Ford Contemplating Discontinuing F-150 Lightning Electric Pickup Truck, Says Report

Is the Ford F-150 Lightning Electric Pickup Truck Facing an Uncertain Future?

The future of the Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck seems uncertain as reports suggest it may not live up to the hype surrounding it. Initially touted as the next Model T for the company, the F-150 Lightning is now facing challenges.

Sources have revealed to The Wall Street Journal that Ford executives are contemplating discontinuing the F-150 Lightning due to sluggish sales and significant financial losses. Production of the electric truck has been halted since mid-October following a fire at an aluminium factory in upstate New York.

Unlike traditional full-size pickups, the F-150 Lightning features an aluminium body. However, with a key supplier offline until 2026, Ford has shifted its focus to producing profitable petrol and hybrid models of the F-150. This decision has led to a pause in Lightning production and the reassignment of employees to other production lines.

Ford’s Chief Operating Officer, Kumar Galhotra, mentioned in October that production of the F-150 Lightning could resume when the time is right. Nevertheless, there are doubts whether this will actually happen.

The end of a US federal government tax rebate of up to US$7500 (A$11,500) for electric vehicles on September 30 accelerated EV purchases. While some manufacturers have slashed prices post-rebate, the overall expectation is a decline in EV sales, particularly in the higher-priced segment.

Priced from US$54,780 (A$84,500), the F-150 Lightning occupies a premium market position compared to the base petrol F-150 priced at US$37,450 (A$57,700). According to Ford Authority, the F-150 Lightning represents only 3.7% of the total F-Series trucks sold by Ford in the US.

Rival GM is also evaluating the future of its electric pickup trucks due to similar sales challenges. Ram, on the other hand, opted to cancel the development of its all-electric 1500 REV pickup truck in favor of an extended-range EV version of the 1500.

Ford recently introduced the Universal EV Platform, with plans for a Ranger-sized electric pickup to be launched in 2027. While the Lightning is not officially available in Australia, local conversions are being done by AusEV.

For those interested in exploring Ford’s F-150 range, including the Lightning, there are alternative options available. The Australian market may soon see more electric offerings from Ford, catering to a growing demand for eco-friendly vehicles.

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