Ford’s first electric ute goes on sale in Australia

The lack of availability of electric utes has been a glaring gap in a market where utility vehicles – known as pickups in the US – are a favourite among vehicle buyers.

Until now, there has been just one commercially sold electric ute available in Australia – the LDV eT60.

Priced from $92,990 before on-roads at almost double the cost of its internal combustion engine (ICE) equivalent, and with a lacklustre one-tonne tow capacity and rear-wheel drivetrain, it has failed to meet market expectations. Specifications on offer with the electric Ford F-150 are a sharp antidote to this, but at a price.

In the US, the base model is known as the XLT and comes with a 98kWh battery selling from $US62,995 ($AU96,992 at today’s rates.)

There are also three variants on offer in the US with this larger 131kWh battery variant. The cheapest of these is the Flash variant, which is priced from $US67,995 ($AU104,690 at today’s rates.)

In Australia however the Ford F-150 Lightning isn’t being brought to market by Ford, which does offer the all-electric Mustang Mach-E and a range of electric vans. Instead, it is being offered by vehicle remanufacturing firm AUSEV, a sibling of AUSMV which sells the ICE Ford F-150. 

Through AUSEV, the Standard Range F-150 Lightning, which according to Ford USA’s site offers around 386km EPA estimated range*, starts at $AU224,990 – and that’s before on-road costs are added.

The Extended Range version, which offers up to 515km EPA range*, is priced from $AU254,990 before on-roads.

While these prices do include the Luxury Car tax, AUSEV sweeten the bitter sticker price by including a fuel savings estimate. According to their sums, five years of ownership travelling an average of 50km a day would save up to $22,500 in fuel costs.

Along with five years’ free servicing, it puts the combined savings at $32,500. 

In addition to a maximum 515km EPA range for the Extended Range variant, the F-150 Lightning sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 4 seconds. This is thanks to a potent dual-motor 4x4 setup which delivers 433kW of power and an impressive 1050Nm of torque.

Towing and payload capacities are equally impressive, with the Lightning capable of towing up to 4.5 tonnes and carrying up to 1 tonne of payload. This capability is complemented by robust 20-inch wheels and 275/60R20 all-season tyres. An optional tow package is available for $3,000, and a trailer tow package adds on another $2,500.

Note, these specs are as tested by Ford, not AUSEV. A spokesperson for AUSEV confirmed that as the only changes made during the manufacturing process are the movement of the steering column and bevel box, the company is able to maintain the high performance standards developed by Ford. 

In terms of storage, the “Mega Power Frunk” under the bonnet offers a substantial 400 litres of secure storage space. A bed liner for the tray is available for an additional $980.

The Lightning also has a vehicle-to-load feature that Ford calls “Pro Power Onboard”, allowing for an exportable energy of up to 9.6 kW—perfect for powering tools or camping equipment directly from the vehicle.

One pedal drive, regenerative braking systems and an electric e-lock rear axle enhance the driving experience and energy efficiency.

Available in seven exterior colours, the interior of the Lightning features heated front seats, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, and an interior work surface, turning the cabin into a comfortable mobile office.

Smart technology is embedded throughout, with the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 offering features like a 360-degree camera, intelligent adaptive cruise control, and a lane-keeping system. The 12-inch digital display serves as the hub for the infotainment centre, which includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making connectivity seamless.

AUSEV also adds CCS2 charging system, specifically modified to meet Australian standards, replacing the NACS (North American Charging Standard)** port that Ford now uses in the US.

Fast charging at a top speed of 150kW allows for a 15 to 80 per cent top-up in 41 minutes according to AUSEV.

It’s unclear at what the top AC charging speed is for the remanufactured Lightning, though we note that AUSEV does offer a 7.2kW home charger that has a three-year warranty, 24/7 support and Wi-Fi connectivity for $2,750 installed ($1,650 uninstalled.)

The vehicle does not come with a mobile cable, but one can be purchased via AUSEV for $473.

While the remanufactured Lightning does come with five years’ free servicing, because it is not sold by Ford in Australia it misses out on the US carmaker’s factory-backed warranty.

Instead, AUSEV offers a "bumper-to-bumper" unlimited kilometre warranty for the first three years, and five years for the lithium-ion battery high-voltage components, also with unlimited kilometres.

*See our EV glossary for more information on driving range terms, including WLTP, EPA and NEDC.

** Read more on EV plug types here. 

This article was updated on 06/05/2024 to correct statements that the Luxury Car Tax was not included in the advertised pricing, and include information about the remanufacturing process and Ford's specifications, and to correct the statement that AUSEV is owned by AUSMV.