Ford F-150 Lightning Explained

Ford F-150 Lightning
Manufacturer:Ford Motor Company
Related:Ford F-Series (fourteenth generation)
Assembly:United States: Dearborn, Michigan (Rouge Electric Vehicle Center)
Model Years:2022–present
Production:April 2022 – present[1]
Layout:Dual-motor, four-wheel-drive
Class:Full-size pickup truck
Sp:us
Battery:98.0 or 131.0kWh (usable/net for both)[2] lithium-ion
Motor:Dual permanent magnet motors

The Ford F-150 Lightning is a battery electric full-size light duty truck unveiled by Ford Motor Company in May 2021 as part of the fourteenth generation Ford F-Series. Four models have been announced, and all models initially will be dual-motor, four-wheel-drive, with EPA range estimates of . A commercial-grade version of the all-wheel drive (AWD) truck is sold in the United States, with higher-power/trim/range models also sold. The F-150 Lightning began production on April 26, 2022.[3]

History

In January 2019, Ford announced the intention to produce a fully-electric light pickup at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show.[4]

In July 2019, Ford tested prototype electric test mules on existing F-150 chassis. This culminated in a record-setting demonstration test tow of 1250000lb on rails.[5] Chief engineer for the F-150, Linda Zhang, emphasized at the time that Ford intended to take the "built Ford tough [characteristics of] durability, capability, and productivity and [extend that into] a whole new arena" of electric trucks.[5]

Ford unveiled the truck, and released the model name on May 19, 2021,[6] with production planned for spring of 2022.[7]

Ford received 69,500 refundable-deposit orders in the first four days after the announcement.[8] with more than 100,000 reservations by June 11, 2021, less than a month following the unveiling. Ford also announced then that the company would offer digital services for subscription revenue that will change car sales from a single-time transaction process.[9] By the end of 2021, Ford had received more than 200,000 Lightning reservations, a projected 3-year backlog at planned production rates.[10] [11], demand was strong for early deliveries, with one dealer offering a used 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum at $100,000 above the base price for the model.[12]

By late May 2021, Ford had begun discussing other electric trucks beyond the F-series, such as the Expedition and Navigator, which are intended to be underpinned by their full-size EV truck chassis, as well as a smaller chassis which will be used for the Bronco, Explorer, and Aviator.[13]

The first pickup was manufactured on April 18, 2022, with first delivery on May 26.[14] In June 2022, Ford announced its intention to restructure its dealership model, including building an e-commerce platform where customers can buy EVs at non-negotiable prices in an effort to match Tesla’s profit margins.[15] Ford also stated in June 2022 that it planned to spend $3.7 billion to hire 6,200 union workers to staff several assembly plants in Michigan, Ohio and Missouri in a bid to sell 2 million EVs a year by 2026.[15]

In May 2023, Ford announced integration of the North American Charging Standard (NACS) system into their electric vehicles. New built Ford electrics after 2024 will have native NACS charge ports on the vehicle. Existing Ford electric models will be able to connect to the NACS system and its chargers by use of an adapter. Both will thus have access to the extensive NACS charging network with more than 12,000 chargers in North America.[16] The F-150 Lightning is ready to launch in Iceland, Norway, South Africa in Late 2023 and Australasia in Early 2024 alongside the Mustang Mach-E.[17] [18]

Overview

The base configuration has, range, and its smaller battery supports a payload. The high-end configuration has, EPA range, NaNmph times in the mid-four-second range, and a towing capacity of . All models have of torque, full-time 4wd, independent rear suspension, and will initially come in a crew-cab configuration only, with a bed. The F-150 Lightning has an overall length of, with a wheelbase.[19] It weighs 6015to depending on model and trim, up to 35% more than the internal-combustion-engine (ICE) powered equivalent F-150, with most of the additional weight a result of the Lightning's 1800lb battery.[19] [20] The F-150 Lightning was one of several electric vehicles cited by National Transportation Safety Board head Jennifer Homendy as being significantly heavier than ICE-powered models and thus raising the risk of other road users being killed or seriously injured in collisions, alongside products from other manufacturers such as General Motors and Volvo.[21] [22] The active suspension provides real-time load weighing function.

Like Tesla, the Ford F-150 Lightning is announced to include over-the-air software updates, and a significant software driving aid which will allow limited hands-off highway driving, but fall short of full self-driving. The F-150 Lightning in some trim packages, in concert with the "80A Ford Charge Station pro with Ford Intelligent Backup Power capability," can provide household-oriented V2G power, which can meet the electrical needs of a typical American home for three to ten days. The truck can also supply up to 9.6 kW of power through up to eleven 120V and 240V electrical outlets distributed around the truck.[23] Those outlets can be used to charge other vehicles or itself.[24]

This electric truck has a standard battery and can travel on a single charge. EPA range estimates of produced by Ford in May 2021 were based on of cargo carried in the truck. Electrek reported that the range with no load, just a driver and the truck, appeared to be closer to .[25]

The Ford F-150 Lightning was also evaluated to reach in 4.5 seconds. Maximum available payload is, which includes the 400lb payload of the "frunk" (which was Ford's interpretation of the front trunk). The new Lightning can tow up to .[26]

The base model is the "commercial-grade Lightning Pro" fleet version while the "mid-series" model is called the XLT. Higher-priced models are known as the Lariat and Platinum.[27]

In MotorTrend testing of an F-150 Lightning Platinum without a trailer and only the driver, the Platinum attained a range of 255miles. When towing a 7218lb, camper, the F-150 Platinum was only able to reach 90miles. The test was over a 80miles route with average highway speeds between, and with the headlights and audio system on and the automatic climate control set to 72F.[28]

The F-150 Lightning is produced at the new Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Michigan,[6] and involves two other plants: the Van Dyke Electric Powertrain Center in Sterling Heights, Michigan which will assemble the electric motors and the Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan will produce the batteries.[29]

Trim levels

For the 2022 model year, the F-150 Lightning was available in four trim levels: Pro, XLT, Lariat, and Platinum.[30] The Pro trim was only available with the smaller-capacity battery, and the Platinum was offered only with the higher-capacity battery, although all other trims include the smaller-capacity battery as standard equipment, but also offer the higher-capacity battery as an option.

Europe

Starting in April 2023, the Ford F-150 Lightning is officially sold in Europe, with the first market being Norway. In the country, it is only offered in the Lariat Launch Edition version, featuring a Super Crew Cab body style and available exclusively in Antimatter Blue.[31]

Awards

Sales

In 2022 Ford sold 15,617 units of the F-150 Lightning.[32] In the first quarter of 2023 it was 7085 units[33] and in the second quarter 4466 units. In Q3 2023, 3503 units were sold.[34] The final quarter of 2023 had 11,905 sales, giving a 2023 total of 24,165 units.[35] As a result of lower sales expectations, Ford halved its 2024 production plans from roughly 3200 weekly units to around 1600 weekly units.[36]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ford begins production of the electric F-150 Lightning .
  2. Hoffman . Connor . December 17, 2021. Ford Confirms 2022 F-150 Lightning EV Battery Specs . Car and Driver . December 17, 2021.
  3. Web site: April 27, 2022 . Ford Begins Production Of The F-150 Lightning At Historic Rouge Plant . April 27, 2022 . Carscoops . en-US.
  4. Web site: PickupTrucks: News. June 13, 2021. June 14, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210614003416/https://news.pickuptrucks.com/2019/05/08/index.html. dead.
  5. News: Ford F-150 Electric Pickup Truck Tows 1 Million Pounds: Video . Ruffo. Gustavo Henrique . July 23, 2019 . . June 13, 2021 .
  6. News: From anti-Tesla design to huge frunk: 5 things to know about the electric Ford F-150 Lightning . Wayland. Michael . May 21, 2021 . June 13, 2021.
  7. Ford to Reveal All-Electric F-150 Lightning May 19 with Livestreamed Event at Ford HQ . May 10, 2021 . June 13, 2021 . Dearborn, Michigan.
  8. Web site: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup hits 70,000 reservations . Szymkowski . Sean . May 26, 2021 . MSN . June 1, 2021.
  9. News: Interest in Ford's electric pickup soars . . June 11, 2021 . June 13, 2021 .
  10. News: More than 120,000 Ford F-150 Lightning reservations on the books . MSN Autos . July 29, 2021 . July 30, 2021 .
  11. Web site: Ford says it now has nearly 200,000 reservations for F-150 Lightning, or 3 years of backlog. December 7, 2021.
  12. News: Smith . Christopher . Used Ford F-150 Lightning At Florida Dealer Has $193,988 Price Tag . Motor1 . 24 June 2022 . 16 July 2023 .
  13. Web site: Ford Has Bronco, Explorer, Ranger, Lincoln Aviator EVs in the Works . Priddle. Alisa . Gillie . Mark . Automobile Magazine . May 27, 2021 . June 1, 2021.
  14. https://cleantechnica.com/2022/05/31/ford-f-150-lightning-reaches-its-first-customers/ Ford F-150 Lightning Reaches Its First Customers
  15. News: Ford wants to restructure its dealership model to boost EV sales. Jaclyn Trop. June 2, 2022. Tech Crunch.
  16. News: Ford EVs will get access to Tesla's Supercharger network in 2024 . . 25 May 2023 . 26 May 2023.
  17. News: Ford F-150 Lightning Going Global, Coming To Norway In 2024. Inside EVs. 20 April 2023 . 20 April 2023.
  18. News: Ford F-150 Lightning electric pick-up still a chance for Australia. Drive Australia . 18 April 2023 . 18 April 2023.
  19. Web site: Model Details & Specs: 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning® XLT . Ford Motor Company . 2024 . 22 May 2024 .
  20. News: Up close with the Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck . . June 7, 2021 . April 19, 2023 . Hawkins . Andrew J..
  21. News: US official warns of risks posed by heavy electric vehicles . Krisher . Tom . . January 11, 2023 . April 19, 2023.
  22. News: Editorial: Hulking SUVs and trucks are deadly to pedestrians. Why aren't regulators pushing for safer models? . . April 4, 2023 . April 19, 2023 . Times Editorial Board.
  23. News: Ford F-150 Lightning Power Export Outlets And Home Backup Power . Kane. Mark . May 21, 2021 . . June 13, 2021 .
  24. Web site: 2022-06-02 . 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Thinks It Can Charge Itself . 2023-09-28 . Car and Driver . en-US.
  25. News: Lambert . Fred . May 28, 2021 . Ford F-150 Lightning's 300-mile range is with 1,000 lbs of cargo, actual range could be over 400 miles . . June 16, 2021.
  26. Web site: Priddle. Alisa. May 20, 2021. 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning First Look: The Electric Pickup Has a Shockingly Low Price, Mega Specs. September 17, 2021. MotorTrend. en-US.
  27. Web site: Ford F-150 Lightning EV Has a 300-Mile Range and Could Power Your Home . Bartlett. Jeff S. . May 19, 2021 . consumerreports.org . Consumer Reports . June 13, 2021 .
  28. Web site: Tingwall . Eric . Tow No! The Ford F-150 Lightning Struggled in Our Towing Test . motortrend.com. July 31, 2022 . MOTOR TREND GROUP, LLC . August 5, 2022.
  29. Web site: Segura. Elenor. September 16, 2021. Ford Starts Pre-Production of the 2022 F-150 Lightning Electric Truck. September 17, 2021. MotorTrend. en-US.
  30. Web site: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning's Trim Levels Explained. Connor. Hoffman. Car and Driver . May 19, 2021. January 9, 2023.
  31. Web site: Ford Brings F-150 Lightning To Norway After Customers Literally Begged For It. Sebastien. Bell. April 20, 2023. Carscoops.
  32. News: Ford's EV sales slip in Q2 despite stronger F-150 Lightning performance . electrek.co . 2023-07-06 . 2023-08-16 .
  33. News: US: BEV Car Registrations Reached Nearly 350,000 In Jan-Apr 2023 . insideevs.com . 2023-06-15 . 2023-08-16 .
  34. Web site: Purcell . Alexandra . Ford F-150 Lightning Sales Down 46 Percent In Q3 2023 . Ford Authority . 19 December 2023.
  35. Ford U.S. Sales Rise 7.1% to Nearly 2 Million Vehicles in 2023. Dearborn, Mich. . FoMoCo. 2024-01-04 . 2024-01-13.
  36. Web site: Wayland . Michael . Ford cuts planned 2024 production of electric F-150 Lightning in half . CNBC . 11 December 2023 . 19 December 2023.