Last week, Ford Authority covered the all-new 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, The Blue Oval’s first fully electric full-size pickup truck. But Ford has another Lightning variant in addition to that groundbreaking truck in the form of the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro: an entry level, commercial work truck ready to tackle anything fleet operators can throw at it.
Ted Cannis, General Manager of Ford’s North American Commercial Business, stated that every facet of the Ford F-150 Lightning was designed with commercial owners in mind. That allowed the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro to boast some built-in advantages right out of the gate, even without taking into account the work-oriented productivity software suite that will be available at launch.
In fact, the Pro isn’t a completely separate entity from the rest of the lineup, but rather an affordable, entry level variant positioned intelligently within the Lightning model range. Its attractiveness starts with a $39,974 base price for the standard range battery setup with a targeted 230 mile EPA range. That powertrain will be available to Pro retail and commercial customers. An extended range battery will allow fleets to drive a projected 300 miles before depleting that particular battery, and with a $49,974 base price, it represents an alluring option for commercial vehicle users who need a truck that can go a little bit farther between charging sessions. The extended range Pro will be exclusively reserved for commercial customers.
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT on left and 2022 F-150 Lightning Pro on right
Standard Pro features like vinyl seating and a full-size spare tire augment the appeal of the Pro, but the killer app for the truck just might be its impressive overall output. The standard range models will pack a targeted 426 horsepower and 775 pound-feet of torque while the extended range variant will boost horsepower to an estimated 563. That torque output dwarfs any previous production F-150 by a substantial margin, and the icing on the cake is standard four-wheel drive.
Towing and payload figures are similarly destined to, at minimum, raise eyebrows. Base Pro models are projected to have a 2,000 pound maximum payload rating and up to 5,000 pounds of towing capability. An available Max Trailer Tow package will raise that latter figure to a respectable 7,700 pounds. All models come standard with a Class IV receiver. The extended range battery with the same package takes things even further with a 10,000 pound maximum towing rating.
Like the retail model, the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro includes some baked in features that will no doubt make it quite compelling for commercial customers, with the Mega Power Frunk being a standout piece of kit on every model, regardless of trim. Ford says the front trunk is rated for 400 pounds of payload, or roughly eight bags of Quikrete. Additionally, the Pro can generate power for operators who would otherwise need to haul a generator around to the job site, as the available 9.6 kW Pro Power Onboard system can provide enough electricity at a four person job site for up to three days. Four 120 volt power outlets and two USB are standard on every Pro as well, and base models will also have Pro Power Onboard, with a still-impressive 2.4 kWh output.
Additionally, every Pro will come standard with Ford Co-Pilot360 2.0 and a 12-inch Sync 4 infotainment system. That latter feature will allow the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro to interface with the available Ford EV Telematics suite, which will also be offered on the 2022 Ford E-Transit. The specialized app will enable commercial operators access to key information about any Lightning Pro within their fleet, including range to empty, general behavioral trends, current vehicle charge status, and state of health, in addition to its current location. EV Telematics can also seamlessly process payment information as it relates to a corporate-wide account across multiple trucks, so a fleet of individual drivers can bill their company if they charge their assigned Pro at a public station or at their private residence.
This unprecedented, all-electric, work-oriented truck will not be impactful if commercial buyers could not extract cost-effective value out of them, but Ford is confident that these particular customers will immediately benefit from adopting the Pro into their fleets from day one. That starts with a residual value that’s projected to be at least as high as the gasoline models, which already command favorable rates when compared to the competition. Even better are the projected operating costs, which Ford estimates will be 40 percent less than an equivalent gasoline powered 2021 Ford F-150 equipped with the Ford 2.7L EcoBoost V6 over eight years and 100,000 miles. The Blue Oval also concluded that the vast majority of commercial buyers will be just fine with the standard range battery, as Ford Telematics data revealed that 95 percent of commercial F-150 trucks travel less than 174 miles in a single day.
“F-150 Lightning Pro represents so much more than an electric workhorse – it’s made for
commercial customers inside and out, it gets better over time, and it’s totally plugged into
always-on services that can help business productivity,” said Ford CEO Jim Farley.
The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro is part of Ford’s plan to maintain its commercial vehicle dominance in America, where it currently enjoys a 43 percent market share in the Class 1-7 full-size commercial van and pickup truck segment. The Dearborn automaker expects over 1 million electric commercial vehicles to be sold in the U.S. by 2030, and the Pro, with Ford Telematics and advanced connectivity for third-party fleet management software, is well positioned for the future. Commercial buyers should have no problem upfitting their trucks either, as the Pro’s 5.5-foot bed is identical to its gasoline brethren.
Ford is launching the F-150 Lightning in spring of 2022, although it is currently unclear if that includes the Pro model as well. Either way, every Lightning will be built at the new Ford Rogue Electric Vehicle Center. Production constraints and robust demand may limit availability though.
We’ll have much more on the F-150 Lightning Pro soon, so subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford F-150 news, F-150 Lightning news, and non-stop Ford news coverage.
Comments
What a joke. Ford is outright screwing over loyal F150 customers who ordered gas trucks. No delivery dates in sight but dealers are receiving random inventory so they can screw over buyers with ADMs of 2-5k. What a scam
Here we go again, a launch date of “spring 2022”. Based upon current and past launch date fumbles my guess is possibly a late 2023 launch date at its best.
Still waiting for my bronco who’s launch date is……..whenever it arrives. They did it with the redesigned explorer/ aviator, now the bronco and my bet the lightening will follow suit.
There’s is more to marketing than great commercials Ford you have to deliver!
Makes sense to target this audience out of the gates. Could bode very well for fleet sales and other commercial uses. The only limitations could be those who have to travel substantial distances to a work site regularly. Otherwise, smart move!
Correct get the money from the government for the electric the left is dreaming about and do what you did to the Bronco 7 speed base that still is no where to be seen. And do not blame the Chip Manufactures for as you build the product parts should be on site! This is joke how Ford operates, create shortages and increase the price, were as the public is aware of your greedy policy.
OK, now how about a entry-level base model for the average Joe at say $29,000 base. Eliminate all the “Commercial” telemetrics and other spy information-gathering electronics, the giant touch screen and produce a truck for the mass-market. How about letting us order one online and pick and choose -exactly- what we need or want? They can’t help themselves though: Everyone knows you’ll never be able to drive off the lot with one of these “Pro-only” models for $39,000. Why limit it? My money is green.
Let’s see if I understand…$10K gets another 70 miles range and enough electronic gobbledegook distractions to cause an accident in this battery operated, unsafe, polluting piece of junk. Sounds about right. What a freakin’ joke!
Your comment really hit me $10,000 for another 70 miles, I agree seems a little expensive for such a short distance.
I watched the introduction where it was stated that a lightening ( non pro model ) would be available for under $50k. The next morning the news outlets said it would start at $53k overnight the price went up about $5k. Seems about right the way their introductions go…..lol
You also get more HP and towing capcity with the larger battery. In other words the ability to drain it quicker than the small battery. It will be interesting to compare and towing performance of a truck with the small battery at its capacity and one with the big battery at its capacity.
Get the bigger battery. A commercial customer with a loaded bed and frunk will need it. By the time you add a ladder rack or other things that will block wind and maybe hook up something to the hitch, some will wish they had the larger battery. Oh, don’t forget the climate control portion in the winter….get the bigger battery.
Game changer!!
Shut down big oil, bla bla bla.
I’m not a naysayer when it comes to the transition to EV’s, but this article really left me wondering. A Lightning pro leaves for work with eight bags of Quickrete in the frunk and towing a trailer full of tools; drive 50 miles to the worksite; the whole crew plugs power tools into the numerous outlets on the truck all day long. I have a feeling when it’s time to go home, the batteries are going to be dead. And then what do you do? These range figures are modest at best, and do not account for payload, weather conditions, and all the extraneous use of the power that is being suggested.