2022 FORD F-150 LIGHTNING PRODUCTION STILL ON SCHEDULE

An online webinar that touched on Ford Motor Company’s massive electric vehicle production investment in Tennessee took place this week. And with that came the topics of two future EVs designed and built for work; the first being the upcoming Ford E-Transit electric van, and the second being the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck. That’s the one that President Joe Biden drove. No, not that one, but this one.

During the webinar, it was stated that production of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning would take place in the fall of 2022, instead of the original target of spring 2022. This information, as it turns out, is inaccurate, and Ford Motor Company is still on track to begin production and delivery of the F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck before the start of summer next year.

When we inquired with Ford directly, a spokesperson gave us the following response:

*F-150 Lightning orderbank opening timing has not yet been announced. There is no delay to delivery timing – customer deliveries are on track to start in spring 2022.*

We’ll update this story if any new details emerge.

Image via Ford## 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Electric Pickup Truck: Price, Range, Power, Acceleration, Payload, And Towing Details

The base Ford F-150 Lightning Pro – exclusive to fleets and not retail customers – will carry a starting price of $39,974, before any federal or state tax credits. That’s just over $11,000 more than the starting price of the gasoline-powered 2021 F-150. The mid-range Ford F-150 Lightning XLT model will carry a price of $52,974, or over $12,660 more than the standard F-150 XLT SuperCrew.

the Ford F-150 Lightning features a dual-motor setup that provides 4×4 capabilities. The automaker has noted that there will be two battery packs available, including a standard range and long range option. The capacity for either pack has yet to be disclosed, but we do know approximately how much horsepower each will provide. Opt for the standard range battery and your Ford F-150 Lightning will lay down a targeted 426 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque. Step up to the larger battery and output jumps up to 563 horsepower, while torque stays fixed at 775 lb-ft. That makes this new truck the most powerful F-150 model yet, making it worthy of its muscle truck-inspired nameplate. Ford claims that with the larger battery pack the Lightning will be able to go from 0-60 mph in the mid four-second range, although official figures aren’t available quite yet. For comparison, an F-150 Raptor needs 5.5 seconds to do 0-60 mph.

Image via Ford

Ford says the truck should be able to do an EPA-estimated 230 miles with the smaller battery, while the larger unit bumps that figure up to 300 miles. That said, Ford has thought about how to make charging less of an issue for their buyers. Every Ford F-150 Lightning will come with an 80-amp charge station as standard equipment, which is an industry first. Using this charger, the automaker says that customers will be able to gain 30 miles of range per charging hour. This means the truck will be able to go from 15 percent battery to fully juiced in just about eight hours. On a 150-kilowatt DC fast charger, an extended-range F-150 Lightning is targeted to get 54 miles of range in about 10 minutes. That cuts the 15 percent to full charge time down to approximately 41 minutes.

Buyers who spec the standard range battery will receive a maximum payload capacity of 2,000 pounds, as well as a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds. The big battery truck has a lower payload capacity rating of 1,800 pounds, but can tow up to 10,000 pounds. That said, those towing figures are related to the Maximum Trailer Tow Package, and we don’t have standard ratings at this time. Since there’s no engine up front, the truck actually has another bonus storage area located under the hood. Measuring in at 400 liters of volume, the frunk brings its own maximum payload capacity of 400 pounds. Ford says the space accommodates two carry-on bags and a checked bag, or two golf bags.

Image copyright Steven Pham, Muscle Cars & Trucks.

© Muscle Cars and Trucks