The F-150 Lightning supports three levels of charging for home and public charging. Buyers can also access fast charging at selected stations.
The Ford F-150 Lightning has impressed many with its incredible features, but how much will owners shell out to charge this electric vehicle? Much is expected when one of the most popular pickup trucks in America goes electric. Ford unveiled the Lightning truck in May 2021 as an option for consumers who wanted to experience the capabilities of an electric truck. Despite being powered by dual electric motors and a battery pack, the Lightning truck was announced as a part of the F-150's 14th generation alongside the gasoline-powered edition.
With the F-150 Lightning, Ford intends to dominate the electric truck market, though the automaker faces stiff competition from alternatives like Rivian's R1T and the GMC Hummer EV. With increased gas prices and awareness of environmental issues, EVs have witnessed a meteoric rise. Many years ago, EVs were mainly associated with Tesla because the California-based automaker has a lineup of only all-electric models. Today, most automakers have rolled out electric models, either by transforming traditional gasoline vehicles into EVs or launching fresh EVs, as is the case with the 2023 Genesis GV60.
Related: Ford F-150 Lightning Range: How Far Can It Go On A Single Charge?
Charging EVs is a reality that many Americans are still trying to accept. A blend of inadequate charging infrastructure and compatibility issues negates the acceptance of EVs. To facilitate increased patronage of EVs, The U.S government has partnered with automakers and charging stations to develop a sizable national charging network. This move will make EV charging more affordable than it is now. The F-150 EV can be bought with one of two battery types. The two battery types are called Standard Range (98 kWh) and Extended Range (131 kWh). The Ford electric truck can be charged at home or on the go.
At home, owners can either use the mobile power cord that is standard for all trim levels or the Ford Charge Station Pro, which retails for $1,310 for those with the standard range truck. For those with the extended range option, the system comes free. Interestingly, the mobile cord supports Levels 1 (120V) and 2 (240V) of charging. So, if owners need a faster charge time, they can plug the cord into any 240V NEMA 14-50 outlet. When that's unavailable, they can settle for a power outlet rated at 120V at the expense of a shorter charge time. The Ford Charge Station Pro is a home charging port that can deliver full charge status to the F-150 Lightning within eight hours or offer 30 miles of driving range for each hour spent plugged in. Aside from providing quick charging, the Charge Station can work in tandem with the home integration system to enable Ford's intelligent backup power. The truck can use this setup as a backup generator, offering between three to 10 days of power depending on load.
For public charging, drivers get rewarded with two years of access to BlueOval's network of over 75,000 chargers. Customers also enjoy 250 kWh of free, fast charging at any Electrify America station. To activate the complimentary charging network access and 250 kWh of DC fast charging, they need to download the FordPass app and follow the prompts. Upon exhaustion of the charging bonus, owners of the Ford truck would have each charging session billed to their credit card.
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Michael Akuchie is a freelance content writer with 2 year's worth of experience. His writings cover the Customer Experience, HR Tech, Digital Transformation, and Automobile industries. He's also an Anime enthusiast, with Naruto and AOT being his two all-time best Anime shows.