Ford starts pre-production of all-electric F-150 Lightning

The Ford F-150 Lightning EV in production

Ford has started pre-production of the all-electric F-150 Lightning. Vehicles produced will be used as test mules before sales start in spring 2022.

The new EV pickup is being assembled at the new, $700 million (£511 million) Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Michigan. The carmaker has further announced an additional $250 million (£182 million) investment to support EV production. This will create about 450 jobs at the plants Rouge Center, Van Dyke Electric Powertrain Center and Rawsonville Components Plant.

The Ford F-150 Lightning has a standard range of 230 miles, while versions with an extended-range battery pack return up to 300 miles range. Ford reports it has received 150,000 reservations for the forthcoming model.

“We knew the F-150 Lightning was special, but the interest from the public has surpassed our highest expectations and changed the conversation around electric vehicles. So we are doubling down, adding jobs and investment to increase production,” said Bill Ford, executive chair, Ford Motor Co.

The Rouge plant has been designed to incorporate a series of environmentally-friendly features. In addition to using natural and LED lighting across the plant, the forklift fleet will use hydrogen fuel cells. The plant, located at the former Dearborn assembly plant, used some reclaimed material from the plant structure.

In total, Ford has announced that it will invest $30 billion (£22 billion) in electrification through 2025.