The Ford F-150 Lightning has several home and public charging options. Users also get complimentary access to select public fast charging stations.
The Ford F-150 Lightning is a high-performance electric truck, but how many charging options can drivers expect from this EV? Charging cars are a reality that many Americans are just getting used to, which is why there's still quite a bit of skepticism about EVs. The electrification of mobility has continued to grow, with the benefits of EVs constantly being highlighted. These days, automakers are equipping EVs with better driving range and luxurious designs as witnessed in the Mercedes-Benz EQS.
Charging an EV is similar to charging a smartphone or other electronic device. Depending on the battery capacity and the level of charging used, charge times can vary from 30 minutes to eight hours. EVs can be charged using Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 (DC fast charging) charge modes. The last method can top up the battery within minutes. EVs can be charged at home or at the nearest public charging station. Public charging stations are often found in restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets, and usually support Level 2 and Level 3 charging. Some automakers even partner with charging stations to provide customers with complimentary charging for a certain period.
Related: The Ford F-150 Lightning EV Could Be A Bestseller For Range And Affordability
One factor that discourages consumers from switching to EVs is the topic of charging. America’s charging infrastructure can't handle the population of EVs, which is why the U.S. government embarked on a mission to increase the number of charging stations. Working with automakers like Tesla and charging stations like Electrify America, the government wants to make charging EVs affordable and accessible to all. Like most EVs released today, the Ford F-150 Lightning supports home and public charging. This means that the Ford truck is compatible with the three levels of EV charging. Rated at 120V, a Level 1 charger is the slowest method and is best used overnight. Level 2 is rated at 240V and can be used at home and in public charging stations. DC fast charging is Level 3 and comes with a rating between 400V to 900V. This method is found in charging stations.
At home, buyers can use the Ford Mobile Power Cord which comes as a standard accessory for all F-150 Lightning purchases. While it's possible to charge the truck using a standard 120V outlet, it's arguably the slowest way to charge. For faster charging times, the mobile power cord comes with a 240V connector that allows drivers to enjoy Level 2 charging. However, only a certified electrician can install a NEMA 14-50 240V outlet. For even faster charging times and increased convenience, Ford customers can contact Sunrun, an electrical installation expert, to install the Ford Charge Station Pro. It's considered the fastest way to charge F-150 Lightning models with the Extended Range battery. Those with the Standard Range variant will need to spend extra dollars to get this fast-charging system.
Interestingly, each purchase of the F-150 EV comes with two perks that will come in handy for charging at public charging stations. Buyers are rewarded with two-year access to the Blue Oval Charge Network and get complimentary access to DC fast charging at Electrify America Stations. The fast charging incentive is capped at 250kWh. Aside from being a flagship product and a part of Ford’s electrification efforts, the F-150 Lightning is arguably the most innovative electric truck on the market. Ford designed the F-150 Lightning to serve as a standby generator whenever there's a power outage. Using a system called Intelligent Backup Power, the Ford F-150 Lightning will supply electricity to a home during a blackout for between three to 10 days, depending on the usage.
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Michael Akuchie is a freelance content writer with 2 year's worth of experience. His writings cover the Customer Experience, HR Tech, Digital Transformation, and Automobile industries. He's also an Anime enthusiast, with Naruto and AOT being his two all-time best Anime shows.