Ford Halts F-150 Lightning, Launches Energy Storage Venture
▼ Summary
– Ford has halted production of the F-150 Lightning electric truck and is shifting those employees to build more gas and hybrid trucks.
– The company is retreating from its major bet on full-size electric pickups and will now focus on cheaper vehicles, hybrids, and range-extended electric vehicles (EREVs).
– The next-generation F-150 Lightning will be replaced by an EREV model, featuring a gasoline generator to charge the battery for an estimated 700+ miles of range and strong towing capability.
– Ford executives state this new EREV truck will maintain the electric driving experience but address range and towing concerns that were barriers for customers.
– This strategic shift follows prior signals, including recent rumors about the F-150 Lightning’s future and SK On ending its battery plant joint venture with Ford.
Ford has temporarily stopped production of its all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck, shifting those factory workers to build more gasoline and hybrid models. This move signals a significant strategic pullback from the company’s initial major commitment to fully electric, full-size pickups. Instead, the automaker will now concentrate its efforts on developing more affordable vehicles, expanding its hybrid lineup, and introducing a new category of range-extended electric vehicles, or EREVs. This pivot reflects a response to shifting market demands and a desire to offer customers more flexible powertrain options.
One of the first vehicles to emerge from this new direction will be a next-generation F-150 Lightning, reimagined as an EREV. This model will function as a series hybrid, where a gasoline-powered generator solely charges the battery pack that drives the electric motors. Ford promises this setup will deliver the immense towing capability its truck buyers demand, alongside an estimated driving range of up to 700 miles. Company executives describe this combination as a “non-negotiable” requirement for their core customer base, blending electric driving dynamics with unprecedented distance.
Doug Field, Ford’s chief EV, digital and design officer, emphasized the vehicle’s intended capabilities. He stated the new Lightning EREV would retain the instant torque and quiet, electric driving experience customers enjoy, while the onboard generator would enable effortless long-distance travel and heavy-duty towing, making it as capable for cross-country hauls as it is for daily errands.
This strategic shift does not come as a complete surprise to industry observers. Speculation about the future of the F-150 Lightning program has been building for weeks. The decision follows last week’s dissolution of the battery manufacturing joint venture between Ford and SK On, which was tasked with constructing two large-scale battery plants in Kentucky and Tennessee. Ford also revealed plans to repurpose one of its idled battery factories into a new venture focused on large-scale energy storage solutions. This facility will produce massive battery systems designed to store energy from the electrical grid, showcasing a secondary application for the company’s battery technology beyond vehicles.
(Source: Ars Technica)
