The Lightning is Dead. Long Live the Lightning EREV
Ford Kills Its Electric Truck, Sort Of
Ford was one of the first to the all-electric truck space, and it will be one of the first to retreat. Sort of. The automaker said Monday evening that it is ending production of the well-received F-150 Lightning EV this year and will replace it with an electric range-extended truck, the Lightning EREV.
Ford said the range-extended electric vehicle (EREV) will offer more than 700 miles of range. Unlike a traditional EV, this type of vehicle uses a generator to support the electric powertrain. Ford is calling this a new generation of the Lightning and did not offer timing for launch or other details. It will be assembled at Ford’s historic Rouge Factory in Dearborn, Mich., where the current Lightning is built. Lightning production has been paused since October amid slowing demand for the truck. The fate of the Lightning has been the subject of rumors throughout the fall.
Ford claims the Lightning EREV will be “the best of both worlds” with “seamless, instant power” supported by the generator. While traditional hybrids typically use gasoline-fed engines at some point during the driving cycle, Ford says its EREV powertrain will still only use electricity to power the vehicle with the generator for support.
"The F-150 Lightning is a groundbreaking product that demonstrated an EV pickup can still be a great F-Series," Doug Field, Ford's chief EV, digital and design officer, said in a statement. "Our next-generation F-150 Lightning EREV will be every bit as revolutionary. It delivers everything Lightning customers love — near instantaneous torque and pure electric driving. But with a high-power generator enabling an estimated range of 700-plus miles, it tows like a locomotive. Heavy-duty towing and cross-country travel will be as effortless as the daily commute."
The move comes as consumer demand for electric vehicles has slowed with the end of the federal tax credits of up to $7,500. The incentive was ended by the Trump administration, which has de-prioritized EVs and loosened fuel-economy regulations.
Similarly, Ram killed its own all-electric truck in September, but will continue to work on a range-extended pickup. With the departure of Ford and non-arrival of Ram from the pure EV space, General Motors, Rivian and Tesla will perhaps find more room in a dwindling segment. On the other hand, consumers may prefer the EREV technology and the longer range it promises.
The moves have resulted in automakers scrambling to adjust their portfolios to a changing market and the rules that govern it in the United States. The Lightning news comes as Ford plans to take a $19.5-billion charge to restructure its EV business to focus more on hybrids, gasoline models and EREVs.
OUR TAKE: We liked the F-150 Lightning and it was truly a landmark vehicle for Ford and the industry. Pricing, however, quickly spiked and demand slowed. We’ll reserve judgment on the EREV for now, but Ford knows how to build trucks, so it sounds promising.
Greg Migliore is AutoGuide's Editorial Director. He has covered the auto industry for two decades, most recently as editor-in-chief of Autoblog. He's also been an editor at Automobile and Autoweek. He's a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Michigan State University and the Yale Publishing course. Greg is a member of the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards jury.
More by Greg Migliore
Comments
Join the conversation
Notice that they never discussed charging stations which always seems to be a problem, especially when traveling their "Extended Miles."
"ending production of the well-received F-150 Lightning EV" I don't think I ever heard of the Lightning being well received. At least not after you took it out on the highway fully loaded and only managed 72 miles for range.
The F-150 Lightning EREV sounds like a Prius. But if they can pull 700 mile range out of it that is certainly the way to go. Hopefully the generator is something reliable.