The Future of Electric Vans Is Now

WHAT IT IS: This is the electric powered expansion of the F-150 pickup truck’s loved ones. It has a tremendous crew taxi, a 5.5-foot mattress, and a lockable 14.1-cubic-foot frunk up entrance in which a combustion engine would commonly be. The Lightning arrives regular with 4WD many thanks to electric motors in the entrance and again, skidplates for off-roading, a 2,000-pound payload capacity (400 of those pounds in the frunk), and 10,000 kilos of max towing. The batteries supply 96 kW of juice to electricity equipment, toys, or even a home that has lost electric power. The Lightning’s styling is a bit smoother and more aerodynamic with a lot more remarkable lights, but the truck is nevertheless conveniently recognizable as an F-150. Furthermore, its proportions are the same as a common F-150’s, so customers can keep on to use their equipment. Pricing is startlingly low: You can virtually invest in three foundation Lightnings for the rate of a one 2022 GMC Hummer EV Edition 1.

WHY IT Issues: This is Ford’s optimum-volume automobile, and generating an electric powered edition vaults the Blue Oval forward in its endeavours to electrify its fleet and get additional EVs on the street. The Lightning shows consumers that EVs want not be compromised versions of current designs but as a substitute can be affordable and the most attractive version inside a lineup. This also marks the return of the Lightning identify, which was 1st applied to a efficiency variation of the F-150 in 1992.

System AND POWERTRAIN: The Lightning rides on a skateboard platform made for the F-150 that nonetheless utilizes a ladder body. But it fills the house between the rails with battery packs, and it safeguards them with metal plates that can consider a beating. It really is also the very first F-150 with an impartial rear suspension.

The Lightning has two motors, entrance and again, for conventional 4WD. Ford engineers say it will speed up to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds with the extended-range battery, which generates 563 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque and supplies 300 miles of variety on a one demand. The normal battery provides the same torque but drops to 426 hp and 230 miles of assortment. The Lightning is the 1st automobile to use this dedicated Ford electric automobile system, but it will not be the very last. There are no programs to insert a 3rd motor for a functionality variation or include more taxi and mattress configurations, but this could change if Ford feels there is sufficient need.

Expected ON-SALE Date: May well 2022