Auto Specs and Feature: The All-Electric Ford F-150 Lightning

The announcement of the upcoming 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning filled car enthusiasts with excitement. Ford will be releasing a revolutionary all-electric model from their best-selling F-series pickup truck. This all-electric pickup truck offers tons of configurations with impressive capabilities and high-end features that will change your driving experience. The introduction of the Ford F-150 Lightning is a welcome addition to the growing electric pickup truck catalog in the automotive market. 

Ford went above and beyond in creating this vehicle to deliver the smartest and most connected F-150 they could ever build. The truck is packed with zero-emissions propulsion benefits that offer various features, including instantaneous torque, Ford Intelligent backup power, and seamless connectivity. The F-150 Lightning shares the body and cabin of the standard F-150, making some exterior aftermarket truck parts of the F-150 still compatible with it. However, the gasoline-powered V6 and V8 engines were replaced by a pair of electric motors and different battery packs. The F-150 Lightning borrowed its name from the V8 special in the late ’90s. 

To begin with, the Ford F-150 Lightning is a 100% electric vehicle purposefully built to cater to those looking for an alternative vehicle for both serious work and recreation. It was built and tested with the same standards as the F-150 to live up to the company’s motto of “Built Ford Tough”. Rest assured that the F-150 Lightning can deliver the same toughness and power to get the job done as you would expect from the regular F-150 truck. 

Outstanding Engine Performance 

The standard 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning comes with two inboard electric motors to deliver instant torque to all four wheels and enhance overall performance. The truck is also equipped with an advanced lithium-ion battery pack with a unique exo-structure that protects it when off-roading. The standard-range battery motor can generate 426hp with a targeted EPA-estimated range of 230 miles. On the other hand, the extended-range battery can reach up to 563hp with 775 lb-ft of instantaneous torque.

The F-150 Lightning has an acceleration of 0-60 mph in mid-4-second and a targeted EPA-estimated range of 300 miles. Information about the fuel economy ratings hasn’t been released yet, but it will be announced to the public once the truck goes on sale. By going all-electric, energy efficiency is expected to be superior to other models from the F-series. 

Towing and Payload Capacity

One of the main concerns for buying a truck is its payload and towing capacity. The standard-range battery model can offer a 2,000lbs targeted max payload capacity and 7,700lbs of targeted max towing capacity. Meanwhile, the extended-range battery model has 1,800lbs of payload but with a 10,000lbs targeted max towing.

The F-150 Lightning includes an onboard scale that estimates the payload by using the truck’s sensors. It notifies you when you hit the payload threshold. The scale sends the input to the trip planner to adjust the range before driving. Pro Trailer Assist is also available to help you hook the trailer with ease. This trailer assist enables you to control the steering wheel, throttle, and braking to automatically align the hitch ball and trailer coupler.  

The capacity doesn’t look really pale compared to the payload and maximum towing capacity of the gas-powered F-150 counterpart. You can improve the towing capacity and handling of the truck by equipping proper towing accessories.

Accessible Charging and Backup Power

Ford made charging more convenient and accessible with charging solutions backed by the largest public charging network in the USA. You can charge the F-150 Lightning at any public DC fast-charging station or charge it at the comfort of your home with the available 110- and 220-volt outlets. It also comes with the 32-amp Ford Mobile Charger. It allows you to charge from a 120-volt and 240-volt outlet without needing a particular station. This convenience makes it more appealing to those who are having second thoughts about switching to EV. 

80-amp Ford Charge Station Pro comes with an extended-range battery that has a peak charging power of 19.2 kW enabled by the dual onboard chargers of the battery. This charge station pro makes it possible to have a full charge overnight. This 80-amp Ford Charge Station Pro features Ford Intelligent Backup Power, allowing the F-150 Light to serve as a backup power source, like a generator, for your house during a power outage. It can provide a power supply for up to three to ten days when properly rationed. 

Functional Bed and Trunk

The Ford F-150 Lightning will be offered as a crew cab with a functional 5.5ft bed. The truck bed features a 240V outlet that comes in handy for your electrical tools and equipment. The tailgate opens the same and comes with cleats mounted to the side to secure long items when hauling. The tailgate also includes a practical work surface with phone and tablet holders, a ruler, and even a bottle opener. The cargo box has the same dimension as the traditional F-150, making it easier for past truck owners to transfer accessories to the Lightning, such as tonneau covers and bed rails. 

Aside from the truck bed, the F-150 Lightning has the largest “Frunk” or front trunk cargo bay with a low load floor and 14.1 cubic feet of volume. This frunk cargo is a sealed dry space that can accommodate wet and dry items with a drainage system on the sub trunk floor. The deeper subfrunk level is under the removable and reversible non-skid mat. The lid of this underfloor bin acts as a divider for the cargo. The frunk also includes grocery hooks, tie-downs, and a cargo net at the back. The grille opens with an adjustable height hood and LED lights embedded on the grille’s underside to illuminate the cargo area. 

High-End Interior and Technology

The interior of the F-150 Lightning doesn’t differ from the gasoline-powered F-150. Still, it has an array of advanced technologies to improve the truck’s performance and functionality. To start with, it has SYNC 4A technology with a 12.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It also has software to keep you connected, such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, dash navigation, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The F-150 Lightning Lariat and Platinum models include SYNC 4A with a 15.5-inch portrait touchscreen and enhanced voice recognition. Interior work surface that doubles as a convenient table is also available whenever you need to use a laptop or have a quick lunch. 

Four driving modes are included: Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Tow/Haul. Ford’s new BlueCruise semi-autonomous driving mode has become available for the F-150 Lightning. This BlueCruise allows hands-free driving on pre-qualified sections of divided highways comprising 110,000 miles of road in 37 states and five Canadian provinces. The BlueCruise uses a driver-facing camera and radar-sensing technologies to enable this feature. A 360-degree camera is also available for optimum visual assistance. 

Key safety and driving assistance features are also added. These features are standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, standard automated emergency braking and pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode. 

The exterior of the Lightning consists of futuristic design cues like light bars that span the vehicle’s width front and back with headlights and tail lamps that have their own signature look. The black chrome grille matches the beltline, and it is attached to the hood. The wheels come in 18, 20, and 22-inch sizes, but you can still replace them with your preferred aftermarket wheel and tire package that suits your driving style. 

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is a promising addition to the Blue Oval’s popular F-series. The entry model starts with $39,974 MSRP with other trims and package available for additional comfort and technology. The F-150 Lightning will start its first shipment in spring 2022.