Ford F-150 Lightning: electric pick-up

Ford is not the first to offer an electric pickup, the Blue Oval has been edged out by young challengers like the Tesla Cybertruck and the Rivian R1T. But unlike those two, the Ford F-150 Lightning (named after the 1999 F-150 SVT Lightning) appears close to production. The Ford F-150 is the best-selling “car” in the United States, so its electric variant shouldn’t be reserved for the elite, according to the brand. And with a starting price of just under $ 40,000, it didn’t get too expensive.

571 hp

Performance-wise, all is well, as the most powerful Ford F-150 Lightning produces 571 hp and 1050 Nm. This makes it the most powerful F-150 of all time, and it is also faster than the Raptor, with a 0 to 60 mph (96 km / h) sprint in about 4.5 s. The payload of the standard version is around 900 pounds (408 kg), while the more powerful version with the Max Trailer Tow Package can tow up to 4.5 tons.

And the practicalities don’t end there, because with a large battery pack on board, the F-150 Lightning can also be used as a mobile power source. You can power your home with 9.6 kW of electricity in the event of a power failure and also plug machines or an electric barbecue into the integrated outlets, turning the pick-up into a mobile workshop or a party place in the parking lot from the local football field.

Up to 483 km of autonomy

Ford offers two battery packs on the F-150 Lightning: a standard pack with an EPA target of 370 km of range or an “extended range” pack with a range of up to 483 km. Thanks to the two on-board chargers, with a good power supply at home, you can recharge the battery from 15 to 100% in 8 hours. Fast direct current charging of up to 150 kW would charge the battery 15-80% in 41 minutes.

Hands-free driving

Inside, the electric pickup is also packed with tech, including the latest Sync infotainment system with a large 15.5-inch vertical touchscreen. The dials have been replaced with a customizable 12-inch screen. Also present is the intelligent driving assistant BlueCruise, which takes your hands off the wheel on more than 100,000 miles of roads in the United States and Canada, an offer that is constantly expanding. The F-150 Lightning also comes with over-the-air updates that add new features and fix bugs without having to go to the dealership to get them.

Big frunk

The design of the F-150 Lightning is strongly inspired by that of its combustion engine counterparts, but relies on a few striking details to make it clear that it is an electric truck. These include continuous LED light strips on the front and rear, a new grille (which varies with trim level) and improved aerodynamics. The front trunk (frunk for front trunk) is also very practical: it opens and closes electrically and offers 400 liters of additional loading space (waterproof!). There are also a few USB ports and full-size power outlets for plugging in, say, a cooler.

From $ 39,974

Finally, Ford promises an interior that is just as spacious and practical as the traditional F-150, with Max Recline seats that allow you to lie almost flat for a nap. The Ford F-150 Lightning will be built at the Rouge, Michigan plant and hit the market in spring 2022. The cheaper variant is more geared toward professionals and costs $ 39,974 (€ 32,800), while the more Luxurious XLT starts at $ 52,974 (€ 43,400).