The Ford F-150 Lightning is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated vehicles of the year. This electrified version of a hugely popular pickup truck is shifting an entire segment to electric power. To mark the start of the production of the first copies given on April 26, Ford announced an improvement in the power of the liveries offered.
Posted at 5:45 p.m.
Thus, the standard autonomy version will have a power of 452 hp, an increase of 26 hp compared to the figures unveiled last year. For the extended range livery, the cavalry goes from 563 hp to 580 hp. This available power is produced by two motors, one positioned at each axle.
As for range, it still fluctuates between 370 and 515 km, depending on the options selected and the size of the battery. Ford is curiously tight on their size, but American magazines have learned that they have a capacity of 98 kWh as standard and 131 kWh as an option. This translates the inevitable: it takes a lot of energy to move a vehicle of this stature, the weight of which is set to increase precisely because of the batteries. It will also be intriguing to see the effect of towing on these numbers.
The load capacity also increases in parallel. It stands at 1013 kg, a gain of 107 kg compared to the estimates. For comparison, that puts the Lightning in the middle of the F-150 lineup, based on wheelbase length, engine, and cabin type chosen. The maximum towing capacity of the electric van is 4536 kg.
The rivals prepare the response
Granted, Ford won’t be alone in the new electric full-size pickup segment for very long. Chevrolet unveiled its response earlier this year with an all-electric Silverado whose introductory version will have 660 hp and an estimated range of 640 km. Its market launch, if the supply chain crisis does not disrupt it, is scheduled for the spring of 2023.
PHOTO ANDREW KELLY, REUTERS
The market launch of the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV is scheduled for spring 2023.
At Ram, the portrait of the next electric 1500 is much less clear. Only images that are not very revealing have been published and Stellantis, parent company of the division, is advancing a launch only in 2024. Last February, the manufacturer launched an internet platform to collect comments from its customers in order to ensure its development. . Its first public release is scheduled for next fall.
Despite its somewhat bumpy start production-wise, Rivian cannot be ruled out as potential rivals. The R1T was also officially the first electric van to go into production last September. The barrier to entry remains higher, however, at $86,250, compared to Ford’s $68,000 for the entry-level F-150 Lightning.