The Ford F-150 Lightning lived a short life. But for many people, it was a lifeline when things got tough.
When a hurricane knocked out power to a Florida veterinary clinic last year, Lightning’s giant battery exploded Turn it back up. After an elderly man was stranded in California because his electric wheelchair’s battery died, he was struck by lightning Operational again. During the devastating 2022 Kentucky floods, Ford deployed two Lightning aircraft as mobile generators for backup Cleaning efforts.
These are just a few examples of how Lightning’s high-voltage battery — which ranges from 96 kWh to 131 kWh, depending on the model — is proving invaluable to homeowners, first responders, people with disabilities and even pets.
Ford F-150 Lightning vet clinic during Hurricane Helen.
Photo by: InsideEVs
“I was very sad when I heard Ford was focusing on Lightning,” Dr. Erica Lasher, who runs an emergency veterinary clinic in Florida, told InsideEVs. “I have found Lightning to be an excellent daily driver and reliable backup generator for the clinic on many occasions,” she said.
Dr. Lasher knows this better than most. When Hurricane Helen knocked out power to her veterinary clinic last October, she already knew how she was going to keep her surgical equipment running: her electric truck. I parked the Lightning next to her clinic, and connected one end of the cable to the power outlet in the truck bed and the other end to the generator transfer switch. This way, the power was restored within minutes.
“This technology has definitely saved many lives,” Dr. Lasher told InsideEVs. “Range anxiety is something that exists, but once you get used to it, it’s not a big deal, ask any electric car driver.”
Many new electric vehicles come with it Two-way chargingAnd the ability to power external appliances, homes or offices, or even return power to the grid during emergencies using a car battery. Officially, they are called vehicle-to-load (V2L), vehicle-to-home (V2H), and vehicle-to-grid (V2G). Lightning supported this long before it became more common among electric vehicles today.
It’s also hard to find Lightning owners who hated the truck enough to express joy in its demise. In fact, the reality is quite the opposite. Owners previously interviewed by InsideEVs, along with several active online forums, say they love Ford’s electric truck.
Lightning provided backup power that saved animals’ lives during the hurricane.
Photo by: InsideEVs
It’s easy to find stories like hers online these days. “We lost power at our cabin where we were evacuated (after Hurricane Milton). I was 100% powered when I arrived. We used the truck to power the cabin for two days,” one owner books. Others described wiring refrigerators and medical devices, or even inviting neighbors over Share the power.
With so many examples of Lightning at its best, Ford’s decision to discontinue its first electric pickup truck after just three and a half years seems puzzling. Last week, the automaker announced that it would end production of the truck and… It has canceled its plans to build the next generation all-electric T3. Instead a gas generator will be added to the next Lightning, Convert it into an extended range EV With over 700 miles of range.
Car maker attributed The demise of the electric F-150 is due to “evolving market realities, consumer preferences and the regulatory environment.” The end of the $7,500 federal tax credit and significantly revised fuel economy rules now favor gas cars over electric vehicles. The Lightning was America’s best-selling pickup truck, outselling competitors like the Tesla Cybertruck and Rivian R1T, but compared to its gas-powered F-Series siblings, its sales were a drop in the bucket.
The F-150 hybrid sold at more than double its EV cousin in 2024, with nearly 74,000 units sold compared to the Lightning’s 33,150. Meanwhile, Ford’s electric vehicle company has yet to turn a profit, meaning continued Lightning production means Ford will continue to hemorrhage cash. Going forward, the company plans to double down on its highly profitable gas trucks, while shifting its electric vehicle strategy toward more affordable models built on its upcoming trucks. Global EV platform.
This shift in strategy did not sit well with the current Lightning owners. Many were waiting for the now-cancelled T3, which would supposedly bring better charging speeds, longer range, and more advanced software.
Others worry that EREV would undermine one of Lightning’s biggest advantages: minimal maintenance.
Ford F-150 with Pro Power Onboard
“I’m not interested in an EREV or a smaller truck. I love the F-150, but I don’t have the desire to put gas in a truck again,” one owner said. Comment. “Gasoline engine maintenance is the worst part of the EREV. Current truck meets my needs now. It just needs to be charged a little faster,” another owner He said. “I didn’t buy the Lightning for my next truck to be a step backwards. That’s ridiculous and reactive,” said Lightning Lariat owner He added.
Ford says the EREV will retain the exportable capability of the current Lightning while providing “locomotive-like towing capability,” which should address the range and towing concerns of many F-150 buyers. But between the EREV and a smaller electric pickup truck Global EV platformFord now has to prove that these alternatives will be measurably better. That will be difficult for current owners who already feel they have the truck they want.
Do you have any advice? Contact the author: suvrat.kothari@insideevs.com
