Key Highlights of The News
- Ford confirms a next‑generation F‑150 Lightning using Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) technology
- New model expected to deliver 700+ miles of estimated range with a built‑in high‑power generator
- Truck remains 100% electric‑driven, unlike traditional hybrids
- Designed to improve long‑distance towing and eliminate charging stops
- Current F‑150 Lightning production ends this year
- Next‑gen model will be built at Ford’s Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn
Ford Prepares a Radical Shift for the F‑150 Lightning
Ford Motor Company has revealed the next generation of its F‑150 Lightning, showing a big shift for electric pickups. The truck will stay fully electric‑driven but now includes a gasoline generator to extend its range. This is one of the biggest updates to the Lightning since it first launched and makes it capable of handling towing and long trips more realistically.
700+ Miles of Estimated Range
At the center of the redesign is Ford’s EREV technology. Unlike a hybrid, the next‑gen Lightning will still be powered exclusively by electric motors. The gasoline generator won’t drive the wheels — it will simply keep the battery charged during extended trips.
Ford says this setup gives drivers the instant torque, quiet ride, and smooth acceleration of an EV, while pushing the range past 700 miles. Truckers towing heavy loads or covering long distances might not need to stop and charge.
A Truck Built for Work and Emergencies
Like the current model, the upcoming Lightning will continue to offer exportable power. That means owners can run tools at a job site, power camping gear, or even keep their homes running during an outage — a feature that has become one of the truck’s biggest selling points.
Doug Field, Ford’s chief EV, digital and design officer, called the new Lightning “every bit as revolutionary” as the original. He emphasized that the generator‑supported range will allow the truck to “tow like a locomotive” while making cross‑country travel as simple as a daily commute.
Strengthening Ford’s EV Momentum
The F‑150 Lightning is America’s top-selling electric pickup and has driven much of Ford’s EV growth. The next-gen model aims to combine traditional truck capability with EV benefits. Production of the current Lightning ends this year. The new EREV will be built at Ford’s Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, with more details on launch and specs coming later.
