What You'll Learn
What You'll LearnAs you read about the incredible battery in the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, you'll learn:
- The extended-range battery for the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning has a target range of 300 miles.
- Beyond its capabilities, the actual makeup of the battery itself is revolutionary in that it uses less rare metal.
What Can the Ford F-150 Lightning Battery Do?
Before we dive into the chemistry of this pickup truck's battery, it's time to recap some of its other specs. After all, capability is everything in the world of pickups. Here's what you can expect from the battery in the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning:
- The standard battery has a targeted EPA-estimated range of 230 miles. For those who want even more range, the extended-range battery has a targeted EPA-estimated range of 300 miles.
- With Ford Intelligent Backup Power, an extended-range battery with a full charge can power a house for as long as three to 10 days, depending on how power is rationed. This requires the home to be properly equipped to disconnect from the grid and use the truck as a generator.
- Enhanced Pro Power Onboard offers up to 9.6 kW of maximum power through 11 available outlets. The 9.6 kW version of the truck includes four 120V outlets in the front trunk, two in the cab, and four more in the bed. There is also a single 240V outlet for jobs that need even more power.Â
Of course, the battery also does the critically important job of powering the impressive Ford F-150 Lightning. Moving a big, capable truck like this is no small task. It's even more impressive when you consider the revolutionary chemistry that goes into this battery.
What Makes This Battery So Special?
There are plans to start harvesting precious metals for EV batteries from the seafloor, but until those plans become a reality, there are some environmental and ethical concerns about mining cobalt for EV batteries. The team behind the 2022 Ford Lightning's battery has found a way to address that problem. The battery in this truck will use 90% nickel, and only 5% each of manganese and cobalt.Â
The nickel will still endow the battery with excellent energy density while also making it more of an ethical and earth-friendly choice by using less cobalt. The batteries will be produced by BlueOvalSK, a newly announced joint venture between Ford and SKI. BlueOvalSK hopes to have new facilities up and running within the next few years.Â
Why Is Ford Making Batteries This Way?
Previous Ford CEO Jim Hacket stated that Ford would not be investing in battery production. The plan was to buy batteries from independent parties instead of vertically integrating the supply chain for Ford EVs. Ford is taking a new direction under new CEO Jim Farley, however.Â
Representatives for Ford have also said that their commitment to vertical integration comes from technological advancements that clarify the future of the battery industry. Ford and BMW are both investing in solid-state battery technology now. This is largely because these batteries can be produced in the same plants and using most of the same equipment currently producing lithium-ion cells. In other words, the investment in battery production is now considered to be at least somewhat "future-proof."
Test Drive the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning in Miami
Everything about the battery in this electric pickup truck is amazing, including the driving experience it powers. To feel that for yourself, get behind the wheel of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning as soon as you have a chance. Reach out to Midway Ford in Miami to see when you can schedule your test drive.