Ford F-150 Lightning confirmed for Europe
Well, Norway for now, but that's a lot closer to home than North America...
Even those that aren’t too bothered about American cars, EVs or pickups will know all about the Ford F-150 Lightning. America’s best-selling truck was revealed in electric format to the world in 2021, and 200,000 reservations were taken before 2022 was in. By all accounts the reality matched that initial excitement, too, reviews in the Lightning’s home market praising its value for money, performance, and novel features. Didn’t hurt that the Lightning was a great-looking truck, either.
Unsurprisingly, then, demand for the battery-powered (98 or 131kWh) F-150 has reached way beyond the United States. Markets as far afield as Australia are desperate for the Lightning, and Ford has now caved into European pressure. Well, a little - the F-150 will be offered in Norway from early 2024.
Which might seem a bit strange, but don’t forget what a huge market Norway is for electric vehicles. Last year, almost 80 per cent of new cars sold there were electric vehicles; in the UK the figure is more like 16 per cent. And apparently the Norwegians have been chomping at the bit - or whatever their equivalent is - for Ford’s award-winning truck.
“In my 25 years at Ford, I’ve never seen anything like the passion and demand I’m seeing from drivers right now to get behind the wheel of our F-150 Lightning” said Per Gunnar Berg, Ford Norway MD. “F-150 Lightning is the perfect match for many customers in Norway – uniquely capable of quenching our thirst for adventure while embracing our passion for protecting the environment.” Don’t forget the ‘friluftsliv’, the Norwegian culture of unwinding in the wilderness. A big electric truck that can tow almost 3.5 tonnes is just the right fit.
Norwegian customers will be offered the F-150 as a Lariat Launch Edition, all offered with the Super Crew Cab body and Antimatter Blue paint. For the moment, the trucks for Norway will have the smaller, 98kWh battery, with 458hp and 774lb ft to wallop it to 62mph in less than five seconds. The Lightning can accept 150kW of charge, which all being well - and it feels like that happens more often in Norway than here - means 15 per cent to 80 per cent of charge can take less than 40 minutes. The smaller battery means a targeted range of around 240 miles.
This all works quite nicely for Ford’s EV ambitions, too, with billions being invested in creating an electric-only lineup from 2030 and global carbon neutrality later than 2050. You wouldn’t bet against however many Lightnings allocated finding homes in Norway. Then it’ll be onto the next European market desperate for it…
From what I've seen this pickup is actually very well designed too, lots of little things that clearly are well thought out like the shifter that can lie flat with the arm-rest that folds out as a mini-shelf to rest a laptop on. Great stuff!
That said, I can't wait to get stuck behind one of these trying to go through a 6'6'' width restriction over here.
Also, Ford officially sells the Ranger (a smaller pickup) in the UK so don't worry, you'll not be getting stuck behind an F150 of any kind anytime soon!
https://www.ram.com/be/
There's a reasonable market for such trucks in Europe, so I wouldn't be surprised if this was soon sold in other European countries - but only if Ford can keep up with demand at the factory.
Not sure what reviews you've read. Whilst there is decent demand for this, good luck getting hold of one in the next 6-12m depending on your spec, big price hikes recently means the Lariat starts at about $75k (before tax) and then you have massive dealer mark ups (that's a US thing). On top of this, range gets hammered when you try to tow anything.
Laudable effort from Ford, but if you're really a "works guy" or ranch owner hauling cattle, you'll be sticking with the much cheaper ICE version or any of the other main pick-ups on offer.
P.S. comparing it to a Rivian really is apples vs oranges.
And as mentioned above the range can get to be a bit shocking if it's cold or you're using it for such un-F150-like jobs as towing.
It's an interesting bit of kit with good features but right now is expensive and flawed.
But this one? It can weigh up to 3,122 kg unladen so not much room for people and stuff for relative (to me) youngsters who don’t have a 7.5t licence?
And the size, in this country? Barking mad.
If they come to Europe with a GVW of 3,500kg then they'll have virtually no payload (e.g. you probably couldn't put a family in a Rivian R1S).
If the max weight is over that then you get all sorts of issues with driving licences, speed limiters etc.
But this one? It can weigh up to 3,122 kg unladen so not much room for people and stuff for relative (to me) youngsters who don’t have a 7.5t licence?
And the size, in this country? Barking mad.
If they come to Europe with a GVW of 3,500kg then they'll have virtually no payload (e.g. you probably couldn't put a family in a Rivian R1S).
If the max weight is over that then you get all sorts of issues with driving licences, speed limiters etc.
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