2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro revealed

Yep, it’s an all-electric F-truck. Big, brash and bold, the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro will tow a hefty 2300kg, or a boat roughly the same size as a mid-sized SUV can handle.

But that lacklustre tow rating is for the base model with the least towing ability. Add what Ford calls the optional Max Trailer Tow Package, targeted maximum towing increases to 4500kg, or about the same as a “rival” RAM 2500.

Ford has introduced the electric F-150 because its research shows most tradies on the tools travel less than 300km a day. The big benefit of the electric drivetrain over the conventionally engined version of the Ford F-150 is maintenance; Ford is talking up a 40 per cent cost saving over eight years or 160,000 of travel.

The standard version of the aluminium-bodied Ford F-150 Lightning Pro has a maximum range of up to 370km under ideal running conditions. You’ll be able to tick the option for an extended range version that will add another 100km of range.

Ford hasn’t yet committed to the exact amount of performance that the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro will tap but has estimated it will be around 315kW and 1000Nm. The range-extended version ups power to 420kW, and adds all-wheel drive.

As for recharging times, Ford says using a normal wall socket to charge the battery from 20 to 80m per cent will take around 14 hours for the low-range version of the F-150, and around 19 hours for the long-range one.

Use a rapid charger to top up the battery, and it can go from 20 to 80 per cent in 44 minutes, or about what Ford estimates is the typical lunch break – minus the drive needed to get to the nearest fast-charge location.  

The electric F-truck will use the same steel chassis and aluminium body as the rest of the F-150 range but uniquely will use independent rear suspension.

So, what replaces the conventional engine under the bonnet of the battery-fuelled F-150? A lot of clever marketing spiel, and a couple of smartphone recharging ports.

“Front and centre is the first-ever Mega Power Frunk on an F-Series pickup,” Ford said in its media release announcing the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro.

“Under the hood, where an internal combustion engine used to be, is a spacious, high-tech cargo area complete with four 120-volt AC Pro Power Onboard electrical outlets and two USB ports. 

“It also features a rugged, water-tight space strong enough to store 400 pounds (180kg) of cement bags (a bit later on, Ford says tradies will use this space to store tools, and the bags of cement will go in the pick-up bed). 

“Under the powered waterfall hood with bumper-height opening, this well-lit space can be locked, unlocked and accessed from either the remote key fob, an exterior button or from inside the vehicle. A one-way drain makes cleaning easy.”

The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro will only be available in a five-seat SuperCab layout.

Other features include built-in scales so the driver can tell how much things weigh when they come onboard – best stay off the pies for morning tea –  and full telematics so the driver can keep an eye on things like battery status while on the job site.

The all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning Pro will be priced from around $52,000 in the US. Australian pricing is not yet something we need to worry about.