Ford ends F-150 EV production, shifts to energy storage and hybrids

Ford Motor Co. announced December 15 that it would discontinue production of the F-150 Lightning as it shifts to hybrid vehicles and commercial energy storage. The move follows previous decreases in electric F-150 production. Future versions of the F-150 will be hybrid “extended-range EVs” or EREVs, the Detroit-based truck company said. The company’s novel energy storage business, meanwhile, will leverage Ford’s BlueOval factories in Kentucky and Michigan to produce stationary battery energy storage systems(BESS).

The move follows an August announcement of Ford’s Universal EV platform it said it plans to use to make smaller and more affordable EVs while moving away from larger electric-vehicles entirely, in lieu of hybrid models. That platform will reportedly support a new midsize pickup truck built in Kentucky followed by hybrid versions of a new commercial van to be built in Ohio.

In addition to the changes to its vehicle lineup, Ford intends to turn some of its electric-vehicle battery production into production for stationary battery storage systems, in part to capitalize on the data center construction fever. The company’s Kentucky BlueOval factory, will turn from an EV battery factory into a BESS factory producing LFP prismatic cells, BESS modules and 20-foot DC container systems for use in data centers and utilities. In its announcement, Ford said the move would put its “currently underutilized” EV battery production capacity to work on a new revenue stream.

Though Ford CEO Jim Farley said the moves would emphasize affordability, consumer choice and company profits, the shifts to Ford’s operating model won’t come cheap. The company said the changes in plan will entail a $19.5 billion total charge, most of it taken in the fourth quarter of 2025 and the rest paid off through 2027.

What people are saying

“This is a customer-driven shift to create a stronger, more resilient and more profitable Ford,” said Ford president and CEO Jim Farley. “The operating reality has changed, and we are redeploying capital into higher-return growth opportunities: Ford Pro, our market-leading trucks and vans, hybrids and high-margin opportunities like our new battery energy storage business.”

“The F-150 Lightning is a groundbreaking product that demonstrated an electric pickup can still be a great F-Series,” said Doug Field, Ford’s chief EV, digital and design officer. “Our next-generation Lightning EREV is every bit as revolutionary. It keeps everything customers love — 100% electric power delivery, sub-5-second acceleration — and adds an estimated 700+ mile range and tows like a locomotive. It will be an incredibly versatile tool delivered in a capital-efficient way.”

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