Ford wants to make the EV Frank a workhorse.

Electric vehicles like the Ford Mustang Mach E and the F-150 Lightning have flanks for extra storage space. However, Ford is considering other uses.

The automaker's patent application, published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on February 27 (but filed on September 8, 2022), describes a foldable panel that would allow the EV's flank (and rear cargo area) to be used as a workstation.

The workstation setup is a simple flat panel that can be stored in the flank or other cargo area when not in use and moved into position when needed. It is also designed to be mounted fairly high, so access to the flanks and cargo area is possible.

This is a simpler solution than Ford's mobile workplace patent that surfaced in 2023, specifically a frame and two panels. These discussed replacing the current Ford trunk opening and closing mechanism, which resembles the hinge on the hood of an internal combustion vehicle, with a split-opening design. They also discussed equipment such as screens, wireless charging pads, cooling storage boxes, and movable work benches.

Ford is also considering uses for the flank space that lean more toward play than work: a patent application published in 2021 shows how an integrated stereo system and other features could be added to the F-150 Lightning's hangar, turning it into the ultimate tailgate machine.

It is unclear if any of these features will make it to production, but if they do, they will likely be included in a future refresh of the F-150 Lightning or Ford's clean-sheet electric pickup, code-named "T3," scheduled to debut in 2025 would likely be in the Ford F-150 Lightning, which is expected to debut in 2025.