Kelley Blue Book: Here is Ford’s F150 Lightning by the numbers

Then again, never before had America’s bestselling vehicle been unveiled in a guise that once seemed impossible. It will come as an all-electric, full-size pickup with genuine truck capability and sufficient range and power to meet the needs of many drivers. The pageantry was a bit much, but the reason for it was solid.

Also see: Keep your eyes peeled for Jeep’s electric Wrangler

Surprisingly low starting price

First — the big news. The commercial-oriented entry model will start at $39,974 MSRP before any federal or state tax credits, while the mid-series XLT model starts at $52,974. Ford did not announce prices for the upscale Lariat and Platinum models.

The Lightning shares much of its sheet metal with gasoline-powered F-150s but is easily distinguished by its unique front fascia. An inverted U of LED lights connects the headlights and looks like nothing else on the road. It surrounds a dark false grille. A red inverted U on the tailgate mirrors the effect.

Range of 230 to 300 miles

The truck has a “targeted range” of 230 miles in its standard guise or 300 miles with an extended-range battery. The EPA has not tested range claims, and Ford described many of the vehicle’s stats as targets, indicating that they may not be final numbers.

Read: How much does it cost to charge an electric car? We do the math

An “Intelligent Range” system recalculates range based on “weather, traffic, grade, payload, towing weights, and more.”

563 horsepower, and the most torque of any F-150

It uses two inboard motors, one per axle, making every Lightning all-wheel drive. The combination, Ford says, “delivers a targeted 563 horsepower and 775 lb.-ft. of torque – the most torque of any F-150 ever.”

The 0-to-60-mph time, according to Ford President Jim Farley, is “in the mid-four-second range.” U.S. President Joe Biden test drove the Lightning earlier this week and let slip a 4.4-second figure that sounds as if it may be accurate. Thanks to its low-set battery pack, Ford claims the Lightning is the best-handling truck it has ever built.

Off-road and towing capabilities

The Lightning offers four selectable drive modes – normal, sport, off-road, and tow/haul. A waterproof casing surrounds the battery. The battery pack and motors together are “protected by a unique exostructure which acts as a shield when off-roading.”

Payload capacity is a respectable 2,000 pounds. That puts its cargo-carrying capability comfortably centered in the F-150 range, which offers trucks with capacities from 1,705 to 3,250 pounds. Ford has targeted a maximum available towing capacity of 10,000 pounds.

Ford had little to say about the Lightning’s interior. It features a 12-inch digital cluster in place of the traditional gauges. A 15.5-inch touchscreen in the portrait position is standard on Lariat and Platinum trims and available on lower-priced models. A button opens the powered front trunk.

Backup power system for your house or work site

An “Intelligent Backup Power” system will allow the truck to serve as a battery backup “that can provide full-home power for up to three days on a fully charged battery, or as long as 10 days if rationing power.” The truck features 21 external charge points and 11 outlets. Ford says it’s “enough to power an entire job site.”

The F-150 Lightning is a compelling offering. Above all else, we’re pleased by the price. Its sub-$40k entry point puts it well below GMC’s Hummer EV (starting price $79,995). It nearly matches the $39,900 price of the least-expensive version of Tesla’s
TSLA,
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upcoming Cybertruck but offers two motors in place of the Tesla’s one.

See: These electric trucks are coming soon—here’s prices, how far they’ll go and how much they’ll tow

Chevrolet is expected to answer with its own electric Silverado at a future date. We look forward to bringing you a drive review of the Lightning as soon as we can.

This story originally ran on KBB.com.