Categories: Cars

There’s a New Ford Lightning—But It’s Not Completely Electric

Ford’s electric vehicle lineup is about to look very different. To meet the ever-changing needs of the American market (and in an effort to combat slow sales), the Blue Oval is rethinking its electric F-150 Lightning for the next generation.

The standard F-150 Lightning is on the way out after 2025; like some other EVs, it’s headed to the big junkyard in the sky. In its place, Ford will introduce the next-generation F-150 Lightning EREV—short for Extended-Range Electric Vehicle—and it brings some major changes with it.

At its core, the Lightning EREV is still technically an electric truck. A battery pack and electric motors still power all four wheels, delivering the same instant torque and acceleration drivers expect from the current Lightning. Where the EREV differs, though, is with the addition of a gas-powered generator. This generator dramatically extends the truck’s range, boosting it from the current model’s max of 320 miles to an estimated 700-plus miles.

The Lightning EREV will go head-to-head with rivals like Ram’s 1500 REV and, eventually, the Scout Terra. Ram’s extended-range electric truck, by comparison, is rated for up to 690 miles of driving range. While Ford hasn’t released full specifications for the Lightning EREV just yet, the Ram 1500 REV makes 647 horsepower and can tow up to 14,000 pounds, giving you an idea of what Ford’s EREV could be packing.

Outgoing Ford F-150 Lightning Pro

According to Ford, towing was a big reason for the new EREV model. Ford says the addition of a gas generator means that fewer customers will have to “stop and charge during long-distance towing,” a chief complaint for many previous Lightning owners. According to Ford’s chief EV, digital and design officer, Doug Field, “heavy-duty towing and cross-country travel will be as effortless as the daily commute.”

“The F-150 Lightning is a groundbreaking product that demonstrated an EV pickup can still be a great ‘F-Series,’ notes Doug Field, Ford’s chief EV, digital, and design officer. “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+ miles, it tows like a locomotive.”

Ford has yet to reveal official images of the Lightning EREV (the photos here are of the current truck) or provide specific powertrain details beyond its range. We should learn more over the next few months.