Ford announced that the new 2023 F-150 Lightning all-electric pickup truck completed two high-intensity towing tests. The purpose was to test the vehicle’s hauling performance and capabilities thoroughly. The 10,000-pound towing challenge revealed several strong suits. These included the ability to perform under different climate settings.
Mathews Ford Sandusky, OH, customers need to know what effect towing and the climate limitations had on its range. The company confirmed its EPA-rated range ratings for several variants of the F-150 Lightning. Ford said it would release this information shortly.
The Challenges
Cold Weather Test
Ford took the F-150 Lightning and 10,000-pound loaded trailers to Colorado’s I-70. This happened on the coldest day in February 2022 in Boulder. The temperatures sunk to -2° F near the Eisenhower Tunnel. Something that hadn’t happened in 123 years. This route was eight miles long and ascended at a 7% incline to a maximum elevation of 11,158 feet.
Mojave Desert Test
Ford took the F-150 Lightning through State Route 68 between Las Vegas and the Hoover Dam to test the opposite. This route ascends from 550 feet to 3,500 feet in 11.4 miles. It’s a grueling test for any powertrain, let alone one that is towing 10,000 pounds behind it.
Ford engineers made the two tests part of the F-150 Lightning’s development. These went on for “hundreds of hours” with towing alone.
The Findings
Towing is a highly stressful test for any powertrain. But for electric vehicles, it contributes to a significant loss of driving range due to the additional energy needed to pull. In the past, Tesla tests revealed considerable range losses. This is an understandable barrier due to the nature of the job. However, Ford’s testing in a freezing climate while towing would likely show significant range loss, as frigid temperatures only hurt range, even when towing is not the task.
Monroney stickers from several Ford F-150 Lightning variants were released in 2022. According to EPA estimates, the F-150 Lightning Base Pro Series had 230 miles of range. Meanwhile, with its extended-range battery pack, the Platinum Series achieved a range rating of 300 miles. Ford has confirmed these range estimates in a statement.
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