Ford just announced a second electric F-150 truck, but it’s probably not for you
Just a few days after revealing its first electric truck, Ford has added a second model to its F-150 Lightning family.
Called the Lightning Pro, this truck is intended for commercial customers and is priced from $39,974 for the standard model, which has an estimated range of 230 miles. An extended-range version with a larger battery pack, higher power output, and superior towing capability has an estimated range of 300 miles and will start at $49,974.
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Both versions of Lightning Pro have two motors and all-wheel-drive. The regular model has a power output of 426 horsepower, while the extended-range version increases this to 563hp. Towing capacity is also increased with the extended-range model, from 7,700 pounds to 10,000, when both are equipped with the optional Max Trailer Tow package.
This is a smart move by Ford to target the commercial market. Until now, rival trucks like the GMC Hummer, Rivian R1T, and Tesla Cybertruck have been aimed primarily at the consumer market. Ford will no doubt expect to earn a lot of business from companies looking to electrify their commercial fleets over the coming decade, either because legislation forces them to or because they see the cost benefits of switching from gas to electricity.
On that note, Ford says the Lightning Pro could have maintenance costs that are 40 percent lower over eight years and 100,000 miles compared to its 2.7-liter EcoBoost version of the F-150 truck.
Available from spring 2022, both Lightning Pro models include an 80-amp Ford Charge Station Pro, which, when combined with the onboard dual chargers, means the battery can be filled using Level Two AC charging instead of needing a DC connection.
The truck also features a cavernous and water-resistant frunk (front trunk) with 14.1 cubic feet of storage and electrical outlets for powering tools and other devices. There is also an optional 240-volt outlet in the bed.
Although physically similar to the consumer-facing F-150 Lighting, the Pro comes with Ford's commercial telematics software. A free addition, Ford explains how the digital fleet planning tool "calculates a variety of factors including purchase and lease cost, federal and regional tax incentives, and regional fuel and energy costs."
The software is designed so that commercial fleet managers can check the location of their trucks, the charging status, and the overall health of the vehicle.
Together with its electric Transit van, Ford will introduce a string of commercial electric vehicles in the next year. We will be interested to see if other electric truck companies like Rivian, GMC, and Tesla counter Ford's move and make commercial EVs of their own.
