Ford reveals police-spec F150 Lightning

FORD has beaten rivals to announcing the United States’ first electric pick-up trick to be purpose-built for police work with is 2023 F-150 Lightning Pro Special Service Vehicle (SSV).

The wild looking ute is designed to guide police forces into an electric, software-driven world – fast.

A program called ‘Ford Pro’ assists with a police vehicle selection, software, charging, service and financing solution that also offers loan options for charging facilities including installation, hardware and software.

The Lightning SSV blends so-called ‘Built Ford Tough’ power and performance, including sub-four-second 0-100km/h acceleration capabilities, with the vehicle’s hi-tech electric platform and real-time software and support through Ford Pro.

Around 12,000 police departments across the US use Ford vehicles – facilitated by Ford Pro – and the Blue Oval claims its police vehicles outsell all other brands combined.

Ford attributes this success and loyalty to its close collaboration with customers, specifically through the Ford Police Advisory Board.

“We're proud to offer America’s first electric police pickup truck to local government customers who can use the truck’s game-changing technology to help improve their productivity,” said Ford Pro national government sales manager Nate Oscarson. 

“Pro Power Onboard can serve as a mobile power source to light up evening crash scenes on the highway, the electric powertrain helps to potentially reduce costs associated with fuel and scheduled maintenance needs and the Mega Power Trunk provides extra lockable storage on top of purpose-built police additions,” he said. 

In addition to providing a modern, always-on, work-ready truck to help police departments lower costs, drive efficiency and meet sustainability goals, the Lightning SSV combines its electric powertrain with law enforcement-specific interior features.

Besides having the performance to initiate pursuit situations, the Lightning SSV is suitable for assisting at an accident or crime scene and providing the ability to tow a boat or other trailer. 

Police-specific features include heavy-duty cloth seats with reduced bolsters to help holstered officers enter and exit the vehicle more easily, built-in steel intrusion plates in the front seatbacks, optional red/blue, amber/white roof-mounted LED warning beacons, an up- fit-friendly reinforced instrument panel top tray for easy mounting of police equipment and hose-out vinyl-covered rear seats and flooring.

Standard features inside include a 12.0-inch digital cluster screen and 12.0-inch landscape-style touchscreen on the centre stack. 

On the outside, a “Mega Power Trunk” gives officers 400 litres of lockable cargo area in the front and offers easy access for up fitters to locate a 220-amp DC-DC power source.

Targeted performance and capability is equivalent to 332kW, 1050Nm of torque, 3.5 tonne towing capacity and 1.0 tonne maximum payload with a standard-range battery, plus more of everything with the extended range battery option.

On the tech front, the Lightning SSV scores SYNC 4 multimedia software, over-the-air software updates and a suite of driver assist and safety tech including auto emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert.

It comes pre-configured to seamlessly connect to a department’s existing fleet of Ford and non-Ford internal combustion engine and battery-electric vehicles, chargers, and fleet management software.

When these are used together, Ford says police departments can actively manage when vehicles are charged and serviced, resulting in potentially lower operating costs and improved uptime.

Lightning SSV customers have access Ford E-Telematics 10 ,which delivers manufacturer-grade information, insights and solutions on potential solutions on fuel management, vehicle health and more.

Customers can also access consultative services related to charging installation and operation, data management and digital services.

Ford’s Body Builder Advisory Service is also provided as a customer resource with guides and the latest information on how to add specialty tools and aftermarket equipment.