Well-connected
Ford has gone out of its way to make life on board easier. Cloud-connected navigation and wireless access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, integrated Amazon Alexa and SYNC AppLink apps are all part of the package. You get an easy-to-use 12-inch base screen with a customizable interface, while higher-end models get the same 15.5-inch screen as the Mustang Mach-E, so there’s no learning curve for those who know Fords well.
Also worth mentioning is the front trunk, or frunk, which can hold 400 litre of precious cargo you want safely locked away.
Very quiet
One of the first things we noticed was the silence on board, which translates into a very relaxing drive. We did note that the 22-inch wheels on the Platinum model create a slightly rougher and louder ride than the 20-inch wheels on the other models, and that they also cut into the range a bit. While Ford advertises the range of the larger battery at 515 km, the Platinum version comes in at 482 km because of that bigger rubber.
An independent rear suspension provides a more comfortable ride, while an all-new frame uses the strongest steel ever used in an F-150 frame (necessary to account for the 1,500+ lb battery weight) and supports a maximum available payload of 2,235 lb.
Ultimately, you get a smooth, supple ride. By offering the first independent rear suspension in the F-Series, the Lightning enhances ride quality with a low centre of gravity that also helps improve handling, provide a more stable ride and reduce body roll. All this is accompanied by precise steering.
The F-150 Lightning also boasts excellent off-road performance, thanks to a 4x4 system with four selectable driving modes: Normal, Sport, Off-Road and Towing/Transport. It offers protection underneath the vehicle, and its power and high torque make towing easy, even with heavy loads.
The batteries
Power comes in the form of two batteries. The Pro, XLT and Lariat versions offer a 98-kWh battery that delivers 452 hp, while the Platinum version comes standard with a 131-kWh battery good for 580 hp. Note that for those who want it, that bigger battery is available as an option on all other Lightning models for $13,380. Both batteries produce 775 lb-ft of torque, more than you get from any other F-150 pickup.
With the base battery, the truck is capable of towing up to 7,700 lb; the larger battery increases the maximum charge to 10,000 lb. The load capacity is 2,235 lb. It’s also important to note that because of the very high torque, towing has never been easier. Even with the weight near the 10,000-lb limit, the truck didn't even seem to work at full throttle.
Energy use and range
The F-150 Lightning offers two options: a regular range battery with an EPA-estimated range of 370 km and a 131-kWh extended range battery good for 515 km. Due to its 22-inch wheels, the Platinum version is limited to 482 km. Fleet customers have the option of purchasing the extended range battery on the Lightning Pro.
As for energy use, we spent the first day behind the wheel of a Platinum version with 22-inch wheels averaging close to 120 km/h or 72 to 75 mph, the speed limit in Texas being 75 mph on major highways. At legal speeds in Texas, thus, our average use was just over 28 kWh. The next day, with 5,000 lb on the trailer, that average jumped to 44 kWh, and with 1,900 lb in the bed the energy use was 35 kWh. This means that towing with 5,000 lb takes away 35 percent of the range under good conditions.
You'll probably have to take another 30 percent off in the winter and another 20 percent if you're towing a heavier load.
Turning your F-150 into a generator
Ford put a lot of emphasis during our visit to Texas on the F-150's ability to convert to a generator. Base versions come standard with 2.4 kW of power with outlets in the front trunk to power small electrical items. The Lariat and Platinum versions offer 9.6 kW of power as standard - a combination of 2.4 kW available from the front trunk and 7.2 kW from the 11 cab and bed outlets.
You can choose to use this power to supply electricity to another electric car or to supply your home with electricity during a power outage. However, to do this you need a Ford electrical box that cuts the power to the house and transfers it to the truck, just like a generator. This box costs $5,000 USD and requires a 100-amp input plus the electrician's fee. This same box also serves as a recharger for the F-150, which with 80 amps of power is able to recharge the vehicle overnight on 110 volts.
This system, called Pro Power, will appeal to professionals who will no longer have to lug a generator to work. In addition, the FordPass app alerts you if the truck's battery drops below one-third of its total range, and they can even set the truck to stop using Pro Power Onboard if the battery level approaches the distance of the nearest charging station.
Pricing
The best deal for the Lightning is reserved for businesses and entrepreneurs, who can get a $58,000 Pro model. The XLT, the entry-level model available to the general public, starts at $68,000 with the regular 98-kWh battery. The Lariat version costs $80,000, and you have to fork over $110,000 for the Platinum version that comes with the 131-kWh battery. As mentioned, you'll have to spend $13,380 to get this battery in the other versions.
Clearly, the F-0150 Lightning is not cheap. But that doesn’t seem to have scared off too many buyers, more than 200,000 of whom have already given a deposit. Ford even had to stop taking orders last December because the model was so popular. It’s early days yet, but Ford’s bet is looking like a good one right now.
Conclusion
The Lightning is a real game changer in both the EV and pickup-truck segment, potentially anyways. Ford has put all its know-how into this truck in a bid to gain the approval of its biggest block of customers. The F-150 is Ford's bread and butter. This transition has to be a success, or the very future of the company is arguably at stake. But, all the ingredients are there. Now it's up to the customers to decide if they like the recipe.
We like
Very quiet ride
Power and torque to spare
Towing capacity of up to 10,000 lb
Spacious and practical front trunk
We like less
The high price
Only one length for the bed
