2022 Ford F-150 Lightning EV – The Promise and Peril of EV Trucks
By Edward A. Sanchez – May 20, 2021
The North American automotive market, where full-size trucks dominate the sales charts, watched the introduction of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning EV with keen interest. Perhaps no other company has as much influence on the consumer truck market as Ford. The F-Series has enjoyed a nearly uninterrupted reign as America’s best-selling vehicle for an unprecedented 40-plus years running. In that time, the company has made many decisions that at the time seemed controversial or risky. And here we are at that crossroad again.
Ford was the first domestic truck brand to widely implement fuel injection across its truck lineup in the 1980s. It was the first (and remains the exception in its class) of widely offering downsized, turbocharged six-cylinder engines as the predominant powertrain. In 2015, it again shocked the industry with the introduction of the aluminum-bodied F-150 and doubled-down on that decision in 2017 with the aluminum-bodied Super Duty line.
Then in 2021, it became the first mainstream brand to unveil a mass-market, fully electric full-size truck. Yes, we have Rivian, the GMC Hummer EV, and the Tesla Cybertruck. At least one of those may beat the Lightning to the market by a few months. But in terms of awareness, recognition, and impact, there’s little disputing that Ford enjoys a privileged position at America’s truck bully pulpit.
As the saying goes, “With great power comes great responsibility.” And I believe that applies to Ford’s outsized position in the full-size truck market, and the introduction of the F-150 Lightning EV. In the day following the Lightning’s official reveal, Ford CEO Jim Farley claims the company has already received 20,000 preorders.
The F-150 Lightning EV sports power outlets both front and rear, and they’re sure to get a workout.
Certainly, the Lightning incorporates a lot of innovative and genuinely useful features, such as the ability to provide backup power for a house in a blackout, ample electrical outlets to power a variety of tools, appliances or gadgets, and the added versatility of the “Mega Power Frunk.” Thousands upon thousands of buyers will probably purchase a Lightning and enjoy many years of trouble-and-frustration-free ownership, and will likely put many of its features to good use. For a certain segment of full-size truck buyers, it fits the bill perfectly.
However, for those buyers hoping to replace their long-haul tow rigs with it, I would advise caution. As capable as the Lightning is within a certain context, strapping 10,000 pounds to its hitch, or maxing out its payload will likely have a much larger impact on its effective range than many realize.
The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning EV truck will be capable of towing 10,000 lbs, but consumers need to be clearly educated about what excessive load means for EV range.
As eager as Ford is to market and sell the Lightning, and as much of a fan and advocate of EVs as I generally am, I hope Ford takes the time to educate its dealers on asking the right questions of potential customers to meet their needs, rather than salespeople eager to make a quick commission and leaving the customers hanging out to dry when it comes to ownership experience. For many, Ford’s own F-150 PowerBoost hybrid would honestly be the more practical choice for longer-distance towing and hauling, while still offering many of the benefits of the Lightning in terms of on-board power.
The excitement surrounding the Lightning is palpable, with my social media feeds lighting up with comments like, “I want one!” and “Ford hit it out of the park!” While I don’t want to downplay the significance and desirability of the Lightning, that excitement could soon turn to frustration and anger if the truck is purchased by a buyer with unrealistic or irrational expectations. A decade hence, motorized trailers and 1,000-mile range batteries may make the whole discussion of range anxiety a quaint anachronism. But in these early days of EV trucks, it’s important that expectations be managed and addressed carefully.
(Images courtesy Ford)
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