Vermont is a wonderful state to live and drive in, with rolling green hills and a rich agricultural history. If we want to keep it that way for generations to come, then it’s important to lower air pollution and combat climate change. One easy way to help with this effort is to switch to a zero-emissions vehicle. As your Ford EV dealer, the team at Faith’s Automotive wants to let you know that EVs these days aren’t just tiny cars good for short commutes. Ford is leading the charge to create a more diverse lineup of electric vehicles so all kinds of drivers can move forward into a greener future. If you want to see this in action, just take a look at the F-150 Lightning.

The Ford F-150 isn’t just “a popular truck;” it’s been the best-selling vehicle in the country for decades now. So, if you’re wary of EVs, consider the fact that Ford wouldn’t stick the F-150 name on just any truck. The F-150 Lightning is a capable workhorse that’s worthy of the name. Like its gas and diesel-powered counterparts, this truck has a versatile cargo bed, a capable powertrain, and tough construction that’s built to last. On top of that, it has several unique benefits as a result of being an EV. Come into their dealership today and see what this truck of the future has to offer the Vermont drivers of today.

1. Long Range

Vermont may not be the biggest state in the union, but that doesn’t mean drivers don’t have to cover long distances sometimes. Whether you’re taking your freshly-grown produce to a farmers’ market miles away or just like to take road trips, being able to go for a while between charges is important. That’s why the F-150 Lightning has high-capacity batteries that can store plenty of energy onboard.

With the standard range battery, the truck has an EPA-estimated range of 240 miles. That’s enough to go from our Westminster dealership to Montpelier and back without stopping at a charging station. If that’s not enough for you, then you can upgrade to the extended range battery, which gives you an estimated 320 miles, enough to make a round trip from here up to Canada or down to Stratford, CT, or a one-way trip all the way to NYC, Philly, Montreal, or Québec City.

Of course, many factors can affect your actual range, including temperature, traffic, trailer weight, and driving speed. But you don’t have to worry about calculating all of that because the onboard Intelligent Range feature takes care of it for you, accurately estimating how much range you have based on current conditions so you can plan your route accordingly, either on your own or with the Power My Trip feature.

Temperature, in particular, can be an issue during a Vermont winter, but there’s a feature for that too: you can “precondition” your truck while it’s plugged in and use your home’s energy to pre-heat (or pre-cool) the battery so you’ll be good to go. You can get the interior warmed up ahead of time, too, and all of this can be programmed ahead of time based on your schedule so you can set it and forget it.

When it does come time to charge, there are several ways to power up your truck. Getting a charging station installed at home lets you wake up to an F-150 that’s ready to go every morning. On the go, you can use Level 1, Level 2, or DC Fast Charging stations to extend your range while you’re out and about. With fast charging, the F-150 Lightning can go from a 15% charge to an 80% charge in about 40 minutes, and in just 10 minutes, you can add 40-50 miles to your range. You can find compatible charging stations nearby wherever you go on the FordPass app. As EVs are becoming increasingly popular in Vermont, the number of local stations is sure to increase over time.

2. Capable Powertrain

The F-150 is known for its power, and the electric version is no exception. With the standard-range battery, the F-150 Lightning delivers up to 452 hp, and the extended-range battery brings that figure up to 580. With either powertrain, you’ll get up to 775 lb-ft of torque, which is more torque than you’ll find on any other F-150 pickup, electric or not. Electric motors tend to deliver peak torque at lower speeds, too, so you don’t have to rev up to access that power. Properly configured, the Lightning can handle up to 2,235 lbs of payload. With the proper configuration and the Max Trailer Tow package, you can tow up to a whopping 10,000 lbs, which is more than enough for most pickup drivers.

3. Secure Storage

Truck drivers know that the open cargo bed in the back is versatile and useful, but it also has its downsides. Cargo in the bed is exposed to the elements and can be vulnerable to theft. With the F-150 Lightning, you’ll have a bed that’s perfect for carrying bulky cargo, acting as a mobile work surface, and hosting tailgate parties, but you’ll also get a secure front trunk in the space where the engine would be on a gas-powered model. This trunk is lockable, waterproof, and spacious so that you can transport anything from freshly picked locally-grown apples to expensive equipment with peace of mind.

4. Power Where You Need It

The powerful battery on the F-150 Lightning can be used for more than just driving. You can also use it to bring power to a work site, camping trip, tailgate party, or just about anywhere else. The available 9.6kW Pro Power Onboard system gives you up to eleven outlets that you can use to power tools, appliances, lights, and more on the go.

Intelligent Backup Power takes this concept one step further, letting you power your entire house using your truck’s battery. To use this, you’ll need to set up the right kind of home charging station, but once that’s done, you can use your F-150 Lightning as an emergency power source for up to 10 days in case of a blackout. The onboard screen lets you manage settings and see how much power you’re using and how much is left, making it easy to ration electricity and weather the storm.

Take a Test Drive Today and Feel the Power for Yourself

According to data gathered by the Vermont House Transportation Committee in 2022, EV ownership is on the rise in Vermont, with registrations of both all-electric and plug-in hybrid models growing every year. The state is working to keep that trend rolling by providing incentives to both drivers and businesses that are good candidates for hosting charging stations. We know that not everyone is sold on EVs, but we also know that the F-150 Lightning is an amazing truck that drivers will love if they get to know it. The data backs this up, with the Transportation Committee noting that a single experience riding in an EV results in a threefold interest in EV technology.

If you want to feel the power of the F-150 Lightning for yourself, come and see the team at the Faith’s Ford dealership. You can swing by at any time during our business hours, or you can schedule a test drive here on our website to ensure that someone will be ready for you at a time that works for your schedule. Of course, we’re also happy to answer any questions you may have about the F-150 Lightning either online, over the phone, or in person. The more you learn about this amazing truck, the more you’ll see how great it is for getting around Vermont.