Automakers will often purposely downgrade things like estimated output and fuel economy for a variety of reasons, though this information is usually exposed via government testing. The new Ford F-150 Lightning is a prime example. Officially, the all-electric truck has a minimum range of 240 miles in base trim. Ford says the extended range reaches 300 miles. Last month, we reported that a Ford representative let slip the extended-range model was carrying 1,000 pounds of cargo during EPA testing. This would surely affect things and the math indicated the actual range, sans cargo, could be as high as 460 miles.

Today, a member of the F150gen14.com forum has revealed that figure is more likely to be 472 miles.

How does he know this? He was taking a tour of the company's Dearborn, Michigan facility, specifically its new Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, where he hopped inside an F-150 Lightning and was playing around with its Pro Power Onboard control screen. One of the many screens he was flipping through was the estimated range display and there it was: a 472-mile range. None of the Ford employees present that day confirmed the number; they all carefully managed to change the subject.

If 472 miles is indeed the accurate figure, then this will surely elevate the truck's status to new heights. It'd also place it above the far more expensive Rivian R1T's projected 400-mile range. The even pricier GMC Hummer EV truck maxes out at 350 miles per charge.

Ford has already received more than 100,000 pre-orders for its first-ever battery-electric truck and, as President Biden experienced firsthand, it's also insanely fast. Zero to 60 mph happens in only 4.4 seconds. Even the base model produces 426 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque. The upgraded battery raises output to 563 hp though torque remains the same.

Don't expect Ford to reveal the truck's true range figures until just before deliveries begin or once they've reached owners' driveways. That way, expectations can remain realistic and, equally important, pre-orders won't reach a point where Ford can't deliver all of them for the upcoming model year. But trust us, the F-150 Lightning is going to be a major game-changer.