Ford is touting the all-new F-150 Lightning as a super-capable electric pickup truck. It can even charge other vehicles and power a household. Since snow and ice covers America in a quarter year, prospective customers are wondering how the F-150 Lightning could handle such conditions. Perhaps this cold-testing video from Ford will calm their nerves.

Testing The F-150 Lightning On Snow And Ice

Depending on the trim level, the Ford F-150 Lightning gets either 426 hp or 563 hp from its electric powertrain. Since this setup employs two fixed magnet AC motors, one mounted to each axle, the F-150 Lightning is essentially a 4x4 pickup truck. With its quick torque delivery, standard electronic-locking rear differential, selectable drive modes and low center of gravity for even more confident handling, the electric should offer stability and confidence even in slippery conditions.

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Nevertheless, Ford engineers wanted to fine-tune this capability, so they brought the F-150 Lightning up north to a restricted military base in Alaska. For two weeks and 12 hours a day, engineers subjected the F-150 Lightning to minus 30-degree temperatures as well as low-traction snow and ice surfaces. Engineers drove six pre-production units on various surfaces, including loose snow, packed-groomed snow, complete ice and half ice-half concrete surfaces.

F-150 Lightning Aces Low-Traction Test On Snow

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Alaska testing rear
Via Ford

The focus of this type of test – formally called low-mu testing – is to dial-in how the electric pickup truck can deliver its power to the ground on various slippery surfaces. Ford designed the F-150 Lightning pickup to sense wheel slip and immediately adjusts power to the wheels. During the tests, Ford engineers evaluated the truck’s power delivery adjustments while traversing over snow and ice.

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As for the results of the tests, Nick Harris, the F-150 Lightning powertrain engineer, revealed that the F-150 Lightning in the snow is “a very different ballgame” compared to conventionally powered vehicles. He remarked that the responses of the powertrain are extremely quick, adding that the dual-motor setup makes it seem like two engines are powering one vehicle.

Getting The F-150 Lightning Ready For Spring Delivery

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Alaska testing side
Via Ford

While testing, engineers were also adjusting the F-150 Lightning’s calibration in real-time. As per Nick, a lot of work involved coordinating the two motors to work together. Ford engineers also conducted low-mu testing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Borrego Springs, Johnson Valley, and at the carmaker’s Michigan Proving Grounds near Romeo.

These were just some of the tests that Ford planned to ensure that the F-150 Lightning is ready for production and delivery starting this spring.

Source: Ford