F-150 Lightning becomes an EREV

[jpd80]

1 hour ago, Texasota said:

JP, can you elaborate more on what you mean by a “split cycle hybrid transmission”? Are you thinking of an upgraded HF55 hybrid transmission or something similar to the BYD Shark?

Yes, I was wondering about a transverse engine set up kind of like the HF55

but incorporating a larger drive motor for the front axle….

 

Not sure what is possible here but wondering if the HF55 can be connected

to the Lightning’s front transmission…but how do you package all of that?

 

The Shark 6 also has a drive connection to the front wheels

but is only one speed that cuts in over 70 kph/ 45 mph

I think the F150 would need more than this to satisfy owners..

you’ll laugh but thinking “powerglide” with one planet carrier..

Edited December 29, 2025 by jpd80

[Biker16]

15 hours ago, 92merc said:

That YT video shows the reviewer getting an actual 23MPG, or 10.2L per 100 km.  So yeah, not that good IMHO.

I think that EREVs will be disappointing for consumers. 

There isn't enough clarity on the difference between EREV and HEV, combined with the "entrenched" mindset of the Pickup buyers, I can see how a product like this won't meet customer expectations 
 

[rmc523]

1 hour ago, Biker16 said:

I think that EREVs will be disappointing for consumers. 

There isn't enough clarity on the difference between EREV and HEV, combined with the "entrenched" mindset of the Pickup buyers, I can see how a product like this won't meet customer expectations 
 

 

Sure there is.  EREV = EV with ICE generator (doesn't power the wheels directly), HEV = ICE + EV power, both can power the wheels.

 

I think the biggest hurdle for Lightning (and EV trucks in general) is the range, or lack thereof, and long charging times that magnify range issues, especially when performing typical truck duties (towing, etc).

 

If an EREV can eliminate those issues by giving longer range with an on-board generator, which simultaneously largely (if not completely) eliminates charging issues, why would customers not accept it?

 

Remember, Ford was able to transition most "entrenched" to the twin-turbo V6s because buyers saw the value.  Granted that's a lesser step as TTV6/V8 are both ICE, but the point is that if customers see the benefit of a new powertrain, they'll go for it.  Customers have been wary of EV truck efforts so far because the equivalent capability isn't where the market wants them.

 

I'm optimistic, but It'll be on Ford to market it properly and make sure people know what it has and can do.

[Texasota]

5 hours ago, rmc523 said:

If an EREV can eliminate those issues by giving longer range with an on-board generator, which simultaneously largely (if not completely) eliminates charging issues, why would customers not accept it?

I'll keep an open mind, but I'm betting the F-150 EREV's Achilles heel will be long distance towing (under-powered and inefficient). Something like what @jpd80 is proposing sounds more promising in my opinion.  Can't wait to see what Ford comes up with.

[akirby]

17 minutes ago, Texasota said:

I'll keep an open mind, but I'm betting the F-150 EREV's Achilles heel will be long distance towing (under-powered and inefficient). Something like what @jpd80 is proposing sounds more promising in my opinion.  Can't wait to see what Ford comes up with.

It won't be underpowered.  It's still a BEV powered by electric motors just with a smaller capacity battery.  

[jpd80]

The fun comes when the battery runs down to less than about 25%,

on the Shark 6, power is then limited to what the ICE generator can supply.

….so this is why I hope that the F150 EREV has enough ICE power to tow

even with completely discharged battery…

 

[akirby]

I'm expecting a range of 700 miles unladen and 350 miles towing 8000 lbs.  Doesn't need to tow 11k lbs more than 350 miles.  If you need that get an ICE f150 or superduty.

[fordmantpw]

9 minutes ago, akirby said:

I'm expecting a range of 700 miles unladen and 350 miles towing 8000 lbs.  Doesn't need to tow 11k lbs more than 350 miles.  If you need that get an ICE f150 or superduty.

 

11k lbs needs a Super Duty, no matter what Ford says the tow rating is for an F150.

[twintornados]

51 minutes ago, fordmantpw said:

 

11k lbs needs a Super Duty, no matter what Ford says the tow rating is for an F150.

 

Exactly - just because it can tow "up to 11K lbs", if you tow that much regularly, get a SD....the whole point of "up to 11K lbs" means to me that the truck is superior at 8-9K lbs for regular towing. 

[fordmantpw]

29 minutes ago, twintornados said:

 

Exactly - just because it can tow "up to 11K lbs", if you tow that much regularly, get a SD....the whole point of "up to 11K lbs" means to me that the truck is superior at 8-9K lbs for regular towing. 

 

Yep, I'm in the 70-75% of rated capacity camp.

 

My Super Duty is rated at 21k or something like that.  If I had more than 15k behind it regularly, I would move up to a dually.  Our fifth wheel is 11k lbs. empty (probably 12k loaded) and no way would I tow that behind an F150.

[akirby]

My f150 tows 11k but the most I've towed was a uhaul dual axle trailer and a golf cart so roughly 3k.  I wouldn't even try more than 8k.

[Biker16]

3 hours ago, akirby said:

I'm expecting a range of 700 miles unladen and 350 miles towing 8000 lbs.  Doesn't need to tow 11k lbs more than 350 miles.  If you need that get an ICE f150 or superduty.

 What is the current range when towing 8000 lbs.

[fordmantpw]

1 hour ago, akirby said:

My f150 tows 11k but the most I've towed was a uhaul dual axle trailer and a golf cart so roughly 3k.  I wouldn't even try more than 8k.

 

And that's probably the use case for 75% of F150 drivers.

[Biker16]

19 hours ago, rmc523 said:

 

Sure there is.  EREV = EV with ICE generator (doesn't power the wheels directly), HEV = ICE + EV power, both can power the wheels.

  
The vehicle's performance suffers if Drivers don't charge it. The Data from PHEVs shows that most Drivers don't charge their vehicles. How will this Change with EREVs

 

19 hours ago, rmc523 said:

I think the biggest hurdle for Lightning (and EV trucks in general) is the range, or lack thereof, and long charging times that magnify range issues, especially when performing typical truck duties (towing, etc).
 

If an EREV can eliminate those issues by giving longer range with an on-board generator, which simultaneously largely (if not completely) eliminates charging issues, why would customers not accept it.

 

  
The Risk is that range estimates require both a charge and refueling to be realized.  Buyers will have the EV charging penalty, the Gas refueling penalty, and the penalty of having to both, to have max performance and range. 

This isn't insurmountable, but it requires buyer education.
 

19 hours ago, rmc523 said:

Remember, Ford was able to transition most "entrenched" to the twin-turbo V6s because buyers saw the value.  Granted that's a lesser step as TTV6/V8 are both ICE, but the point is that if customers see the benefit of a new powertrain, they'll go for it.  Customers have been wary of EV truck efforts so far because the equivalent capability isn't where the market wants them.

 

I'm optimistic, but It'll be on Ford to market it properly and make sure people know what it has and can do.

  

 See above: 

Gas engines are gas engines; you put fuel in them and drive. EREVs are very different. 

 

Edited December 30, 2025 by Biker16

[morgan20]

22 hours ago, Biker16 said:

I think that EREVs will be disappointing for consumers. 

There isn't enough clarity on the difference between EREV and HEV, combined with the "entrenched" mindset of the Pickup buyers, I can see how a product like this won't meet customer expectations 
 

 

Yea, same here. Ideally Ford will offer both EREV and pure BEV versions of F-150 Lightning. For a lot of Lightning customers including me, a gasoline powered on board "generator" in the upcoming EREV version is extra stuff we don't need.

 

Here's an attempt to clarify the difference between EREV and HEV. Clear as mud? 😄

 

[Biker16]

28 minutes ago, morgan20 said:

 

Yea, same here. Ideally Ford will offer both EREV and pure BEV versions of F-150 Lightning. For a lot of Lightning customers including me, a gasoline powered on board "generator" in the upcoming EREV version is extra stuff we don't need.

 

Here's an attempt to clarify the difference between EREV and HEV. Clear as mud? 😄

 

Agreed, at this point, I feel they are using EREV for marketing purposes, not as a descriptor of capability or technology.

 

[Havelock]

34 minutes ago, morgan20 said:

 

Yea, same here. Ideally Ford will offer both EREV and pure BEV versions of F-150 Lightning. For a lot of Lightning customers including me, a gasoline powered on board "generator" in the upcoming EREV version is extra stuff we don't need.

 

Here's an attempt to clarify the difference between EREV and HEV. Clear as mud? 😄

 

Hybrids have a mix of at least two power sources that can drive the wheels.  EVs have only electric motors driving the wheels.  EREVs have only electric motors powering the wheels.  The generator supplies electricity based on state of battery.  These definitions are why Chevy got in trouble trying pass off the volt as an EREV when the gas engine sometimes powered the wheels.

Edited December 30, 2025 by Havelock

[NLPRacing]

3 hours ago, Biker16 said:

 What is the current range when towing 8000 lbs.

 

My Raptor drops to around 8 mpg when towing 8000 lbs or so. That gives me about a 250 mile range. My Raptor has the 6.2L V8 with a Roush supercharger and 37" tires. If I could go 350 miles with an EREV, that would be great. 

[twintornados]

3 hours ago, Biker16 said:

 What is the current range when towing 8000 lbs.

 

About 5 feet.....lol

[Texasota]

6 hours ago, akirby said:

I'm expecting a range of 700 miles unladen and 350 miles towing 8000 lbs.  Doesn't need to tow 11k lbs more than 350 miles.  If you need that get an ICE f150 or superduty.

Do you think it will have enough power to tow 8000 pounds (or even my boat at 4000 lbs) at interstate speeds after the first 100 miles? If the F-150 EREV emulates the Ram 1500 REV (formerly called Ramcharger) which utilizes the 3.6 Pentastar V6, then I am dubious but looking forward to Ford proving me wrong.

[Biker16]

2 minutes ago, NLPRacing said:

 

My Raptor drops to around 8 mpg when towing 8000 lbs or so. That gives me about a 250 mile range. My Raptor has the 6.2L V8 with a Roush supercharger and 37" tires. If I could go 350 miles with an EREV, that would be great. 

 Thanks, 

I think as the battery costs plument It will be come more common to see Large EVs big batteries like the GM EVs with a 205KWh battery pack.  Would customers trade the EREV compleixty for a bigger battery.
 

 

[akirby]

The problem with big BEVs is battery cost and weight.  EREV partially solves both.

[fordmantpw]

19 minutes ago, Texasota said:

Do you think it will have enough power to tow 8000 pounds (or even my boat at 4000 lbs) at interstate speeds after the first 100 miles? If the F-150 EREV emulates the Ram 1500 REV (formerly called Ramcharger) which utilizes the 3.6 Pentastar V6, then I am dubious but looking forward to Ford proving me wrong.

 

I don't think they will release it if it doesn't.

 

Thor/Harbinger is releasing an EREV class A RV.  It's speed is limited to 50 MPH after the battery is depleted.  However, it's only using a small 4 cylinder (I don't remember the displacement) as the generator for the battery.  I expect better from Ford.

[fordmantpw]

2 minutes ago, akirby said:

The problem with big BEVs is battery cost and weight.  EREV partially solves both.

 

And charging time.  If the battery is big, it takes a long time to charge it. That's fine for shorter trips or when you aren't towing, but when towing and eating up lots of electrons, it can be a pain.

[rmc523]

28 minutes ago, fordmantpw said:

 

And charging time.  If the battery is big, it takes a long time to charge it. That's fine for shorter trips or when you aren't towing, but when towing and eating up lots of electrons, it can be a pain.

 

Yes, the big question is at what rate will the ICE generator be able to recharge the batteries.