The typical vehicle drivetrain as we know it — and have known it for about a century — is about to change drastically. Alternative fuel engines, those other than gas and diesel, and most importantly battery electric vehicles are poised to become the dominant types of vehicles on the road within a decade or so. You may like that idea or hate it. But it’s inevitable at this point. All major automakers have publicly recognized that fact. And Ford has taken a giant step toward that future with the planned introduction of an all-electric F-150.
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First revealed to the public in May, the F-150 Lightning, as it will be called, will be available in four series with two battery options, which determine usable range. They will be sold through “EV-certified” Ford dealers starting next spring. And if you can hardly wait to get your hands on one, Ford is letting buyers reserve their early production Lightnings now with a $1,000 deposit.
The “entry level” model has a base MSRP of $58,000, while the XLT models begin at $68,000. That makes them considerably cheaper than GM’s all-electric Hummer.
The F-150 Lightning “targets” 563 horsepower and 775 pound-feet of nearly instantaneous torque, which is more than any previous production F-150 has boasted — ever. It has a zero to 60 miles per hour time in around 4.5 seconds when equipped with an extended-range battery, and it gets a maximum 2,000-pound payload rating in the standard-range model.
There is 10,000 pounds of available towing capacity on XLT and Lariat trucks with the extended-range battery and Max Trailer Tow Package. And you’ll be able to tell exactly how much payload you have onboard from the built-in weight sensors, which display that information in the cab.
“We’re not here to make an electric truck for the few. Ford is committed to building one that solves real problems for real people,” said Kumar Galhotra, Ford president Americas and International Markets Group, in a press release. “F-150 Lightning delivers everything we’ve said electric vehicles can offer, plus the capability expected from a built-Ford-tough truck — not just near instant torque but powerful towing and hauling customers can depend on.”
The Lightning will get a slightly unique appearance as well, with a more aerodynamic hood and smooth front end. There are LED light bars across both the front and rear. And under that front hood is a “frunk,” which is a play on the words front and trunk, creating a lockable storage area. The frunk has four electric outlets and two USB ports, and it’s waterproof with a drain plug — fill it with ice and take cold drinks out to the harvest crew.
The low centre of gravity due to the unique drivetrain brings improved handling too.
Battery life
Buyers will get an 80-amp home charging station that will push an average of 48 kilometres of battery life per hour into the extended range version of the Lightning, and it will take the batteries from 15 per cent charge to 100 per cent in about eight hours.
Ford says it has tested the battery pack in temperatures as low as -40 C to ensure it is a viable option for Canadian drivers. But just what kind of range can buyers expect? The “next-generation” lithium-ion battery packs offer 370 kilometres of travel in the standard version or 483 with the extended range option. It’s not all that different from what you might expect from a full tank of fuel in a regular pickup.
The Lightning can also be used as a home generator during a power outage, providing up to three days worth of electricity, based on typical minimal average daily home consumption rates. Given the frequency of rural power outages, that could be one of the Lightning’s biggest selling features for farmers.
Then there are the driving assist features, Bluetooth and enhanced digital connectivity, and so on. In all, the all-electric F-150 Lightning gets a load of new features aside from a different drive train.
“For both Ford and the American auto industry, F-150 Lightning represents a defining moment as we progress toward a zero-emissions, digitally connected future,” said Bill Ford, executive chair at Ford.
That isn’t really an exaggeration. The vehicle and machine industry is about to change, and change significantly. The electric F-150 Lightning is just one of the early signs of that.
