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Electric cars are a powerful weapon against climate change, but most Americans do not buy cars but buy flatbed trucks. The Ford F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in the United States for decades, and now Ford is making it electric.
The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning borrows its name from the F-150 sold in the 1990s and early 2000s. Instead of chasing speed registers, the reincarnated Lightning’s mission is to reassure truck buyers that electric power is the future, and to maintain Ford’s dominance of competition among both old competitors and new startups. It is a very important vehicle for the future of Ford and electric cars.
“When America’s best-selling vehicle is rethought [as] electronic, you can not ignore. “Ford battery and electric vehicle CEO Darren Palmer said in an interview with Digital Trends before the truck was unveiled.” We believe it’s a turning point in electrification in America. “
However, Ford did not start with a blank sheet of paper. The flash is based on the current generation F-150, which was released as a model for 2021 with petrol, diesel and hybrid engines. The goal was to improve that foundation by adding more power and features. The F-150 doesn’t have to entice customers to make the switch. In a way, Ford competes with itself as much as it does with other electric truck manufacturers.
Design
The Lightning uses the same cab as the other F-150 models, but has a different grille and surround LED headlights and taillights to make it visually stand out from them. As with these other models, the cab, bed, hood and fenders are made of aluminum to save weight, while the frame is made of steel.
This body is still separate from the body, just like the F-150 internal combustion engine and all other trucks built by Ford – going back to the Model T. It meant that Ford could not integrate the battery with the floor as part of the vehicle structure, such as Tesla Model S and numerous other electric cars. The loads on the package would have been too high anyway, Palmer told Digital Trends.
Instead, the battery is isolated from the frame by its own structure, which Palmer described as a “protective cage.” There are also extra skid plates under the truck to protect the battery from hitting obstacles in the terrain.
The interior is largely the same as other versions of the F-150, and features features such as a foldable gear lever that turns the center console into a small desk, and Max Recline Seats that folds evenly so you can swim in your truck.
However, Ford used the space normally used by the engine as the Mega Power Frunk. With a capacity of 400 liters and a payload of 400 kilograms, Ford claims that this is the majority of all EVs. It certainly shadows the small plastic containers you get from many other electric cars, and has four power supplies, two USB charging ports, cargo hooks and a drain plug. Ford didn’t try to add enclosed storage to other parts of the truck, like Rivian’s Gear Tunnel, claiming that customers want one giant case.
Tech
High-end Lariat and Platinum models get 15.5-inch vertical touch screen Ford Mustang Mach-E an electric SUV using Sync 4A Infotainment system. This includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the entire vehicle accepts OTA software updates. Seen before Lincoln luxury cars, The Phone as a Key feature allows drivers to use a smartphone instead of a regular phobia.
The flash also gets some features designed to make it easier to tow and tow. It has built-in scales that allow you to check the payload in real time with FordPass and Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, which can automatically align the truck with the trailer by controlling steering, acceleration and braking under driver monitoring.
Once the trailer is coupled, drivers can also use it BlueCruise driver assistance system standard F-150. It is able to control acceleration and braking by keeping the truck centered in its lane on certain highways. Ford also uses a driver-facing camera to prevent distractions.
The flash also gets a Pro Power Onboard system F-150 hybridto operate tools or electronic devices using the battery. Because the Lightning has a larger package than the hybrid, the power rises from 7.2 kilowatts to a maximum of 9.6 kW (depending on equipment level) divided between the cab and bed sockets. To avoid draining the battery, the Pro Power Onboard can be set to turn off automatically if the estimated operating range falls too low, Ford noted.
The flash can even use your entire house if the power goes out. If the truck is connected to the mains, two-way charging allows it to mow automatically when a fault is detected. The largest of the two available batteries can use the house for three days in all – including air conditioning – running or 10 days with more conservative electricity use, Palmer told Digital Trends.
Technical information
The flash is the most powerful F-150 production ever and the fastest. Two electric motors (one for each axle) develop a combined 563 horsepower and 775 pound-foot torque, from zero to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds midway, according to Ford. It beats not only the predecessors of Lightning but also the current one F-150 Raptor performance model.
Two batteries are available. A larger Extended Range battery that also has a range of 300 miles, Ford said. The smaller Standard Range package offers an estimated range of 230 miles. Ford didn’t mention battery capacity, but based on the other data we have, it looks like they’re pretty big.
The Extended Range package includes a 19.2 kW dual charger. It’s much more efficient than the individual chargers used in other electric cars, but Ford says it will take another eight hours to transition from a 15 percent charge to a 100 percent charge. The Lightning is also equipped with 150 kW for DC charging, allowing 15% -80% charging in 41 minutes per Ford. The carmaker also supplies a mobile charging cable that can be connected to 240-volt household plugs used by large appliances, albeit at slower charging speeds.
The flash has a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 2,000 pounds (when properly equipped), which is not enough for some F-150 petrol models, as is the 1,100-pound towing capacity that Rivian has mentioned for its R1T pickups. Tesla Cybertruck it is claimed to have a maximum towing capacity of 14,000 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 3,500 pounds, but it is much further away from production than Ford or Rivian mics.
Ford also gave Lightning an independent rear suspension, which is common in cars but unusual in pickup, which should give the truck a smoother ride on the sidewalk. For off-road driving, Ford included an electronic tailgate and off-road driving mode for the truck’s off-road management system (Normal, Sport and Towing / Haul modes are also included). Drivers can also switch between normal and single pedal, which means less brake pedal.
Pricing and competitors
Pricing for the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning starts at $ 39,974. That’s about $ 9,000 more than the cheapest gasoline F-150, but the Lightning gets more standard equipment, including a standard four-wheel drive. Range-topping versions cost $ 90,000, according to Ford, which is not uncommon for flatbeds today. Buyers may drop $ 100 to keep the place in line, but production is not scheduled to begin until spring 2022.
This means that Ford is not the first to bring an electronic pickup to market. Rivian R1T production is scheduled to begin in June as the company’s first model. It’s smaller than the F-150, and at a base price of $ 75,000, it’s geared more at the REI crowd than traditional truck buyers peeking at Ford.
Tesla Cybertruck unveiled in late 2019 with shocking style and impressive technical data. Tesla borrows from zero to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and 500 miles with a three-engine four-wheel drive transmission. However, it is unclear when Cybertruck will go into production or whether the production model will differ from the concept version.
Ford will also have to compete with rival General Motors. 2022 GMC Hummer EV is expected to arrive later this year with the alleged 1000 hp, but also with a six-digit price tag. Future Chevrolet Silverado EV is closer to a competitor to the flash than internal combustion Silverado is the largest competitor to the F-150 as standard. Chevy is aiming for Ford to win the 400-mile range, but has not said when the Silverado EV will launch.
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