F-150's huge hybrid shake-up

Ford’s full-size pick-up is due for a big shake-up. 

The Blue Oval has made the decision to cut its all-electric variant of the F-150 from production, according to a report in United States publication Car and Driver. 

The F-150 Lightning will cease production at the end of this month as the brand shifts towards a range-extender version to complement its fuel-guzzling V6 and V8 alternatives in the Americas.

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The culling of the all-electric full-size pick-up continues a trend of other brands making similar decisions to either trim down their fully electric variants or halt plans altogether in the wake of waning buyer demand.

Earlier this year, Ram put its 1500 EV pick-up on ice due to slowing demand for the vehicle, with Tesla also cutting the most affordable Cybertruck variant.

Most recently, Kia is said to have pulled the plug on its plans for a full-size EV ute, having aimed for a 2030 launch, with it proving too expensive under growing tariff pressures.

In late 2024, Ford halted production on its F-150 Lightning briefly, with low EV demand among the reasons for doing so.

The range-extending variant of the F-150 Lightning will have electric motors driving the wheels and a gasoline engine to replenish the battery. 

Little is known about the potential specifications for the revamped ute, but the driving range is claimed to be more than 1100km.

Ford’s decision to move the F-150 to a range-extender from a standard all-electric vehicle is in line with several brands that have been re-orienting in a similar direction. Doing so allows brands to make use of recently-developed electric platforms while providing hybrids which buyers want in much of the world.

Volkswagen is expected to announce range-extenders for some of its sedan and crossover models in Europe and the US. 

Meanwhile BMW is also looking into bringing back range-extenders, adding to its fleet in China.

Australia currently gets a factory-backed remanufactured version of the V6-powered F-150, which is switched from left-hand drive to right-hand drive in Victoria.

There are no details on when the new F-150 Lightning will be unveiled or if Australia will get it at all, especially given we do not officially get the current EV version available in the Americas. 

Full-size pick-ups has not captivated the market as perhaps once anticipated in Australia, with less than 8000 sales so far in 2025, down on 2024 numbers.

The F-150 trails the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500 in sales, mustering only 608 units sold in 2025 so far, down from more than 2000 units in 2024.

Given the somewhat lacklustre demand for full-size pick-ups in Australia, it seems unlikely we will see the new F-150 Lightning down under.