Electric vehicles have come a long way since the first hybrids appeared on the streets around the turn of the millennium. Once limited to bland, aerodynamic models, EVs and hybrids are now virtually indistinguishable from their gas-powered forerunners. As the industry––and driver interest––has grown, automakers have taken note, rolling out fully electric versions of some of their most popular models. This new generation of EVs offers an efficient alternative to those best-sellers, retaining their character while making some important upgrades.
Ford has been a notable leader in this trend, introducing EV versions of some of its most iconic models, including the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning. The all-electric version of the legendary pickup made waves on its debut, turning heads with its combination of efficiency, style, and the unrivaled power that only an EV can deliver. Let’s take a closer look at the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning and see how Ford has managed to embrace the future while still paying homage to the time-tested formula that has made its pickups the best-selling vehicles in the history of the American auto industry.
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Pickup owners are usually spoiled for choice when it comes to powertrains. However, the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning simplifies things with two distinct batteries to choose from: a 98 kWh Standard Range option with 452 hp and a 131 kWh Extended Range upgrade with an impressive 580 hp. Both batteries are paired with dual electric motors and boast an identical 775 lb-ft of torque, so the decision largely comes down to how much power you want at your disposal––or how fast you want to drive. The Lightning is impressively speedy for a truck that tips the scales at over 6,000 lbs, accelerating from zero to 60 mph in under four seconds when equipped with the Extended Range battery.
Naturally, many drivers rate EVs by one metric and one metric alone: battery range. The country’s EV charging infrastructure is growing constantly, but planning longer trips can still be frustrating when you’re worried about running out of power. When equipped with the Standard Range battery, the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning can cover 240 miles between charges, but that number shoots up to 320 miles with the upgrade to the Extended Range setup. Most importantly, the F-150 Lightning can be used at public DC Fast Charging stations, allowing you to bring the battery pack from 15 to 80 percent in as little as 36 minutes.
While we’re on the topic of range, let’s make a quick note on fuel economy. For most EV drivers, it’s a concept that can be traded in along with their old gas-powered vehicles, but just in case you’re eager to brag to the neighbors, the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning gets an EPA-estimated 78 MPGe in the city and 63 MPGe on the highway. Those numbers are about three times what we expect from a similar gas-powered full-size pickup. Some eagle-eyed readers might notice that the city and highway numbers are the inverse of what they would expect. That is because EVs are so efficient that the added wind resistance from driving at high speeds has a much more significant effect than with gasoline vehicles.
No matter what powertrain configuration you choose, you’ll never be hurting for power when you’re behind the wheel of the F-150 Lightning. The truck’s all-electric design means instant torque whenever you need it, which comes in handy when towing and hauling. Ford made a point of showcasing the Lightning’s towing prowess, dragging a 1,000,000 lb train car loaded down with F-150s as part of a promotional stunt in 2019. The production version scales this feat back a bit but still gives drivers 10,000 lbs of towing capacity to play with when optioned with the Extended Range battery. Standard Range models max out at 7,700 lbs of towing, which is still competitive, especially when you factor in the truck’s 2,235 lb payload capacity.
EVs carry a number of obvious advantages over their gas-powered brethren and a few less obvious ones as well. The F-150 Lightning’s all-electric powertrain means that the pickup is always there when you need a little extra electricity. In most vehicles, that would mean the ability to top off a smartphone, charge a tablet, or power some small personal electronics, but the F-150 Lightning is another story altogether.
When equipped with the optional Pro Power Onboard system, the F-150 Lightning can deliver up to 9.6 kW of electricity across nearly a dozen 120-volt and 240-volt outlets (not to mention USB-A and UBC-C plugs). These outlets are split between the pickup’s front trunk, bed, and cabin. With so much power to play with, you can easily run everything from power tools and flatscreen TVs to electric coolers and speakers.
Pro Power Onboard can act as a generator on the job site, allowing you to run multiple saws, battery chargers, air compressors, lighting rigs, and more. Are you looking to minimize the amount of “roughing it” you need to do on the next family camping trip? The F-150 Lightning is here to help, giving families a chance to enjoy all the comforts of home while in the wild. We’re not necessarily suggesting you take a TV, portable hot tub, PA system, HVAC unit, and refrigerator on your next camping trip, but it’s always nice to know you could.
If Pro Power Onboard seems too good to be true, then Ford’s Intelligent Backup Power system probably feels like pure science fiction. Available as an optional upgrade on the 2023 F-150 Lighting with the Extended Range battery, Intelligent Backup Power essentially turns your pickup into an emergency power supply that could be a real lifeline the next time the power goes out. The system can power a home for up to 10 days if usage is well-rationed. Intelligent Backup Power requires a few pieces of specialized equipment outside of the truck itself, including the Ford Charge Station Pro and Home Integration System. Still, it’s hard to put a price on the sense of safety and security that such a system can offer.
All the supplemental power in the world doesn’t amount to much if it leaves your battery drained and your truck inoperable. Fortunately, Ford is way ahead of the game on this count, designing a system to alert you when the Lightning’s battery power falls below one-third. When the battery hits that crucial benchmark, a notification is sent to your FordPass smartphone app, alerting you to the charge level and allowing you to top it off before it’s fully drained.
A surplus of power isn’t the only trick the 2023 Ford F-150 Lighting has up its sleeve. Ford’s all-electric pickup is backed with a number of impressive tech, convenience, and comfort features that make the Lightning one of the most well-rounded EVs on the market. It all starts with the Lightning’s infotainment screen. This full-color display, which serves as a one-stop shop for accessing everything from entertainment and safety tech to navigation and performance metrics, is well above the industry standard at 12 inches––and that’s just for the entry-level models.
Step up to the Lariat and Platinum trims, and you’ll enjoy a massive 15.5-inch screen, which should be plenty of space to operate Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the included 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The larger screen comes paired with Ford’s SYNC 4A system, which uses cloud-based connectivity to enable voice recognition and includes three years of connected navigation, traffic, weather updates, and more. These infotainment screens have become the newest arms race in the automotive world, and Ford seems to be well ahead of the curve with its generous displays.
Some other novel tech features of the F-150 Lightning include Ford Power Up over-the-air software updates and the Phone As A Key feature, which allows you to ditch old-fashioned keys in favor of a smartphone app. The Phone As A Key feature unlocks the doors as soon as you approach the vehicle and can be used for everything from remote start to opening the trunk, rolling the windows down, and more. It might seem like a trivial feature to some, but it’s really just the sort of thoughtful convenience that makes owning the F-150 Lightning such a seamless, enjoyable experience.
While pickup trucks have become increasingly popular as daily drivers, they’ll always be most at home on the job site. Ford has taken this ethos to heart when it comes to the 2023 F-150 Lightning, packing the truck with a host of work-ready features that make it the ideal partner on the job site. In addition to being able to power a range of tools, the Lightning can also serve as a mobile office thanks to the truck’s interior work surface. Simply fold down the stow-away shifter, and you’ll be left with a generous work surface between the two front seats, giving you more than enough real estate to fill out invoices, catch up on emails, review plans, or just grab a quick bite to eat.
When it’s time to get back to work, the pickup can double as an impromptu workbench by deploying the available tailgate work surface. This non-slip surface keeps your materials where you want them and features two built-in clamp pockets when you really need to lock things down. An embedded ruler makes precise cuts easier than ever, and when you’re ready for a break, a built-in cup holder and bottle opener should help you cool off. If you find yourself burning the midnight oil, the truck’s built-in LED zone lighting can be switched on to illuminate the area around the vehicle and allow you a few extra hours to meet that all-important deadline.
Are you ready to see what the world of all-electric pickups has to offer? Newton Ford South is here to help. From research and test drives to financing and maintenance, we’re the Shelbyville area’s one-stop shop for all things Ford. We offer a wide selection of both new and pre-owned models, ensuring there will always be something that matches your style and budget here at Newton Ford South. From exciting new EV options like the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E to hybrids, SUVs, and the best-selling F-150, you’ll be able to sample the full Ford lineup every time you step onto the lot.
We know that in-person shopping can seem a little old-fashioned in our digitally connected world, and while we always love to meet our customers face-to-face, we’ve also introduced a new web-based platform that updates the process for modern times. With Newton FastPass, you can browse our inventory, secure financing, set your down payment, and even value your trade-in right on our website. Simply submit a credit application, upload any relevant documents, and we’ll get the process started. When it comes time for delivery, we can even bring the vehicle directly to your home or office, making a once-stressful process as easy as ordering takeout.
If you prefer a more personal touch, our friendly sales staff are always ready to show you around the dealership, answer your questions, and get you matched with the Ford vehicle of your dreams. Stop by Newton Ford South today and see why DealerRater.com has named us the 2023 Tennessee Ford Dealer of the Year.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
