Ford’s latest patent filing sheds light on how future electric vehicles could combine aerodynamics, functionality, and design flair. The company has applied for a patent describing a vehicle flow control system with a lighting assembly that would project light directly through active grille shutters, offering a new twist on how exterior lighting can be integrated into EV design.

Filed on March 19, 2024, and published on September 30, 2025, the patent outlines a system that mounts lighting elements behind a vehicle’s active grille shutters. These shutters are typically used to control airflow for cooling or to enhance aerodynamic efficiency, opening and closing automatically depending on driving conditions.

With this design, Ford envisions a way to use that same space to create dynamic lighting effects. When activated, the light would pass through the shutters — illuminating the road ahead or providing visual effects — and when the shutters are closed, the lights would be hidden, maintaining a clean, futuristic look.

Potential applications include off-road lighting, emergency visibility, or even custom display effects, replacing the need for aftermarket light bars or roof-mounted pods. The system could also add a distinctive visual signature to future Ford EVs, blending function and style in one seamless feature.

As always, Ford notes that patent filings are part of its ongoing effort to protect and explore new ideas. While not every concept makes it to production, the design fits with Ford’s forward-thinking approach to EV development, combining smart technology with driver-focused utility.

This innovation shows how lighting, aerodynamics, and design could converge in Ford’s next generation of electric vehicles — bright ideas built into every detail.