Is the Ford F-150 Lightning the Key to the Electric Future?
The Ford F-150 Lightning is the Blue Oval’s first electric pickup truck. The electric pickup truck may be more important than consumers realize. Can the F-150 Lightning make a huge impact in the fight against climate change?
Electric pickup trucks play an important role in the electric future
Motor1 claims that electric pickup trucks have an important role to play in the reduction of carbon emissions. Since pickup trucks have poorer gas mileage than most cars and SUVs, truck owners switching to electric vehicles makes a greater impact than car or SUV drivers making the switch.
If a large number of truck drivers switch from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles, they can significantly decrease the amount of greenhouse gases produced by automobiles. Luckily for the environment, several large automakers are rolling out electric pickup trucks in the next few years. Automakers like Ford and Stellantis are releasing electric trucks to appeal to the modern pickup truck driver.
These electric trucks have all the capability of internal combustion engine trucks, and in some cases, even more power. Electric pickup trucks play an important role in our struggle to deal with the climate crisis because the pickup truck segment is one of the most popular vehicle segments in America. If automakers are able to create popular electric truck models, the world can see a drastic decline in carbon emissions over time.
To successfully reduce carbon emissions, an automaker would need to produce an electric pickup truck that American truck lovers can easily get behind. Enter the Ford F-150 Lightning.
How many F-150 Lightning reservations are there?
Electrek claimed that there were over 200,000 F-150 Lightning reservations back in December 2021. Clearly, there’s an interest in the Blue Oval’s first electric pickup truck. Ford is achieving great success in electric vehicle sales by electrifying two of its signature nameplates: the Mustang and the F-150.
Some consumers were skeptical about how those two legendary nameplates would perform as EVs, but sales show that some consumers are willing to give electric Ford vehicles a try. The Ford F-150 Lightning hasn’t even arrived at dealerships yet and it is already wildly popular.
Ford’s electric pickup truck is here to stay. The Blue Oval is already set to begin production on a second-generation F-150 Lightning in 2025.
Is the Ford F-150 Lightning a good pickup truck?
The Ford F-150 Lightning starts at $39,974. After electric vehicle tax incentives, its price could be closer to $32,474. The electric pickup’s standard range battery will be able to power the vehicle for 230 miles. The long-range battery is capable of powering the EV for 300 miles.
The base model can produce a whopping 426 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque. The F-150 Lightning has yet to release but appears to be both practical and affordable. The Blue Oval has done it again and created a truck that could become an American staple over time like the F-150.