Ford Lightning Work Truck: A Year of Electric Power and Performance

Are you considering an electric truck for your business or work needs? After a year of real-world use in the Midwest, we’re sharing our in-depth experience with the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning, specifically focusing on its capabilities as a Ford Lightning Work Truck. This review goes beyond the basics, exploring how this electric powerhouse performs as a daily work vehicle and tackles tough jobs.

We will cover these essential aspects of the Ford Lightning work truck:

Tech Specs: Understanding the F-150 Lightning’s features relevant to work truck applications.
Work Applications: How we utilize the Lightning as a versatile work truck and family vehicle.
Real-World Range: The practical range you can expect from the Ford Lightning work truck in diverse Midwest conditions.
Charging Solutions: Efficient charging strategies for your Ford Lightning work truck at home, on the job site, and on the go.
Road Trip Readiness: Evaluating the Lightning’s suitability for long-distance work trips and navigating the public charging infrastructure.
Winter Performance: Assessing the Ford Lightning work truck‘s reliability and performance in challenging winter conditions.
Sustainability for Work: Examining the environmental benefits of integrating the Ford Lightning work truck into your operations.

Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum: Work-Ready Tech Highlights

Our Ford Lightning work truck is the 2022 F-150 Lightning Platinum model, packed with features that enhance its utility for work purposes.

Extended Range Battery: The 131 kWh battery provides an EPA-estimated 300-mile range, crucial for a dependable electric work truck. This extended range minimizes downtime for charging during a workday.
Powerful Performance: Dual electric motors and AWD deliver robust performance for hauling and towing. With 8,600 lbs of towing capacity and a 1,565 lbs payload capacity, this Ford Lightning work truck is ready for demanding tasks.
Pro Power Onboard: A game-changer for work applications, the Pro Power Onboard system turns the Ford Lightning work truck into a mobile generator. Power tools and equipment directly from the truck’s battery, eliminating the need for noisy generators on job sites.
Onboard Charging: Comes equipped with a portable Level 1 & 2 charger for versatile charging options, whether at home, the office, or a remote job location.
Bidirectional Charging Capability: While not yet installed, the bidirectional charging feature (“vehicle-to-home”) holds immense potential for future integration with on-site energy storage and solar solutions, further enhancing the Ford Lightning work truck‘s energy efficiency.

1. More Than Just a Family Vehicle: The Ford Lightning as a Versatile Work Truck

Initially purchased as a family vehicle after our positive experience with the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the F-150 Lightning has proven to be an exceptional Ford Lightning work truck as well. Its versatility has eliminated the need for a separate gas-powered vehicle.

Work and Lifestyle Applications of the Ford Lightning Work Truck

Mobile Workstation/Camping: The truck bed serves as a platform for both recreational camping and work-related tasks. The Pro Power Onboard turns campsites or remote work locations into powered hubs, ideal for running equipment or setting up a mobile office.
Spacious Crew Cab: Comfortably accommodates five adults, making it suitable for work crews and client transport. Ample cabin space ensures comfortable journeys to job sites.
Daily Work Driver: Used for daily commutes and errands, proving its practicality as an everyday work truck. The frunk offers secure and easily accessible storage for tools, equipment, or samples, separate from the main cab and truck bed.
Long-Distance Work Trips: While not the most aerodynamic EV for long hauls, the Ford Lightning work truck handles 500-600 mile trips for regional work demands. Its capability for longer distances expands its utility beyond local job sites.

2. Midwest Range Reality for the Ford Lightning Work Truck

Range is a primary concern for any electric work truck. While the EPA estimates 300 miles for our F-150 Lightning Platinum, real-world range varies based on several factors, especially in the Midwest climate.

The EPA range is a standardized benchmark, useful for comparing vehicle efficiency under controlled conditions. However, for a Ford Lightning work truck operating in the real world, numerous factors influence the actual range.

Real-World Range Variation

Driving style, weather, road conditions, cargo load, and accessory usage (AC, heating) all impact the range of an electric vehicle. For our Ford Lightning work truck, we observe a range of 200 to 300 miles per charge depending on these conditions. Hauling materials, driving in winter, or using the Pro Power Onboard system will affect range.

EV vs. ICE Efficiency Comparison for Work Trucks

Think of fuel efficiency in a gas-powered work truck – miles per gallon. This number fluctuates greatly based on driving habits, load, and terrain. Similarly, the range of an electric work truck is dynamic.

A key difference in winter is that internal combustion engines (ICE) generate waste heat used for cabin heating. EVs lack this, requiring energy from the battery for heating. However, this highlights a core efficiency advantage of EVs. ICE vehicles are inefficient, converting only about 30% of fuel energy into motion, with the rest lost as heat. EVs are far more efficient, converting 90-95% of battery energy into motion, resulting in less wasted energy and lower operating costs for your Ford Lightning work truck.

Range Sufficiency for Work Needs

For daily work driving within a 100-mile radius, range is rarely a concern. We typically use only half the battery capacity for daily tasks. Home and workplace charging make “topping off” convenient, ensuring the Ford Lightning work truck is always ready.

Range becomes more relevant for longer work trips. However, with available tools and planning, “range anxiety” is replaced by “charging awareness.” Route planning apps and charging infrastructure information provide confidence in managing longer distances for your Ford Lightning work truck.

3. Charging Your Ford Lightning Work Truck: Home, Work, and On-the-Go

Efficient charging is vital for minimizing downtime for a Ford Lightning work truck. We utilize a combination of home and workplace charging, and explore public options for longer trips.

Home charging is primarily done using our solar system and an Emporia Level 2 charger in our garage with a 240V outlet. This setup has been completely reliable, providing cost-effective and sustainable charging for our Ford Lightning work truck.

The Emporia charger cable is long enough to reach our outdoor parking spot, and we’ve added an external mount for the charging handle, making it convenient for daily charging and for visiting EVs.

Workplace charging is also available via a commercial Level 2 Cyber Switching charger. While permitting took time, it now provides a valuable charging option for employees with EVs, including our Ford Lightning work truck. Workplace charging significantly reduces operating costs and enhances the practicality of electric work vehicles.

Charging Time Considerations for a Work Truck

Charging time is not a single number. Understanding Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast Charging is crucial for efficient Ford Lightning work truck operation. Compared to refueling a gas truck, EV charging offers multiple options tailored to different needs and situations.

“Topping Off” Charging Strategy for Work Trucks

Our common charging practice, whether at home or in public, is “topping off.” Instead of fully depleting and then fully charging, we charge in smaller increments, maintaining battery health and maximizing vehicle availability.

For example, after a typical workday covering 40-60 miles, we immediately recharge the Ford Lightning work truck back to a target state of charge (SOC), like 60%. This “topping off” strategy takes only 1-2 hours with Level 2 charging (adding about 40-50 miles of range per hour). This approach is flexible, minimizes battery degradation, and keeps the Ford Lightning work truck ready for the next job.

Home and Workplace Charging Costs

Before solar, home charging cost us 13-17 cents per kWh. A full charge (130 kWh battery) would be around $20 for approximately 300 miles of range. Workplace charging costs vary; some employers offer it as a free perk, while others may implement payment systems. Cyber Switching chargers, for example, allow for customized payment structures, access control, and reservation systems, making workplace charging management easy for businesses adopting Ford Lightning work trucks.

4. Ford Lightning Work Truck Road Trip and Public Fast Charging

Initially hesitant about long trips with an EV, we’ve become confident in the Ford Lightning work truck‘s road trip capabilities. Planning is key, and social media platforms like Instagram @electrified.veronika and TikTok @ev_veronika document our EV road trip experiences.

Road Trip Planning for Electric Work Trucks

Planning an EV road trip becomes routine with experience. Apps are essential tools, providing charging location and duration information. While OEM apps have limitations, we prefer “A Better Routeplanner” (ABRP) for our Ford Lightning work truck.

ABRP is a third-party app that can access real-time battery data via an OBD2 dongle. This allows for highly accurate charging stop predictions, adapting to real-time driving conditions. We use ABRP both offline for pre-trip planning and online during trips, finding it the most reliable and accurate tool for our Ford Lightning work truck.

Optimizing Charging Stops on Work Trips

When planning a longer work trip, we check the route the day before using ABRP. You input your EV model, starting/ending SOC, and preferred charging strategy (from “Few but long stops” to “Quickest Arrival” to “Short but many stops”).

For a trip from Wisconsin to Northern Michigan, ABRP offers different charging stop options:

“Short but many Stops”: Multiple short stops, ideal for quick breaks and maintaining a higher SOC.
“Few but long Stops” / “Quickest Arrival”: Fewer, longer stops, suitable for meal breaks or longer rest periods.

Interestingly, total travel time is similar across these options. The choice depends on personal preference. We often prefer a balance, with a longer stop for a meal and primary charging, and shorter stops for restrooms if needed.

Factors Influencing Charging Times

Charging times for your Ford Lightning work truck depend on:

EV characteristics: Efficiency, charging speed (battery chemistry, size, voltage, thermal management).
Charging infrastructure: Charger power output and availability at charging locations.
Ambient temperature: Colder temperatures can increase charging times.
Battery SOC: DC fast charging is most efficient between 10% to 80% SOC.

Apps like ABRP automatically factor these in, providing real-time updates. However, be aware that charging times can vary even on the same route due to changing conditions.

DC Fast Charging Costs on Work Trips

DC fast charging costs vary by provider (Electrify America, EVGo), location, and subscription status. For occasional public charging during work trips, subscriptions may not be cost-effective.

Ford’s “Plug and Charge” partnership with Electrify America simplifies charging. Set up automatic payment in the FordPass app, and simply plug in at Electrify America stations. Ford often provides charging credits with new EV purchases, incentivizing use of Electrify America stations.

Current DC fast charging prices in Illinois and Michigan are around $0.48/kWh, significantly higher than 1-2 years ago. A 50-minute charging session can cost around $45-$50.

Midwest Charging Infrastructure for Work Trucks

Charging infrastructure in the Midwest is still developing. Urban areas have better infrastructure than rural regions. Wisconsin’s infrastructure, particularly in northern areas, needs expansion. However, for travel west, south, and through Chicago to Michigan, charging stations are generally sufficient for Ford Lightning work truck operation.

A 300-mile range is adequate if the public charging network is reliable and dense. Infrastructure improvements are crucial to fully realize the potential of electric work trucks.

Downtime Utilization During Charging Stops

Charging stops offer opportunities for breaks. Locations vary: some chargers are at shopping centers or restaurants, others are more remote with fewer amenities. Planning ahead and using apps to check charging station reviews and amenities is recommended, especially for safety during late-night charging.

During short 10-20 minute stops, we use restrooms or grab coffee. Longer 45-60 minute stops allow for meal breaks. If amenities are limited, we stay in the truck and utilize entertainment options like Netflix.

Charging Reliability on Work Trips

We have not experienced charging failures that have stranded us. Occasionally, a charger at a station may be out of service, but alternative chargers are usually available at the same location. Only once did we have to wait for another EV to finish charging.

While occasional charger unreliability requires flexibility and planning, it has not caused major disruptions to our work trips with the Ford Lightning work truck.

5. Ford Lightning Work Truck in Midwest Winters

Midwest winters with snow, ice, and cold are often cited as challenges for EVs. However, EVs, including the Ford Lightning work truck, perform reliably in cold weather. Norway, with high EV adoption, demonstrates that EVs thrive even in harsh winter conditions.

Cold Weather Performance of Electric Work Trucks

Range reduction in winter is expected for EVs. This is mainly due to two factors:

Battery Efficiency: Lithium-ion batteries perform optimally between 10°C to 30°C (50°F and 86°F). Efficiency decreases at lower temperatures, necessitating battery heating via the thermal management system.
Increased Energy Demand: Energy is needed to heat the battery, cabin, and defrost windows, drawing power from the battery and reducing driving range.

We typically experience up to 30% range reduction in winter with our Ford Lightning work truck.

Studies show winter range loss varies by EV model, with some experiencing up to 33% reduction compared to EPA ratings.

Winter Driving Adjustments for Electric Work Trucks

While range loss is unavoidable, we make minor adjustments in winter with our Ford Lightning work truck:

Preconditioning: Preheating the cabin and battery while plugged in maximizes range by reducing energy draw during driving. This is especially useful for starting the workday with a warm cabin and optimized battery temperature.
Tire Pressure: Maintaining proper tire pressure is important year-round but crucial in winter for optimal efficiency and safety.
Eco Mode and Gentle Driving: Using Eco mode and driving smoothly can help conserve energy and extend range in cold conditions.

We have not yet tested towing in winter with our Ford Lightning work truck, but will update this review with our experiences.

6. Sustainability of Electric Work Trucks

The perception that trucks are inherently inefficient vehicles is common, especially in Europe. However, trucks are essential for many businesses and lifestyles in the US. The Ford Lightning work truck offers a more sustainable alternative.

Lifecycle Assessments (LCAs) for Electric Vehicles

Lifecycle Assessments (LCAs) are crucial for evaluating the environmental impact of vehicles. LCAs analyze emissions and resource consumption from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. This is vital for comparing EVs to ICE vehicles and assessing the sustainability of electric work trucks.

LCA considerations for EVs include:

Raw material extraction for batteries (lithium, cobalt, nickel).
EV component manufacturing (motors, electronics).
Manufacturing energy sources and emissions.
Energy for vehicle use (charging source: renewable vs. fossil fuels).
Vehicle maintenance impacts.
End-of-life and recycling.

LCA considerations for ICE vehicles include:

Raw materials for steel, aluminum, plastic.
ICE component manufacturing (engine, transmission).
Manufacturing energy sources and emissions.
Fuel production and distribution (extraction, refining, transport).
Energy for vehicle use (fuel combustion and emissions).
Vehicle maintenance impacts (oil changes, filters).
End-of-life and recycling.
Exhaust emissions (air pollution, greenhouse gases).

Studies, like a 2022 University of Michigan and Ford study, show that battery-electric vehicles, including pickup trucks, have significantly lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than ICE vehicles – approximately 64% lower on average in the US.

Carbon Footprint Tool for Vehicle Comparisons

CARBONCOUNTER.com, developed by MIT, is a valuable tool for comparing vehicle lifecycle emissions and costs. You can customize factors like electricity source, fuel prices, and driving distance.

Even with the average US electricity grid, most EVs are below 2030 climate targets. However, AWD electric pickup trucks, including the Ford Lightning work truck, may not meet the 2030 targets based on the US average grid.

Impact of Electricity Source on Electric Work Truck Emissions

Using cleaner electricity sources significantly improves the sustainability of electric work trucks. Wisconsin’s electricity grid, relying on coal, shows slightly higher emissions. California’s cleaner grid demonstrates much lower emissions for EVs.

Charging our Ford Lightning work truck primarily with solar power further reduces our emissions, approaching or exceeding California grid levels. Transitioning to renewable energy sources is crucial for maximizing the sustainability benefits of electric work trucks.

Relying on a 100% low-carbon electricity grid allows EVs to meet even 2050 emission targets today, highlighting the significant sustainability potential of electric work trucks when coupled with clean energy.

Conclusion: The Ford Lightning Work Truck – A Year of Satisfaction

After a year of using the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning as a Ford Lightning work truck, we are extremely satisfied. It seamlessly integrates into our lifestyle and work needs. We haven’t missed a gas-powered vehicle.

Desired improvements for future electric trucks and infrastructure in the Midwest include:

Lower vehicle cost to increase accessibility for businesses.
Infotainment system enhancements, especially navigation and route planning for work trips.
Improved data access, particularly battery SOC for trip planning and overall EV data accessibility for fleet management.
Greener and denser DC fast charging network with better locations, such as highway rest stops, to support long-distance work travel.

What else would you like to know about the Ford Lightning work truck?

#EV Electrified Veronika

*E**xpertise, Empathy, Enthusiasm*