AusEV to offer F-150 Lightning EREV

LOCAL vehicle remanufacturer AusEV has shared that it plans to bring the next-generation F-150 Lightning Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) to Australia in 2027, as well as confirming it has a “strong supply” of current generation battery electric Lightning models despite production ending this year.

The Brisbane-based company converts imported Ford F-150 Lightning pick-ups to right-hand drive and is also working with Hyundai to remanufacture its Xcient hydrogen fuel cell truck for local use, aimed primarily at fleet buyers.

AusEV chief executive Edward Kocwa told GoAuto that while the company intends to bring the Lightning EREV to Australia in 2027, he is confident with the supply of first-generation Lightnings until the new model arrives.

“We’ve got the 98kWh and the 131kWh models, and we’ve got availability – so even though production has stopped there are still surplus vehicles,” he said.

“We’re confident we’ve got the supply we need until the EREV arrives, and ultimately we're excited to continue to provide a product to the market that Australia doesn’t get.”

Confirmation that AusEV will bring the EREV to Australia follows Ford’s recent global announcement that the next generation F-150 Lightning will shift from battery-electric to range-extender technology while confirming that production of the battery electric version Lightning will not resume following its indefinite pause last November.

According to Ford’s official release, the new Lightning EREV model will offer an estimated range of more than 1126km, compared with the current Lightning’s 515km – equating to roughly double the driving range.

Like other range-extender models on the market, the Ford F-150 Lightning EREV will be propelled by electric motors but with a petrol engine serving as a generator that tops up the battery pack on the move in tandem with energy captured during deceleration and braking, reducing reliance on charging infrastructure.

While specifics like battery capacity, power output and other on-board technology are yet to be confirmed, Ford did outline that the EREV model will still offer bi-directional charging so that operators can power campsites, tools and other accessories.

“People buying the Lightning now are using that V2G function because it works here, and this new one will have it too,” Mr Kocwa said.

“But our view is that it (the EREV) just opens up the market, by taking away the range anxiety without any real downsides.

“It has all the low maintenance upsides of an EV, and you can still use it as a pure battery EV. With the LFP battery, you’d think there’d be some savings there to offset the additional technology, too.”

When AusEV began selling the converted F-150 Lightning models in 2024, they were the only dedicated battery-electric 4x4 utes available – but the market is fast evolving.

Now, with the influx of battery-electric and plug-in hybrid utes available, like the KGM Musso EV, LDV eT60, BYD Shark, GWM Cannon Alpha and stablemate Ford Ranger PHEV, the F-150 Lightning is no longer the only kid on the block.

Still, Mr Kocwa says he is not concerned, highlighting the Lightning’s unique positioning based on its large battery and 1500-class pickup footprint.

“I don’t really see them as direct competitors, because the Lightning has always had its place as a bigger vehicle with much more capability,” he said.

“The smaller vehicles unfortunately don’t have big enough batteries and from all the in-field information we have, especially in the Pilbara where it’s very hot, you need a big battery to run all of the systems – well over 90kWh in most cases.

“So the other vehicles in the market just don’t meet those tough fleet requirements yet.”