The F-150 Lighting is the Future of Automotive Excellence

One of the more exciting stories in recent automotive news was Ford’s launch of the all-electric F-150 Lighting. With all the hype surrounding its introduction, including a test drive with the Commander-in-Chief, the Lightning had some big expectations to meet, and Ford succeeded in a grand fashion. A quick visit to The Faricy Boys Automotive, your Gunnison Ford dealer, reveals all the ways the newest F-150 has exceeded expectations.

Starting at just under $40,000, the 2022 F-150 Lightning offers up to 320 miles of driving range, a max tow rating of 10,000 lbs, and lightning-fast (no pun intended) acceleration.^[a] Not only that but your truck doubles as a backup generator for your house when the power goes out, and Pro Power Onboard outfits the bed with up to 11 outlets and 9.6 kW of power.

Adopting the EV lifestyle means making a few changes to your everyday routine, but the upside is knowing you’re behind the wheel of a zero-emissions truck with next-generation technology that ensures you’re always charged and ready to go. With four available trims and fun features designed for your comfort, safety, and driving enjoyment, the 2022 Lightning is a game-changer.

The Evolution: From Pie-In-The-Sky to Reality

Dubbed “The Truck of the Future” by Ford, the 2022 Lightning represents the next chapter of automotive innovation. Ford’s chief engineer, Linda Zhang, was chiefly responsible for seeing the all-electric pickup through from concept to reality. Zhang, a 25-year Ford engineering veteran, took the reins, designing a pickup that sacrifices nothing except climate-damaging carbon emissions.

Zhang’s work on the Lightning put her on the cover of Time Magazine, but before all the accolades, she had to meet a confounding challenge: build an all-electric F-150 with all the “Built Ford Tough” capability and durability diehard Ford truck buyers demand. Don’t mess with perfection seems like good advice, and the F-150’s 44-year reign as the best-selling vehicle in America comes pretty close to automotive perfection.

Despite the hurdles, Zhang doubled down on technology and infused the F-150 Lightning with “shock and awe” features to help skeptical buyers overcome EV-related hesitations. She knew the Lightning had to deliver big, so she designed it to produce up to 580 hp and an astounding 775 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful F-150 in the lineup. How powerful? Try zero to sixty in just four seconds. That’s as fast as the Ford Mustang GT.

After a first drive, MotorTrend called the F-150 Lightning “one of history’s most significant vehicles,” enthusiastically lauding its “best-driving, best-riding, and best-handling” characteristics. It has the goods to convince even the staunchest diesel lovers to convert to all-electric power, and that’s exactly what Zhang set out to accomplish. The question is, will traditional pickup truck drivers convert?

Tightening Emissions Standards Drive Innovation

Global efforts are underway to mitigate climate change, and thanks to geopolitical strategies like the Paris Climate Agreement, contributing countries like the US are committing to bold zero-emissions goals. The automotive industry aims to phase out gas-powered vehicles by around 2050 in an effort to achieve carbon neutrality. Strategies include investing billions in manufacturing infrastructure and working closely with the federal government to construct a nationwide network of charging stations.

The F-150 Lightning is Ford’s second major all-electric vehicle launch, following the performance-oriented Mustang Mach-E, which was met with high praise. To date, Ford has delivered nearly 20,000 Mach-E’s, exceeding expectations. Lightning reservations have also shot through the roof, and Ford is no longer accepting orders for the 2022 model year. Next up for Ford is the E-Transit, an all-electric commercial van designed for fleet buyers, supported by a network of specially-trained EV fleet Ford dealers.

Ford is working hard to EV-certify its vast network of dealers. In a May 2021 press release, the company announced that 2,300 dealers were certified, and The Faricy Boys Automotive is proud to be one of them. Ford is also spending billions on battery cell design, creating economies in manufacturing that result in lower prices for mass-produced EVs like the F-150 Lightning. BlueOval City, a massive $5.6 billion EV auto production complex, is currently under construction in Tennessee.

In total, Ford has committed $11.4 billion to infrastructure that supports its electrification efforts, leaving no doubt that it plans to lead the effort globally to a zero-emissions future. Ford expects as much as 50% of vehicles sold to be all-electric by 2030. A big part of that goal is the F-150 Lightning, and early reviews indicate that Zhang and Ford hit a major home run with the new truck. No wonder she made the cover of Time Magazine.

Charging Innovations and Generator Power

The F-150 Lightning’s story doesn’t end with capability and performance. One of its most alluring features is its ability to serve as a backup generator, supplying your whole house with electricity for up to three days. It’s called Intelligent Backup Power, and it works via an 80-amp Ford Charge Station Pro system that’s installed in your garage and integrated with your home’s electrical system. With rationing, it can provide power for up to 10 days, perfect for riding out a Colorado winter storm.

To combat range anxiety, Ford is working hard to create the largest nationwide network of charging stations via its BlueOval Charge Network. So far, drivers can hook up to more than 70,000 chargers across the country, including a number of Level 2 charging stations right here in Gunnison, and with the FordPass app, it’s easy to plan routes, monitor range, and estimate the number of stops and hours of charging needed to reach your final destination.

Inside the cabin, an available 15.5-inch touchscreen runs on SYNC 4A technology for cloud-based connectivity and access to real-time traffic and weather information. The system ties in with the FordPass app to keep key driving data accessible, so range anxiety won’t play a role. Using the Ford Charge Station Pro at home, the Lightning can receive a full charge in 8 hours.

SYNC 4A provides over-the-air software updates, a feature Ford calls Power-Up. Since the F-150 Lightning operates via a complex software system, those updates are necessary to ensure future functions and capabilities benefit existing owners. Going forward, Ford intends to launch Ford Intelligent Power, a system that can augment traditional home electricity needs during peak energy hours.

The F-150 Lightning Ushers in an EV Lifestyle

EV ownership includes a few compromises and lifestyle adjustments, but most customers report a seamless transition. Why, then, is the nation slow to adopt the EV lifestyle? Old stereotypes linger, conjuring images of an underpowered, unexciting vehicle. Nothing could be further from what full-size pickup truck buyers want. After all, there aren’t too many ranchers relying on a Prius to get the job done.

Ford wants buyers to know that this all-electric F-150 Lightning isn’t anything like early EV or hybrid vehicles. Backing up this claim is the Lightning’s incredible performance and capability specifications, namely its 2,000 lb max payload and 10,000 lb max towing. It’s every bit as capable as any gas or diesel F-150, plus a little extra for good measure.

The big question is, will consumers take the leap? According to early sales figures, the answer is a resounding yes. Ford has taken over 200,000 reservations, which exceeds its current production capabilities and bodes well for the future, and by extension, Ford’s lofty electrification goals.

^[a]MSRP subject to change. Please see dealer for details.