- The F-150 Lightning is a fully electric version of America’s best-selling pickup truck.
- The F-150 Lightning is brand new for the 2022 model year.
- With a lower starting price point than rivals like the Hummer EV, Rivian R1T, and Tesla Cybertruck, the Lightning could make a huge splash.
As the electric vehicle market continues to boom, it was only a matter of time before America’s best-selling vehicle would enter the fray. Perhaps no other vehicle signifies a cultural shift towards electric-powered vehicles than the long-awaited Ford F-150 Lightning electric truck.
While the Lightning’s body and cabin are the same as the regular F-150, what puts it in a class apart is its pair of electric motors. While there are several other electric trucks coming to market, they don’t quite provide the same power as the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning.
Power and Maintenance
The F-150 Lightning features a dual-motor system that provides power to all four wheels of the truck. With a standard battery, the truck is estimated to produce 426 horsepower and no less than 775 lb.-ft of torque. If fitted with the extended range battery, it can produce up to 563 horsepower.
Ford claims that the vehicle can get up to speeds of 60 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds. This is an impressive feat of engineering for a new generation electric truck of its size.
The Lightning comes with four drive modes. They are:
- Normal
- Sporr
- Tow/Haul
- Off-Road
Additionally, the Lightning is the first F-150 to include an independent rear suspension. The rear suspension is expected to significantly improve ride quality.
Source: FordRange, Charging, and Battery
According to Ford, the target mileage for the Lightning is 230 miles when equipped with the standard battery option. This estimate can be increased to 300 miles with the extended range battery.
Charging the Lightning at home is made simple as Ford includes an 80-amp charging station as a standard addition for the extended range version. Charging the truck will add 30 miles of range for every hour charged. Furthermore, it will take no more than eight hours to recharge the Lightning from a 15 percent charge to full.
Public stations that have 150-kilowatt DC fast chargers can recharge the truck even faster. Estimates suggest that these stations can help add around 54 miles of range after just 10 minutes of charging.
Source: FordTowing and Payload Capacity
If you have been following the Lightning’s development for a while, you may remember the million-pound towing event that Ford put on to hype the truck. While the event was used as an advertising stunt, it is hard to ignore the raw power the truck was able to display.
Although the Lightning was shown to tow a staggering 1,000,000-pound line of train cars, the official maximum towing capacity of the truck is advertised at a more modest and achievable 10,000 pounds. One thing to mention, though, is that the 10,000-pound limit only applies to the extended range battery variants. The standard variants are expected to be able to tow a maximum of 7,700 pounds.
As for the payload capacity, that also differs depending on which variant you opt for. The standard range model payload capacity can go up to as much as 2,000 pounds, while the extended-range version can be as low as 1,800 pounds.
Source: FordEntertainment and Safety Features
As is standard with most new electric vehicles, the Lightning will come equipped with a host of driver assistance and safety features.
One of these features is the brand-new BlueCruise semi-autonomous driving mode. Using the driver-facing camera and radar technology built into the truck, BlueCruise engages hands-free driving on certain sections of North American highways. These sections, that make up more than 100,000 miles of road, are known as Hands-Free Blue Zones.
On top of BlueCruise, Ford promises that the Lightning will come equipped with the same suite of safety features consumers have come to expect from the normal F-150 line. Moreover, the truck is built to be as tough as any other Ford vehicle. As such, the Lightning has passed rigorous tests to ensure its durability.
As for entertainment, the Lightning comes equipped with a Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and In-Dash navigation. Ford has also partnered with Bang & Olufsen to provide two different premium stereo system options.
Source: FordTechnology
The Lightning signifies a shift towards the cutting edge of vehicle interior technology for Ford. The interior is dominated by a 15.5-inch touchscreen and an additional 12-inch instrument cluster.
In addition to the suave interior, Ford is offering the Pro Trailer Hitch Assist. This tool will help drivers in attaching a trailer by automatically controlling the throttle, steering, and braking. Plus, there is an onboard scale that instantly displays the payload weight, how much of a payload the truck can still take on, and how far it can travel with the current load.
Source: FordSuperior Planning Software
The Lightning comes equipped with the extremely convenient FordPass Power My Trip. This system allows the driver to intelligently plan their trips via the SYNC screen onboard the vehicle. The software can also be operated with voice commands or through the FordPass phone app.
The system conveniently takes into account the current charge levels of the vehicle and plans your route accordingly, making sure to include a charging station on the way if required. With this system, drivers can save their favorite routes and easily find charging stations.
Source: FordThe Ability to Power Your Home
Along with innovative technology and entertainment, the Lightning comes with a home integration system that can help power your home in case of blackouts or emergencies. Estimates state that the onboard backup can power an average home for up to three days easily. Better yet, this can be extended for up to 10 days with smart rationing.
Source: FordThe Frunk
While the frunk, or forward trunk, for most vehicles is a disappointing excuse for storage space, the Lightning’s frunk may just be one of its most impressive features. Ford claims that the Lightning’s frunk is the largest and most powerful in the entire industry.
One thing that differentiates it from all the other frunks is that it comes with an extra compartment under the removable nonskid mat. Plus, it includes LED lights under the grille to help better illuminate the cargo area.
The low load floor in the frunk is about 14.1 cubic feet and is enough to hold at least two golf bags at once. There is also a drain that ensures you can store items that are wet or dirty without leaving a mess.
Source: FordPossible Competition
While the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is incredibly impressive, there are a few other options that could potentially give it a run for its money.
GMC Hummer EV
Over the next couple of years, GMC is releasing a whole lineup of Hummer EV pickups. This starts with the Hummer EV Edition 1 coming in the fall of 2021.
With an estimated MSRP of $112,595, the Hummer EV is expected to:
- Produce up to 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 lb.-ft of torque;
- Average more than 350 miles a single charge;
- Go from zero to 60 mph in only three seconds, and;
- Charge up to 100 miles of range in 10 minutes.
Source: GMCTesla Cybertruck
With production starting sometime in 2022, Tesla has been slowly unraveling the mystery surrounding the Cybertruck. In fact, Tesla promises the Cybertruck will:
- Accelerate from zero to 60 mph in as little as 2.9 seconds;
- Average over 500 miles in a single charge, and;
- Have a towing capacity of 14,000+ lbs.
Those interested can reserve a Cybertruck for $100 through Tesla’s website. Upon shipping, customers will be charged:
- $39,900 for the Single Motor RWD model;
- $49,900 for the Dual Motor AWD model, or;
- $69,900 for the Tri Motor RWD model.
For an additional $10,000, customers can add full self-driving capabilities to their Cybertruck.
Source: TeslaRivian R1T
Last but not least is the Rivian R1T. According to Rivian, the R1T will:
- Accelerate from zero to 60 mph in three seconds;
- Average more than 400 miles in a single charge,
- Charge up to 16 miles of range per hour when using a 240V outlet, and;
- Tow up to 11,000 lbs.
With deliveries beginning in January 2022, those interested can pre-order either the $67,500 Explore Package or the $73,000 Adventure Package. You just need to put down $1,000 for the pre-order.
Source: RivianPrice
Perhaps the most attractive feature of the 2022 F-150 Lightning is its amazing price. The truck comes in differently priced trims that can fit any budget.
For those looking for a cheaper truck, the base Lightning is just $39,974. Other variants include the Pro, XLT, Lariat, and Platinum. Although Ford has yet to announce the prices for the Pro and Lariat, the XLT comes in at $ 52,974, while the Platinum will go up to $90,474.
Source: FordPossible Release Date
Currently, Ford is aiming for the spring of 2022 for the release of the 2022 F-150 Lightning, barring any unforeseen delay. To make sure you get your own Ford Lightning, you can reserve one on the Ford website with only a $100 deposit.
Get Into Your Next Ford
The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is a revolutionary vehicle that incorporates the endurance and utility that the company is famous for with the convenience and comfort of modern technology. It pushes the boundaries of what an electric vehicle should be and makes many ask what is next for the EV industry.
Source: Ford
