By John 
Ford might be on the verge of killing off the F-150 Lightning, its once-hyped electric pickup that was supposed to revolutionize America’s favorite truck. Whispers are swirling that the automaker could ditch the model altogether as EV enthusiasm fizzles and the market hits speed bumps.
Launched with fanfare in 2021, the Lightning promised a game-changer: a zero-emissions beast with all the muscle and tech of Ford’s gas-guzzling best-seller. Fast forward to today, and the buzz has dulled. The company’s second-guessing its place in the lineup—no official word yet, but the signs aren’t great.
A fire at a key parts plant in New York threw a wrench into production, forcing Ford to halt operations at its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center. Even though the Lightning outsold every other electric pickup stateside, numbers tell a different story. A measly 33,000 units shifted in 2024, dwarfed by the staggering 830,000 gas and hybrid F-Series trucks people actually bought.
Sure, the Lightning impressed critics with its beastly power outlets, hauling strength, and slick hands-free driving. But it couldn’t shake the same old EV pitfall:, towing a trailer turns range anxiety into a full-blown panic attack. And let’s face it: truck buyers care more about getting the job done than saving the planet.
With federal EV tax breaks drying up, demand’s taken another hit. Still, Ford could always dust off the Lightning later—if batteries get better, and if folks finally decide electric pickups aren’t just a novelty. For now though, the future’s looking dim.
Shawn Henry