With the EV pickup wars heating up over the past few years, Ford purchased a Tesla Cybertruck for benchmarking purposes earlier this year, following that new model’s launch. This is a common practice in the automotive world, of course, and is particularly notable given the fact that EV manufacturers are engaged in a bit of an arms race given how new that tech is – though Ford reportedly shelled out a whopping $250k for its Cybertruck. Now, Ford Authority has spotted a Ford F-150 Lightning prototype being benchmarked against that same model.
It’s unclear what, exactly, this Ford F-150 Lightning prototype is – or what it might be hiding underneath all that heavy camo – but we do know that it looks just like the current model, for the most part. It could be a current-gen Ford F-150 Lightning prototype equipped with a new battery or motors – perhaps even wheel hub motors, given the presence of its unique wheel covers – or even a next-generation prototype, but it’s entirely unclear what we’re looking at, for now.
This is just the latest Ford F-150 Lightning prototype Ford Authority has spotted lately, however. Back in April, we came across another model wearing similar street sweeper camo underneath, which is typically 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.
Then, in May, Ford Authority spotted a Ford F-150 Lightning prototype with eight lug wheels, rather than the six lug wheels present on the current model. Notably, the Ford Super Duty uses an eight lug wheel design, which is common in heavy-duty trucks that do so as a way to add strength.
Thus, it’s certainly possible this prototype is equipped with hub motors, more powerful e-motors, a beefier battery, or perhaps even all of the above. One thing we do know is that the next-generation Ford F-150 Lightning (which may not be called the Lightning) won’t enter production at the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center until 2026, rather than 2025, as originally planned.
We’ll have more on this Lightning prototype soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comments
I hope they don’t benchmark it for looks as we don’t need another ugly metal trash dumpster on the road. Speaking as a current Lightning owner, I see little that the tesla offers that could improve the Lightning. Thanks Kevin O
This is just my assumption but I am speculating that this prototype is the 2nd EV Truck from Ford, do keep in mind when ford initially released the lightning, countless websites shared that ford is coming with another Ev truck and ford did release a photo of it (showcasing the DRL), some say it will be a better EV Truck, while yes ford is in the process of releasing the 2nd gen lightning, however it worse less camo, this however is heavily dressed
Personally, I am not sure why they would even benchmark the cybertruck considering it’s spec disappointment, Tesla back then claimed that it can do 500 miles but the highest spec can do around 350 which is little bit more than the highest spec lightning, you can add battery pack which will extend it to 470 but not near the claimed mile and if you did go with the extra pack you would compromise space, they also claimed that I can tow wat more but I think it can tow around 7,500 pounds (correct me if I am wrong),
We shall see what Ford has in store with this
If Ford is benchmarking the Cybertruck, the world is in a bad, bad place.
‘But it’s entirely unclear what we’re looking at, for now’ while referencing a pic of a heavily camouflaged vehicle, LOL!
Ford still trying to be like Tesla!
Trucks shouldn’t be EVs, as they loose too much battery when they tow, unelss they really figure out the battery technology or add a lot more battery to increase the range. EV trucks are designed for weekend DIYers or short construction trips. They are not designed to tow a lot of weight at a far distance. The infrastructure isn’t there yet and they aren’t designed correctly, as there aren’t any pull throughs for trucks and whatever they are towing.
Ford Lightning is a great truck, but it could be better. They rushed it to market, as Ford wanted to be the first to have an EV truck. They didn’t build it from the ground up and simply slapped some batteries on to the F-150 frame and called it good.
I hope the updated Ligntning will be designed better to remove a lot of unnecessary things that aren’t seen by the consumer. But also to have a longer range and better towing capacity.