Lucas Bell 
The Ford F-150 is America’s favorite pickup truck bar none. For over three decades, the half-ton has been not only the best selling truck on the market, but the best selling vehicle outright. As the automotive industry as a whole begins to embrace the impending EV future, it was inevitable that an electric version of the F-150 pickup truck would make its way onto the market. That happened tonight, as Ford finally pulled the cover off of the long-awaited F-150 Lightning model. Borrowing its name from the muscle truck of yesteryear, this all-new pickup promises to bring the fight to the likes of the GMC Hummer EV, Tesla Cybertruck, Rivian R1T, and the Chevrolet Silverado EV. Thanks to the automaker, we have all of the specs that might interest a truck owner, including power output, towing and payload capacity, and range. Here’s what you need to know about the new Ford F-150 Lightning:
Ford F-150 Lightning: Power Output
Like many of the other electric pickups heading to market, the Ford F-150 Lightning features a dual-motor setup that provides 4×4 capabilities. The automaker has noted that there will be two battery packs available, including a standard range and long range option. The capacity for either pack has yet to be disclosed, but we do know approximately how much horsepower each will provide. Opt for the standard range battery and your Ford F-150 Lightning will lay down a targeted 426 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque. Step up to the larger battery and output jumps up to 563 horsepower, while torque stays fixed at 775 lb-ft. That makes this new truck the most powerful F-150 model yet, making it worthy of its muscle truck-inspired nameplate. Ford claims that with the larger battery pack the Lightning will be able to go from 0-60 mph in the mid four-second range, although official figures aren’t available quite yet. For comparison, an F-150 Raptor needs 5.5 seconds to do 0-60 mph.
Electric Range And Charging Time
Ford says the truck should be able to do an EPA-estimated 230 miles with the smaller battery, while the larger unit bumps that figure up to 300 miles. That said, Ford has thought about how to make charging less of an issue for their buyers. Every Ford F-150 Lightning will come with an 80-amp charge station as standard equipment, which is an industry first. Using this charger, the automaker says that customers will be able to gain 30 miles of range per charging hour. This means the truck will be able to go from 15 percent battery to fully juiced in just about eight hours. On a 150-kilowatt DC fast charger, an extended-range F-150 Lightning is targeted to get 54 miles of range in about 10 minutes. That cuts the 15 percent to full charge time down to approximately 41 minutes.
F-150 Lightning Towing And Payload Capacity
While high horsepower and fast charging is great, the Ford F-150 Lightning also needs to serve truck customer’s needs. Buyers who spec the standard range battery will receive a maximum payload capacity of 2,000 pounds, as well as a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds. The big battery truck has a lower payload capacity rating of 1,800 pounds, but can tow up to 10,000 pounds. That said, those towing figures are related to the Maximum Trailer Tow Package, and we don’t have standard ratings at this time. Thanks to their not being an engine up front, the truck actually has another bonus storage area located under the hood. Measuring in at 400 liters of volume, the frunk brings its own maximum payload capacity of 400 pounds. Ford says the space accommodates two carry-on bags and a checked bag, or two golf bags.
Ford F-150 Lightning: Spec Takeaways
Based on all the specs that have been released by the automaker, the Ford F-150 Lightning is more than just an electric truck. The pickup looks to not only be a seriously potent performance machine, but it provides usable payload and towing capacities for truck customers. While not segment leading in those important metrics, the EV certainly doesn’t fall towards the bottom of the lineup by any stretch. Combine this with the fact that the truck is slated to be priced in line with other F-150 offerings, and the package is quite appealing. Ford says that the F-150 Lightning will arrive in the spring of 2022, and will be offered by over 2,300 EV-certified dealers across the country. This new model represents the single largest change to ever come to America’s favorite truck, and the F-150 looks poised to continue its dominance in the electric vehicle era.
