Ford has officially announced the next-generation F-150 Lightning. Dubbed a truck that offers the best of both worlds, the upcoming F-150 Lightning moves backwards, turning into an extended range electric vehicle or EREV. What exactly is this? Think of it as a battery-electric vehicle with a gas engine working exclusively as a generator, while the electric motors turn the wheels. You may be asking yourself: Isn’t this just a series plug-in hybrid with a different name? Why yes, it is. The difference? EREVs have massive batteries and can travel over 100 miles before the gas engine comes into play.
According to Ford, the new F-150 Lightning has the instant and seamless power of an EV and the convenience of a gas engine. As a result, it’s expected to have a maximum driving range of more than 700 miles. Like the current F-150 Lightning, the next-generation truck has vehicle-to-load capability. That means it can power small appliances, tools, and even homes during an outage.
This new F-150 Lightning forms part of the brand’s latest product announcement, which will see increased investment in EVs and hybrids. Additionally, it includes a new universal EV platform, which debuts on a new midsize truck that’ll be built at the Louisville Assembly Plant starting in 2027. This architecture will also underpin a series of affordable EVs. Meanwhile, more vehicles, including performance cars and commercial vehicles, will offer a hybrid powertrain.
Production for the current F-150 Lightning ends this year. Ford will announce the start of production and launch timing of the next-generation truck at a later time. However, it did reveal that the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan, will produce the F-150 Lightning EREV. Expect more Ford vehicles to use an EREV powertrain and follow in the footsteps of the F-150 Lightning.
Source: Ford
