Ford has produced an apparently 'ordinary' pickup, which won't embarrass your friends like a Tesla Cybertruck might. It looks just like a conventional petrol/diesel pick-up truck. But it isn't. What Ford has done is to make an electric pick-up which looks normal but is actually normal plus. It looks as if it has a front 'engine compartment'. Only that's actually a lockable 'frunk', with 400 litres of storage space and power outlets and even USB sockets. There are also power plugs on the tray, too. Ford reckons that the maximum draw from the ute's battery, 9.6 kilowatts, is more than enough to power a tailgate party with a projector, PA system, portable hot tub, lights, portable AC, refrigerator, and two blenders. And just in case you were worried that that would empty the battery and leave you stranded in the back of beyond, the truck will also alert owners when the battery charge dips too low.
But wait, there's more. The truck can also power your home during a power outage, for three days (in the USA, where average household daily electricity usage in 30 kWh) and for 4 to 5 days in Australia (where average electricity usage is 20 kWh/day)
The base model petrol Ford F-150 costs just over US$30K, the base model electric just under US$40K, but the extra features of the base model electric are numerous. It's a much more capable beast, not just more powerful than its ICE brother, but more spacious and useful too.
Just a few years ago, Ford stubbornly maintained that EVs weren't a thing. Then the board sacked the CEO. Now Ford is leading the revolution. I predict this will be a winner, and in fact, it has already gained 50,000 reservations in just 48 hours.
Here are some of the articles on the F-150 from around the web:
Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck can power your home in an outage
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning officially unveiled
And here are some pics. Nice.
will australia get a right hand drive version and when can I order it
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