Ford is cranking up prices on its EV pickup, but 2023 will at least get more range and a new handy towing tech feature.
The Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup has had shocking sales numbers. There was so much interest that Ford had to put a pause on orders while it caught up with the ones already taken. Well, the order books are back open, and Ford has some good news and some bad news for anyone who has been waiting.
The good? New available features and some more range. The bad? A price increase of nearly $9,000 depending on the model you want.
Base Range Climbs 10 Miles
Buyers who want the standard range battery get one of the nicest bonuses. The EPA estimated range for that version of the truck climbs 10 miles to a total of 240.
The smaller standard battery pack will be offered on base Pro, XLT, and Lariat trim levels. This isn’t the first time Ford has upgraded the truck’s specifications over time.
Ford didn’t announce a range change for the Extended Range versions of the truck. So, expect those to stay the same at 320 miles for XLT and Lariat trucks and 300 miles for the Platinum.
New Feature: Trailer Hookup Assistant
Another addition is Pro Trailer Hitch Assist. Ford calls the driver aid an industry first. It works to control the accelerator — Ford still calls it a throttle — and brakes, as well as the steering.
So, it can do most of the driving for you when backing up to your trailer’s hitch. And that’s handy for those who tow but don’t do it quite often enough to get comfortable.
Pro Trailer Hitch Assist will come as part of the Tow Technology Package. The pack already includes a 360-degree camera, backup assist, onboard scales, and a smart trailer tow connector. It will be a $1,950 option on Pro, XLT, and Lariat trims and standard on Platinum.
Prices Climb as Much as $8,500
Then there’s that price increase. It’s not really a surprise that Ford is raising the cost of a Lightning for 2023. The company isn’t immune to the increasing costs of nearly everything that goes into the truck, from metals for the battery to semiconductor chips to tires.
Ford calls its cost increases “significant.” Adding that current order holders waiting for their trucks will get the old price, and that any reservation holders who pushed back their original order dates will get “a private offer” to buy their Lightning later.
The base 2023 Lightning Pro model starts from $46,974. That’s $7,000 more than the truck’s MSRP for model year 2022.
An XLT trim truck with the standard battery climbs $6,500 to $59,474, while the extended range version of that trim is now $80,974, or $8,500 more.
Lariat trim trucks see the starting price climb $7,000, to $74,474, and $8,450, to $85,974.
At the top end of the range, the Platinum Extended Range truck is now $96,874, $6,030 more than the 2022 version.
Adding to this, Ford has increased its destination fee by $100, now $1,795.
It’s still the most affordable electric pickup on sale now, and by a large margin. The GMC Hummer EV pickups expected for delivery starting in the fall are from $104,650, and a Rivian R1T currently shows an estimated delivery of late 2023 for new reservations.
New Special Service Fleet Package
There are some other small changes for the 2023 Ford Lightning.
Ford is adding a Ford Pro Special Service Vehicle Package. Meant for fleet use, it includes police-grade cloth seats with built-in steel intrusion plates. This one also offers roof-mount LED warning beacons.
For 2023 two new colors are joining the list. Avalanche Gray and Azure Gray metallic are add-ons, while Atlas Blue, Ice Blue Silver, and Smoked Quartz are removed from the options list.
Ford will let reservation holders know when it’s their turn on the orders list, which will officially reopen on Thursday, August 11. Production of those trucks is expected to start in the fall. Ford hasn’t said how many potential buyers will be included in this “order wave.”
