By Sebastian Blanco

With up to 10,000 pounds of towing capacity and a 14.1 cubic-foot front trunk, the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is a new electric pickup offering up to 300 miles of driving range. (Ford Motor Company)

Ford’s long-awaited all-electric pickup truck is finally about to arrive. The 2022 F-150 Lightning promises to reshape the electric vehicle market in the U.S., giving shoppers one of the first chances to buy an electric truck at a price that’s not wildly out of line with the cost of a traditional internal combustion engine alternative.

The base price for a standard 2021 F-150 is $28,940, while the F-150 Lightning will start at $39,974. At first blush, that looks like a massive difference, but Ford customers are eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit, which will push the Lightning’s price down to $32,474. Add state or local rebates and incentives, and you could pay even less.

Even more notable are the customer-centric features the F-150 Lightning will offer. Some of these will increase the price, of course, but F-150 customers are used to paying serious cash for a truck that can deliver the goods. And, from first appearances, that’s exactly what the Lightning was designed to do.

All Ford F-150 Lightning models have a Super Crew (crew cab) shortbed configuration. Depending on the specification, the truck can handle up to 2,000 pounds of payload. (Ford Motor Company)

Depending on the configuration, the F-150 Lightning will tow a maximum of 10,000 pounds and carry a maximum payload of 2,000 pounds. Two battery options will offer either 230 or 300 miles of range, according to Ford’s estimates. Two motors, one on each axle, provide a total of 775 pound-feet of torque and up to 563 horsepower, along with full-time 4-wheel drive. Four drive modes are also available, including Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Tow/Haul.

A glance at the Lightning’s front end makes it clear this isn’t a standard F-150, thanks to a distinct LED strip that ties the headlights together. But a closer look reveals another feature that the standard F-150 does not have: a lockable, water-resistant frunk (front trunk).

With two USB charging ports and four standard home-style electrical outlets, this 14.1 cubic-foot space can be used as a trunk to carry things or workspace thanks to a desk that folds out. The frunk also serves as the focus of attention at a tailgate party, with a drainable space that can hold ice and cold drinks while the power outlets provide a way to cook or keep food warm.

Ford equips every F-150 Lightning with Sync 4 infotainment technology. With Lariat and Platinum trim, it includes a 15.5-inch touchscreen display mounted portrait-style on the dashboard. (Ford Motor Company)

The Lightning can do more than power crockpots before the game. The truck will have three off-board power systems (the one in the frunk and two in the bed) that offer a total of 9,600 watts of power.

One likely use case will be to power tools at a work site. In that scenario, with the larger of the two battery pack options, Ford says the Lightning will be able to power three day’s worth of work and three days of 80-mile round trip commuting before needing a recharge. With the proper connection, which Ford will help interested buyers install, the F-150 Lightning can even power the average home for three days during a power outage.

Ford is currently taking reservations for the F-150 Lightning, which also comes in XLT, Lariat, and Platinum trim in addition to the standard commercial-grade model. Prices for these trim levels range from the low $50,000s to the low $90,000s. The Lightning goes on sale in the spring of 2022.