Ford F-150 Lightning Prototype Spotted Testing In Arizona

The debut of the next-generation Ford F-150 Lightning (which may or may not continue to be called that) had already been pushed back from 2025 to 2026 as of April 2024, but later last year, the automaker announced that production of the new EV pickup at the BlueOval City Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center wouldn’t begin until 2027. These decisions were made due to a desire to build a better product using customer feedback, as well as take advantage of falling battery prices amid slow demand for the current model. Now, a Ford F-150 Lightning prototype of some sort has been spotted testing in Arizona.

This Ford F-150 Lightning prototype was spotted by a Reddit user, who posted a couple of pictures of that model for us to peruse. According to that user, they saw three Ford F-150 Lightning prototypes – all towing 20-foot trailers and covered in camo, albeit only on the front grille, hood, and bed, though we can also see a Tesla Cybertruck in the background. It’s entirely unclear what these prototypes could be testing, but there are several possibilities in that regard.

Seen near fountain hills Arizona
byu/arizonagunguy inF150Lightning

For starters, these could be next-generation F-150 Lightning prototypes wearing current bodywork, which is a common thing in the automotive industry. That model – codenamed Project T3 – is reportedly slated to arrive bearing “features and experiences never seen on any Ford truck,” a list that includes bi-directional charging capability and advanced aero. Ford CEO Jim Farley previously stated that the next Lightning will feature futuristic styling reminiscent of “a Millennium Falcon with a porch attached,” referencing the legendary space vessel from Star Wars.

It’s also possible that these prototypes are testing a lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, which has long been destined to be added to the Ford F-150 Lightning. The Ford Mustang Mach-E has utilized that sort of battery in standard range models for years now, but for reasons unknown, we have yet to see it in the EV pickup.