As we already know, in the US people like trucks – half of the top-ten vehicles sold in 2020 were trucks, and out of 14.5 million total cars sold, 13% were the 3 most popular trucks, the Ford F-150, the Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram trucks from Chrysler (figures from CNBC).
That means that almost 1.9 million of these trucks found happy owners, and that many of them are now hard at work across the continent or hanging out at drive-thru restaurants.
Ford’s mighty F-series truck, the number one selling vehicle in the US for 39 years (and the bestselling truck for 44 years) is as American as a Mac and Cheese.
In its F-150 guise, this smaller and lighter truck is bigger than the 2.3-liter turbocharged Ranger and smaller than the F-250 Super Duty, which means that while it’s not super, it’s capable and designed to haul things, cross places, and transport people in challenging conditions.
It has also been unveiled as an electric version – the Lightning, combining power with zero emissions to compete with the Rivian R1T, Tesla Cybertruck plus offerings from both GMC and Chevrolet.
Ford’s F-150 Lightning Can Be Turned Into A Luxurious And Pricey Machine
So here we are talking about the Lightning, which is an electric version of the F-150.
Although it is more expensive – around $10,000 more for the basic version versus the base petrol version -it does qualify for reductions in price, is bigger, better, and of course, is faster than any of the gasoline F-150 trucks – even the V8 or turbocharged hybrid models.
It boasts a 426 hp and 775 lb.-ft electric motor – which is around the same power as the most-powerful petrol 3.5-liter turbocharged F-150 model (but with much less torque) and better than the V8.
For the basic petrol XL version - $29,000 - you get a regular cab with a 6 ½ foot rear and a 3.3-liter V6 engine under the hood – making 290 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque.
In contrast, the base version Lightning costs 39,000, and you get a 5.5-ft bed, but a bigger cabin with 4 doors and much more power.
This means that compared with the Lightning, the equivalent gasoline F-150 is the XL Super crew with a 5,5ft bed and a $37,000 price tag, less than the Lightning; but with a potential federal saving on the electric version of 7,500, the Lightning works out cheaper.
There Is A Ford F-150 For Every Person And Every Job
The entry-level XL petrol version trim includes the following equipment: an 8-inch touchscreen, automatic lights and wipers, and a rearview camera.
Auto-hold for starting on slopes or hills and automatic high-beam for those headlights are nice additions.
In the basic Lightning ‘Pro’ version, the truck gets a much bigger 12” touchscreen, a 12” digital instrument cluster, dual electric motors, power opening front trunk, and much more.
When you hand over almost $60,000 for a top-end gasoline 'Platinum' F-150, you get as standard a fuel-efficient 5-liter V8 with direct injection and cylinder deactivation offering 400 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque, but the Platinum Lightning starts at over 90,000.
Before we get to the fully loaded Lightning, the ‘standard’ gasoline Platinum version gets 20-inch wheels, a 400w power outlet, styling embellishments, and electric heated mirrors, plus dual-zone climate control, a 12-inch media screen, ambient lighting, heated/ventilated seats, a wireless phone charging pad and much more.
With Ford’s F-150 Lightning, The Sky Is The Limit For Luxury
The Lightning in its Platinum trim will cost you 90,000 before options, but for that, you get a lot.
Ford even says ‘Have it all’ below the model’s name as if to let you know that this is for people who need everything, plus a little more.
This time there are 22-inch wheels, an extended-range battery that offers up to 300 miles of range plus all the standard equipment on the gasoline Platinum F-150 models as standard, with the max trailer tow package included to ensure that you will be able to haul your boat across the state to the nearest mooring point.
Going crazy with the options bumps up the price to around $95,000 including the destination charge, before any deduction from the government.
There are fewer options to tick as there is only one powertrain option on the Platinum trim, but there is a wealth of options to customize and protect the truck bed plus enhanced seats for the cabin, lockable safe, and more.
The Lightning From Ford Is Capable But Can Be Expensive
So, lesson learned – the Lightning is capable – it offers an official 300 miles of range for the extended range version, which is competitive and has more torque than most V8s you’ll find in any pickup truck.
It will release zero emissions and provide quick acceleration, a strong tow ability (7,700 lbs. versus 5000 lbs in the entry-level F-150), and a smooth gearless transmission.
It also comes as standard with a double cab.
Standard 4-wheel drive comes with a Lightning but not in a basic F-150 either, and all this comes with a price of just 10,000 more over the most basic F-150 with a potential to reduce that down to just $2,500 more, with those federal reductions.
It looks like as long as you stay away from the Platinum version, which costs $30,000 more in the Lightning than the gasoline F-150 at $90,000, it makes for great value for money.
Sure, the caveats are needing a place to charge, the limited range compared to an ICE engine, and the different driving experience, but if you can handle those things then you might as well go electric.
Just avoid the ‘Have it all’ box on the order form.