The F-150 Lightning STX is not designed as a serious off-road electric vehicle. Will Ford ever produce one?

      Ford

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      A couple of weeks back, I discussed a camouflaged Ford F-150 Lightning prototype that I suspected might be a Tremor. I was mistaken. Instead, it turned out to be a test mule for the new STX trim announced on Monday, which replaces the former XLT as the base model and comes with robust Goodyear Wrangler tires. I stand by the fact that it can be challenging to determine what’s underneath or inside a truck when looking at images taken from a distance, but I won't dwell on that. I want to use this as a starting point for a discussion about whether Ford will ever produce a serious F-150 off-roader that operates on electricity.

      The straightforward answer is likely “yes” if combustion engine vehicles are ultimately phased out; however, aside from that, I’m uncertain. One could argue—and I believe many will—that there’s no necessity to create a high-performance EV like that while fossil fuels are still an option. Although Ford has demonstrated through its battery-powered vehicles that lithium-ion technology can outperform gasoline engines on closed tracks, most people tend to be more interested in the sounds a machine makes and how it makes them feel.

      I have no doubt that Ford could design an electric F-150 Raptor that outperforms the gas version currently available, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it would appeal to consumers. Even if Ford opted to develop an electric F-150 Tremor better suited for trail driving rather than desert racing, I’m not sure it would see significant sales. I can’t speak on behalf of Ford, but they seem to share this sentiment, as there hasn’t been a development of a competitor to the Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss or Rivian R1T.

      At the very least, there’s no clear reason to hasten the creation of such a vehicle. Although EV sales have increased compared to previous years, the governmental drive for them has significantly slowed, and so has the interest among many consumers—most of whom were never particularly keen on them anyway. It’s undeniable that the electrification of the automotive sector is heavily influenced by policy, both directly and indirectly. Banking on a silent version of an already popular model likely wouldn’t be a viable strategy for Ford.

      Nonetheless, I believe the new STX is exactly what it needs to be. In reality, enhanced tires are all that most drivers truly require in an “off-road package.” Ford has also included the F-150 Tremor’s running boards to enhance the overall look. Moreover, we live in an era where the base trim of a pickup generates 536 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque. Even at a price of $63,345, that offers substantial performance for the money.

      And if you’re interested in a Raptor, you can choose one in any variation you prefer, as long as it features a twin-turbo V6 or a supercharged V8.

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