Ford F-150 Lightning is Officially Dead But Will Return as Extended-Range EV
Ford confirmed on Monday the discontinuation of the F-150 Lightning, whose production had been suspended indefinitely earlier this year, in order to prioritize the significantly more profitable gas-powered and hybrid F-150 models.
As part of its revised Ford+ plan, the Blue Oval is shifting to higher-return opportunities, including the addition of U.S.-built trucks and vans to its lineup and the launch of a new, high-growth battery energy storage business. Consequently, Ford “no longer plans to produce select larger electric vehicles where the business case has eroded due to lower-than-expected demand, high costs and regulatory changes,” the company said in a statement.
By 2030, the automaker expects approximately 50% of its global volume will be hybrids, extended-range electric vehicles (EREV) and full EVs, up from 17% in 2025. It also plans to expand gas, hybrid and EREV options across its portfolio with nearly every vehicle featuring a hybrid or multi-energy powertrain choice by the end of the decade.
Ford will concentrate its North American electric vehicle development on its new, highly flexible Universal EV Platform that was announced this past summer and will underpin a family of smaller and affordable EVs, starting with a midsize pickup priced at around $30,000 USD in 2027.
At the same time, Ford plans to expand hybrids with a selection of models based on customer needs and duty cycle. For example, there will be large electric trucks and SUVs equipped with a combustion engine that charges the battery on the go to extend total range.
This is exactly the fate that awaits the F-150 Lightning, which will come back with a second generation using a new type of powertrain.
“The F-150 Lightning is a groundbreaking product that demonstrated an electric pickup can still be a great F-Series,” said Doug Field, Ford’s chief EV, digital and design officer. “Our next-generation Lightning EREV is every bit as revolutionary. It keeps everything customers love—100% electric power delivery, sub-5-second acceleration—and adds an estimated 700+ mile (1,100+ km) range and tows like a locomotive. It will be an incredibly versatile tool delivered in a capital-efficient way.”
In related news, Ford also intends to replace a planned electric commercial van for North America with a new, affordable commercial van—offering gas and hybrid variants—to meet the needs of commercial customers.
