For more than 40 years, the Ford F-150 has been the pickup truck of choice for work and play. Gas and diesel versions are already available. And soon, there’ll be an all-electric Ford F-150.
Ford’s first-ever electric pickup truck is similar to the F-150 you already know but with its own style. The five-passenger pickup has the same cab and short bed as other Super Crew F-150s. That includes lay-flat seats, a folding shifter, and Ford’s BoxLink capabilities. But is the ‘Ford F-150 Lightning’ enough truck for anglers? Here’s everything you need to know.
2022 Ford Electric F-150 Specs
This electric truck is the most powerful pickup truck in the Ford F-150 line. The dual-motor design and power train give the F-150 Lightning more horsepower and torque than any Ford truck currently available.
The battery chemistry on the Ford electric F-150 is different from Ford’s other electric vehicles. It uses 90% nickel and five percent each of manganese and cobalt. This mix produces better energy density while reducing environmental impact.
Towing Capacity
The Ford F-150 Lightning has a targeted maximum towing capacity of 10,000 lbs (4536 kgs) with a high-capacity battery pack. Even the standard pack gives you 7,700 lbs (3493 kgs) of towing capacity.
Cargo Space & Load Capacity
The bed on the Ford Electric F 150 is 5.5 feet long (1.69 m). It’ll hold a lot of gear, but hauling one-piece rods might require a pickup truck rod holder to keep them secure.
The F150 Lightning has an impressive payload capacity. It targets a maximum 2,000 lbs (907.2 kgs) payload in the standard-range model (1,800 lbs. (816.5 kgs) in extended-range models).
Charge Time
There are four charging options for the F-150 Lightning. The 150kW DC fast charger can charge the standard battery pack to 15 – 80% in 44 minutes. It takes 41 minutes with the extended range pack.
Can the F-150 Lighting Go Where You Need to Go?
You might consider an electric truck for environmental reasons or to save money on fuel. After all, filling the tank of a traditional pickup truck can easily run $100 or more.
Buying any new car is exciting. But there’s more to consider when buying a truck. You need a vehicle that can haul you, your mates, your fishing gear, and tow your boat too.
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Ford Electric F-150 Range
The first thing everyone wants to know about driving an electric truck is how far it can go between charges. With the Ford electric F-150, that depends on which option you choose.
The standard battery offers a targeted EPA-estimated range of 230 miles (370 km). The extended range batter bumps that up to 300 miles (483 km), but you sacrifice a little on the payload. Your actual range will vary depending on terrain, weather conditions, load, and whether you’re towing your boat or camper.
Ford equipped the F-150 Lightning with the same “Intelligent Range” feature introduced on the Mustang Mach-E. The AI technology calculates range based on your driving and changes in grade, traffic, weather, and tow load. It learns and adapts to ensure you always know how you can go before you need to charge.
Although charging stations are popping up along most major roadways in the US, they aren’t everywhere. Ford’s standard 32-amp mobile charger means the F-150 Lighting doesn’t need a special vehicle charging station. You can charge this electric pickup truck from any 120V or 240V outlet. The extended-range battery comes standard with the 80-amp Ford Charge Station Pro.
An Electric Truck with Power
The Ford electric F-150 is a powerful truck—not just powerful for an electric vehicle. The dual electric motors give the F-150 Lightning nearly instantaneous access to 775 lbs (352 kgs) of torque from the starting line. Press the accelerator, and it gets up and goes.
It’s one of the fastest pickup trucks ever built and the speediest of the Ford F-150 line. The extended range battery gives the Ford electric F-150 a targeted 563 horsepower. According to Ford, this pickup truck can go from 0–60 mph (0-97 kph) in about four and a half seconds.
Taking F-150 Lightning Off-Road
Ford designed their electric truck to handle off-road adventures. Four-wheel drive with independent coil spring suspension is standard on the Ford electric F-150.
The F-150 Lightning has a military-grade aluminum-alloy body and an upgraded frame. Metal skid plates offer underbody protection, and a special exo-structure shields the lithium-ion battery pack over rough terrain.
It has four driving modes: Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Tow/Haul. So, you can maximise performance by switching modes as you switch tasks. This electric truck can get you to that out-of-the-way fishing hole.
Other Ford-150 Accessories Anglers Will Like
The Ford electric F-150 is a quieter, more aerodynamic version of the “original” F-150. It has many features that made F-150 popular with outdoor enthusiasts.
The Supercrew cab means there’s plenty of room for you and your fishing mates. Plus, it comes with lay-flat seats and a folding shifter for extra room.
It’s also built with Ford’s BoxLink bed system. The four mounting plates work for tie-down or with optional BoxLink accessories. It’s also compatible with aftermarket E-track accessories.
Mega Power Frunk
F-150 Lightning’s “Mega Power Frunk” is a large front trunk with bumper height loading. There are more than 400 litres (14.1 cubic feet) of space and a 400-pound (180 kgs) storage capacity.
The water-tight trunk lets you securely stow weather-sensitive possessions out of sight. There’s plenty of room for your esky, tackle, and other essential fishing gear. And it has a drain plug, so you can fill it with ice and chill your catch on the way home.
But Ford doesn’t call it the “Mega Power Frunk” just because of the storage space. The 9.6kW version of the F-150 Lightning offers four 120V outlets in the front trunk, plus two USB chargers.
The power features don’t stop there. There are also two 120V outlets in the cab and four in the bed, plus a 240V bed outlet. And Ford Intelligent Backup Power can provide full-home power for up to three days.
Cool Lighting
Ford electric F-150’s LED lightbars run across the front and rear, adding to its style. Available 360-degree zone lighting adds to its functionality. It can light up a specific zone or the entire area around the vehicle.
Entertainment Centre
The F-150 Lighting comes equipped with a 15.5-inch touch screen. But it can also respond to a natural voice. It offers cloud-connected navigation and wireless access to your favourite services: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, integrated Amazon Alexa, and SYNC AppLink apps.
Special Towing Feature
Towing is an integral part of a fisherman’s pickup truck. The Ford electric F-150 makes towing your boat easier. It offers an onboard trailer hook up and backup aid called Pro Trailer Hitch Assist. This smart tech automatically controls steering, acceleration, and braking to make hitching trailers easier.
The App
Ford’s “Phone As A Key” (PAAK) is an app that can do everything an Intelligent Access key fob can do. With PAAK, you can lock and unlock doors and open the liftgate. PAAK also includes remote ignition.
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Ford’s Electric Truck Is Still an F-150
If you want to switch from fossil fuels to electricity but need a pickup that can handle the load, the Ford Electric F 150 might be your truck. That’s if you don’t need to drive too far or don’t mind stopping to recharge along the way.
