With the F-150 Lightning, Ford is continuing the success of the petrol model with an electric version. The all-electric pick-up, which focuses on bulky features, has become a bestseller since its market launch in May 2022 in the USA. The car, which weighs almost three tons, is now also available in a limited edition outside the US market: Customers in Norway can apply to buy it now.
The pick-up has two electric motors with a total output of up to 458 hp and a maximum torque of 1,050 Newton meters. The 2948 kilo colossus should be able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than five seconds. NMC battery cells (nickel, manganese, cobalt) with a capacity of 98 kWh provide the necessary energy. According to Ford, the battery should be able to charge from 15 to 80 percent in 39 minutes using a fast charger. Despite the high weight of the vehicle and the large dimensions (5.91 x 2.44 x 1.99 meters) typical of the USA, a battery charge should probably cover a distance of 386 kilometers according to the EPA standard.
Ford F-150 Lightning: pick-up for the road and outdoors
In addition to normal and sport driving modes, there are off-road and tow/haul modes to choose from. According to the manufacturer, the trailer load of the F-150 Lightning is almost 3.5 tons. After all, the five-seater should not only be used on the road but also off-road.
This is one of the reasons why Ford chose nature-rich Norway for the European market launch of its electric pick-up. Accordingly, relaxing outdoors away from civilization is firmly part of the national way of life, according to a current one press release. In addition, the rapid expansion of electromobility in the country was probably decisive. The Scandinavian country outside of the USA is to serve as a “jumping point” for the global launch.
Market launch in Germany unclear
The all-wheel-drive vehicle is available in a metallic blue paintwork and a military specification for an estimated 1,183,000 Norwegian kroner (approx. 102,380 euros). Ford has not announced whether the F-150 Lightning, which is produced in the US state of Michigan, will also be launched in other European countries and in Germany. In December, however, the company announced that the F-150 Lightning “will not be offered in Europe until further notice”. For this, features such as the charging connection, the voltage and various technology modules would have to be adapted to European conditions.
Ford may also make a market launch in other European countries dependent on demand in Norway. After all, the second-largest US automaker has set itself the goal of gradually becoming an electric brand. Christian Weingärtner, Managing Director for Ford Germany, Austria and Switzerland and Managing Director Marketing and Sales at Ford-Werke GmbH, spoke at a media event last December about the biggest transformation in Ford’s almost 120-year history.
In Europe, from 2030, only fully electric cars will be sold, before the full range of light commercial vehicles with electric drives is to be available five years later. By the end of 2026, Ford is targeting an investment of over US$50 billion worldwide in order to then achieve production of two million electric vehicles annually. The Ford F-150 Lightning could make its contribution as an electric model.