We no longer present the Ford F-150. For forty-four years this pick-up, which seems colossal to us Europeans but whose size seems quite ordinary to those of North Americans, monopolizes the first place in vehicle sales in the United States. A monument. So it was somewhat counterintuitive to see this mirror cabinet produced at some 600,000 units a year, motorized like a truck and especially popular in rather conservative Great Plains America, zealously embracing the crusade for all- electric.
Ahead of its competitors, including Tesla whose Cyber Truck is accumulating delays and is not expected at best until 2023, the Lightning version of the F-150 offers a radical alternative to the most profitable model ever manufactured by Ford. Undoubtedly, it is necessary to immediately state the obvious: this vehicle cannot apply for an ecology patent. Certainly, it does not emit CO2 when it circulates, but this characteristic appears as an additional quality. The important thing is first of all its ability to adapt to the American way of life and to offer a technological showcase.
The passage of the F-150 to the electric era takes place in the strictest respect for the excessiveness dear to the automotive culture born in Detroit, where it is produced. The beast measures 5.91 m, weighs almost three tons, develops a power of up to 563 hp distributed by two motors and a monstrous torque of 1,050 Nm. It cuts down from 0 to 100 km / h in just four seconds, gratifying its occupants of intense but never violent accelerations. The Lightning can tow a load of more than 900 kilos, carry 800 kilos of material in its dumpster and boasts proven off-road skills.
Enormes batteries
Its huge batteries (98 or 131 kW) provide it with up to 513 kilometers of autonomy, according to the manufacturer, and are also able to power all kinds of external electrical devices (pump, winch, etc.) or even recharge another electric car. On the other hand, the charger does not go beyond 150 kW in direct current, which seems a bit sparse for such a behemoth. On a household outlet, it will take 19 hours to go from 15% to 100% charge.
Weighted by its 800 kilos of batteries, the F-150 Lightning does not lie down in the turns and its multi-link rear axle (an ordinary endowment, except for a pick-up) like its surprisingly soft steering generate a feeling of comfort. The passenger compartment is vast, its presentation neat without being luxurious and the driving is much more fluid than on board its thermal engine counterpart. Without forcing, we found an average consumption of 29 kWh per 100 km. It’s a lot, especially when empty, but unavoidable to move such a heavy machine. It will take many kilometres, preferably with low-carbon electricity, to absorb the « this they CO2 » in particular attributable to the manufacture of its batteries.
You have 19.01% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.