Ford's electric F-150 Lightning can rescue stranded Teslas with an included adapter

• Ford is shipping out early F-150 Lightning pickup trucks with an adapter for charging Teslas.
• The Lightning can share power from its giant battery pack and charge other electric cars in need.

The first buyers of Ford's new F-150 Lightning are getting more than just early access to the company's groundbreaking, all-electric pickup truck.

Early buyers climbing into their trucks for the first time should also find an unexpected perk: An adapter for charging Teslas. The news was first reported by InsideEVs, which spotted a post about the adapter in a forum.

What use is a Tesla adapter to an F-150 Lightning owner? It's simple. One of the Lightning's biggest selling points its its mobile-generator capability that owners can tap into for tailgating, plugging in power tools, and, what's most relevant here, charging up other electric vehicles.

In theory, someone with an F-150 Lightning could swoop in and save a Tesla-owning buddy who has run out of juice on the side of the road. All they have to do is plug one end of the charging cord into an outlet in the pickup's bed and the other into a stranded EV. Since Teslas use a different charging port than all other electric models, they'd need an adapter to successfully help out.

A Ford spokesman confirmed the news to Insider, saying that the included adapter allows F-150 Lightning owners to "lend a hand if needed." He said Ford is throwing in the bonus accessory with its "first Lightnings," but declined to specify how many Lightning buyers will receive the part. Ford started producing the long-awaited truck in April.

Some people called Ford's stunt an attempt to throw shade at Tesla. ("When you run out of battery, we'll rescue you.") But Ford says that's not the point.

"Not a troll. Just helpful," Ford CEO Jim Farley tweeted on Monday.