It will happen very soon and it will be easy for Ford to switch back.... just add a bigger range batter and give us a Frunk again.... You do realize the Frunk will be sacrificed for the EREV. It's as if they saved this space for an engine way back when.

If Ford makes an EREV, I hope they produce the best one on the market.
And, if I end up needing a new full size Electric truck in the future, thank goodness Chevy will be making one with a very long range. Remember, I didn't leave you, you left me.

 

[Kev12345]

Tesla needs to capitalize on this news and announce a normal EV pickup truck.

 

[ElectrifyingMe25]

I just want to know if the EREV engine is going to replace the amazing frunk or if it’s going where the spare tire goes?

Needs the air flow that only a Frunk could love.

 

[fhteagle]

EREVs were the right answer.... In 2015. Ford failed to see the light then (punting to XLHybrids, which was a disaster), and they're absolutely out of step with the market and technology yet again. Starting down this road now is idiotic, and will always be a niche market at best.

Refresh the BEV lineup, fix the junky winter range, improve charging to modern standards, get some more energy dense cells in, and spread the drivetrain to more models to spread out R&D costs.

Abandoning BEV now is absolutely the wrong move.

I have zero faith Ford will even exist in 10 years with garbage decisions like this.

 

[chl]

Legacy automakers are a joke...Not a surprise as Ford and the stealerships want that maintenance money, which EREV will give them. This solidifies the fact that I will not be remotely interested in a Ford for our next car. I am never going back to gas, such an antiquated technology. No thanks.

 

[chl]

Needs the air flow that only a Frunk could love.

Frunck that!

 

[pullinggs]

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.

We have two Lightnings in the driveway. There is NO WAY I'd even consider an EREV, so when I trade in the Lightnings I'll be shopping someplace else. So sad.

 

[Quibbs]

If one doesn't need the range, they do not need the gas generator. I'd rather have the space and less weight, and theoretically less cost.

 

[chl]

Thank you for affirming your commitment @Ford Motor Company. Does that also apply to those of us who spent $10k+ on the home integration system and haven’t been able to use it for 3 years?

Expect "CRICKETS"

 

[BigLeagueChoo]

Not sure how I feel about this as a recent Lightning buyer, but I'll say this as a Sales executive: Ford did not market the Lightning correctly. Plain and simple. It is literally the perfect truck for 80% of people who daily pickup trucks.

While I don't have any regrets on getting a Lightning, I admittedly am regretting financing the truck instead of leasing it but hey - hindsight is always 20/20.

 

[chl]

Listened to the CEO today. At least he didn't say it was going to powered by AI.

Maybe he WAS AI?

 

[Marc]

Well I guess I’m buying the Sierra Denali EV next. I’m done with gas and never going back! I love my lightning. The range is tolerable but I really like GM’s charging speed.

 

[chl]

Awesome news!

As in "Ah shucks!"

 

[Pod]

What a shame. Stupid minds unable to grasp an EV future have now crippled our American auto ingenuity. THANK YOU moron politicians. I LOVE the Lightning and appreciate Ford needs to pivot but this just STINKS. Pound sand barking yam!!!

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