Ford F-150 Lightning Electric Pickup (2021)

Ford F150 Lightning is the first fully-electric version of the legendary F150 pickup truck. Sharing much of the design details with the conventionally-powered 14th-gen F150, the Lightning is noted for its adoption of four-wheel independent suspensions and front trunk ("frunk") as well as, obviously, its battery-electric power train.

While the F150 Lightning retains its body-on-frame construction with high-strength steel and aluminum alloys, the need to fit the battery in the ladder frame means that, unlike the conventional F150, only one wheelbase is offered, at least at launch. It is the SuperCrew cab with 5.5-foot bed.

Sandwiching the battery are two transversely-mounted AC motors that drive either axle directly. As this setup removes the need for a 90-degree transfer of power at the differential, Ford dropped the solid rear axle on the F150 in favor of fully independent suspensions. This move is marketed as improving ride quality, which it does, though it potentially impairs off-road capabilities, which the position of the battery pack does, too.

As other new cars have fallen prey to, the F150 Lightning has a spacious touch screen mounted in the center console. The instrument cluster uses another screen. While consumers are led to believe that they want this, these screens are less easy to operate than physical buttons and gauges and, in the long run, they become archaic more quickly.