Ford’s introduction of its all-electric F-150 pickup truck in 2021 was an bold new chapter within the historical past of the F-Collection, but additionally got here with fairly a storied identify — the F-150 Lightning. For older fanatics, it was a reputation that dropped at thoughts the Ford Particular Automobiles Crew (SVT) F-150 Lightning of the ’90s and early 2000s, a short-bed, single-cab, V8-powered muscle truck that may very well be thought of a Mustang Cobra with a mattress.
However the 2020s model of the F-150 Lightning was not that. It was an all-electric model of the conventional F-150, launched at a time when automakers have been going all-in on electrical autos. It wasn’t a V8-powered sport truck, however at the least the identify made sense given the powertrain. Now, nevertheless, the all-electric F-150 Lightning is useless, and a gasoline engine is returning to the F-150 Lightning — simply not in the best way old-fashioned SVT followers might have been hoping.
As an alternative, Ford has introduced that the next-generation F-150 Lightning will use a gasoline engine as a variety extender, combining EV efficiency with the flexibleness of an inner combustion pickup truck. Particulars are scarce proper now, nevertheless it seems to be one other massive leap for America’s best-selling pickup truck.
EVs out, hybrids in
It is exhausting to name the present F-150 Lightning both a definitive failure or successful. It definitely proved the idea that Ford might construct an electrical F-150, for one. It did not have the divisive seems of a Tesla Cybertruck or perhaps a Chevy Silverado EV both, and it was all the time a robust performer because of its huge and on the spot torque, as we discovered after we reviewed a 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning Professional.
As an alternative, the F-150 Lightning was merely restricted by its EV nature. Sure, it was silent, may very well be extraordinarily quick, and had nice towing capabilities. In the actual world, although, being an EV took away the flexibleness that a whole lot of pickup patrons need. Few folks wished to drive lengthy distances in a single due to poor charging infrastructure, and whereas the Lightning might tow nicely, the space it might tow earlier than needing to be recharged was one other matter completely.
The inherent compromises of being electrical have been exhausting to beat, and the F-150 Lightning turned a tough promote to patrons who might spend the identical sum of money (or much less) on a confirmed and reliable inner combustion F-150. And that is most likely why Ford is seeking to break up the distinction with the next-generation Lightning. The transfer additionally comes as half of a bigger technique shift in Ford’s truck and van segments, with a transfer away from pure EVs and into hybrids.
EV energy with out vary nervousness
On the time of writing, Ford hasn’t revealed many particulars concerning the next-generation hybrid F-150 Lightning past the truth that it should have a driving vary of over 700 miles and large towing functionality. Ford is not the one automaker to announce a range-extended electrical pickup, both. Ram introduced the Ramcharger 1500 pickup two years in the past (although it is but to achieve manufacturing), and the F-150 Lightning EREV, as Ford is asking the next-gen truck, looks like it should use an analogous powertrain.
Meaning it will likely be 100% propelled by electrical motors, giving EV-like efficiency, however with an onboard gasoline-powered generator to recharge the motors. The Ramcharger has a 3.6-liter V6 as its generator, however Ford has not confirmed what measurement or kind of gasoline engine the F-150 EREV will use. Ford’s preliminary press launch says it should reveal extra particulars of the brand new truck later, nevertheless it’s most likely protected to imagine that the Lightning EREV will provide the efficiency of the present F-150 Lightning with out the all-electric compromises that make the truck troublesome to make use of in the actual world.
Sadly for sport truck fanatics, the F-150 Lightning’s new gasoline engine doesn’t imply a return to the fire-breathing, SVT scorching rod pickup of the ’90s and ’00s. However in comparison with the present, all-electric F-150 Lightning, it ought to make the truck interesting to a a lot wider buyer base, and probably function a way more engaging different to the normal F-150.
