Ford 150 Lightning: behind the wheel of the electric pickup

Ford 150 Lightning: By adding batteries to its American bestseller, Ford wants to encourage its historic customers to go electric. An approach that is not risk-free because the risks are enormous. However, this “zero emission” F150 appears to have the right assets to achieve its goal.

If Europe is already charting its automotive future with electric vehicles, in the United States the date for switching to this not always carbon-free energy is less obvious to set. However, things can go faster than we think.

There are two main reasons for this: the first is that the brands that export their cars to the United States will soon stop having purely thermal engines. Between 2025 and 2030, there will be up to 100% electric. The second is that the US electric vehicle market, currently driven by California and Tesla, could grow rapidly if local giants join.

And that's what Ford is currently doing with its electric F150 in a very strategic way. Because the “F Series” is 40 million units produced since 1948, 14 successful generations and a dominance that lasts 44 years on American soil using V6, V8 or V10 engines. As of 2021, Ford has sold 726,000 copies, ahead of the Ram Pick-up (569,000 records) and the Chevrolet Silverado (520,000 sales).

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Between them, these pickup trucks represent more than 12% of the American auto market. This means that converting them to electric represents an important issue, and that mindsets must be prepared… For now, success is there. Ford has already booked more than 200,000 orders for the F150 Lightning for a full year production capacity of 150,000 cars, and only 40,000 possible deliveries in 2022. That is, expectations are high.

Almost six meters long, a width that approaches a heavy weight… Whatever the engine, the F150 is a heavy model. Its bucket, which can be accessed by a motorized shutter and a pull-out step, can accommodate 885 kg of goods!

As we got behind the wheel, we realized that the a priori of the old side of the pickups survived. The style is certainly square, focused on practicality with plenty of storage, but the materials are of good quality, the comfort is palpable and the on-board technology is impressive.

The large 15.5-inch screen taken from the Mustang Mach-E, the multiple functions offered by the electronics, from load control to a possible trailer, passing through all the steering aids, give a good image of this version. Of course, there's plenty of room on board, and the front seats can recline almost fully, allowing workers to rest in dignity.

See too: Chevrolet Silverado HD 2024: More tech in the most muscular pickup

As an option, the folding tablet, which comes in the center console cover, is a very nice find. We just wonder why Ford implemented a gearshift that must first be bent (electrically) instead of a wheel. In addition to this detail, everything is thought to make this pick-up a very versatile utility.