Brace yourselves and the Ford F-150 Lightning because winter is coming. You may have heard that cold weather can reduce the amount of range that an electric vehicle provides. But how do frigid temperatures affect the Ford F-150 Lightning range? 

Does cold weather reduce the Ford F-150 Lightning’s range?

Yes, cold weather can reduce the range of the Ford F-150 Lightning. The F-150 Lightning has been tested in extreme winter conditions to prove its capabilities in inclement weather situations. It went to Alaska to tackle frigid temperatures. 

While the cold impacted the Lightning, Ford didn’t release how much range was reduced by climate conditions. However, temperatures below 40 degrees can drain electric vehicle batteries at a faster rate. 

Cold weather can reduce the range of an electric vehicle by about 20 percent when it’s unplugged. Also, the cold can drain about 25 percent of the battery while driving at 70 mph in some EV models. 

As temperatures drop, the chemical reactions in battery cells slow down. They don’t have heat-producing engines either, so extra battery power is used to heat the cabin. Plus, charging times could also be reduced. 

Some electric vehicles, like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, have heat pumps to make the interior nice and toasty while drawing less power from the batteries. The Ford F-150 Lighting doesn’t have a heat pump. It uses a resistive heated that could use more energy. 

How to maintain the F-150 Lightning’s charge in the winter 

There are a few tips for using the Ford F-150 Lighting in the winter that can reduce range anxiety by making the most of its charge. To make the most of F-150’s Lightning’s range: 

• Park your Ford F-150 Lightning indoors as often as possible to limit exposure to extreme temperatures. 
• Leave your Lightning truck plugged in to draw energy from your home to maintain its temperature without draining the batteries. 
• Use the pre-conditioning feature before long drives. 
• Use the heated steering wheel and seats for warmth instead of the climate control system. 
• Leave the F-150 Lightning’s heater off while it’s charging. 
• Clear off ice and snow before driving to reduce aerodynamic drive. 
• Control your lead foot. Drive at slower speeds when it’s cold to save energy. 

The pre-conditioning system helps get your Ford F-150 Lightning to the perfect temperature before your drive by electricity from the charger instead of the batteries. 

You can adjust your departure time and set a preferred vehicle temperature in the FordPass app. You can also use it to set charging times to ensure the most range and comfort for your drive. 

How much range does the F-150 Lightning have? 

The standard-range Ford F-150 Lightning has an EPA-estimated 230 miles of range on a single charge. Upgrading to the Ford F-150 Lightning extended-range model increases this figure to 320 miles. 

With a Level 1 charger or household outlet, it can take up to 67 hours to get a full charge. You can charge the F-150 Lightning in about 10 to 15 hours with a Level 2 charger. Also, a DC fast charge can replenish the battery from 15 to 80 percent in about 45 minutes. 

We know that the cold can impact the Ford F-150 Lightning, but Ford didn’t release the official specs. While we don’t know how much the cold drains the batteries, at least there are helpful tips for maximizing range.