The Drive Tests Ford F-150 Lightning’s Towing Abilities

Few vehicles have created as much hype and excitement over the last few years as Ford’s all-new, all-electric F-150 Lightning. The promise of an electric vehicle’s benefits wrapped in a practical, capable pickup shape is something we’ve seen with the likes of the Rivian R1T, but Ford has aimed at delivering the first mass-market electric pickup. The Drive recently tested the new Lightning’s towing abilities, and the results are promising.

The Drive had the opportunity to see how the F-150 Lightning fares when loaded down with a trailer. Caleb Jacobs writes that the unladen power is “intoxicating,” which makes sense given the 580 horsepower and 775 pound-feet of torque available in the Lightning’s Extended Range form. For perspective, Jacobs notes that his daily driver is a Ford F-350 with the 7.3-liter PowerStroke diesel. Not exactly an engine that has left us wanting for power in the past.

The electric F-150′s positives go beyond engine  power—Jacobs explains that the onboard tech and nature of the electric powertrain are also boons when towing. The EV layout in conjunction with the independent rear suspension makes trailering “easy, controlled, and comfortable. It can be done, and with more immediacy than even a diesel could ever hope to manage,” Jacobs writes. Ford also packed the Lightning with onboard bed scales, and the EV’s built-in regenerative braking helps it regain range. Jacobs tested the Lightning over Colorado’s daunting Eisenhower Pass, one of the most trying routes in the country, and the Lightning performed beautifully.

However, Jacbos did express concerns about battery charging. The Drive reports that the Lightning charged from 15 percent to 80 percent over 40 minutes with a 150-kilowatt DC fast charger. That’s a long time to wait when compared with filling a gas tank. Still, the Lightning appears to be extremely promising, and we’re thrilled to hear that it’s a competent tow rig.