The world’s most beloved vehicle is now electric. It can reach 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.
Since its introduction in 2004, the original Ford F-150 SVT Lightning has enjoyed legendary status. It was a two-generation model with sport-truck stylings and better performance. Ford has taken control of the 2022 F150 Lightning EV. This pickup offers an electric powertrain with up to 300 miles range and a starting price at $39,974.
We saw yesterday that the 2022 Lightning retains the same styling as its F150 twin. However, it has two different floor-mounted batteries. The standard-range battery (SR), can go 230 miles on a single charge, while the extended-range unit(ER) can go 300 miles. Both the front- and rear-mounted motors are powered by the batteries. The SR produces 426 horsepower (320 kilowatts), while the ER generates 563 ponies (420 kW). Both configurations make 775 pound-feet (1,051 newton-meters). The Lightning can also power your home for up to three days in case of blackouts.
Sport Truck Redux
It is likely that the Lightning name will be used for an electric vehicle. This is similar to the controversy surrounding Ford’s announcement of the Mach–E would be a Mustang. The original two generations of the Lightning were sport trucks that were designed for off-road performance, rather than traditional capability. They had lowered suspensions and rear-wheel drives, as well as powerful V8s. The new Lightning will not follow that pattern. It will instead adopt a traditional F-150 stance. Naturally, the old Lightning’s supercharged V8 will not be included in the mix. The EV will still be enjoyable to drive.
All new Lightnings will have all-wheel drive. An independent rear suspension will make its debut on an F-150.
Ford claims that the ER has more power and torque than any F-150 ever built. It should reach 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. This would make it fastest pickup on today’s market (until Tesla Cybertruck or GMC Hummer EEV arrive). All modern Lightnings will have all-wheel drive. The F-150’s first Lightnings will feature an independent rear suspension. The revised suspension, which has a low center-of-gravity because the big battery cells are stored under the passenger cabin floor, could make the 2022 Lightning just as impressive at an autocross as on the drag strip.
A liquid cooling system keeps the battery temperatures at optimum levels to preserve performance. The F-150’s frame rails are equipped with a metal exoskeleton to house the battery cells. This provides strength and protection against deformation. An underbody plate of steel in robust form improves aerodynamics and safety. The inboard-mounted, aluminum suspension components and electric motors reduce unsprung mass and offer greater protection against obstacles than individual wheel-mounted motors. Ford is currently evaluating other powertrains and may consider quad- or tri-motor designs.
The Lightning’s performance is not the only thing that matters. The SR battery can tow 5,000 pounds in a standard model or 7,700 pounds with an option package. It also has a payload rating that is 2,000 pounds. Although the ER can carry up to 10,000 pounds, its payload of 1,850 is slightly lower. This is likely because Lightning’s F-150 platform has a maximum vehicle weight rating (representing vehicle weight plus payload) that’s 7,150 pounds. The ER battery is almost as heavy as the SR. We calculated that the Ford Lightning would weigh between 5,100 to 5,300 pounds without being laden using back-of-the napkin math.
Lightning In A Bottle
The F-150 Lightning can be charged with a standard mobile charger. The SR gets a 120-volt 12-amp version that can increase range by 3 miles per hour, while the ER gets a 240V 32-amp version that will add 21 miles per hour. The SR’s 48-amp home charger can charge the battery from 15 to 100% in just 10 hours. The ER’s 19.2-kilowatt charging station takes eight hours. Fast charging is possible with the F-150 Lightning. It can charge at 150 kW using a DC fast charger station. This is a slower option than some of the newest EVs, but it still charges you between 15 and 80 percent in just 41 minutes.
The Lightning, like the Mustang Mach-E uses FordPass, which Ford claims is the largest charging network in North America. The phone app allows drivers to precondition their battery and schedule charging for off-peak hours. A real-time payload monitor is also available within the infotainment or phone app. This helps optimize the charging route depending on vehicle weight, trailer weight, weather conditions, and other variables.
Flash Of Genius
The 2022 Lightning’s Lariat and Platinum trims will get the 15.5-inch touchscreen with Sync 4A infotainment. This is the Mustang Mach-E’s flat interface that allows occupants to quickly switch between functions. The screen’s bottom displays the most recently used apps, which makes it easy to switch between the frequently used features, such as navigation and audio. FordPass will be embedded in Sync 4A. This app syncs with the owner’s smartphone to perform vehicle functions such as opening and closing frunks, cooling the interior, and opening and closing them.
The F-150 Lightning 2022 will get a modem capable of providing in-car Wi-Fi and performing over-the-air software upgrades to keep the infotainment system and vehicle systems up-to-date and free from any glitches. The BlueCruise hands free highway driving assistant, which will be available on Lightning, will reduce stress and fatigue during long trips.
The new F-150 Lightning will get the impressive Pro Power Onboard system. This is an increase from the gas truck’s maximum output of 7.2-kW to 9.6 kW. It’s amazing that the truck can automatically draw electricity from a home charger if it loses power. This will allow the house to continue running until the power comes back on. This feature is only available to homes with an AC-DC home inverter and optional Charge Station Pro home charger. However, it will be useful for those living in areas that are susceptible to severe weather. It can power a home for as long as three days.
The EV’s Pro Power Onboard provides a single 240V outlet and four 120V outlets. The Mega Power frunk, also known as the Mega Power Onboard, will have four 120V outlets and two USB charging ports. Ford claims the frunk is the largest in the business, boasting a 400-pound weight capacity and 14.1 cubic feet storage. The frunk is accessible via large opening that covers the truck’s grille, making it easier to lift. The floor is waterproof and has drain plugs that allow for easy cleaning when transporting dirty or muddy gear.
Striking Style
Ford kept the Lightning’s styling very similar to the F-150, but modernized it a little to match its futuristic powertrain. The F-150’s grille has been transformed into a stylized blocking panel with mesh network beneath a glossy surface. The current F-150’s standard dynamic-bending headlights have a similar shape to the F-150. An LED strip runs along the top edge and connects with some trims. A matching red light bar connects the taillights. The front fender features a charging outlet, while the wheels have a new design.
The interior changes are a bit more significant, with the 15.5-inch vertical touchscreen being offered on Lariat, Platinum, and replacing the 12.0-inch horizontal unit on certain trims of F-150. The display will be standard on Lightning’s base and XLT trims. It runs an infotainment package that is similar to the Mustang Mach-E’s. However, it won’t compromise any of Sync 4A’s EV planning features. All Lightning trims will come with an all-digital cluster of instruments, including commercial and base models.
Purpose-Built
The new, EV-specific manufacturing plant at Ford Rouge Complex will produce the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning. It is located next to the standard F-150. The Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, which will produce the Lightning, will be operational by mid-2022. It is part of a $700million investment in the larger complex that also produces the F-Series truck.
Each F-150 Electric Vehicle (EV) will come with a SuperCrew of five passengers and a 5.5-foot bed.
The factory makes extensive use of post-consumer and recyclable materials, furthering Lightning’s green credentials. Concrete foundations were made from materials that were removed from an old facility. Rouge Electric Vehicle Center features an air heating and ventilation system, which reduces water consumption and waste. The Lightning’s overall lifecycle emissions will be reduced by using hydrogen fuel cells for heavy machinery like forklifts.
Get More!
The base SR version of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning starts at $39,974, and this is before any federal or state incentives are applied. The entry-level Lightning will be available for $30,000 to those who reside in EV-friendly areas. This is a remarkable deal for a full-size four-wheel-drive pickup. The fully loaded Lightning ER Platinum is at the opposite end of the spectrum. It will retail for approximately $90,000. This is $10,000 less than the GMC Hummer EV3X, which Ford claims will be available in a year. It will also cost $10,000 less than the base Hummer EV2 which arrives in 2024.
The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning starts at $39,974 base SR, which includes federal and state incentives.
The Cybertruck’s pricing is expected to be more comparable to the F-150. It will start at $39,900 single-motor rear-drive or $49,900 dual-motor all-wheel-drive. $69,900 is the price of the Cybertruck tri-motor, which can reach 60 mph in under three seconds. The vehicle is highly anticipated by EV enthusiasts. However, the F-150 Lightning’s more traditional styling may appeal to average truck owners who are not impressed with Tesla’s sci-fi doorstop design.
The most recent comparison between the F-150 Lightning and Tesla Cybertruck, GMC Hummer Electric, and Rivian R1T sheds light on how they compare against each other. It’s amazing that the F-150 Lightning’s price is lower than that of the F-150 Lightning, even when incentives are taken into account. However, this is not the case up north. Ford Canada plans to offer the F-150 Lightning at a higher starting price because it does not initially sell the base model.
The Lightning will come in base, Lariat and Platinum trims. This will allow customers to choose from a range of options. Every F-150 EV will have a five-passenger SuperCrew equipped with a 5.5-foot bed and will be available in XLT, Lariat and Platinum trims. Fleets that switch to the base Lightning will appreciate lower costs of ownership – EVs are generally much less maintenance-intensive, remember – while the family-friendly equipment levels of the XLT should appeal to average shoppers on a budget. The Lariat and Platinum trims will be able to please more sybaritic customers, perhaps even replacing luxury SUVs in some garages.
The Ford F-150 Lightning will go on sale in about a year, but reservations can be made now. The Blue Oval requires a $100 deposit from early adopters who want to be first in their block with the latest EV. This is especially true for the Lightning, which boasts as much truck credibility as any other Lightning. Ford’s Jim Farley tweeted that they received more 44,500 reservations within 48 hours of the truck’s debut.