Capital Ford gave me the opportunity to drive a new Ford F150 Lightning yesterday. It was a great experience. I made a reservation to buy one last September, but it doesn’t look like I’ll get the opportunity until next year. Ford cut the reservations off at 200,000. Mine was around number 120,000. They are only planning on delivering 40-60k trucks this model year.

Now, on to the driving experience. I knew that at 775 hp and four wheel drive, it would accelerate well. They say that it goes from 0-60 in 4.4 seconds. The first time I floored it, I made the mistake of not having my head on the headrest. I didn’t make that mistake again (the not having my head on the headrest part, that is). It was akin to being shot from a cannon!

Aside from the rocket-like acceleration, I initially found the steering not to my liking. Then I realized that it was in lane assist mode. Once I disengaged that, it steered and handled like a champ. I drove a Jeep with lane assist last year and didn’t like it them either.

This was a Lariat trim package model, so it had some bells and whistles that my Pro trim model won’t. My needs don’t include trailer backup assist, leather interior, moon roof, or many of the others. I want a solid performing, good looking, and most of all, energy efficient truck. The Nissan Leaf that I currently drive is rated at 107 mpge. The Lightning is only rated at 77 mpge, but it offers so much more utility.

Since my electric supplier doesn’t offer net metering, PV for the house is not financially feasible. So, I plan of doing an off-grid solar system just to charge my vehicles. My wife was almost as enamored with the Lightning as I was, so I’ll size it for two EVs.

Ford, if you’re listening – I want that Lightning and don’t want to wait another year!

Fred Watson, CPHB