FORD F-150 LIGHTNING DC FAST CHARGING DEEP DIVE ANALYSIS

EV Channels Review

The Ford F-150 Lightning Extended Range battery pack demonstrates a unique DC fast charging profile, offering a "max power boost" period of 4-6 minutes at the start of charging, even exceeding Ford's stated 155 kW maximum. While this initial boost is beneficial for quick top-ups, the charging rate then drops to around 130 kW before fluctuating significantly between 100-120 kW until 80% state of charge. Post-80%, the charging speed drastically reduces to around 59 kW, which the reviewer deems too slow for practical use on long road trips, advising owners to unplug at 80%. The analysis highlights that charging up to 80% can add approximately 4-5.7 miles of range per minute, depending on conditions and range metrics used. While not class-leading, the F-150 Lightning's charging performance is considered acceptable for road-tripping, especially given that most owners will primarily use Level 2 charging at home. The reviewer anticipates an Over-The-Air (OTA) update from Ford to potentially improve the charging rate between 80% and 90%.