F-150 Lightning

Make
Ford
Segment
Sports Car

Ford is spearheading a massive EV charge, and while its first-ever EV, the Mustang Mach-E, continues to sell well, the Dearborn-based manufacturer is getting its heavy electric weapons ready for a full-on onslaught. We're obviously talking about the Ford F-150 Lightning. The Ford F-150 is one of the best-selling cars of all time and continues to dominate the American truck market, so the fact that it's going electric is a massive deal. Ford has made a convincing case for why trucks should go electric, and we've seen what the F-150 Lightning can do in all kinds of harsh conditions, so now there's only one thing left to do: launch the damn thing! Ford has announced an official launch date for 26 April, and we're incredibly excited.

Ford CEO Jim Farley took to Twitter on Wednesday to make the big announcement. The tweet simply stated "It's time. #F150Lighting 4.26.2022." This was accompanied by a video teaser on the company's YouTube channel titled F-150 Lightning Strikes.

The launch is set to take place at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Michigan. "We will be celebrating the team behind this incredible vehicle and that F-150 Lightnings will be on their way to customers across America," spokeswoman Emma Bergg said. Ford has underestimated the sheer amount of interest the public has shown for the electrified truck, and has capped reservations for the F-150 Lightning at a hefty 200,000 vehicles. Ford plans to build at least 150,000 trucks by mid-2023; nearly four times the initial planned amount. "I do think it's a game-changer. The demand we've seen is incredible," Ford CFO John Lawler said Wednesday during a Bank of America presentation.

The F-150 Lightning will come in a few different flavors to suit every budget. The base truck will feature 426 horsepower, 775 lb-ft of torque, and a range of around 230 miles while the top-spec Platinum will deliver a massive 563 hp and a range of 300 miles. Lightning owners will have access to the largest charging network in the US, and using a 150-kWh DC fast charger will net you up to 54 miles of range in just 10 minutes. The F-150 starts with an MSRP of $39,974 for the base truck, and a mid-range XLT will set you back $52,974. A fully-loaded Platinum will cost closer to $90,000. We are entering a new age, and it's going to be awesome.