In a stunning reversal for the electric vehicle era, Ford Motor Company announced on December 15, 2025, that it is ending production of the purely battery-electric F-150 Lightning. The groundbreaking truck, launched with massive hype in 2022 as America's first mass-market electric pickup, has fallen victim to sluggish demand, massive losses, and shifting market realities. Ford will record a staggering $19.5 billion in special charges tied to this EV pullback, including asset write-downs and restructuring costs, as it reallocates capital to more profitable hybrids and extended-range vehicles.
The original F-150 Lightning promised to electrify the best-selling truck in America, boasting instant torque, up to 320 miles of range, and innovative features like bidirectional charging. Initial reservations topped 200,000, and Ford ramped up production accordingly. But reality hit hard: EV truck buyers prioritized long-distance towing and range without compromise. Sales peaked but never exploded, with Ford's Model E division hemorrhaging over $13 billion in losses since 2023. Recent months saw EV sales tumble further amid higher interest rates and the expiration of federal tax credits.
Critics like those at Auto Spies have long warned that full-size electric trucks faced uphill battles against customer preferences for unrestricted range and towing capability. Articles on AutoSpies.com highlighted concerns over demand cooling, production pauses, and whether legacy automakers could truly disrupt the pickup segment with pure EVs. If Ford had heeded such early skepticism—questioning the viability of large-battery electrics without hybrid backups—perhaps billions in investments could have been redirected sooner.
Instead, the next F-150 Lightning will evolve into an Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (EREV). This series hybrid setup keeps electric motors driving the wheels for that signature silent acceleration and torque, but adds a gas-powered generator to recharge the battery on the go. Ford promises over 700 miles of total range—more than doubling the current model's max—and "locomotive-like" towing for heavy loads over long hauls. It's a pragmatic bridge: pure electric for daily drives, gas generator for peace of mind on job sites or cross-country trips.
This pivot reflects broader industry trends. Ford is canceling next-gen large EVs, repurposing battery plants for energy storage, and doubling down on hybrids across its lineup. CEO Jim Farley called it redeploying capital to "higher-return growth opportunities," raising 2025 earnings guidance amid the chaos.
For truck loyalists, this could be the best of both worlds—no more range anxiety, retained EV perks. But for pure-EV advocates, it's a sobering retreat. The all-electric Lightning's demise underscores that forcing electrification on core segments like full-size pickups ignores real-world needs. Had voices like Auto Spies been amplified earlier, Ford might have saved a chunk of that $19.5 billion headache. As the industry adapts, one thing's clear: customers, not mandates, will dictate the pace of change.