The 2024 Ford F-150 lineup has been treated to a refresh with updated styling and a host of new features, which we just learned about this past September during that model’s reveal. This follows the popular pickup’s normal cadence after undergoing a more comprehensive redesign for the 2021 model year, making it no big surprise. However, the F-150’s EV counterpart – the Ford F-150 Lightning – was all new for 2022, and in spite of several updates in the years since, hasn’t yet received any sort of refresh. Now, Ford Authority has spotted a camouflaged model that may very well be a refreshed 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning prototype.
It isn’t entirely clear if this is a refreshed 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning, but based on the heavy camo adorning its flanks, that wouldn’t come as a huge surprise. From what we can see, the front end doesn’t appear to be very different at all, and has its familiar-looking headlights and light bar peeking through, but there are some more notable features present as we move toward the rear.
For starters, this prototype is wearing a set of 24-inch wheels, which are larger than the 22-inch units present on the existing Platinum trim. It’s also virtually impossible to miss the presence of the “street sweeper” camouflage underneath the sides of this potential 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning prototype, which extends to the rear as well. Unlike the current production model, this prototype sits a bit lower and more level from front to rear, too.
Typically, street sweeper camo is used to conceal changes to a vehicle’s undercarriage – including suspension systems – but in this case, it’s possible that Ford is hiding a new battery or electric motors. As Ford Authority reported last October, the F-150 Lightning has long been expected to offer a lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery at some point – potentially as the new standard range option – which is already the case with the Ford Mustang Mach-E. LFP batteries don’t use nickel or cobalt in their construction and is generally cheaper, safer, and can be charged to 100 percent without worrying about speeding up battery degradation, though these units are also not as energy dense as lithium-ion batteries.
In any event, it’s unlikely that this F-150 Lightning is a prototype for the 2024 model year, given the fact that shipments of that model just began yesterday. It also looks a lot different than the potential Lightning Tremor prototype that Ford Authority spotted last August as well. We also know that a new F-150 Lightning based EV demonstrator is on the way – set to debut at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in June – but the teaser FoMoCo released doesn’t look anything like this prototype, either – so for now at least, what this might really be remains a bit of a mystery.
We’ll have more on the 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comments
Hopefully they get rid of the terrible vertical screen and just give us the existing f150 interior. I wouldn’t mind the 24+ f150 exterior as well
If they ditch the vertical screen in the higher end models this truck would immediately find it’s way onto my potential purchase list, provided they keep rolling more incentives to them.
They need to add more Range are just forget it with Chevy having over 400 miles range. Ford needs to find more range going less is not the answer. The reason the Lightning is not selling is because of the Range. Ford drop ball on this vehicle had all that demand at first then everyone found out it could not tow because of the Range.
The Silverado EV won’t get any meaningful range benefit when towing either. The Hummer EV has a nominal range of 380 miles to the Lightning’s 300. Towing a large RV they both go 140 miles and 100miles respectively. Even if the Silverado has a nominal range of 400 miles you won’t be seeing any more than 150 miles under the same conditions. And that’s fine, less than 25% of truck buyers tow anything at all. The reason Lightnings weren’t selling was poor dealer behaviour and COVID pricing. Now that that is over they’re literally flying off the lots. Year-over-year Lightning sales are up 98%. Just because they don’t work for everyone, does not mean they don’t work for lots of folks.