Few vehicles are more than popular than the Ford F-150, which is why the recent introduction of the all-electric F-150 Lightning is such a big deal. Over 800,000 F-150 pickups were sold in 2022, and that represented a 'down' year. If fifty-fifty a small fraction of those yearly sales are all-electric, information technology would be a big deal for the automaker and North American regulations seeking to reduce greenhouse gases and carbon footprints.

We had a closer wait at the new Lightning EV and learned equally much as we could virtually the electric truck without driving it. Unfortunately, this model was just a prototype (apparently, just one of two), so Ford wasn't risking information technology on the open road, and then we had to be content with poking, prodding, and crawling all over the truck. We came away thinking that it may be the almost high-tech truck and then far, only others are popping up on the horizon to merits that title for themselves.

The Truck Stuff

First off, at that place are two bombardment options. The standard range model arrives with 426 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque and is rated past the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to travel 230 miles on a unmarried charge. The extended range model includes a more powerful powertrain, with an output of 563 horsepower and 775 lb-ft torque, and a range of 300 miles. Information technology'due south worth pointing out that this range was calculated with a i,000 lb payload, so the everyday driving distance of the truck may exceed those expectations.

The F-150's transition to electron-powered rather than combustion doesn't significantly touch its capabilities, as it can haul up to 2,000 lbs of payload and tow between 5,000 and 10,000 lbs when properly equipped.

The bed even has a built-in calibration to weigh your load, and the vehicle considers that weight when calculating its remaining range.

When not hauling anything, the F-150 is expected to be quick thanks to that loftier output powertrain. It can hit highway speeds from a standstill in only nearly 4 seconds!

High Tech Free energy

While that sounds like the truck will satiate EV-interested truck buyers, it'southward worth pointing out that there'southward quite a scrap to entreatment to tech enthusiasts as well.

For starters, it'southward loaded with power ports and outlets. In that location are eleven outlets establish throughout the vehicle, letting users charge their diverse devices, or even power tools while on a worksite or appliances at a campsite. Like the gas-powered and hybrid versions of the F-150, the lightning too offers Ford'south ProPower Onboard feature, which is basically a generator.

Like other pure EVs with this much range, recharging the F-150 Lightning volition take some time: The standard range battery volition have 44 minutes to charge between xv-80 pct using a 150 kW Level 3 charger, while a 50 kW charger will take 91 minutes. A Level two charger volition charge the standard range battery in x hours. The extended range battery recharges in 41 minutes using a 150 kW Level 3 Charger, 122 minutes using the 50 kW charger. A Level 2 Charger recharges an extended battery-equipped truck in 13 hours.

Ane cool play a trick on with the truck is that, when properly equipped, information technology tin can return ability to the grid, or charge your house in an emergency. Depending on the energy requirements of the household, Ford suggests it can power a habitation for three to 10 days.

Before yous even arrive the vehicle and check out the tech it has on tap, Ford is boasting a phone-as-a-key feature, allowing owners to lock, unlock, and get-go their truck without taking their phone out of their pocket or using a key pull a fast one on.

Other automakers using Apple's Digital Key platform like BMW, still crave you to take the phone out of your pocket or to use a smartwatch to operate, so this is an interesting next step for the applied science.

Inside the cabin, at that place are a few new tech tricks, but most notably it features a giant fifteen-inch touch-screen infotainment system. This uses the Sync 4A interface, like to the Mustang Mach-E and non the upcoming Android Automotive Bone. It has goofy apps similar a sketchpad, which may be useful when you're sitting around waiting for a charge to complete. Information technology's too clever. For example, using the arrangement to map a route, Sync 4A will consider the path's topography to offer the well-nigh range-friendly navigation.

The F-150 Lightning will as well offer the Blue Prowl hands-complimentary driving organization, in add-on to the suite of safety and driver aids ordinarily found on new vehicles, including pedestrian detection, forward standoff alarm, bullheaded-spot monitoring, lane-keeping, automatic high beam headlamps, adaptive prowl command with cease-and-go, traffic sign recognition, and parking assist.

Models with tow packages even have a tow assist feature, to brand maneuvering with a trailer easier. The automaker is suggesting that the truck tin get upgrades to its technology through over-the-air updates called Power-Ups.

More than Tech Trucks to Come?

What helps build more apprehension for the new Lightning EV is pricing.

The base of operations trim model is known every bit the Pro, and costs $39,974 in the United states of america, while the XLT model will commencement at $52,974. The Lariat model has an request price of $67,474, while the top-of-the-line Platinum model volition set customers back $89,874. While the lower-trim models seem approachable, the fancier trucks seem a bit expensive.

But fortunately for tech-truck enthusiasts, at that place are more electric and innovative pickup trucks on the fashion. Cross-town rivals General Motors are making a truck-similar variant of its Hummer EV, though that volition really merely appeal to those with deep pockets, with an request cost that exceeds $110,000 in the US.

The Hummer EV is also a tech powerhouse, with enough batteries to provide 350 miles of range, and electric motors with i,000 horsepower. While the truck can rocket to 60 MPH in merely 3 seconds, it's besides packed with features like an Unreal Engine-powered infotainment organization, and Crab Walk, which will allow all four tires to betoken in the same management for greater maneuverability.

Newcomers with Feel

Simply newcomers to the industry are also vying for attention in the same segment. Many are expecting Tesla's wild-looking Cybertruck to begin production in 2022, though the automaker does take an consequence with meeting its promises. Regardless, whenever it does arrive, the Cybertruck will bring a whole new aura to the pickup truck marketplace.

It also has the pretty robust Tesla Supercharger network to help it navigate long naught-emission road trips. Like the Ford F-150 Lightning EV, the Cybertruck volition be bachelor in several dissimilar trim levels and configurations, with the most affordable models expected to start at $39,900. There are also models with more than power, capability, and functioning sure to come up. Await models to get in with anywhere between 250 to 500 miles of range.

In addition to the Cybertruck, a new all-electrical automaker known every bit Rivian is set to deliver its R1T pickup truck very soon, anywhere between this summer and early 2022. This sleek pickup will feature a higher price tag of $67,500 and feature at to the lowest degree 300 miles of range. It tin even perform a sleek 'tank plough' past spinning wheels in contrary directions. Information technology's the multifariousness of accessories and options that caught our attention with the R1T, including a rechargeable flashlight, a Bluetooth speaker, and a xxx-slice kitchen gear up, with a coffee pot, a coffee grinder, titanium serving plates. It even throws in a kitchen sink and a 4-gallon h2o tank.

While the F-150 Lightning looks to entreatment to truck buyers primarily, its advanced powertrain and high-tech features could see it gaining a few new fans. And if that doesn't fit the bill for tech enthusiasts, the variety of other EV pickup trucks just might.