Ford F-150 Lightning EV Pickup truck

My wife climbed into the cab of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning pick-em-up truck and proclaimed that she did not do trucks. That was before she hopped into the Lightning. We at Napleton News are always up for a good family dust-up and this was just the one! Read on!

What is the Ford F-150 Lightning?

The Ford F-150 Lightning is an electrified version of the most successful pickup truck on the road today. Our tester was the dual-eMotored Lariat 4×4 with extended-range battery. It includes two axle-mounted fixed-magnet AC electric motors running from energy stored in an extended range battery that provides 563 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque. That extended range group of cells will allow our iced blue silver crew cab to run approximately 320 miles between charges.

Power routes to the pavement by a single-speed transmission. It’s not like other transmissions with the upwardly climbing pitch of a conventional continuously variable transmission. Instead, this one provides instant thrust and pulling power that accelerates faster than a pickup truck has any right to.

Equipped with the Max Trailer Tow Package, our charge (pun intended) could tow up to 10,000 pounds. The standard, non-extended range battery is still no slouch, towing up to 7,700 pounds.

How does the Lightning look?

If you like the gasoline-powered Ford F-150, you’ll love the F-150 Lightning! It’s a carbon copy but with many stylish cues not found on the petrol-burner. One of the most stylish is the LED light bar wrapping from one headlamp to the other. Another cue is the absence of a grille. That’s because there’s no radiator to keep the engine cool.

Lightning badging makes this F-150’s identity known. The same with the lightning bolt icon on the tailgate.

The Ford F-150 Lightning is loaded with unique features. Pop the hood to automatically reveal over 14 cubic feet of storage where the engine would normally be found. That’s in addition to the cargo bed behind the Lightning crew cab. Both cargo areas feature outlets with household electric outlets to power a campsite or, when necessary, your own home.

There are fixed running boards on both sides of the Lightning, but the truck never rides high enough to make the ‘boards one of life’s little necessities.

At the rear, the Lightning’s cargo bed features an auto-opening tailgate that drops and lifts with the push of a keyfob button. Ford’s unique step device is here, too, making access to the bed as easy as climbing a ladder.

Inside the Lightning BEV.

As with other F-150 models, Ford realizes many owners work while on location. The Lightning is up to the task with outlets located around the cab and a work area that is large enough to set up a laptop so you can keep connected.

The aforementioned spousal unit settled into the five-passenger crew cab, looked around and proclaimed that she approved. Though she expected a utilitarian work truck, what she got was a luxurious SUV…without the wayback part. But it didn’t matter. Instead, she marveled at the 15-inch vertically oriented diagonal screen. This display screen offered views of vehicle operations, smartphone projection from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, SiriusXM radio and more.

Available interior touches include Max Recline front seats that fully recline for those times you doze off while charging up. That way, you and the F-150 Lightning will both end up recharged.

Driving the Ford F-150 Lightning.

As with most vehicles these days, things get started with the push of a button. Once the motors “fire up” it’s just a quick shift into reverse to pull out of the driveway. We notice the soft gong-like sound we assume is louder outside to warn pedestrians of a moving EV. Inside, it’s just another day. The SiriusXM contract has expired, so we plug in our smartphone to use the SXM app through the Lightning’s Bang & Olufsen eight-speaker audio system.

Acceleration is, as you would imagine, just quiet. Speed comes on spectacularly. Heck, this F-150 is faster than any pickup should be. There are all the features you would normally find in a highline F-150. The Max Towing package, for one helps you simply hitch and tow. Just watch the backup view, hitch up and go.

There are several drive modes with the Lightning. One of our faves is the single pedal drive mode, which allows you to push a somewhat resistant accelerator. When you need to brake, simply lift your foot off for the Lightning to coast to a smooth stop. The added benefit is the system helps regenerator battery power thanks to a regenerative braking system that harvests unused power to return to the battery.

Another that we are iffy about is the Auto Pilot function that allows handsfree driving on highways. We trust the system and saw how it adapted to the roads. It’s just that we don’t trust the other drivers around us. So while it is a cool feature, we think of it as a gimmick that might be better suited for sparsely traveled highways.

It’s like saving for a rainy day. In your electric pickup truck.

Ford F-150 Lightning Specifications

	2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Crew Cab 4WD
Popular Powertrains
Engine Type	Dual Electric Motor EV
Horsepower	426 horsepower
Torque	775 LB-FT
Transmission	1-speed automatic
Mileage Range	240 (EPA)
Suspension (F/R)	Double Wishbone/Trailing Arm
Turning Circle	47.8 ft.
Also Available	Various trim levels
Specs
Warranty	3 years/36,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	8 years/100,000 miles
NHTSA Safety Rating	5 stars
Max Seating Capacity	5
Wheelbase	145.0 inches
Overall Length	231.7 inches
Width	79.9 inches
Height	77.2 inches
Cargo Capacity	52.8 cubic feet/2,235 pounds
Headroom, Front	40.8 inches
Headroom, Rear	40.4 inches
Legroom, Front	43.90 inches
Legroom, Rear	43.60 inches
Shoulder, Front	66.70 inches
Shoulder, Rear	66.00 inches
Towing Capacity	7,700 pounds