2023 Ford Lightning The debut of the 2023 battery-powered F-150 marks the third time Ford has applied the Lightning badge to its full-size light-duty pickup. The first two generations in the 1990s and early 2000s were developed by the former Special Vehicle Team (SVT) as performance-oriented road trucks.
The new 2023 Ford Lightning isn’t explicitly meant to be a sports truck, but thanks to its new source of propulsion, the 2023 Ford Lightning is faster than any model in F-series history.
A week before Lightning’s official launch, we were invited to Ford’s test site in Romeo, Michigan where the automaker does a lot of endurance testing of its new vehicles.
In one of the garages, we were given a relatively in-depth explanation of the design, technology, and features that will set Lightning apart from all other F-150s next year. We learned about range, charging characteristics, mega power frunk, onboard ProPower, and intelligent power backup systems.
Then we got to ride the guns with some of the engineers who have been working on this truck for the last two years to get a feel for what this truck can do.
First is the reason many customers cite for buying a pickup truck in the first place, a crane. Over the last 15 years, in particular, there has been intense competition between Ford, GM, and Ram for claiming bragging rights in towing competitions.
At one point it got so hot that there were allegations of cheating in the way the tests were run that the Society of Automotive Engineers developed standard testing procedures to ensure everyone established their claims against the same criteria.
2023 Ford Lightning Electric First Impressions
The 2023 Ford Lightning is slated to have a 10,000-pound maximum tow rating that puts it in the middle of the range for the lineup but that should suffice for most users. The F-150’s base 3.3-liter V6 starts at around 5,000-lbs for towing while some configurations with the 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 can haul up to 14,000-lbs.
With the 6,000 lb trailer hooked up, we went for a drive around the hill route on a test site that covered 25% of the time. From the passenger seat, pulling the trailer up that level looks pretty easy as you’d expect with 563-hp and 775 lb-ft of torque.
In general, towing a heavy trailer doubles your energy consumption, regardless of whether you use gasoline, diesel, or electron. That means range with a 5,000-10,000 lb trailer and an extended battery is likely no more than about 150 miles. One of the advantages of electric trucks is that they can take advantage of regenerative braking on long inclines to recharge the battery. This will help reduce the risk of the brakes overheating at this stretch.
Electrify America has begun configuring some of its newer charging stations with drive-through charging bays for vehicles that have trailers attached. Currently, about 5% of EA sites have this configuration.
Nonetheless, towing an electric truck is probably something best reserved for shorter distances or occasional use. Those who have to pull heavy loads over long distances regularly may want to stick with gas or diesel options for now.
Next, I hopped on another truck to get a feel for its off-road capabilities. The Lightning is undergoing the same endurance testing regimen as the other F-150s and that includes running through narrow roads, mud bogs, and over dirt moguls. Lightning is equipped with a full-length steel skid plate to protect the motor and battery.
The trail we rode featured several locations where the stomach dragged over the top of the mound but crossed the path without hesitation. Like the new plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler, you can open your windows and enjoy the sounds of nature in an essentially silent vehicle.
2023 Ford F150 Lightning News
All-Electric Power for Wow, More Connected Technology, Higher Driving Experience, and Powerful Ford Capabilities
Super Powers Only Electric Can Deliver
The F-Series, America’s best-selling truck for 44 years 1, charges into the future with the 2023 Ford Lightning, enhanced with all the benefits of electrification and packed with connected technology.
The Ford Lightning 2023 is a powerful 563 horsepower, 775 pound-feet engine. Torque-F150 Ultimate driving torque that’s always exciting, high-tech looks, and the ability to power your home when you need it most.
Advanced Technology Now – to Guide You Towards the Future
2023 Ford Lightning provides a suite of interconnected smart features that will be improved over time through wireless software updates; The FordPass app provides seamless access to vehicle charging stations and remote controls, and the affordable BlueCruise provides true freeway Easy to drive, and enhanced Pro Power Onboard perfect for work or camping.
Built Tough Ford Comes Standard
The Ford Lightning 2023 is powered by standard 4×4 all-wheel drive and two built-in engines, which can handle rough terrain with the power and capabilities of the built-in Ford Tough. Combined with a military-grade solid aluminum alloy body, the new independent rear suspension provides increased ride comfort. The new frame uses the toughest steel ever mounted on an F150 frame, with a maximum payload of 2,000 pounds.
And up to 10,000 pounds of towing capacity. The truck of the future is here. The Ford Lightning 2023 is the smartest and most innovative truck Ford has ever built.
From near-instant torque to intelligent traction, seamless connection to software updates, delivering more power to your home, control panel, and digital display, beyond the functionality provided by today’s full-size trucks, the Ford Lightning 2023 is an Experience and a driving experience.
The Ford Lightning 2023 will launch next year at a new high-tech sustainable manufacturing plant in the multi-story Ford Rouge complex in Dearborn near Detroit.
2023 Ford Lightning is the backbone of the company’s $22 billion global electrification plan. Ford launched zero versions of its most popular and most popular franchises: Mustang, Transit, and F150.
There will be more in the next few years of SUV, quiet and smooth running, the 2023 Ford Lightning offers truck owners a new experience at an initial price similar to the current F150 truck configuration. The electric platform also opens up new possibilities, such as enough electricity to power an entire home and large lockable units with excess electricity and charging capabilities.
Ford will use a standard wireless software update called Ford PowerUp to improve technical capabilities, add new features, and fix bugs without going through the dealership.
All of this and more is backed by the proven reliability and performance of the Built Ford Tough FS series and North America’s largest public charging network. The two entry-level business models start at $39,974 before federal or state taxes RR 3, while the mid-range XLT model starts at $52,974 at the suggested retail price, and offers more convenience and technology.
2023 The target for the Ford Lightning is 563 horsepower and 775 pound-feet. 4 Almost instantaneous torque, which is higher than any F150 and a moderate speed of 060 mph 4 seconds when equipped with a remote battery, based on general industry practice.
The Ford Lightning 2023 aims to have a maximum payload of 2,000 pounds for the standard model with 18-inch wheels, and a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds for XLT and Lariat trucks equipped with long-range batteries and a Max trailer kit. The low center of gravity ensures safer handling, whether you’re driving on wet and slippery roads in rain or sand.
Smart, Connected – And Better Over Time
Smart, 2023 Ford Lightning embodies how Ford combines cutting-edge digital technology with proven engineering to create even more intelligent and efficient trucks.
As part of available Ford Co-Pilot360™ technology, the BlueCruise enables true hands-free driving on over 100,000 miles of eligible divided highways in the US and Canada – with more Hands-Free Blue Zones to come in the future. 5.
Another example is the available Onboard Scales, which use truck sensors to estimate payloads and tell customers how much they are carrying. And because the load can affect range, the Onboard Scale is integrated with Intelligent Range to help ensure the 2023 Ford Lightning provides an accurate estimate of how far you can go.
The 2023 Ford Lightning debuts with the Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, which automatically controls steering, throttle, and brake inputs to make trailer hitching easier.
Also making its F-Series debut on select vehicles available Phone As A Key. When activated, it allows customers to lock, unlock and start their trucks without taking their phones out of their pockets or using a key fob.
All of these features and more can be improved over time with updates to the Ford Power-Up software. This can help improve the performance of the 2023 Ford Lightning, provide quality improvements, update existing features, and add all new functions and capabilities.
Most updates will be completed in less than two minutes and whenever the customer chooses 6 .
Read next: All-New 2023 Ford Expedition SUV Specs, Price and Review
Advanced Digital Experience
The Ford Lightning Lariat and Platinum 2023 models are equipped with the SYNC® 4A truck for the first time. It is a stylish and modern 15.5-inch touchscreen interface designed with driver behavior in mind.
SYNC 4A provides natural voice control, cloud-connected navigation, and wireless access to your favorite services: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and integrated SYNC AppLink. Dashboard
12 inches with a customizable user interface builds confidence by presenting important information in a natural way, which further expands the digital experience.
Animated graphics smoothly convey how the vehicle performs in hands-free driving mode on the highway or how well you restore power to your vehicle through regenerative braking, seamlessly providing relevant information as needed.
Revolutionary Power At Home
Ford Lightning will be available in 2023 and can be used for Ford’s smart backup power supply, making your truck the best power supply for your home.
9.6-kilowatt output Ford’s intelligent backup power supply stays on when the power is off and protects you by supplying power to equipment, security systems, etc. Ford Charging Station Pro and Ford Home Control System, Ford Lightning 2023 automatically turns on and supplies electricity to your home. When power is restored, the truck will automatically charge the battery.
The average usage is 30 kWh/day. The Ford Lightning 2023 equipped with a separate battery can provide all household electricity for up to three days or 10 days using a dedicated power source. Results vary depending on power consumption.
In the future, Ford will introduce Ford Intelligent Power, which can use trucks to power homes during high-cost and peak energy hours while taking advantage of low-cost overnight rates to charge the vehicle in time for your morning commute.
This can help save money on the electricity that powers your vehicle and home while also taking the stress out of the grid at peak usage times.
Ford is also working with the country’s leading solar power company, Sunrun, to facilitate easy installation of the 80-amp Ford Charge Station Pro and home integration system.
Through this collaboration, customers will also have the opportunity to install solar energy in their homes, enabling them to power their households with clean and affordable energy and charge their 2023 Ford Lightning with solar power.
Stay Connected On The Road
Power capabilities are also not limited to homes. With the upgraded Pro Power Onboard, customers can take advantage of the built-in electrical outlet to power a wide range of appliances, electronics, and appliances away from home.
Standard on the base trim is 2.4 kilowatts of power with more options, while the Lariat and Platinum series come standard with 9.6 kilowatts of power – a combination of up to 2.4 kilowatts available via the frunk and up to 7.2 kilowatts via in-cab and cabin outlets. sleep.
Smart features make power management easier than ever. When the truck’s battery charge is less than one-third full scale, the customer will receive a FordPass notification. As battery power approaches the nearest charging station, they can even set the truck to stop using Onboard Pro Power.
The powerful lithium-ion battery of the new generation of trucks makes all these possibilities possible. The 2023 Ford Lightning offers two options: a standard battery with an EPA-rated range of 230 miles and a long battery with an EPA-rated range of 300 miles7.
Load Front
Beneath the hood is a versatile, high-tech mega power frunk that offers a dedicated, secure, lockable storage compartment that is easily accessible by a powered open and close system.
This large area targets a volume of 400 liters and a payload of 400 pounds – enough to store two carry-on bags and one check-in bag, or two sets of golf clubs.
Smartly designed with bumper clearance, this watertight enclosure features four power outlets, two USB chargers, and a drainable floor that can double as a food and drink container. It can easily power an epic mobile job site or tailgate. The output power is 2.4 kilowatts, which is enough to connect household appliances, TVs, laptops, speakers, pots, etc.
Built Tough Ford Comes Standard
The Ford Lightning 2023 has passed the rigorous Ford Tough test like all FS trucks. The military-grade aluminum-alloy body and redesigned frame support an advanced battery, while the F series’ first independent suspension and low center of gravity help improve road insulation, resulting in a more stable ride and less caster while maintaining the F. 150.
The 2023 Ford Lightning is equipped with a 4×4 system and has four optional driving modes: normal, sport, off-road, and trailer/transport, which can provide excellent off-road performance.
A robust underbody guard protects the battery, while a metal underbody guard protects the battery and internal engine from off-road use. The battery itself is surrounded by a waterproof case, the case is protected against impact, and has been tested in extreme temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius to keep Lightning on when needed. Truck
passed rigorous endurance tests in the mountains of Iowa, California, where the truck pulled a large trailer down steep slopes for extended periods of time.
Therefore, the Ford Lightning 2023 adopts an advanced liquid cooling system and power system design, which cleverly controls the heat distribution throughout the vehicle. State-of-the-art cooling systems and components ensure that the truck can handle even the toughest test drives.
2023 Ford Lightning Be Electric, Be Easy
When it comes to charging, Ford is always at your service. Ford is the only automaker to offer a standard 80 amp charging station that customers can use to charge remote trucks conveniently at home.
The system uses the industry’s only two-car charging system for electric trucks, enabling faster in-home charging. In other words, by 2023, the Ford Lightning will increase its average charging range by 30 mph and will charge long-haul trucks from 15% to 100% in about 8 hours.
During the trip, customers can seamlessly access North America’s largest public charging network through FordPass, which has more than 63,000 charging stations and is growing in the United States.
In a 150 kilowatt DC fast charger, the Ford Lightning 2023 remote control is designed to cover 84 miles in 10 minutes and charge from 15% to 80% in about 41 minutes 8.
2023 Ford Lightning no need to guess when and where to charge your FordPass Power My Trip, it will walk you through the charging route before you start your journey. weight and so on. Cloud navigation in SYNC 4 also recognizes public charging points and invites car owners to charge at the appropriate point each time they drive.
2023 Ford Lightning Distinctive, High-Tech Design
The 2023 Ford Lightning is undeniably the F-Series truck. Building on the strength of the existing F-150 design DNA, Ford created a truck that epitomizes the toughness people love while adding modern high-tech flair.
Key elements include an affordable exclusive LED strip that extends front and rear and three new grille designs that refresh familiar faces while maintaining the authenticity of the Ford Tough.
The 2023 Ford Lightning is the most aerodynamic F150 ever. Improvements include a reshaped step, a hood that reduces drag, and a smoother, more textured finish that replaces the air inlet grille.
An even more functional design features enhanced 360-degree Zone Lighting, which can illuminate specific zones or the entire area around the vehicle.
And the 2023 Ford Lightning doesn’t compromise on space, maintaining the same cabin and bed dimensions as its gas counterpart, while still being able to accommodate the thousands of accessories already available.
The foldable Interior Work Surface makes in-vehicle work easier and more productive, while the available Max Recline Seats offer nearly 180 degrees of tilt to help customers recharge as needed.
Proudly assembled in America, the 2023 Ford Lightning will feature the new and state-of-the-art Rouge Electric Vehicle Center – which will also be a zero-waste landfill.
Ford invested $700 million in the historic Rouge complex, created 500 new jobs, and used state-of-the-art green manufacturing technology to manufacture trucks as part of its commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 2050.
The 2023 Ford Lightning will be available in the spring of 2022. Four series and two battery options are available at more than 2,300 Ford dealerships across the country that have earned EV certification, and fleet customers can access Ford’s entire interconnected ecosystem of data and telematics. Provide services through Ford Business Solutions.
2023 Ford Lightning Preview
It’s been a while since the FoMoCo wagon started public relations, which makes the all-electric Ford F150 even more amazing.
Since Ford has been hiding something about electric pickups recently, we thought it’s worth a look at what we know so far and what we can expect from the electric F150. This is all we can say now.
The Ford F150 all-electric pickup truck is no longer a secret after Ford hit the trailer in 2019.
But keep in mind that the electric F150 won’t be available until 2022, which is debatable as Covid has a way (and track record) of thwarting the plans of automakers including Ford. The electric F150 is expected to launch in 2022 as a 2023 model if all goes according to plan.
2023 Ford Lightning Specs
Finally, we unleash Lightning on a high-speed spin. The last 2023 Ford Lightning made from 1999 to 2004 was a regular cabin, short-bed model with a supercharged 5.4-liter V8. It produces just 380-hp and 450 lb-ft of torque.
While modest on standard 2021 output, the 4,700 lb truck could hit 60 mph in about 5.2 seconds according to Car and Driver at the time. Currently, the Ram 1500 TRX in a high-riding off-road configuration has 702-hp and sprints to 60 mph on bumpy dirt roads in 3.7 seconds.
The new Lightning doesn’t exactly slim down near an empty 6,500-lbs, but it puts the electric motor’s instant torque well. According to Ford, it will make for a 0-60 sprint in the low to the mid-4-second range which certainly looks believable from the passenger seat.
That puts it on par with what Tesla claims for the Cybertruck’s mid-range dual-motor which is claimed to have 690-hp and 824 lb-ft of torque. The three-motor Plaid version is claimed to get under 3 seconds.
Lightning also has instant response when joining from an on-ramp to a highway or turning left for a two-lane road. Until we see what Ford has in mind for the upcoming Raptor R, it’s the fastest F-150 ever built.
While others including the Hummer EV and the Plaid Cybertruck claim more in their most aggressive variants, the Lightning will probably provide all the performance most buyers need and then some.
The only spec where Lightning might be at a disadvantage is maximum range. At 300 miles, that’s a far cry from what GMC, Chevrolet, Rivian, and Tesla claim for their long-range variants, but again, it’s sufficient for most use cases.
With several electric pickups arriving in the next 18 months, there will be options for many different use cases and we can’t wait to ride them all.
Read next: 2023 Ford Focus: Next-Gen Ford Focus Preview, Specs, Price and Release Date
2023 Ford Lightning Design
There’s no reason why Ford wouldn’t and shouldn’t be developing an electric F-150 on the foundation of the new F-150.
Regardless of the path taken, Blue Oval is adamant that the electric pickup will be very similar to the ICE-powered F-150 truck, both inside and out. Oh, and that would have a huge advantage, or at least that’s what FoMoCo claims too.
Whether the F-150 EV will debut itself, a trim under a different name, or will it retain the combustion-engined truck trim set, well, that too has to be decided and announced.
Also on the design front, expect a fair share of tweaks that carry over to the truck kiss, where Ford will most likely add a closed grille as no engine has to be cooled anymore along with other aero-bosting bits and bobs like redesigned fenders, lower side skirts, and even a new design for the wheels.
2023 Ford Lightning Engine
According to InsideEVs citing Ford, the new electric Ford F150 will be the most powerful F150 ever. It’s powered by two electric motors (one for each axle, presumably for all-wheel drive purposes), but finishes off with a familiar detail on the front of the gearbox. Of course, there will be a battery that puts electrons in this motor, but the automaker isn’t discussing issues like capacity and charging time either.
For the sake of simplicity, the first electric car Ford Mustang MachE can continue to run on a 68 kWh battery. Configurations (standard range) or 88 kWh (extended range) are equipped with 288 or 376 lithium batteries.
The Selsel is manufactured by LG Chem, which manufactures it at a European factory in Poland. LG Chem is also the supplier of the new Ford E Transit 2022 electric truck.
It’s hard to say what kind of battery will be in the F-150 EV. Since Ford claims that it will be the most powerful F-150 ever built and have the ability to pull millions of pounds that haven’t been tried and tested, the battery should be on the strong side, perhaps hitting or even surpassing the 100-kWh ceiling.
It exists today, with the likes of Lucid, Rimac, and NIO already using those batteries; The Rimac C_Two has a 120-kWh battery pack, the NIO car can be equipped with a 100-kWh unit, and the Lucid debuted with the 113-kWh package in the Air sedan.
Not to mention Rivian, which plans to pair the BEV R1T with three battery options: 105, 135, and 180 kWh.
Why aim big with battery size and capacity? Well, F-150 customers bought the truck and put it to work.
There’s no point in getting an F-150 other than hauling or towing cargo, so to offer decent range under load, Ford just needs to double the battery for its electric pickup truck.
2023 Ford Lightning Will Have The Most Powerful Li-Ion Cell Available
SK Innovation managed to get rid of the US ban in an extraordinary way. One of the cars he plans, the 2023 Ford Lightning, will be equipped with the most powerful lithium-ion battery to date.
It is called NCM9 and contains about 90% nickel, making it the highest energy density battery available today.
The Korean company demonstrated it at InterBattery 202, the country’s largest battery industry exhibition. Unfortunately, SK Innovation did not reveal how high the energy density of the nickel-rich element is. Let’s try to learn from the company itself.
Regardless of how much it costs, it keeps Ford ahead of Tesla when it comes to battery technology. Tesla says its 4680 cells will also be nickel-rich. Elon Musk even asked mining companies to increase nickel production because his company needed a lot of metal for its new batteries.
The irony is that the company seems closer to delivering this supercell than anyone else on the market after Tesla Battery Day.
On a Q1 2021 earnings call on April 26, 2021, Musk said that he thinks the 4680 is “not yet at the point where we think the cell is reliable enough to ship in a car.”
He predicts it will be “12 – probably not more than 18 months away” from that point, implying that they will only be available in May 2022 in the best-case scenario.
The 2023 Ford Lightning has been promised for the spring of 2022, meaning Ford could start selling its electric pickup truck earlier than Tesla would sell the Cybertruck. SK Innovation will manufacture NCM9 cells at its battery plant in Georgia, USA
In addition to the NCM9, SK Innovation also presents the NCM8, the mobile phone used by the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. The company also says it is working to create batteries that are safer, faster to charge, and last longer than those currently available.
To speed up charging speeds, SK Innovation is doubling the number of cathodes and anodes in each battery, forcing electrons to travel shorter distances and having stronger electrodes to extend their lifespan.
Finally, SK Innovation announced that after shipping more than 270 million to date, its batteries have never caught fire.
It’s a subtle and polite way to work on LG’s energy solutions. There are two main comments: the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Chevrolet Bolt EV.
According to SK Innovation, the separator is of very high quality, which prevents a short circuit. They also prevent heat from spreading, which saves nearby cells if one of them has a problem.
Finally, SK Innovation has a “Z folding” strategy, which wraps the anode and cathode in a zigzag fashion. It reduces the risk of contact between them, leading to short circuits and fire.
2023 Ford Lightning Assembly
Ford will assemble the electric F-150 pickup at its Rouge complex in Dearborn, Michigan, in a new facility that has received a $700 million investment. CNN reports that this is also where Blue Oval will assemble its electric batteries, with work slated to begin in mid-2022.
As noted above, the electric Ford F-150 won’t hit the market earlier than the summer of 2022, and that is if everything goes to plan logistically. With the covid situation not improving next year, delays may still occur.
Regardless, timing is critical for Ford and its F-150 EV as many players come to market at the same time (or even earlier).
On the one hand, you have the Rivian and its R1T or GMC and the new Hummer EV, and on the other hand, there’s also the Tesla Cybertruck to be taken seriously.
Granted, Ford’s biggest advantage is the weight of the F-150’s name and popularity, however, the EV market is new territory for Ford and its loyal truck buyers, so relying solely on the F-150 moniker’s sobriety may not be enough in the long run.
Price-wise, you guessed it, we can’t tell you anything at this point as there isn’t enough information and we’d rather not play the speculative game.
What Type of Battery Does the Electric Ford F-150 Have?
Expect a lithium-ion battery, but the source is unknown. Ford could continue to work closely with LG Chem, which currently provides mobile phone suppliers for the Mustang MachE and E Tubo.
When Will Ford Introduce the Electric F-150?
The F150 won’t arrive until summer 2022, but even that date is unknown as Ford may face logistical delays.
WILL THE ELECTRIC F-150 BE BETTER THAN THE TESLA CYBERTRUCK?
Ford has been pretty secretive about the F-150’s powertrain, meaning details like power, torque, range, and towing capacity are virtually unknown. Therefore, we have to wait for the official specifications to give a verdict.
HOW MUCH WILL THE ELECTRIC FORD F-150 DRAW?
While Ford’s buggy tug suggests the F-150 could tow a million pounds, that wouldn’t be an official rating. Expect something on a more down-to-earth level, but given the instantaneous torque the e-motor delivers, it should still be an impressive number, hopefully.
2023 Ford Lightning Release Date
Production Ford 2023 Ford Lightning won’t fully accelerate until 2023 Ford CEO Jim Farley told reporters that the automaker was “making calls” on volume, but did not provide specifics.
Ford won’t start building as many electric pickups as possible next year’s 2023 Ford Lightning. We won’t actually see production take off until 2023, according to Automotive News comments reported from CEO Jim Farley last Thursday.
He confirmed Ford would limit production of the pickup during its first year of sales, but did not provide specific figures for the automaker to target. Instead, he noted Ford “made the call” on production volumes for the first year.
Ford declined to comment further on production limits, but this isn’t the first time the automaker has decided to take this route. Production of the Mustang Mach-E remained limited during its first year of sale as well.
The company only plans to make 50,000 electric SUVs in its first year of sales. It’s easy to imagine the production volume of the 2023 Ford Lightning being slightly higher, considering that the standard F-150 is America’s best-selling vehicle.
2023 Ford Lightning Price
How much does a ford lightning cost, Production of electric trucks is slated to begin next spring, but before that, Ford will convert orders to actual orders in the fall? A basic commercial truck starts at $40,000, and a fully loaded limited-edition starts at around $90,000.
