World’s Best-Selling Vehicle Goes Electric

For those who’re ready for an indication confirming electrical autos have gone mainstream, the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning ends the wait. The F-150 has been the best-selling car on the planet for over 4 many years, and when Ford opened the order banks for the all-electric Lightning model final 12 months the automaker needed to cease taking orders after 200,000 folks signed up. So the electrical car revolution is not coming quickly — it’s right here.

How a lot does the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Price?

The enthusiastic response to the F-150 Lightning isn’t stunning when you think about how a lot it prices and the compelling specs for this new electrical truck. The bottom F-150 Lightning Professional SR (commonplace vary) presents 452 horsepower, 775 pound-feet of torque and 230 miles of vary for $41,669, together with a $1,695 vacation spot cost. The mid-grade F-150 Lightning XLT ER (prolonged vary) presents 580 hp, 775 lb-ft of torque and as much as 320 miles of vary for $54,669, together with vacation spot cost. Each costs don’t embody the $7,500 federal tax rebate or any state rebates (i.e. $2,500 in California).

How a lot can the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Tow and Haul?

Meaning for a post-tax-rebate worth of between $35,000 and $48,000 you should buy a full-size truck with the best torque determine ever supplied on a Ford F-150, together with as much as 10,000 kilos of towing capability (7,700 for the usual vary battery) and a couple of,235 kilos of payload capability. And in case you like your full-size vehicles with efficiency automotive acceleration figures, the F-150 Lightning accelerates from zero-to-60 mph in both 5 seconds for the usual battery or mid 4 seconds for the large battery. It needs to be famous the top-line Platinum model of the F-150 Lightning ($92,669) is rated at 8,400 kilos max towing, 1,850 kilos max payload, and 300 miles of vary, presumably as a result of that mannequin’s elevated curb weight, which Ford hasn’t confirmed however is estimated to be round 6,500 kilos.

Is the Ford F-150 Lightning simply an an F-150 with a Battery Pack?

No! And that’s actually the enchantment right here, past the electrical truck’s spectacular energy, vary and tow/haul figures, it’s clear Ford went above-and-beyond in designing an modern truck with modern options. The listing of segment-first capabilities is lengthy, and we’ll attempt to cowl essentially the most interesting gadgets on this F-150 Lightning assessment. Gadgets you may anticipate, like a normal dual-motor 4×4 drivetrain, digital locking rear differential, a number of driving modes (Regular, Sport, Tow/Haul, and Off Street), a full-size spare beneath the mattress, and as much as 11 energy shops (together with one 240-volt outlet) are bolstered by an extended listing of Lightning-specific options.

What are the F-150 Lightning’s Most Superior Know-how Options?

Rating the Ford F-150 Lightning’s listing of modern tech isn’t straightforward, however we’ll strive:

1. Backup Energy — lets the F-150 Lightning totally energy your own home for as much as 3 days if/when the electrical energy grid goes down
2. Onboard Scales with Sensible Hitch — supplies real-time estimates of cargo weight, together with the trailer tongue tow weight and “frunk” cargo weight
3. Mega Energy Frunk — entrance trunk space with power-operated door, 400-pound weight capability, 4 120-volt energy shops and detachable drain plugs
4. LED Zone Lighting — illuminates all 4 sides of the truck, together with built-in LEDs within the working boards, to have the ability to work at evening
5. BlueCruise hands-free driving — not distinctive to Lightning, however permits for actually hands-free driving for prolonged intervals on accepted highways

Extra truck-friendly options, not distinctive to Lightning, embody Ford’s Professional Trailer Backup Help tech, which makes backing up with a trailer straightforward by means of the usage of an intuitive dial. There’s additionally an built-in trailer brake controller, a 360-degree digicam, a trailer mild verify system to substantiate all tailer lights are working, trailer reverse steerage, and the aforementioned OnBoard Scales with Sensible Hitch tech. All of this stuff are included within the F-150 Lightning’s Max Trailer Tow package deal. Many of those applied sciences are linked to the FordPass app and may be utilized by means of your smartphone.

How does the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Drive?

The F-150 Lightning introduces the F-Sequence’ first-ever impartial rear suspension, which, mixed with the truck’s on the spot torque and accessible Sport mode setting, resulted in responsive dealing with in and across the Texas hill nation exterior San Antonio the place we highway examined it. We’d have appreciated a bit extra steering really feel, with some progressive weighting off heart, however given this car’s function (it’s a truck in spite of everything), curb weight (over 3 tons) and capabilities (it might two as much as 10,000 kilos, keep in mind), we will’t truthfully complain, and would describe the Lightning as assured, even nimble…for a truck.

How do I Cost the Ford F-150 Lightning?

Charging the Ford F-150 Lightning may be achieved with a normal 110-volt outlet, although that would take days. A 150-kilowatt DC Quick Charging station can replenish the F-150 Lightning’s battery from 15% to 80% in as little as 44 minutes. However most 240-volt stage 2 residence chargers will want between 8 and 20 hours to cost the battery from 15% to 100%, relying on the charger’s amperage. Ford has its personal 80-amp Cost Station Professional wall field for residence use, which will get you that 8-hour cost time, and is included with all F-150 Lightnings with the prolonged vary battery.

Nonetheless, in some unspecified time in the future you’ll must cost your F-150 Lightning past your property. In what can solely be described as an excellent transfer on Ford’s half, the corporate has constructed partnerships with all the key electrical car charging networks throughout the U.S. (ChargePoint, Electrify America and EVgo). Consequently, in case you join — simply as soon as — for Ford’s Blue Oval Cost Community by means of the cell FordPass, you need to use one in every of 70,000 electrical charging plugs at one in every of 20,500 charging stations throughout the U.S. This contains 7,300 DC fast-charging plugs that take these 44 minutes to get the F-150 Lightning from 15% to 80% battery cost.

Is the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning a Good Truck?

Having this streamlined charging community possibility, versus making an attempt to ascertain and handle a number of community accounts, is arguably a game-changer. However there stays the problem of vary affect when utilizing an electrical truck like a truck. And Ford’s representatives admitted an F-150 Lightning towing 10,000 kilos goes to lose as much as half its vary, simply as a gasoline-powered truck would. The place issues get tough is the Lightning’s 320-mile vary, reduce in half and needing between 44 minutes and greater than 10 hours to “refill” versus an F-150 Hybrid with a 700-mile vary (or 350 miles when towing 10,000 kilos) that wants 10 minutes to refill.

However (attainable) vary considerations apart, the F-150 Lightning is a big accomplishment, each for Ford and the trade as a complete. A $40,000 electrical truck (earlier than tax rebates) that gives the efficiency and know-how included in even the bottom mannequin is very compelling. If its vary and charging occasions line up along with your wants, you received’t be dissatisfied within the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning’s efficiency, driving dynamics, experience high quality, person interface, or characteristic listing. These are all fabulous.