With the news from Dearborn, Mich. that the Ford F-150 Lightning electric truck will begin rolling off the assembly line in the spring of 2022, we figured we’d share everything we know about the upcoming model.
“The F-150 Lightning is a massive moment for our Ford team,” says Ford President and CEO Jim Farley “It’s quicker than a Raptor, with standard 4×4 and independent rear suspension; a power frunk, enough juice to run your house for three days or power an awesome tailgate; and it will forever improve with over-the-air updates.”
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Price
We will learn more about all the price points as trim levels are introduced, but Ford has unveiled some pricing information already. The Ford F-150 Lightning entry model will start at $39,974 and the mid-series XLT model will start at $52,974. And that is before any federal or state tax credits
Power & Performance
According to Ford, the F-150 Lightning targets 563 horsepower, 775 lb-ft of torque, which is more than any F-150 ever. While we wouldn’t recommend racing the thing, Ford is expecting a 0-60 mph time in the neighborhood of 4.5 seconds – assuming it is equipped with an extended-range battery.
The Ford F-150 Lightning will also offer a maximum payload of 2000 pounds for the standard-range model. The XLT and Lariat variations (equipped with the extended range battery and Max Trailer Tow Package) will be outfitted with 18-inch wheels and provide up to 10,000 pounds of towing capacity.
Off-Road Ability
Ford says the F-150 Lightning undergoes the same testing as all F-Series trucks. It is built with a military-grade aluminum alloy body and upgraded frame support the battery. It is also the first F-Series with independent rear suspension and has a low center of gravity for improved stability.
“Whether they’re hauling a bed full of firewood through snow or towing a trailer on a road trip, customers need to be able to rely on their truck’s performance,” said Linda Zhang, chief engineer, F-150 Lightning. “This all-electric truck has been engineered with dual in-board motors, which means it can take on rough terrain. Our team of engineers has run the same arduous test regimen our F-150 customers have learned to expect from Ford.”
Speaking of off-road, the F-150 Lightning comes with a 4×4 system featuring four selectable drive modes: Normal, Sport, Off Road and Tow/Haul. It also has underbody protection to keep the battery from getting banged around, along with metal skid plates that shield both the battery and inboard motors from whatever you might smack into when leave paved roads behind.
As well, Ford outfitted the F-150 Lightning with what it calls a state-of-the-art liquid cooling system and powertrain layout that “expertly manages heat distribution across the vehicle.”
Charging
As the Jim Farley quote mentioned above, the F-150 Lightning will take advantage of its battery power with the available Ford Intelligent Backup Power. This essentially turns your truck into a power source for your home in the event of a power outage.
“With the ability to offload 9.6 kilowatts of power, Ford Intelligent Backup Power keeps the lights on during an outage while providing security by powering home appliances, security systems and more.”
And Ford will include an 80-amp charging station as standard equipment, so you can charge up the truck at home without having pay for another system. This set up provides approximately 30 miles of range per charging hour.
Of course, sometimes you need to charge your vehicle away form home, so Ford is providing F-150 Lightning owners with access to “North America’s largest public charging network through FordPass, with more than 63,000 charging plugs and growing across the U.S.”
Using one of these 150-kilowatt DC fast chargers, you can get up to 54 miles of range in just 10 minutes.
Not sure where you can charge up? Take advantage of FordPass Power My Trip, identifies charging routes.
And to help eliminate range anxiety, Ford’s Intelligent Range calculates your remaining range while factoring in weather, traffic payload, towing weights, and more.
Frunk
Extra storage space is always a bonus, so Ford has made use of the space under the hood to provide 400 liters of lockable, water-resistant space that can carry up to 400 pounds. There’s enough room there for two sets of golf clubs.
More than just room for your stuff, the frunk also comes with four electrical outlets and two USB chargers. It provides enough juice (2.4 kilowatts) to power your tools and electronics.