
- A brand new report says Ford may finish manufacturing of the F-150 Lightning
- The Lightning has been America’s best-selling electrical pickup, however that’s not saying a lot
The Wall Avenue Journal studies that “Ford executives are in lively discussions about scrapping the electrical model of its F-150 pickup,” citing “individuals acquainted with the matter.”
The F-150 Lightning has been America’s best-selling electrical pickup for many of 2025. However electrical truck gross sales stay a tiny proportion of truck gross sales.
Lightning manufacturing has been paused since a fireplace shut down a significant aluminum provider. A restricted provide of aluminum compelled Ford to make use of the provides it may get for faster-selling gas-powered F-150s.
EV Vehicles Have Been Gradual Sellers
- Electrical vans face infrastructure and towing issues, particularly in the course of the nation
Truck consumers have confirmed to be reluctant to embrace electrical car (EV) expertise. Vehicles are particularly common in components of the nation the place EV infrastructure is poor.
Towing with an electrical truck may also be a problem. Electrical vans can obtain very excessive tow rankings — electrical motors produce torque simpler and sooner than gasoline engines — however their vary might be a problem.
All vans, no matter their gas supply, lose as much as half of their vary when towing. However that’s an even bigger inconvenience when it means stopping for a protracted recharging session than when it requires a fast gas cease.
Momentum is Rising for a Blended Truck Tech
- Automakers more and more concentrate on extended-range electrical autos as the way forward for vans
Electrical energy may nonetheless discover its manner into mainstream vans in one other kind. Ford executives have stated they’re exploring extended-range electrical car (E-REV) expertise for pickups.
An extended-range electrical car makes use of a big, EV-like battery and electrical motors to energy its wheels. It recharges from a charging station identical to an EV. Nevertheless it additionally carries a gasoline engine, not related to the wheels, that may function a generator to recharge the battery on the go. It’s basically the identical expertise diesel-electric trains have used to tug many tons for many years.
That lets homeowners drive on electrical energy for a sure distance, however use gasoline for longer journeys. Ram’s 2025 Ram REV (till lately named the Ramcharger) is the primary to succeed in the market. It has an all-electric vary of 145 miles, however can maintain going previous that time on gasoline energy.
