Commercial-oriented entry model starts at $39,974 MSRP while 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT trim to start at $52,974. F-150 Lightning to be offered in XLT, Lariat and Platinum trims.
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Tonight, Ford Motor Company went all out to introduce their first-ever all-electric pickup truck. It’s named (as we reported) the F-150 Lightning.
"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, Ford Motor Company. “F-Series is America’s best-selling truck for 44 years, the backbone of work across the country, and a trusted icon for generations of customers. Now we are revolutionizing it for a new generation.”
“The F-150 Lightning is a massive moment for our Ford team. America’s No. 1 auto brand is going zero emissions with America’s favorite vehicle. It’s quicker than a Raptor, with standard 4x4 and independent rear suspension; a power frunk, enough juice to run your house for three days or power an awesome tailgate; and it will forever improve with over-the-air updates,” said Ford President and CEO Jim Farley. “It will be built at the Rouge factory, where Henry Ford changed the world and my grandfather punched in every day. F-150 Lightning represents all that our country can do when we push for progress.”
Let’s take a look at some of the major talking points for the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning.
Farley called it the most powerful F-150 ever and said it was quicker than a Raptor. It certainly has the numbers, on paper, to back that up.
According to Ford, the 2022 F-150 Lightning targets 563 horsepower, 775 lb.-ft. of torque and a 0-60 mph time in the mid-4-second range when equipped with an extended-range battery, based on typical industry methodology. F-150 Lightning targets a maximum 2,000 pounds of payload in the standard-range model with 18-inch wheels, and a maximum 10,000 pounds of available towing capacity on XLT and Lariat trucks with the extended-range battery and Max Trailer Tow Package. The low center of gravity brings even more confident handling whether traveling along rain-slicked roads or through sand.
“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, Ford Motor Company. “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.”
Related story: President Biden drives the F-150 Lightning and says “This sucker’s quick.”
The F-150 Lightning will have two battery options. The standard-range battery will have an EPA targeted range of 230 miles. The extended-range battery will have more range with a targeted range of 300 miles.
Ford says the targeted charge times for the standard-range battery (on a Level 3 charging station) are 44 minutes at 150 kW DCFC 15-80% and 91 minutes 50 kW DCFC 15-80% range). For the extended-range battery those same charge times improve to 41 and 122 minutes respectively.
This translates to roughly 41 miles for 10 minutes of fast charging (standard) and 54 miles (extended).
Just what the impact is on range when it comes to towing was not revealed nor released by Ford. But for sure you can expect significant decrease in range for heavy payload or maxed out towing.
Torque News will have more on this area in the coming days.
The commercial-oriented entry model starts at $39,974 MSRP (excluding tax, title and fees) before any federal or state tax credits, while the mid-series XLT model starts at $52,974 MSRP, offering additional comfort and technology.
The 2022 F-150 Lightning is eligible for federal and state tax credits (where applicable). These can total up to $7500 in some instances.
The three trims of the F-150 Lightning are available only in SuperCrew four-door with a 5.5-foot bed. It’s possible future versions will have a two-door variant or a longer bed, but for now this is the only body style configuration.
As such, the SuperCrew design allows for a large front cargo area. EV fans know this area to be called a frunk (front/trunk). Under the hood is a versatile, high-tech mega power frunk offering dedicated storage space that’s secure, lockable and easily accessible by a powered open and close system. This spacious area targets 400 liters of volume and 400 pounds of payload – enough to stow two carry-on bags and one checked bag, or two sets of golf clubs.
There is 14.1 cubic feet of cargo room in the frunk, according to Ford.
“The words ‘front trunk’ don’t even begin to describe all the innovation and capability Ford packed into this high-powered space,” said Nancy Reppenhagen, supervisor, Global Feature Process. “It will have customers rethinking what their truck is capable of – and enable the kinds of experiences they never would have thought possible before.”
For those rankled by the use of the Lightning name, get over it. What else would you name an electric pickup? Plus this EV Lightning is significantly quicker than the SVT Lightning street truck.
I love the look of the F-150 as it holds true to the redesigned, new look of the 14th generation, but still has enough distinction to stand out on its own.
I love the price, at least for the commercial-level work version as this will be really important to the working class. Ford hasn’t seemed to have forgotten where they got their start (the working class) and have offered a pickup truck that will resonate with many.
The tech in the F-150 Lightning is so interesting. It will warrant a couple of separate stories alone on how much tech is in this truck. I love it!
Related story: Ford adds hands-free driving technology to F-150.
We will have much more throughout the coming days and weeks here at Torque News on this all-important F-150 Lightning.
What were your first impressions? Leave me your comments below.
Jimmy Dinsmore has been an automotive journalist for more than a decade and been a writer since the high school. His Driver’s Side column features new car reviews and runs in several newspapers throughout the country. He is also co-author of the book “Mustang by Design” and “Ford Trucks: A Unique Look at the Technical History of America’s Most Popular Truck”. Also, Jimmy works in the social media marketing world for a Canadian automotive training aid manufacturing company. Follow Jimmy on Facebook, Twitter, at his special Ford F-150 coverage on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can read the most of Jimmy's stories by searching Torque News Ford for daily Ford vehicle report.
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Looks great. Can't wait until
Looks great. Can't wait until deliveries start. Now if they would just make a small EV truck, single bench, 6' bed, I'd be all in. The F150 is too big for me.
Concept is great the con on
Concept is great the con on any EV is the length of time to charge compared to the length of time to fill a vehicle with gas. That ten minute charge that gets me 40 more miles down the road is the same amount of time to fill a vehicle with gas that was empty which would get me 300 miles down the road more dependent on vehicle. More tech into batteries need to be experimented with like charging batteries while in use so you don't have to plug in just to get an extra 40 miles down the road. And no one wants to travel to just make your trip that much longer with frequent stops to charge. Seniors on sis and poor won't be able to afford even with a tax credit. Concept of tansition to EV's need more exploration. Especially the life of a charge.
I agree. Some of it is
I agree. Some of it is perception and not reality. I spent a week with the Mach-E and thought I'd have range anxiety and it wasn't real. The charge time was a little slow, certainly slower than just refueling, but all in all, it wasn't as bad as I thought. Now the Lightning will not be the right truck for many people, but if you use an F-150 as a daily driver and occassionally put it to work on the weekends, then that's probably the right consumer for it.