Ford Has Started Full Production of It’s First All-Electric F-150 Lightning Pickup Truck
The F-150 Lightning, Ford’s first all-electric pickup and the EV that might set the standard for what mainstream buyers expect from zero-emissions trucks, has commenced full production. The F-150 Lightning will combine familiar F-Series features with cutting-edge electrification in the hopes of coaxing gas and diesel truck owners into a relatively affordable green alternative.
Image Courtesy: Ford Motors
The truck will start at about $40,000 before tax credits and other EV incentives, it will borrow extensively from the traditional F-150’s look and functionality, and keep to the F-Series formula that has made it a best-seller for decades. Along with increased driving range, the electric F-150 will provide new opportunities to use its large battery pack in ways other than driving.
Image Courtesy: Ford Motors
Reservations for the F-150 Lightning have surpassed 200,000 since the register opened in mid-2020, and Ford has been working hard turning those reservations into orders since the beginning of the year. While the traditional F-150 has never had difficulty finding buyers, what is unique about the electric F-150 is how diverse the pool of buyers has been; three out of every four bookings, according to Ford, come from people who are new to the brand and new to electric vehicles in general.
Image Courtesy: Ford Motors
So far the demand has exceeded Ford’s initial projections and as a result, the company plans to build 150,000 of the electric F-150 Lightning per year starting in 2023. To accomplish this goal, Ford plans to utilize five plants across Michigan that will collaborate to produce the new electric F-150 Lightning.
Image Courtesy: Ford Motors
Ford is entering the electric F-150 Lightning into the market at a time when other competitors are doing the same. Rivian has debuted its R1T pickup EV and the GMC Hummer EV has already commenced deliveries. In addition, several pickup truck startups has announced plans to enter the EV market.
With the Ford F-150 reputation for quality and dependability, along with Ford’s extensive experience at building pickup trucks that a lot of startup companies lack, they will have no difficulty maintaining a lead in the market. Moreover, with a price tag of $40,000 per truck compared to six figures for the GMC Hummer EV and the Rivian models, Ford will have absolutely no problem maintaining a steady firm position in the EV pickup truck market.
