With the F-150 Lightning, Ford has turned its bestselling full-sized pickup into an all-electric truck with impressive capabilities. As the electric vehicle market grows and prices come down, options like the F-150 Lightning are becoming more attractive for buyers who want to combine top truck performance with a reduced carbon footprint. One of the biggest considerations when buying an all-electric pickup is how long it takes to charge the battery. Our F-150 experts here at Jim Burke Ford have taken a closer look at this question.
2024 F-150 Lightning Charging Times
Before diving into the F-150 Lightning’s charging times, it’s important to know that they vary according to several factors. Firstly, there are three different types of EV battery charging, known typically as Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 charging. A Level 1 charger is a household power outlet and the slowest way to recharge a battery.
Level 2 chargers can be installed in the home and are also found at public charging sites. They can fully charge a typical EV battery from seven to 11 hours, depending on its size. Finally, Level 3 or DC fast chargers are available at public sites only. They can replenish a battery in an hour or less.
In the case of the Ford F-150 Lightning, another factor impacting the charging time is whether it has a standard or extended-range battery. The F-150’s two electric motors generate 452 horsepower with the standard range battery, while the extended-range battery pushes output to 580 horsepower.
The standard battery takes about 36 minutes to charge from 15% to 80% when using a Level 3 charger. If driving a truck with an extended-range battery, the same charge takes about 41 minutes. By contrast, using a standard household power outlet adds a mere 2 miles of driving range per hour, which means it takes over 100 hours or four days to fully charge a battery, which isn’t a practical option for most people.
Level 2 chargers offer a good middle ground. With a standard power cord, a Level 2 charger takes about 10 hours to fully charge the standard battery and 15 hours for the extended-range battery. Ford’s Charge Station Pro, which we’ll discuss more below, speeds up the charging process. This device can fully charge an extended-range battery in approximately eight hours.
F-150 Lightning Driving Range
The driving range of a pickup truck varies considerably depending on the choice of battery. The standard battery pack for the Ford-150 Lightning, which contains a 98-kilowatt battery, is good for 230 miles when fully charged. The range rises to 320 miles with the extended-range battery pack, which contains a 131-kilowatt battery. However, it’s important to remember that the truck’s estimated range is based on typical driving, so it may change during off-roading or towing.
For example, the F-150 Lightning has a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds with the extended-range battery and 7,700 pounds with the standard battery. In a test by Car and Driver, the F-150 Lightning’s driving range with an extended battery dropped to 100 miles when it towed a 6,100-pound trailer and traveled at 70 mph. These changes are important to keep in mind when deciding whether the F-150 Lightning would be suitable for specific driving and towing habits.
Charging Infrastructure for the Ford F-150 Lightning
Owners of the F-150 Lightning have free access to the BlueOval Charge Network (BOCN), regardless of the trim and model year. FordPass app is used to connect to BOCN, allowing the user to select their truck and control various options. It grants access to 250 kWh fast charging at a widespread network of Electrify America charging stations across the country without any annual fees.
Technological Innovations
One of the most exciting aspects of the F-150 Lightning’s charging technology is that it can act as a power generator as well as a truck. So, in the case of a power outage, owners can use the Ford-150 Ligthning’s battery to run their appliances. Ford estimates that a fully charged F-150 Lightning can supply enough power to keep the average house running for three days. This is also useful when camping, but using the battery to power camping gear will reduce the Ford’s driving range.
There are several tech options to consider when determining how best to charge the Ford-150 Lightning at home. The basic option is the Mobile Power Cord, which gives up to 30 amps of charging and can be used with any power socket. The cord can be added as an optional extra to a vehicle purchase or bought separately. Alternatively, the Ford Connect Charge Station or Charge Station Pro delivers faster charging. The Charge Station provides 48 amps, while the Charge Station Pro boosts that to 80 amps.
Another exciting option is the Ford Charge Station Pro with Intelligent Backup Power, which is offered in collaboration with Sunrun. This is an excellent purchase for owners who want to draw on their vehicle’s battery power in their home. The system includes an inverter, a microgrid integration device, and a dark-start battery.
Get Your New Ford F-150 Lightning From Jim Burke Ford in Bakersfield, California
Now that you know more about how to charge a Ford F-150 Lightning, why not check out some of the other great features available with this electric truck? Whether it’s the massive 15-inch touch screen in the cabin or the Lightning’s towing abilities that interest you, our Ford experts at Jim Burke in Bakersfield are on hand to help you. We can also advise you on your auto loan and leasing options to help you get behind the wheel of your new truck. Feel free to contact us today with any questions, or even schedule a test drive, and we’ll be happy to assist.
