Ford recently unveiled the all-electric 2022 F-150 Lightning, and Blue Oval has pulled out all the stops. Not only does the Lightning come with a host of features, but it also looks good next to its competitors. Here’s a look at how Ford is making sure the F-150 Lightning won’t fail.

The Ford F-150 Lightning’s full-blown ad campaign

Off the bat, when Ford announced the F-150 Lightning, it made sure everyone heard about it. Not only did the traditional automotive publications talk about the Lightning, but so did comedians. In fact, Ford bought a spot on The Tonight Show, and host Jimmy Fallon riffed about the new electric pickup truck. 

Fallon also mentioned some of the cool things the F-150 Lightning can do, such as its speed and fast-draining frunk. Speaking of which, the frunk can also act as a cooler or, as the host quipped, a hot tub. 

The Tonight Show wasn’t the only ones making jokes, though. According to MotorTrend, even Ford took the opportunity to fire some not-so-subtle shots at Tesla. For example, Ford said it designed the Lightning to not “look like a science experiment.” This was a jab at the otherworldly Cybertruck, which, for better or worse, doesn’t look like a typical truck.

What’s so great about the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning?

Not only can the F-150 Lightning accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, but it can also power a home, MotorTrend reports. Indeed, in emergencies, the Lightning can power a house for three to 10 days, depending upon how much power is used and whether that power is rationed.

While that backup power system can be useful in an emergency, the Lightning’s batteries can also be useful for more routine things. That’s because the Lightning’s multiple outlets can provide up to 9.6 kW of power for things like power tools or electronics needed for a tailgate party.

When it comes to range, the Lightning also boasts some decent numbers. According to MotorTrend, the standard trim gets 230 miles on a single charge, while the extended-range battery version can go 300 miles. That said, charging can be a bit more complicated because how fast the Lightning charges depends upon what you’re charging it with. For example, with a DC fast charger, the Lightning can charge from 15 percent to 80 percent in about 41 minutes. 

This truck will probably succeed on price and looks alone

However, the two biggest draws for the Lightning will probably be its affordability and good looks. Ford was right — the Lightning doesn’t look like a science experiment. Instead, it looks like any other F-150, the world’s bestselling pickup truck. Ford fans can tell the difference immediately, but the electric version looks similar to the standard truck.

And when it comes to price, the Lightning is affordable for an EV. The standard trim will start at about $40,000, while the extended-range version will start at around $50,000, MotorTrend reports. Those might seem like high prices, but the Lightning is eligible for the EV tax credit, worth about $7,500. 

Some places, such as California, also have their own EV incentives, and they’ll drive the Lightning’s price down more. So, thanks to its relative affordability and attractiveness, the Lightning will likely be a hit when it comes out next year.