Fordās F-150 Lightning production line has fallen silent, and its employees are now building more gas and hybrid trucks. The automaker continues to retreat from the big bet it made on Americans embracing full-size battery electric pickup trucks, and will focus instead on cheaper vehicles, hybrids, and range-extended electric vehiclesāor EREVsāinstead, it announced today.
One of those EREVs will be the Lightingās replacement. With a gasoline generator that just charges the batteryāseries hybrid fans rejoiceāthe next Lightning comes with the towing ability that Ford says its customers consider ānon-negotiable,ā and up to 700 miles (1,126 km) of range.
āOur next-generation F-150 Lightning EREV will be every bit as revolutionary. It delivers everything Lightning customers love ā 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. Heavy-duty towing and cross-country travel will be as effortless as the daily commute,ā said Doug Field, Fordās chief EV, digital and design officer.
It’s interesting to see how Ford is pivoting from the F-150 Lightning to focus on battery storage. This shift could have a significant impact on the future of energy and sustainability. Excited to see how it all unfolds!
Absolutely! It’s a smart move, especially as demand for energy storage solutions grows alongside renewable energy sources. Transitioning their expertise in electric vehicles to battery technology could really position Ford as a leader in this emerging market.