Electric cars, once rarities or high-end luxuries, have become more common in recent years. EV pickups, however, are just starting to hit the market. Rivian, a new company, has the R1T, which is aimed at weekend adventurers. For years, Elon Musk has been promising a Tesla Cybertruck, with an angular aluminum “exoskeleton.” Both GMC and Dodge plan to release EV versions of their popular trucks later this year.
The pick-up truck that has gotten the most attention is the Ford F-150 Lightning, which hit the market in June. The gas-powered F-150 has been America’s best-selling vehicle for more than four decades.
Want an F-150 Lightning? Here’s what you need to know about the EV truck.
Does the Lightning cost more than a regular F-150?
The cheapest F-150 Lightning, the Pro, has a suggested retail price of $55,974, while a regular F-150 can be had for $33,695. Of course, more expensive models and options, both practical and luxury items, can easily increase the price of any version by tens of thousands. The cheapest Lightning with an extended-range battery, which allows the truck to drive 300 to 320 miles on a full charge instead of 240 miles, costs $80,974. The federal government offers a $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicle purchases for people who qualify.
Is a Lightning like a regular F-150 truck?
Obviously, the Lightning uses electricity instead of gas, but while it looks like a regular F-150 it has some key differences. With the big combustion engine removed, the front of the truck is a locking “frunk” or front trunk. The Lightning also has electrical outlets, so power tools and other devices can drain the truck’s battery. In an emergency, the Lightning could even power a house for days.
Does the Lightning drive like a truck?
Rich DeFrancisco, a car enthusiast in Knoxville, said his F-150 Lightning handles like a luxury sports car. The electric motors have full power from the moment they start rolling, so the truck “takes off like a rocket,” DeFrancisco said. With the heavy combustion engine removed and the weight shifted to the center of the vehicle, the EV truck also handles better.
How can you buy an F-150 Lightning?
If you want an F-150 Lightning, patience may be more important than money. Since the Lightning hit the market last year, Ford has sold nearly 22,000 trucks. The Lightning’s reserve list, however, has nearly 200,000 names. Initially, Ford was supposed to build 30,000 trucks each year, but they are ramping up and plan to make 150,000 a year. A wider range of EV trucks from other manufacturers could ease this pent-up demand. Ford will also introduce another yet-to-be-disclosed electric truck in 2025, which will be built at the new BlueOval City factory near Memphis.
Month:How will the arrival of BlueOval City affect the job market in West Tennessee?
Todd A. Price writes about the South for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at taprice@gannett.com.
