Ford will unveil an all-electric version of its best-selling F-150 pickup on May 19, the automaker announced today. The long-expected model resurrects an old name – it will be called the F-150 Lightning.
The Lightning will appear in mid-2022, as a 2023 model. Price is unknown. It will compete with an electric Chevy Silverado, GMC’s upcoming Hummer EV pickup, and the Tesla Cybertruck.
The Lightning name was twice used on high-performance, V8-powered F-150s, most recently from 1999 to 2004. Ford has revealed few details about the new Lightning’s specs or capabilities, but electric cars are often significantly quicker than their gasoline-powered counterparts.
Ford has said the lightning will use two electric motors — one per axle. It will also have a higher horsepower rating and quicker acceleration than any other F-150. Two-way charging will enable drivers to power tools off the truck when it is parked. A front trunk in place of the existing engine bay will give it more cargo space than any other F-150.
“F-150 Lightning can power your home during an outage; it’s even quicker than the original F-150 Lightning performance truck; and it will constantly improve through over-the-air updates,” said Ford CEO Jim Farley in a statement.
An emission-free version of America’s best-selling vehicle is big news. Ford is hyping the Lightning as a performance truck, suggesting that this first Ford electric pickup may be a pricey alternative, out of reach for shoppers looking for reliable work trucks at reasonable prices. But, should Ford succeed with the Lightning, less-expensive workhorse versions could become a reality in future years. We’ll bring more details on the 19th.
