Ford Motor Co. says “the electric era is here,” as it implements an ambitious plan to make the transition to electric vehicles with its latest and most significant launch—the electric F-150 pickup called Lightning. The company is investing $22 billion in electrification through 2025, engineering the zero-emissions technology into its most iconic products like the F-150, Mustang, and Transit.

The F-150 Lightning arrives in spring 2022, a key part of Ford’s goal to drive electric vehicle (EV) adoption in targeting what it says is the large market for fully electric commercial vans and pickups. The company is planning to bring the benefits of EVs to these customers with accessible price points, improved productivity, and lower cost of ownership. The commercial-oriented entry-level model starts at a surprisingly low $39,974 before any federal or state tax credits, while the mid-series XLT model starts at $52,974.

“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 Co. “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.”

 

A tough ‘Truck of the Future’

Headlining features of the F-150 Lightning are dual motors with the most torque of any F-150 ever, standard 4×4, a high-tech “frunk,” and the ability to power a home if needed. The strongest steel ever put in an F-150 frame supports a maximum 2000-lb payload and up to 10,000-lb towing capacity. The truck offers an array of intelligent features that will improve over time via over-the-air software updates.

“The F-150 Lightning is a massive moment for our Ford team,” said Ford President and CEO Jim Farley. “America’s No. 1 auto brand is going zero emissions with America’s favorite vehicle. It’s quicker than a Raptor, with standard 4×4 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. F-150 Lightning represents all that our country can do when we push for progress.”

The upgraded frame helps to support the “advanced” battery, while the first F-Series independent rear suspension and low center of gravity help improve ride and stability. The 4×4 system features four selectable drive modes: Normal, Sport, Off Road, and Tow/Haul.

Underbody metal skid plates protect both the battery and inboard motors from intrusions. The battery pack’s waterproof casing is surrounded by crash-absorption protection.

Rigorous endurance testing, including towing massive trailers for long durations up and down steep inclines, proved the state-of-the-art liquid cooling system and powertrain layout that manages heat distribution across the vehicle.

“This all-electric truck has been engineered with dual inboard motors, which means it can take on rough terrain,” said Linda Zhang, Chief Engineer, F-150 Lightning. “Our team of engineers has run the same arduous test regimen our F-150 customers have learned to expect from Ford.”

 

EV design updates

The Lightning uses the existing F-150 design to be clearly recognizable as an F-Series truck. The high-strength steel frame is topped by an aluminum-alloy body and bed in SuperCrew four-door configuration with a 5.5-ft bed.

“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 Co. “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.”

Key vehicle dimensions are 232.7-in (5910-mm) length, 80.0-in (2032-mm) width (excluding mirrors), and 78.9-in (2004-mm) height, with a 145.5-in (3695-mm) wheelbase and 8.9-in (226-mm) ground clearance. The truck maintains the same cab and bed dimensions as its conventional counterpart so it can accommodate thousands of accessories already available.

However, some details have changed. Available signature LED light bars span the front and rear, and there are three new grille designs. The Lightning is the most aerodynamic F-150, with reshaped running boards, a sculpted hood to reduce drag, and grilles replace air intake holes for smoother airflow. Available enhanced 360-degree Zone Lighting can illuminate a specific zone or the entire area around the vehicle.

Removing the underhood internal combustion engine freed upfront space for the “high-tech mega power frunk” storage space that’s lockable and accessible by a powered open and close system. The 400-L (14.1-ft3) volume can hold 400 lb (180 kg) of payload, enough for two carry-on bags and one checked bag—or two sets of golf clubs.

With bumper-height clearance, the water-resistant space has four electrical outlets, two USB chargers, and a drainable floor area that can double as a food and beverage container. The 2.4 kW of power is enough to plug in power tools, TVs, laptops, speakers, and crockpots.

“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.”

 

The benefits of electrical power

Engineers of the F-150 Lightning are targeting a 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) acceleration time in the mid-4-s range when equipped with an extended-range battery. The maximum 2000-lb payload is for the standard-range model with 18-in wheels, and the top 10,000-lb towing capacity is with XLT and Lariat trucks with the extended-range battery and Max Trailer Tow Package.

The dual electric motors front and rear are transverse and inboard-mounted. The three-phase fixed magnet AC motors with internal PMAC controllers are built at the Van Dyke Transmission Plant. Targeted peak power at peak battery output is 318 kW for the standard-range battery and 420 kW for the extended-range battery, with targeted peak torque of 775 lb·ft (1050 N·m) for both.

The lithium-ion pouch batteries supplied by SK Innovation packs and assembled at Ford’s Rawsonville Components Plant have internal management and liquid cooling. Onboard charger power input/output is 11.3 kW/10.5 kW for the standard-range battery and 19.2 kW/17.6 kW for the extended-range battery.

Debuting on Lightning is available Ford Intelligent Backup Power—enabled by the available 80-A Ford Charge Station Pro and home management system—with the ability to output 9.6 kW for powering home appliances and systems during an outage. Once power is restored, the truck automatically reverts to charging its battery. Based on an average of 30 kWh of use per day, the Lightning with extended-range battery can provide full-home power for up to three days, or as long as 10 days if power is rationed.

“F-150 Lightning is built for seamless transitions between charging your vehicle and powering your house when needed—and Ford is the first in the U.S. to offer this capability on an electric truck,” said Ryan O’Gorman, Electric Vehicle Manager, Strategic Partnerships.

Ford has teamed with solar company Sunrun to facilitate easy installation of the Ford Charge Station Pro and home integration system. The collaboration also eases installation for customers of solar energy to power their household with clean and affordable energy and charge their Lightning.

 

Charging made easy

Ford says it is the only automaker to offer an 80-A charge station as standard equipment, helping customers easily charge at home. The system takes advantage of the only dual onboard charging system on an electric truck in the industry for faster home charging. This setup can add an average range of 30 mi (48 km) per charging hour, fully charging an extended-range Lightning from 15% to 100% percent in about 8 h.

On the road, customers have access to North America’s largest public charging network through FordPass, with more than 63,000 charging plugs across the U.S. On a 150-kW DC fast charger, the extended-range Lightning is targeted to get up to 54 mi (87 km) of range in 10 min and charge from 15% to 80% percent in about 41 min.

Helping owners know when and where to recharge is eased with FordPass Power My Trip, which identifies charging routes. Cloud-connected navigation on Sync 4 also identifies public charging locations and prompts owners to charge at convenient points on each drive. Intelligent Range accurately calculates range while factoring in weather, traffic, payload, and towing weights.

 

Smart, connected experience

Ford makes a big deal of the Lightning’s advanced digital technologies to create a truck that’s smarter and more productive.

As part of the available Ford Co-Pilot360, BlueCruise allows for hands-free driving on more than 100,000 mi (161,000 km) of pre-qualified divided highways in the U.S. and Canada, with more hands-free Blue Zones promised to come. The Lightning debuts the available Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, which automatically controls steering, throttle, and brake inputs to make hitching trailers even easier.

An Onboard Scales feature uses the truck’s sensors to estimate payload and tell customers how much they’re hauling. Integrated with Intelligent Range, it helps give a more accurate estimate of electric range. Also making its F-Series debut on select vehicles is available Phone As A Key, allowing customers to lock, unlock and start their truck without taking their phone out of their pocket or using a key fob.

All these features can get even better over time with Ford Power-Up software updates, the majority of which will be completed in under 2 min whenever the customer chooses.

Making its truck debut on the Lightning in the Lariat and Platinum series is the central Sync 4A user interface with a 15.5-in touchscreen designed to adapt to driver behavior. It employs natural voice control, cloud-connected navigation, and wireless access to services like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, integrated Amazon Alexa, and Sync AppLink apps.

The 12-in instrument cluster features a customizable interface that adapts to show key information. This includes animated graphics in hands-free highway driving mode or how much regenerative braking is occurring.

“It really is the smartest F-150 we’ve ever made,” said Darren Palmer, General Manager, Battery Electric Vehicles, Ford Motor Co.

 

Spring debut

Arriving in spring 2022, F-150 Lightning will be available in four series and two battery options at more than 2,300 EV-certified Ford dealers across the country, with the option for fleet customers to access Ford’s complete ecosystem of connected data and telematics services via Ford Commercial Solutions.

The Lightning will roll off the line next year at a new high-tech factory at Ford’s Rouge complex in Dearborn just outside Detroit. Ford is investing $700 million into the historic facility, adding 500 new jobs and employing advanced sustainable manufacturing technology to build the truck as part of its commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

Yesterday, Ford began taking reservations for the F-150 Lightning for a $100 deposit.