The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is a full-size all-electric pickup truck that is making waves in the automotive world. Having been the nation’s best-selling truck for 44 years, the fact that the iconic F-150 will offer a fully electric version may indicate a “seismic shift” for the industry’s adoption of EVs, according to MotorTrend. Notably, however, this is actually not the first F-150 Lightning in existence. Here’s the history of this game-changing vehicle.

The original Ford F-150 Lightning

The Ford F-150 Lightning first appeared in 1992 and was named for the fact that it was the world’s fastest production truck. It featured a 5.8-liter V8 that made 240 hp, states MotorTrend. In later years, the original F-150 Lightning adopted a supercharged V8 that could deliver up to 380 hp.

This vehicle was also able to reach 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, a highly impressive number at the time. To live up to this legacy, the new F-150 Lightning needed to be able to beat this number, and it has: Ford estimates that it can reach 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.

According to MotorTrend, this means that the F-150 Lightning is once again the fastest F-150 available, truly living up to the Lightning name.

Of course, the 2022 F-150 Lightning is a complete revamp of the original. It has fully made the shift to electric power and features a frunk where the engine used to be. While MotorTrend describes the original F-150 Lightning as having a “pavement pulverizing nature,” the new version has become the first F-150 ever to get an independent rear suspension, creating a smoother and more responsive ride experience.

How are people responding to the 2022 F-150 Lightning?

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is receiving praise from reviewers, fans of the original F-150 Lightning, and even younger drivers who don’t remember the original. MotorTrend notes that the demographic for this all-electric truck is slightly different from what we would normally expect.

Buyers are likely to be slightly younger with higher incomes and may be more localized around urban centers. Even these younger buyers, however, find the name “Lightning” appropriate for an EV.

MotorTrend praises the fact that this vehicle is not designed to be a replacement for the regular F-150, but rather “a smoother, more aerodynamic electric version with cool lighting and wheels.”

The 2022 F-150 Lightning does indeed have a distinctive look. There are light bars stretching across the front and back of the vehicle, as well as exterior zone lighting along the sides, resulting in a look reviewers describe as “futuristic.”

What to expect from this electric truck

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning has an impressively low starting price of approximately $39,974. With its standard battery, it makes 426 hp and has a range of 230 miles. With its optional extended battery, it makes 563 hp and can travel approximately 300 miles on one charge.

In terms of design, Ford stuck with its most popular SuperCrew cab for the F-150 Lightning. This truck has a maximum payload of 2,000 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds.

MotorTrend also calls the F-150 Lightning “the smartest and most connected truck in Ford’s lineup” thanks to its 15.5-inch touchscreen and the ease with which it can receive over-the-air updates.

Overall, the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is an exciting update of the nation’s most beloved pickup truck. Its affordable MSRP, unique design, and impressive tech all serve to make this an EV that stands out from the competition. And with its lightning-fast speeds, it certainly lives up to the reputation of its predecessor.