It’s been a big week for electric trucks. First, Illinois startup Rivian became the first automaker to build a truck for a customer, rolling its first production R1T pickup off the factory line Tuesday. Now, Ford has begun building its own F-150 Lightning electric pickup. The company announced late Thursday that its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan, has built the first Lightning truck.
An All-Electric Version of America’s Best-Selling Truck
The Lightning is an all-electric version of the Ford F-150 pickup, which has been America’s best-selling vehicle for more than 40 years. It starts at just under $40,000 for a basic work truck with 426 horsepower and 230 miles of driving range (not yet certified by the EPA), called the Pro edition. Prices climb to over $90,000 for a fully-equipped luxury truck with 563 horsepower and a 300-mile range.
Ford says the Lightning will reach customers next spring. These first trucks off the line are pre-production models used for testing.
A Test Case for the Future of Driving
The Lightning may prove to be an important automotive weathervane. Automakers have launched an industry-wide transformation to electric cars, with many planning mostly electric lineups within a decade. But electric cars remain less than 3% of the cars on American roads today.
The F-150 is America’s most popular vehicle. An electric version of the truck seems like an easy win. But studies show drivers are nervous about the prospect of electric trucks, with many unsure that an electric powertrain can handle the hauling and towing we ask of our pickups.
Ford has reportedly doubled production plans for Lightning.
Many More on the Way
America’s traditional Big Three automakers have all taken the bet. Chevy promises an electric Silverado with 4-wheel-steering soon, as well as a more upscale GMC Hummer EV pickup. An electric Ram 1500 is to follow in 2024. Numerous startups, like Rivian and Ohio-based Lordstown Motors, have their own electric pickups on the way. And Tesla plans its wildly unique Cybertruck, with a similar entry price to the Lightning but a body like nothing else on the market.
Future Electric Trucks: What’s Coming in 2022 and Beyond
