Ford F-150 Lightning importers not worried about incoming electrified utes

The local importer and converter of the Ford F-150 Lightning, Advanced Manufacturing Queensland, is not perturbed by incoming electrified utes that might steal a slice of the full-sized electric ute’s pie.

At present, there are only two fully electric utes available in Australia, the 4×2 LDV eT60 and the 4×4 Ford F-150 Lighting – the latter is converted from left- to right-hand drive by Advanced Manufacturing Queensland and sold by AusEV.

However, the next 12 months will also see the arrival of the BYD Shark and Ford Ranger PHEV (both smaller than the F-150 Lightning) into Australian showrooms – both plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that will allow a limited all-electric driving range with a backup internal combustion engine.

Speaking to Drive, a spokesperson for Advanced Manufacturing Queensland, Alan Brady, welcomed more competition in the electrified ute space.

“I think it’s good that [competition] grows the category – what is it, a rising tide raises all ships,” he said.

“It’s good that there’s more because the Australian consumer is singing out for it.”

However, Mr Brady was quick to point out the differences between the upcoming big-name plug-in utes, and the Ford F-150 Lightning currently available from $169,900 before on-road costs and GST.

“What we’re seeing coming out to the market are plug-in hybrids, and certainly in the fleet commercial segment, plug-in hybrids just won’t be accepted because everyone knows you never plug them in, sadly,” he said.

“It doesn’t force that consumer behaviour change.

“But also, some of the battery sizes they’ve projected, 60-odd-kilowatt hours.

“I mean this [F-150 Lightning] is 131kWh, so it’s two and a half Teslas, or twice what’s planned to come out.”

In terms of specifications, the F-150 Lightning is available in base Pro form with a 337kW/1050N dual-motor set-up that can handle a 2500kg towing capacity, while its 98kWh battery is rated for up to 370km before needing a recharge.

There is also a flagship variant available that increases power to 433kW and boosts the driving range rating to 515km thanks to a larger 131kWh battery.

And, with the optional Max trailer tow package ticked (priced at $2500), the F-150 Lightning can haul 4.5 tonnes.

BYD is expected to be the first to market with a plug-in hybrid ute in the form of the Shark due to touch down before the end of the year.

Pairing a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with two electric motors, BYD is promising more than 316kW in total, as well as a 5.7-second zero-to-100km/h acceleration time.

Though the battery size is yet to be revealed, a claimed 100km all-electric driving range has been stated.

In terms of capability, BYD says the Shark can tow up to 2500kg, has a payload capacity of 835kg, and a tray volume of 1450 litres.

Ford’s Ranger PHEV is expected to touch down in the middle of 2025, armed with a 2.3-litre turbo-petrol and single electric motor set-up.

A combined power figure is yet to be divulged, as is the battery size, but Ford is promising more torque than any existing Ranger (600Nm in the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6) and a 45km all-electric range on the new workhorse.

Another key stat confirmed is a 3500kg braked towing capacity.

The post Ford F-150 Lightning importers not worried about incoming electrified utes appeared first on Drive.

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