Four years after its launch, the question is no longer whether the F-150 Lightning is a real Ford truck. However, many people are wondering whether it’s the right truck for their needs.
Specs only provide part of the answer. Reviews like the ones we’ve posted on this website are another. And then there’s feedback from actual owners, workers and entrepreneurs who’ve been driving the vehicle for months or even years.
That’s what Alain Liard did two years ago. Already owning a gas-powered F-150 Lariat, this Ottawa-area volunteer firefighter fell in love with electric vehicles when he and his wife purchased a Tesla Model Y. The F-150 Lightning soon intrigued him, so he read a lot of comments and stories on online forums, then a test drive convinced him to get one to replace his own F-150 since he liked the driving experience and the acceleration so much (which makes sense with 452 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque).
Photo: Courtesy Alain Liard
Liard picked a 2023 F-150 Lightning XLT with the extended-range battery and towing package, which cost him around $103,000 including taxes—still a lot of truck for the money, especially as a long-term acquisition and taking into account the savings on maintenance, he told us.
Difference-Making Features
The F-150 and its electric variant have a lot in common, but the latter offers extra benefits that make a difference. When it’s not carrying his golf bag, the 400-litre frunk under the hood proves incredibly useful for safely storing his firefighter suit, which can get quite messy, odorous and potentially contaminated before it is sent for decontamination. As a bonus, the built-in drain makes cleaning with a hose easier.
“Because I live a distance from the station, I often respond directly to calls, and the accessibility of my gear is critical,” the Montreal native, who normally works as an IT manager, explained. “Keeping it in the frunk allows me to separate it from the cleaner items inside the cab. This setup also makes it quick and easy to access my equipment when I arrive on scene.”
Photo: Courtesy Alain Liard
Having no children, Liard also developed the habit of keeping the back seat up to easily transport several other items, such as personal protective equipment and tools of all kinds.
“A firefighter has to be prepared for anything, so I carry a lot of equipment,” he said. “That includes emergency lights since I sometimes have to work at night.”
With Ford’s Pro Power Onboard built-in generator, Liard is able to plug in power tools and more directly into the truck—no standalone generator needed.
Complaints?
When asked about limitations or frustrations he experiences with his F-150 Lightning, the volunteer firefighter actually had a hard time answering.
Photo: Courtesy Alain Liard
“I can’t really find anything to complain about,” he said. “Sure, it can be difficult to park sometimes, but I would say the same thing with any full-size pickup. Tesla Superchargers do pose a challenge because the charging cable isn’t very long and I have to park extremely close.”
Range anxiety? Never a problem for Liard, even in winter. The 515 km provided by the 131kWh battery are more than enough. “I almost always charge at home and I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve come home with less than 10% battery,” he said.
Furthermore, although he opted for the towing package that increases his truck’s maximum capacity to 7,700 lbs, Liard rarely tows heavy loads—a boat or a trailer a few times a year, ranging from 1,600-7,000 lbs, but never for much longer than 200 km, according to his calculations. “And I’ve never had any problems or worried about running out of battery,” he admitted.
Some good news and bad news for potential customers: Ford has indefinitely suspended production of the F-150 Lightning to prioritize ICE-powered F-150 and Super Duty production (and ramp it up in 2026). However, a fair number of units remain in dealer inventory, and dealers currently have attractive offers to clear them out.
