Knowledge is Power: The Facts and Figures of Towing with the Electric Ford F-150® Lightning® 

For a truck to earn BUILT FORD TOUGH™ status, it must be durable, be able to haul, and yes, it’s got to be able to tow. For customers considering an electric truck, F-150 Lightning checks all three boxes – without any tailpipe emissions. 

When it comes to towing specifically, more than half of F-150 Lightning customers have signaled their towing intent by selecting the available Max Trailer Tow Package. The package allows for an available maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds for special configurations to go along with 775 lb.-ft. of nearly instant electric torque.

The numbers speak for themselves, but the experience of towing with gas trucks or F-150 Lightning comes with a few undeniable facts:

• Whether gas or electric, driving distance while towing is similarly impacted by weather, temperature and geography. Speed and trailer aerodynamics also play a role: the faster you drive and the larger the frontal area of the trailer, the greater the impact on range
• A significant difference between gas and electric trucks is that gas trucks can begin with approximately twice the range (or more) compared to the average electric truck, depending on configuration
• Temperature extremes impact electric trucks more than gas, though F-150 Lightning can help mitigate those effects and maximize range by pre-conditioning prior to departure while the vehicle is plugged in. Pre-conditioning uses energy from the vehicle charger or outlet – instead of the battery – to warm or cool the battery and the cabin

So what does this mean for a customer? Well, if you’ve driven gas-powered trucks for years, towing with F-150 Lightning should feel a bit different as power delivered by dual electric motors provides a smooth and consistent experience with maximum torque available off the line.

You’ll also have to recharge more often than you would refuel. The energy density of fuel allows an F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid to achieve up to 704 miles of EPA-estimated range, compared to the top EPA-estimated range of F-150 Lightning, which is 320 miles.

And – at least right now – there are approximately three times as many gas stations as electric vehicle charging stations in the U.S.

For commercial customers, this is an important consideration for job sites in rural areas or for extreme use cases when getting the job done. 

“The F-150 Lightning is an ideal companion for many F-150 customers and businesses who want to tow. For customers towing longer distances with payloads nearing the max, Ford has you covered with models like the F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid,” said Darren Palmer, VP, battery electric vehicle programs, Ford Model e. “Your power. Your choice.”

The F-150 Lightning can tow, even cross country. For customers who choose the benefits of an electric truck over trip speed, like Mark Eakin, an F-150 Lightning owner and retired oceanographer, a towing trip from Maryland to California is achievable. 

“As a scientist, I understand that there will be an effect on range because of various factors and wind was a particularly important one during my journey,” he said. “Planning in advance helps and the Ford technology is a big enabler in the planning.”

The technology Eakin mentions starts with Intelligent Range, which collects vehicle data like speed, ambient temperature, available battery energy, driver habits, climate control use and route topography to determine how much electrical energy drivers use in real time. The system also uses cloud computing to gauge energy use from other similar types of Ford electric vehicles operating in similar situations, resulting in more accurate vehicle range calculations over time.

Helpful Ford technology also works seamlessly with public charging stations. For commercial customers, Ford Pro offers end-to-end charging solutions and experts to help customers understand if F-150 Lightning is right for their needs, including extreme use cases. 

“Customers don’t need to worry about estimating range with all the different factors in play, because our intuitive Ford technologies do that for them, and suggest the best options for charging along their route,” Palmer said. “Once at a charger, available Plug and Charge means a customer can plug in, while the truck manages charger authentication and integrated payment.”

###

The Difference Between LFP and NCM Batteries – And Why It Matters

In the world of electric vehicles, there are two main types of batteries used to power their performance: nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP). Ford is planning to assemble both kinds of batteries in the U.S. and will offer customers a second battery technology as they shop for an EV.*

That’s a big deal because adding another battery chemistry to Ford’s EV lineup means the company can scale production more quickly while also making its vehicles more accessible for customers. 

But what does it mean for your electric vehicle’s performance – and how do you know which battery is best for you?

Offering both chemistries allows Ford customers to choose an electric vehicle with unique battery performance characteristics that are most aligned with their needs. 

NCM Benefits

• Higher power rating and energy density.
• Can travel long distances and handle greater loads.
• Hold up well in colder conditions.
• Set the max AC charge level to 90 percent to maintain battery health; charge to 80 percent recommended on DC fast chargers
• May be a welcome option for customers who desire long range.

LFP Benefits

• Tend to be more durable with a longer projected lifespan.
• Can tolerate more frequent and faster DC fast charging.
• Use fewer high-demand, high-cost materials.
• Set the max AC charge level to 100 percent and charge to the max at least once per month to maintain range accuracy; charge to 80 percent recommended on DC fast chargers.
• May be a welcome option for customers who have known range requirements, like business owners who run the same routes and charge frequently, or people who primarily need their EV for shorter daily trips and commutes.

So where and when will you see these batteries deployed across the Ford EV lineup? Starting in the second half of 2023, Ford will be introducing its standard range Mustang® Mach-E® vehicles powered by LFP batteries. These vehicles even bring some performance enhancements: The eAWD configuration of the Mustang Mach-E SUV will gain an increased 45 horsepower, while targeted EPA range estimates for standard range RWD configurations increase from 247 miles to 250 miles and standard range eAWD configurations rise from 224 miles to 226 miles.**

In 2024, LFP batteries will also be introduced to the F-150® Lightning® truck, and Ford will continue to integrate the batteries into a variety of affordable, next-generation EV passenger vehicles and trucks under development, most of which will be assembled in the U.S.* The combination of LFP and NCM batteries will help Ford deliver an annual run rate of 600,000 electric vehicles globally by 2024 and eventually 2 million globally.

*Assembled in the USA with domestic and foreign parts.

**Based on full charge. USA EPA-targeted range based on analytical projection consistent with US EPA 
combined drive cycle. Actual range varies with conditions such as external environment, vehicle use, vehicle maintenance, lithium-ion battery age and state of health.

Tips to help maximize the range of your EV in extreme weather

Ford EVs have been tested in extreme cold conditions, enduring months of real-world winter driving in Alaska and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The batteries have been subjected to temperatures as high as 140°F to as low as minus 40°F in Ford’s atmospheric test chambers. However, all-electric vehicles experience energy decreases in cold temperatures due to battery cell chemistry. Temperatures below 40°F cause the electrolyte fluid to become sluggish, limiting how much power is available to discharge and how quickly the vehicle’s battery can charge. As EV customers across the United States and Canada experience winter with their new EVs, Ford wants to help make them aware that in low temperatures they could see a significant reduction in range, which is normal.

With temperatures that can drop below freezing in northern parts of the U.S., here are some tips for how you can best prepare your EV to maximize range in extreme weather conditions:

1. Park your EV in a garage: Garage storage helps to ensure that harsh weather conditions outside do not affect your vehicle, and maintaining a warmer storage temperature than outdoors will aid in vehicle and battery performance. 

2. Plug in your EV when parked for extended periods of time: Keeping the vehicle plugged in works to maintain battery health and helps to prevent excessive discharge scenarios.  

3. Precondition your vehicle before use to warm the battery while plugged-in: By preconditioning your vehicle, you’re allowing the battery to warm to optimum temperature before use, positively affecting range and driving dynamics. For Ford EV owners, preconditioning can be scheduled using the vehicle’s SYNC touchscreen or from the comfort of your couch using the FordPass app. 

4. The best way to keep warm: If equipped, use the heated seats and steering wheel as primary heat to reduce energy consumed by HVAC. 

5. Turn off the heat when charging your EV: When charging, turn off the heater if possible, or lower the temperature enough to remain comfortable (especially when using DC Fast Charging).

6. Use your vehicle’s Ford Onboard Navigation to locate a DC Fast Charging station: In doing this, the vehicle preconditions by warming up the battery within 20 miles of your destination. This allows the battery to accept a charge faster in cold weather, getting you back on the road quicker.

7. Keep driving speeds moderate as high speeds use more energy: Higher speeds can negatively impact range in all types of weather. For best results, Ford recommends limiting your speed when possible.

8. Ensure your tires are at the proper pressure: Proper tire pressure not only works to maximize range, it also works to ensure that the correct amount of tire surface area is gripping the road. Tires that are over or underinflated can lead to range degradation along with safety and performance issues. You can find the proper tire pressure figures for your vehicle using either the sticker on the door jamb, the tire pressure app on your center screen, or the owner’s manual shortcut also located using the center screen.

9. Plan your route and be prepared for whatever winter brings: Before leaving, identify all the charging locations on your route and plan your stops strategically. As with all winter driving, expect the unexpected. Make sure you have a plan in the event you run into poor conditions.