All-electric Ford F-150 tows more than four tonnes
Battery-powered F-150 Lightning can tow 4500kg and cover up to 480km between top-upsFord American has pulled the drapes off its pure-electric F-150 Lightning and revealed that its first battery-powered pick-up would be priced from just $39,974 ($A52,000).
Perhaps more astounding, in US States Maine, Oregon, Vermont and Colorado federal and state subsidies see that sticker price sink to as little as $26,974 ($A35,000) making the battery-powered pick-up cheaper than the entry-level petrol-powered F-150 that priced from $28,940 ($A37,000).
For its bargain price tag for a full-size electric truck that can cover 370km between charges, tow up to 2300kg and carry up to 910kg in the rear bed.
If that's not enough, Ford offers a trailering package that boosts the range to 3500kg or, you could go for the extended-range battery that boosts the range to 480km and tow capacity to a mighty 4500kg, although the bigger power pack reduces the payload to 839kg.
Ford has announced it will offer the F-150 Lightning with two powertrains – a version with 318kW and a second more powerful model with 420kW.
Both produce 1051Nm of torque which provides for plenty in the performance department, with the base model capable of a 5.0 second 0-60mph (0-97km/h) and the more powerful a blistering 4.4sec 0-60mph (0-97km/h) sprint.
Just one body style is offered – a full four-door SuperCrew body that gets a 1680mm long load bed.
Packaging the battery cells with the ladder frame within a metal exoskeleton, the lithium-ion battery is liquid-cooled.
Depending on which battery pack has been fitted to the F-150 Lightning, the standard range battery gets an 11.3kW single charger, while trucks fitted with the extended range battery get dual chargers that can top up the cells up to 19.2kW.
Using an option 48A domestic charger, Ford says a recharge from 15 to 100 per cent takes 10 hours. The dual charger set-up, meanwhile, is compatible with an 80A household wallbox that can replenish the battery from 15 to 100 per cent in eight hours.
Find a 150kW DC fast charger, meanwhile, and the F-150 Lightning requires just a 41-minutes for a quick top up from 15 to 80 per cent.
To ensure the distance travelled between charges is reliable to drivers, Ford has introduced an Intelligent Range feature that takes into account the payload and whether or not you're towing.
For those who live out in remote areas, the F-150 also offers an Intelligent Backup Power system that supplies up 9.6kW of energy to power your home for up to three days with the extended battery pack.
The electric truck also features 11 power outlets in the bed, cabin and front boot that can power everything from pools to charging electric dirt bikes.
As part of the development, Ford engineers say they have tested the battery packs in extreme driving conditions to ensure it's tough enough to cope with sub-zero temperatures, wading deep water and extreme off-roading.
Externally, the F-150 Lighting differentiates itself over the regular Ford pick-up with a full-width front lightbar. Eventually three different grille designs will be offered, while both the bonnet and running boards have been subtly reshared to reduce drag.
Boosting practicality, designers have added a large 'frunk' that claimed to provide an extra 400-litre of space that's protected from the elements. The same space can also carry more than 180kg and features four electrical outlets, two USBs, a false floor and even a drain plug for those who want to regularly carry muddy, waterlogged gear.
Inside the F-150 gets Ford's latest SYNC4A infotainment system that's operated by a huge 15.5-inch portrait-mounted touchscreen. The new system is operated using natural speak voice control and offers wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto.
New driver-assist aids include an optional BlueCruise Level 2 hands-free semi-autonomous cruise control to take the strain away on a long journey.
As well as being the most technologically advanced Ford pick-up ever, the F-150 Lightning is also primed to be the best in its class to drive. That's thanks to ditching the regular F-Series live axle set-up for independent rear suspension that's claimed to save weight and improve handling and ride comfort.
When it goes on sale in Q2 of 2022, Ford says it will offer the F-150 Lightning in just four rims and two battery options, with pricing set with the range-topping Platinum model with the extended battery set to cost around $90,000 ($A115,000).
Ford has invited prospective customers to place a $100 ($A128) deposit to reserve their F-150 Lightning now.
There's no word if Ford has developed a right-hand drive version of the F-150 Lightning for other markets but it's unlikely meaning it could be ruled out for Australian buyers, unless independent local conversion specialists can overcome the complexities of the big pick-up's pure-electric powertrain.
Even if it is off-limits for our market, the F-150 Lightning is set to be hugely influential on the global car-maker – if it proves a success. The F-Series truck has been the US' best-seller since the 1970s and, even in the midst of the pandemic, the Blue Oval managed to sell an incredible 787,422 last year.
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