New Ford F-150 Lightning revealed: Electric pick-up due in 2022

The Blue Oval has just taken the covers off its new big ute and the tough truck has massive implications for the brand’s future.

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning.

Ford has taken the covers of its new electric ute.

The American brand has revealed the new F-150 Lightning, a fully-electric pick-up truck.

Ford’s move to electrify the F-150 is significant as the F-Series is the Blue Oval’s best selling model and one of the biggest selling vehicles globally.

If it is a success the technology could find its way into the smaller Ford Ranger ute, which has been the second best selling vehicle in Australia for the past five years.

Ford is electrifying its most popular vehicle, the F-150.

The electric F-150 forms the core of the brand’s more than $28b global investment in electric cars, which also includes the new Mustang Mach-E SUV that has launched overseas.

Bill Ford, the head of Ford, says: “For both Ford and the American auto industry, F-150 Lightning represents a defining moment as we progress toward a zero-emissions, digitally connected future.”

“F-Series is America’s best-selling truck for 44 years, the backbone of work across the country, and a trusted icon for generations of customers. Now we are revolutionising it for a new generation,” says Mr Ford.

The F-150 Lightning can drive up to 480km on a charge.

The F-150 Lightning isn’t just about zero-emissions it also has some very impressive performance.

A combination of two electric motors – one on each axle for all-wheel drive ability – and an extended range battery delivers a supercar beating 420kW and 1050Nm. The standard range battery makes 318kW/1050Nm.

It has a driving range of 370km when equipped with the standard battery and more than 480km when fitted with the extended range battery.

The big boy ute can be used to power electric tools on worksites and even your house.

Under the bonnet is 400L of storage space – about the same as a compact SUV. This is made possible because electric cars require less mechanical parts and the motors and batteries are underneath the vehicle.

The F-150 Lightning can act as a mobile generator and can power electrical tools.

Payload in the rear tray is 900kg, which is smaller than the one tonne utes popular in Australia, but the Lightning can tow a mammoth 4500kg.

The Lightning can charge from 15 to 80 per cent or about 41 minutes or add about 87km in 10 minutes when connected to a 150kW fast charger.

The revolutionary ute will go on sale in the US in the second quarter of next year.

Originally published as New Ford F-150 Lightning revealed: Electric pick-up due in 2022