Ford’s F-150 Lightning is the EV that showed up late to the party, didn’t bother changing out of work clothes, and still ended up leading the conga line.
It may not outrun a Cybertruck or flex with Rivian’s quad-motor wizardry, but Ford’s recipe of practicality, comfort, and real-world utility has struck a nerve with buyers.
It is now the best-selling electric truck in the United States, according to Ford’s own Q1 2025 sales report. It’s the result of Ford doing what Ford has always done best: build a truck that people actually want to drive.
Take the case of Cyle Hendricks, a Lightning owner who put the electric truck market through its paces and came full circle. In a Facebook post in the Ford F-150 Lightning Owners Group, Hendricks wrote:
"Bought this 2023 Platinum last year. Then went to an R1T, and most recently a GMC Sierra EV.
And now back full circle to my Lightning. Despite its flaws when compared to the competition (range on single charge long distance travel, not the fastest charging speeds, native software experience, lack of accessory support), I ultimately landed myself back in this thing for these reasons:
- Ride quality is better than any EV I've driven (Tesla, and the one mentioned above): it's the quietest, comfortable suspension of any vehicle I've driven.
- Build quality is probably better than the above as well. The least amount of rattles and trim piece issues. The Sierra EV is a rattling machine. R1T had a couple of rattles, but a quality interior. The Denali EV uses some cheap plastics where the others don't, and the Lightning just feels more premium. Love the feel of the turn signal stalk.
- Carplay and Android Auto, when the new updates arrive, can be a major game changer in experience, particularly when road tripping.
- Sound system on par with the R1T post update
- Frunk space is surprisingly noticeably much larger than that of the Sierra EV
- Back seats fold up for a completely flat surface, which is great for when you need the space - the other two trucks don't do that.
- and something just feels special when on the road in crappy weather, you feel safe like you can plow through anything"
That’s not the kind of glowing praise you’d expect from someone who’s rotated through an R1T and a GMC Denali EV in a single year. It's hard to call that a honeymoon phase; it’s more like three test marriages. And still, Hendricks remarried the Lightning.
Ford Q1 2025 EV Sales: Lightning & Electrified Lineup Growth
- Ford delivered 22,550 EVs in Q1 2025, marking a 12% increase year-over-year, aided by strong performances from the Mach‑E, F‑150 Lightning, and E‑Transit
- Ford sold roughly 97,900 electric vehicles in the U.S. in 2024, about 4.7% of its total U.S. retail sales, while its electrified lineup (including hybrids) hit records with 73,623 Q1 2025 units, accounting for 15% of total U.S. sales
- April 2025 saw a downturn with 4,859 EVs sold in the U.S., a nearly 40% drop from April 2024. The F‑150 Lightning volume fell from 2,090 to 1,740 units, largely due to model year switchovers and supply constraints
- EVs made up around 7.5% of all new-car sales in Q1 2025 across the U.S., and although Ford’s EV deliveries showed modest growth, broader EV momentum was stronger, Tesla and GM both seeing faster EV volume increases, a sign of intensifying competition.
His reasons weren’t about horsepower or acceleration figures. They were about the ride, the build quality, and the feeling of capability when you're staring down a freezing rainstorm on I-80. It’s no surprise that others in the thread backed him up. “The L has been better... more comfortable, rides better, more storage, fewer glitches, and more room,” said Wesley Walker, a fellow Lightning convert and former Rivian owner.
Even the most ardent Lightning loyalists recognize the truck’s soft underbelly: charging speeds and native software. Where Rivian and Tesla constantly push OTA updates like tech companies with wheels, Ford’s improvements come in slowly, and sometimes not at all.
F-150 Lightning: Software Limits & Battery Capacity Debate
Jason Yawn called it plainly: “Ford just seems content the way it is... which is good... but it could be better.” Ford’s reluctance to unlock more of the Lightning's battery capacity frustrates some, especially when small gains, 25 extra miles, for instance, could make a big difference. Hendricks countered:
“They have a set number of kWh locked to help maintain the longevity of the battery... Unlocking more power? Where were you trying to go, the moon?”
So why is the Lightning selling like hotcakes at a truck stop? Familiarity, mostly. Ford didn’t reinvent the electric truck; it just electrified the F-150. The thing looks like a truck, works like a truck, and gets driven like a truck. No gear tunnels, no origami metal exoskeletons. Just a cavernous frunk, flat-folding rear seats, and a ride quality that feels more S-Class than Silverado. This is what Hendricks and others keep coming back to, not because the Lightning dazzles, but because it doesn't disappoint.
F-150 Lightning Platinum Specs: Power, Towing & Range
- The Platinum trim packs a dual‑motor all‑wheel-drive system producing 580 hp and 775 lb‑ft of instant torque. EPA-rated towing capacity is 7,700 lb (extendable to 10,000 lb with Max Tow Package), and it features an 8.4‑in ride height over rugged wheels
- Stretches roughly 232.7 in long, stands 78.3 in tall, and is 80 in wide (mirrors folded), supported by a 145 in wheelbase. Curb weight is in the 6,000–6,900 lb range, reflecting its heavy-duty battery pack.
- EPA estimates hover around 300 miles on the extended battery pack for top trims like Platinum. Efficiency-focused versions hit closer to 230 miles under highway speeds
- MSRP for the 2025 Platinum starts near $87,190, with Kelley Blue Book reporting fair market value slightly below that (~$82,830). U.S. EV deliveries of F‑150 Lightnings totaled approximately 33,510 in 2024
That said, the Lightning isn’t immune to the weight of expectations. Kyle Carlsen, another commenter on Hendricks’s post, mentioned, “The thought of the depreciation hit you had to have taken haunts me,” to which Hendricks replied, “Just imagine how I must feel.”
Early adopters are still paying the price, financially and emotionally, for being first in line. But loyalty built through experience is hard to shake. Even those tempted by the Raptor R’s V8 thunder acknowledge what the Lightning gets right: real-world comfort, usability, and confidence when the weather turns foul.
Ford’s success with the Lightning proves that in the world of electric trucks, you don’t have to be the fastest to be first. You have to be reliable, approachable, and practical. The Lightning may not shout from the rooftops, but it delivers where it matters. As the electric truck wars continue to escalate in theatrics and torque, Ford’s bet on evolution over revolution looks more and more like a masterstroke.
Are you interested in purchasing the Ford F-150 Lightning? Let us know in the comments below!
Image Sources: Ford Newsroom
Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage
