2025 Ford Bronco Lightning: What To Expect From The Electric Of…

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Ford has recently filed a patent that has kicked off a new round of Bronco Lightning speculation— and gives us even more reasons to be excited about the all-electric SUV. The patent documents, which were just shared to the Lightning Owners Forum, describe a roof-mounted battery backup for EVs in great detail. The idea is a combination of a Thule roof box and those little battery banks many of us carry around in case our phone dies. Ford has attempted to tackle a problem that is especially relevant for off-road EVs, which travel far away from traditional charging infrastructure. However, the patent does raise some concerns over how you’d actually lift the battery bank on and off if you’re an average Joe and not an Olympic powerlifter. Hopefully, Ford has some clever solutions to this problem. What is most interesting about the patent is that the drawings show the battery system atop a 4-door Ford Bronco, leading us to believe that a Bronco Lightning is just around the corner. We will take a look at some exciting features you can expect from a 2025 Ford Bronco Lightning, including the intriguing roof-mounted battery pack.

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The Ford Bronco Lightning will charge in full-force to compete directly with other electric SUVs currently on the market. Its sleek retro-inspired design, impressive performance, and cutting-edge technology will grab the attention of customers currently interested in the Hummer EV or Rivian R1T and R1S. Jeep is another worthy adversary, with the all-electric Recon poised to take on the off-road EV world with many of the same features we saw in the Wrangler 4xe PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle). Ford aims to provide a vehicle that can do everything a Wrangler or Recon can. The Bronco is the only other SUV on the market with removable body panels, but unlike the Wrangler, it retains its side-mirrors while the doors are off. These functional features are an outdoorsy-person’s delight and give it a one-up on the competition.

We can expect the Bronco Lightning to take on many of the same design choices of the F-150 Lightning. Like Ford’s electric truck, the Bronco Lightning will deliver just about everything a gas-powered Bronco does, but with an all-electric powertrain. The two “Lightning” badged vehicles will likely share the same dual-motor and all-wheel drive setup. As a result, they will have similarly impressive power outputs. The current F-150 Lightning offers 452 horsepower with the Standard Range battery, and pushes it to 580 hp with the Extended Range battery. Meanwhile, the peak torque is a mighty 775 lb-ft. The horsepower and torque outputs of the Bronco Lightning will be in the same range or maybe even higher. The electric SUV will definitely pack a serious punch, both off-road and on.

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Like the F-150 Lightning, we can expect the Bronco Lightning to offer multiple battery options. The F-150 Lightning’s 98.0-kWh Standard Range battery has a range of roughly 230 miles on a full charge. The upgraded 131.0-kWh Extended Range battery increases the range to 320 miles on a full charge. The 2025 Bronco is still a ways away, however, and battery technology is only getting better. Depending on which package your Bronco is equipped with, it could be in this range or even higher. Many off-road enthusiasts are wary of EVs because of their limited range and the inaccessibility of charging infrastructure in certain areas. This is never a good combination, but is especially bad when driving to remote areas. Nobody wants to be stuck in the desert at 0 percent. This is where Ford’s roof-mounted battery comes in. We could see the roof-mounted battery offered as an additional package on the Ford Bronco Lightning that will finally put range anxiety to bed. Simply plug the battery into your charging port for some extra juice, and you’re back on the road.

The roof-mounted battery will be an exciting new feature, but it does come with some concerns. Weight is the biggest worry. Batteries are known to be heavy, which raises questions about the strength of the roof rack and the overall structural integrity of the vehicle. Additionally, there is a potential risk of rollover if the battery makes the vehicle top-heavy. Electric cars generally have a low center of gravity, but that may not be enough to save it from tipping over. Not only that, but the question remains if the roof-mounted battery will be removable. It seems like that would be one of its main selling points, but lifting such a heavy battery on and off the roof of the vehicle doesn’t seem feasible. Maybe mounting and removing it would be a service performed only by a Ford specialist or dealer. That remains to be seen, but the extended range of an external battery bank is still an exciting feature. We could even see this feature implemented on other electric vehicles in Ford’s lineup.

Another standout feature of the F-150 Lightning, which is likely to be carried over to the Bronco Lightning, is its ability to be used as a backup source of power. Ford claims that a fully charged F-150 can supply up to three days of electricity for the average household in the event of a power outage. The Bronco may be able to power your house for even longer if it has the roof-mounted battery option. This feature is also useful for powering campsites or outdoor activities, further enhancing the Bronco Lightning’s appeal to outdoor enthusiasts.

When it comes to actually charging your 2025 Bronco Lightning, you will still be able to use 110 and 220-volt outlets for home charging, as well as DC fast-charging stations for more rapid top-ups. Ford has adopted the J1772 plug as the current standard for their vehicles, but that may change in the coming years. Both Ford and GM have recently announced future compatibility with Tesla’s NACS (North American Charging Standard) instead of the global CCS (Combined Charging System). This would drastically improve the accessibility of charging infrastructure.

Related: This Ford F-150 Lightning Raptor Concept Adds Some Much-Needed Excitement To EVs

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The Bronco Lightning is expected to look much like its ICE counterpart, but with a few design changes to set it apart. The electric SUV’s front end will feature a grille inspired by the F-150 Lightning. This ventless grille design improves aerodynamics to maximize the Bronco’s range. The Bronco will offer plenty of storage space, and no more bulky engine up front means that you will get additional space under the hood. The front trunk, or “frunk,” will be an excellent place to store your gear for long adventures.

Inside the Bronco Lightning, the design will once again closely resemble the ICE version and feature Ford’s latest on-board technology. We can expect the Bronco to feature a vertical touch screen like the one found in Ford’s other electric vehicles such as the Mustang Mach E and F-150 Lightning. Standard features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, in-dash navigation, and a Wi-Fi hotspot are expected, along with the latest safety features to ensure a comfortable and secure driving experience.

As the electric vehicle market continues to grow, the 2025 Ford Bronco Lightning is poised to be a strong contender in the electric SUV segment. The Bronco Lightning promises to offer a unique and exciting driving experience for both off-road enthusiasts and electric vehicle enthusiasts alike. The potential for a roof-mounted battery system is particularly exciting, and could be a real game-changer in the world of EV.