EREV F-150 Lightning Announced - new Terra competitor

[Lucky Logan]

Looks like Scout Terra Harvester EREV just got a new rival -- the F-150 Lightning EREV

See Ford announcement:
https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...of-f-150-lightning-erev-next-gen-model.33426/

 

[joewilk45]

Pretty soon they'll be sticking Erev's in us old folk

 

[fistswithyat0es]

it was just a matter of time before this started happening. its too brilliant an idea for existing manufacturers to ignore when they are in need of innovation. guess Scout is onto something .

 

[OlyScout]

Appears there’s a little more to this. Ford took a big hit (see article link below or Google “Ford take $19.5 billion hit”) on its EV line-up and pivoting to this variant. Still, love the competition to keep innovation moving forward!

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/15/ford-electric-vehicles-trump

 

[WXman]

Ford was already being sued by suppliers over the delay to the "T3" replacement for the Lightning. Now that they have cancelled Lightning AND the T3 replacement I'm guessing those suppliers are going to be livid. That's going to cost Ford money too.

EREV is brilliant. All the EV benefits but without the drawbacks of range, finding chargers, and getting a truck and trailer physically close enough to a charger.

 

[joewilk45]

EREV's have been around Volvo plug in's etc. but once Battery technology reaches 500 mile range EREV's won't be the choice of many.

 

[WXman]

What is interesting is that roughly two weeks prior to yesterday’s announcement, I got a survey about the F-150 Lightning that I assume most owners also received and it came from a third party who was clearly contracted by Ford to gather data on owners’ opinions of the truck. The survey asked specific questions about how the truck was being used, and about which things needed to be improved. I remember towing being a topic that came up frequently during that survey.

It does make me curious if Ford had that done because they wanted to use the data in the decisions that ultimately were made yesterday. The survey was all Web based and so the statistics and data from it would have been available real-time to compile into a report to quickly give to shareholders and upper management.

I heard Farley say that from now on EV tech will be pushed to smaller vehicles used primarily for commuting while full size trucks will be given powertrains that can tow more efficiently and for longer distances. I just have to believe that all the survey data coming in from owners of Lightning trucks pushed that decision.

 

[peters43]

Looks like Scout Traveler Harvester EREV just got a new rival -- the F-150 Lightning EREV

See Ford announcement:
https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...of-f-150-lightning-erev-next-gen-model.33426/

Actually a Terra competitor, not Traveler.

 

[VolInGa]

Toyota has had this right from the jump when they said they wouldn’t commit to full EVs several years ago.

 

[WXman]

Toyota has had this right from the jump when they said they wouldn’t commit to full EVs several years ago.

Exactly. They committed to building junk engines for the Tundra that are still being recalled, and junk transmissions for the Tacoma that are failing left and right, but at least they did avoid the EV drama.

 

[bababooey]

I heard Farley say that from now on EV tech will be pushed to smaller vehicles used primarily for commuting while full size trucks will be given powertrains that can tow more efficiently and for longer distances.

“Tow more efficiently” is corporate code for we can’t recharge 1,000 lbs of batteries in 5 minutes.
Electric motors are ~90% efficient, gas is ~25%, and this entire pivot is for the ~7% of truck owners who actually tow often while the rest cosplay Home Depot once a year.

 

[bababooey]

What is interesting is that roughly two weeks prior to yesterday’s announcement, I got a survey about the F-150 Lightning that I assume most owners also received and it came from a third party who was clearly contracted by Ford to gather data on owners’ opinions of the truck. The survey asked specific questions about how the truck was being used, and about which things needed to be improved. I remember towing being a topic that came up frequently during that survey.

Wild theory, but I don’t think Ford needs a SurveyMonkey to know how people use a Lightning. The truck phones home constantly — they know when you’re towing, how heavy, how often, where you charge, and whether it’s L1, L2, or DCFC. That survey wasn’t to learn the data, it was to see how owners feel about the data they already have. Big difference.

 

[Mousehunter]

I seriously doubt it will be a direct competitor to the Terra - more of a direct competitor to the Dodge is what I expect. I am betting Ford will go with a big generator so they can brag about its ability to tow. Scout is going more for efficiency.

In general I don't think EREV is a long term solution for most applications. Battery tech is improving (faster charging and lighter weight), charging access is improving as well. EREV's may have an application for towing however. Ships, trains, tractors (as in 18 wheeler trucks), and maybe 3/4 ton and larger trucks. So I don't think they will be great for all applications, but in this one - I can see Ford covering their rear. That said, Ford has not mentioned a 3/4 ton (or larger) yet.