Ford's Electric Pickup Truck: A Reality Check

does ford have an electric pickup truck

Ford Motor Company has been working on electric pickup trucks for several years, with the F-150 Lightning being its most notable model. However, in 2024, Ford announced a pause in the production of this electric vehicle (EV) until 2025, citing waning consumer demand. Despite this setback, Ford remains committed to the EV market, with plans to introduce a new electric mid-sized pickup by 2027, leveraging lower-cost battery technology. The company's strategy involves focusing on segments where it already has a strong presence, such as pickup trucks and commercial vehicles, while also exploring hybrid options to cater to customer preferences for longer-range vehicles.

Characteristics Values
Name Ford F-150 Lightning
Launch Date 2025
Mile Range 300-320 miles
Horsepower 452 hp
Features Trailer Reverse Guidance, Tow Activity, Pro Power Onboard, Home Backup Power, Ford BlueCruise, Walk Away Lock, FordPass app
Price $70,000

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The 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning

The 2025 F-150 Lightning comes in five trim levels: Pro, XLT, Flash, Lariat, and Platinum. The XLT model starts at $62,995, while the Platinum edition costs $84,995. The Lightning Flash trim level offers advanced driving aids, including adaptive cruise control and Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving system, at a more accessible price point. The F-150 Lightning Lariat features a premium Geometric Gray-Ion Satin Grille, 20-inch Dark Carbonized Gray Wheels, heated and ventilated front seating, a Power Tailgate, and a SYNC® 4A system with a 15.5-inch touchscreen and a Twin-Panel Moonroof.

The 2025 model has improved charging capabilities, with a maximum DC fast-charging current of 500 amps, up from 450 amps in the previous model. Additionally, all Lightning models can now find NACS charging stations using Apple Maps EV Routing in CarPlay to locate Tesla Superchargers. The F-150 Lightning also offers an EPA-estimated range of 300-345 miles on a full charge, depending on the model.

In terms of performance, the F-150 Lightning boasts impressive acceleration, with a 0-60 time nearly as quick as the 2025 Mustang® Dark Horse™. The dual electric motors on the Lariat® and Platinum® models deliver more horsepower than the V8 on an F-150 Tremor®. The electric motors provide instant torque, making it easier to get up to speed, even when hauling a full load.

The F-150 Lightning also comes with a range of towing features, such as the Max Trailer Tow Package, which enables the truck to tow its highest potential load. The Trailer Reverse Guidance system uses a sensor to detect the angle of the trailer relative to the towing vehicle and provides instructions, graphics, and camera views on the touchscreen. The Tow Activity feature alerts drivers to any issues with the trailer's turn indicator, brake lamps, or battery.

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F-150 Lightning features and specifications

The Ford F-150 Lightning is a battery electric full-size light-duty truck unveiled by the Ford Motor Company in May 2021. It is one of the best electric pickup trucks you can buy. The F-150 Lightning is offered only as a crew cab with a 5.5-foot bed and has an overall length of 19 ft 5 in. It weighs 6,015 to 6,893 pounds depending on the model and trim.

The F-150 Lightning has an EPA-estimated range of 300 miles, 171 available Ford BlueCruise hands-free highway driving, 127 Connected Navigation, and a standard 15.5-inch touchscreen for seamless interactions. The base configuration has 452 hp, a 230-mile range, and its smaller battery supports a 2,000-lb payload. The high-end configuration has 580 hp, a 300-mile EPA range, and a 10,000-lb towing capacity. The F-150 Lightning Lariat features a premium Geometric Gray-Ion Satin Grille, 20-inch Dark Carbonized Gray Wheels, heated and ventilated front seating, a Power Tailgate, SYNC® 4A with a 15.5-inch touchscreen, a Twin-Panel Moonroof, and Ford C.

The F-150 Lightning has key safety features including standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and available adaptive cruise control with a hands-free driving mode. It is protected by Ford's basic warranty package and includes an eight-year/100,000-mile policy for electric vehicle components.

The F-150 Lightning is a highly anticipated electric pickup truck with strong demand for early deliveries. However, Ford has temporarily halted its production amid waning consumer demand for electric vehicles.

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Ford's low-cost EV pickup strategy

Ford Motor Company is changing its electric vehicle strategy by focusing on building two new lower-cost electric pickup trucks and a new commercial van. The company has been losing millions on its current electric vehicles, and the shift in strategy is an attempt to make the new vehicles profitable within a year of reaching showrooms.

Ford has lost \$2.46 billion in the first half of 2024 on its electric vehicles, which has dragged down profits from its gas-powered and commercial units. The company has stated that the global EV market is rapidly changing, and it must evolve to compete with Chinese automakers that have lower production and engineering costs. Ford plans to build more commercial and consumer vehicles with new, more affordable EV underpinnings.

Ford's new electric pickup trucks will be built on a low-cost platform, with the company aiming to simplify building costs to improve profitability. The company has provided few details about the new products, but it has been speculated that a pickup truck similar in size to the 90's Ranger, with a price tag of less than $40,000, would be well-received by consumers.

One of the new electric pickup trucks will be full-size, with production delayed by 18 months until 2027. The other pickup will be mid-sized, based on new underpinnings developed by a small team in California. Ford has also stated that it will not build fully electric three-row SUVs due to high battery costs, instead focusing on making those vehicles as gas-electric hybrids.

Ford's shift in strategy reflects the changing dynamics of the global EV market, with increasing competition from automakers with lower costs and consumers who are more cost-conscious. The company aims to balance sales growth and profitability with its new lower-cost EV pickup trucks and commercial van offerings.

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Ford's production halts and delays

Ford Motor Company has indeed ventured into the electric vehicle (EV) market, with the F-150 Lightning, an all-electric pickup truck, being one of its flagship offerings. However, Ford's journey with electric pickup trucks has not been without its challenges, including production halts and delays.

In late October 2024, Ford announced its decision to halt the production of the F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck from mid-November until early January of the following year. This shutdown, lasting from November 18 until January 6, aimed to address high inventories and narrow losses associated with the vehicle. The move impacted the roughly 730 hourly workers at the Michigan plant, with Ford noting that not all workers would be laid off for the entire duration.

The production halt came amidst a backdrop of slower-than-expected consumer adoption of electric vehicles. While sales of the F-150 Lightning had increased by 86% that year, Ford was still losing money on each vehicle sold. The company had been subsidizing sales and offering incentives to dealers, contributing to expected losses of about $5 billion in its Model e electric vehicle operations for that year.

In addition to the temporary production halt, Ford also faced delays in its EV roadmap. In August 2024, Ford announced that it was pushing back the release of a new electric version of its best-selling pickup, the F-150, from its initial 2025 launch to the second half of 2027. This delay was attributed to the company's focus on cutting costs and stimulating demand, as well as taking advantage of lower-cost battery technology.

Furthermore, Ford also scrapped plans for an all-electric, three-row SUV, opting instead to focus on hybrid models. This decision was made to speed up customer adoption by offering more affordable vehicles with longer driving ranges. The company's shift in strategy was influenced by tumbling electric vehicle prices and cooling consumer demand.

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Ford's electric van plans

Ford Motor Company is shifting its electric vehicle strategy to focus on manufacturing two new electric pickup trucks and a new commercial van. The company aims to make these vehicles more affordable, increase their range, and ensure profitability within a year of their showroom release.

Ford's electric van, the E-Transit, will be available in 2025. It will have a fully electric powertrain and an 89 kWh battery. The E-Transit will come in two vehicle lengths and three roof heights. The van will have a maximum payload of 3,249 lbs in the Cargo Van variant and 3,997 lbs in the Cutaway model. The van will also have a front charge port, reclining seats, and adjustable headrests.

Ford has not released many details about its new electric pickup trucks. However, the company has stated that production of its next-generation full-size electric pickup truck in Tennessee will be delayed until 2027. The other pickup truck will be mid-sized, based on new underpinnings developed by a small team in California, and will also go on sale in 2027.

Ford's decision to shift its electric vehicle strategy comes as the company loses millions on its current electric vehicles. The company has also decided to scrap plans for an all-electric, three-row SUV due to high battery costs, instead focusing on gas-electric hybrid models. Ford aims to address consumer concerns about electric vehicles, such as range and recharging, by making its new electric vehicles more affordable and offering longer driving ranges.

Frequently asked questions

Ford has temporarily halted production of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck. The company has said that it will resume production in 2025.

The F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck offers up to 320 miles of EPA-estimated battery range.

The F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck features dual electric motors, a giant frunk, and a standard 15.5-inch touchscreen. It also has Trailer Reverse Guidance, which uses a sensor to detect the angle of the trailer and provides instructions and graphics on the touchscreen.

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