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…
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