The Ford F-150 Lightning – the electric version of America’s best-selling pickup – is coming to the world’s most advanced electric vehicle market in response to strong public demand
The Ford F-150 Lightning – the electric version of America’s best-selling iconic pickup – is coming to Europe, with Ford choosing Norway as the first country where the award-winning pickup will begin its global career.
Following high demand for the model, Norwegian consumers, who are leading the adoption of electric vehicles globally, are the first other than those in the US and Canada to apply for a strictly limited number of copies F 150 Lightning Lariat Launch Edition.
In a country where about two-thirds of all new vehicles are equipped with four-wheel drive to handle demanding driving conditions, the F-150 Lightning’s unique combination of on- and off-road performance, usability and zero-emissions driving is a perfect fit for both the work conditions and habits as well as the way of life in the countryside of Norwegians. After all, “friluftsliv” – the culture of relaxation in the wild – is deeply rooted in the psyche of this people. It is also worth noting that Norwegian authorities are pushing for all new car and light commercial vehicle sales to consist of pure electric models by 2025.
“In my 25 years at Ford, I’ve never seen anything like the passion and demand I’m seeing right now from drivers to get behind the wheel of the F-150 Lightning. I had customers literally knocking on my door begging us to bring the electric pickup to Norway,” said Per Gunnar Berg, CEO of Ford Norway. “The F-150 Lightning is the perfect match for many customers in Norway – being uniquely able to quench our thirst for adventure while embracing our passion for protecting the environment.”
Ford is going all-in on electrification and last year announced that it will offer all-electric passenger cars from 2030 onwards and a fully electric commercial vehicle portfolio from 2035. In addition, Ford is aiming for carbon neutrality across its European footprint of its facilities, logistics and direct suppliers by 2035. The company is investing $50 billion globally by 2026 to achieve a production rate of more than 2 million pure electric vehicles by the end of that year. Ford plans for more than half of its global production to be electric vehicles by 2030 and aims to be carbon neutral globally by 2050 at the latest.
Ford also last month unveiled the new all-electric Explorer, a midsize crossover for its European customers, which is one of ten electric vehicles the company will introduce by 2024, including the Mustang Mach-E, in European markets. sales of which the Norwegians hold a 22% share.
“Ford is pushing the boundaries of electric vehicles in a unique way,” said Martin Sander, general manager of Ford Model e in Europe. “Rugged and capable like the best-selling F-Series models for decades, but infused with future technologies, the F-150 Lightning is not only the smartest F-150 we’ve ever built, but the perfect testament to of how electrification helps our vehicles become more Ford than ever.”
Electric performance with excess power
Nearly 200,000 customers had already pre-ordered the Ford F-150 Lightning before it even hit the US market last May. A member of the Ford F-Series family, which has been the best-selling pickup in America for 46 consecutive years and the best-selling car for 41 consecutive years – the F-150 Lightning quickly became the best-selling electric pickup in the country .
The strictly limited number of examples for customers in Norway will be built at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, USA, which is being expanded to increase production in 2023 to a planned annual rate of 150,000 F-150 Lightning vehicles.
Norwegian consumers are the strongest supporters of electric vehicles in the world, which already account for 21% of the 2.9 million vehicles on the country’s roads. Almost 80% of new passenger vehicle sales in Norway were electric in 2022, as were more than 20% of commercial vehicle sales – a figure expected to reach 40% this year, fueled by increasingly high demand from businesses and the increase of models offered.
Carrying equipment for skiing, fishing or rafting in the wilderness or supporting operations, the F-150 Lightning is expected to offer a range of 386 km with zero EPA emissions, 1 3,493 kg towing capacity and a payload of 805 kg. 5,6
The electric pickup is four-wheel drive and powered by a drive system with two electric motors producing 458 PS and 1,050 Nm of torque. Thanks to this top performance, the F-150 Lightning accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in less than 5 seconds. Also, the Normal, Sport, Off-Road, 7 and Tow/Haul 8 driving profiles can inspire confidence in a variety of terrain conditions.
The pickup’s next-generation 98 kWh (useful capacity) lithium-ion battery can be charged from 15% to 80% in 39 minutes on a 150 kW DC fast charger 9. Customers in Norway benefit from a strong and constantly growing network of 20,000 public of chargers, including 6,000 fast chargers.
Practical features leverage the F-150 Lightning’s battery to turn the vehicle into a mobile power source. The Pro Power Onboard can provide up to 2.3kW of power and is designed to power tools, electronics and appliances on a construction site or off-grid campsite via built-in power outlets.
In addition, the Mega Power Frunk, with a capacity of 400 liters and 181 kg, is waterproof and has the ability to drain water, thus providing unique practicality for outdoor activities and life in nature.
Inside the five-seat cabin, the Ford 10’s SYNC 4A infotainment system is supported by a 15.5-inch central digital touchscreen and wireless compatibility with Apple CarPlay 11 and Android Auto. 11 A 12” digital instrument cluster uses a customizable interface allowing the driver to select the most important information.
The technologies also help owners make the most of the pickup’s carrying capabilities. A reversing camera makes it easy to align and hook up a trailer. On-Board Scales and Smart Hitch can use the center screen to display an estimate of trailer payload and trailer weight distribution. Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes backing up a trailer simpler, allowing drivers to monitor developments via the 15.5-inch touchscreen and maneuver using a dedicated joystick.
The F-150 Lightning Lariat Launch Edition intended for Norwegian customers is offered exclusively in a Super Crew Cab version in a striking Antimatter Blue metallic color – enhancing the unmistakable presence of a car that features a military-grade aluminum alloy body that helps to limit weight and in enhancing energy efficiency and performance.
“Everything we’ve learned from nearly half a century of producing America’s best-selling pickup helped us make the F-150 Lightning the pickup of the future. It’s a real credit to the Lightning team that demand for this vehicle is strong across borders!” said Darren Palmer, vice president, Electric Vehicle Programs, Ford Model e. “Intelligence permeates this vehicle inside and out. I highly recommend our future Norwegian customers try it on all their outdoor adventures.”
Source: Skai
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