The debut in 2021 of the all-electric version of America’s most popular pickup truck, the Ford F-150 Lightning, marked a major shift in the truck landscape. The Lightning has been an instant favorite of truck enthusiasts, selling out on its initial reservation in only 60 days. Since then, Ford has continued to introduce improvements to its popular all-electric truck, even winning MotorTrend’s Truck of the Year in 2023.

This article will explore what makes the F-150 Lightning such an impressive addition to Ford’s growing EV lineup, as well as compare the six different trims available. We’ll also take a look at the best way to save money when financing your Lightning purchase through an EV Climate Loan with EV Life.

Ford F-150 Lightning Specs, Design, and Safety Features

Exterior

Visually, the Ford F-150 Lightning is virtually indistinguishable from its gas-powered counterpart, with a few unique elements. It has the same classic design and rugged looks, sporting a high-strength steel frame and a spacious 5.5-foot bed, a grill-less front end, and R-shaped head and tail lights.

Interior

The interior of the Lightning, which is only offered as a five-passenger crew cab, is also similar to the standard F-150, but with a few small differences. A large touchscreen infotainment system with Ford’s latest Sync 4 software comes standard, along with, in-dash navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Lightning also provides exceptional storage, offering 14.1 cubic feet of “frunk” (front trunk) space capable of carrying up to 400 lbs of cargo.

Safety Features

The F-150 Lightning boasts a variety of standard driver assistance and other state-of-the-art safety features, including:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Available adaptive cruise control with hands-free driving mode
• Curve control
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control (RSC) 

Battery and Trim Options

Every F-150 Lighting model uses a dual-motor powertrain to enable electric all-wheel-drive and exhibits the trademark EV acceleration, reaching 0-60 in about four seconds. Two battery options are available, with the standard range holding 98 kWh of usable capacity and the extended range pack capable of 131 kWh.

Standard batteries have an EPA-estimated range of 240 miles and 452 horsepower, while the optional extended-range battery will increase the range to 320 miles and bump the power up to 580 horsepower. The Lightning comes in five trim levels: Pro, XLT, XLT High, Lariat, and Platinum. Each trim has a variety of packages, range-extending battery options, and add-on features.

Comparing Ford F-150 Lightning Models at a Glance: 

Ford F-150 Lightning Version	Price	Range	EV Tax Credit	State/Local Incentives
F-150 Lightning Pro	$49,995	240 miles	$7,500	Check incentives
F-150 Lightning XLT	$54,995	240 miles	$7,500	Check incentives
F-150 Lightning Lariat	$69,995	240 miles	$7,500	Check incentives
F-150 Lightning Platinum Extended Range	$91,995	320 miles	N/A	Check incentives

How to Save Money on Your Ford F-150 Lightning

There’s some exciting news for drivers considering the Ford F-150 Lightning. In July 2023, Ford announced that the 2024 F-150 Lightning would receive a price reduction of nearly $10,000—bringing the starting price for the Pro model down to $49,995.

But the savings don’t stop there. There are a variety of programs, grants, and tax credits available to encourage drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles. Here are a few incentives available that can help you save even more on your Ford F-150 Lightning:

Federal Tax Credit. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 introduced a new federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500 for qualified drivers looking to purchase an EV. Electric trucks and SUVs with an MSRP of up $80,000 may qualify.

Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP). For Californians, the CVRP offers rebates of up to $7,500 for the purchase of eligible electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles.

Clean Vehicle Assistance Program. The CVAP, another California-based program, provides grants and loan assistance to lower-income drivers looking to purchase or lease clean vehicles, including EVs and plug-in hybrids.

Clean Cars 4 All. The Clean Cars 4 All program helps lower-income Californians by offering incentives to retire their older gas-powered vehicles and invest in EVs. 

Colorado Electric Vehicle Tax Credit. The Colorado EV tax credit offers Colorado residents a tax credit of up to $5,000 toward the purchase of an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with an MSRP of up to $80,000.

Skip the Waiting Period for Your EV Incentives with EV Life

With the whole country looking to shift toward an electric future, there are plenty of federal, state, and local programs offering incentives for drivers willing to make the switch. The problem is that each one is different and has its own eligibility requirements, application process, and approval waiting period. 

Even if you’re able to sort through all the fine print to find the programs you qualify for, you still have to wait as long as 18 months to get approved before you see a dime. If you finance the purchase of your EV, you’re stuck making expensive monthly loan payments while you wait for help to arrive. But if you opt for the EV Climate Loan from EV Life, you can skip the waiting period and use your incentives now. 

EV Life helps you get pre-approved for the programs you’re eligible for, then lets you apply your incentives to your loan right away, significantly lowering your monthly payments by an average of $200 per month compared with traditional lenders. EV Life will even comb through each program with you to make sure you missing any savings you’re entitled to. Get pre-qualified today and find out how much you could save on your new Ford F-150 Lightning.