Police Pickup: 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro SSV

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Ford Motor said this morning that it is launching “America’s first electric pickup truck purpose-built for police: the 2023 Ford F-150^® Lightning^™ Pro Special Service Vehicle.

Ford, which is badly behind in EV sales and development – it made 14,000 EVs in June – has an opportunity here. Ford has been providing police departments with the than 70 years. Ford Pro customers include more than 12,000 police departments across the country now. Ford said “its police vehicle lineup outsells all other police vehicles combined¹. The company attributes this success and customer loyalty to the automaker’s close collaboration with its customers through the Ford Police Advisory Board. (AutoInformed on: Ford Police Interceptor Claws Back the Profitable Business that Dearborn Abandoned by Killing the Crown Victoria in 2011; De-Carbonize the Police. Ford Submits EV to Michigan)

“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 Nate Oscarson, Ford Pro national government sales manager. “Pro Power Onboard can serve as a mobile power source2 to light up evening accident scenes on the highway, the electric powertrain helps to potentially reduce costs associated with fuel and scheduled maintenance needs3 and the Mega Power Frunk provides extra lockable storage on top of purpose-built police additions.”

Purpose-built features from F-150 Police Responder^® include:

• Police-grade 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.
• Available red/blue, amber/white roof-mounted LED warning beacons
• An upfit-friendly reinforced instrument panel top tray for easy mounting of police equipment
• Easy-to-clean vinyl rear seats and vinyl flooring

Standard features include:

• Interior: 12-inch digital cluster screen and 12-inch landscape-style touchscreen on the center stack
• Exterior: Mega Power Frunk gives officers 14.1 cubic feet of lockable cargo area in the front and offers easy access for upfitters to locate a 220-amp DC-DC power source
• Targeted performance and capability: 452 horsepower, 775 lb.-ft. of torque^5, 7,700-pound towing capacity⁶ and 2,235 maximum payload⁷ with a standard-range battery, and sub-four-second 0-60 mph acceleration⁴, 580 horsepower, 775 lb.-ft. of torque⁵, and 10,000-pound towing capability⁶ with the extended-range battery

 Technology: Intelligent Range, SYNC^® 4, over-the-air Ford Power Up software updates and Ford Co-Pilot360^™ technology, including Automatic Emergency Braking and Blindspot Information System

Inevitable Ford Footnotes

1. ¹Based on S&P Global Mobility new vehicle registration data limited to government entities and POL and SSV trim vehicles for full year 2021
2. ²Maximum power draw not to exceed limits specified in the vehicle’s owner’s manual. See owner’s manual for important operating instructions.
3. ³Scheduled maintenance costs compared to a 2.7-liter EcoBoost^® gas model based on recommended service schedule as published in the owner’s manual. Analysis reflects Ford Motor Company’s standard method for calculating scheduled maintenance cost and reflects data available in 2020.
4. ⁴When equipped with available extended-range battery. Ford test data based on typical industry methodology using 1-ft. Rollout. Your results may vary.
5. ⁵Horsepower and torque are independent attributes and may not be achieved simultaneously. Based on manufacturer testing using computer engineering simulations. Calculated via peak performance of the electric motor(s) at peak battery power. Your results may vary.
6. ⁶Maximum towing on Pro models with available extended-range battery and Max. Trailer Tow Package. Maximum towing varies based on cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories and number of passengers.
7. ⁷Maximum payload with standard-range battery and 18-inch wheels. See label on door jamb for carrying capacity of a specific vehicle.
8. ⁸Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgment and need to control the vehicle. It does not replace safe driving. See owner’s manual for details and limitations.
9. ⁹Based on EPA tailpipe rating. Visit fueleconomy.gov for more information.
10. ¹⁰Eligible vehicles receive a complimentary three-year trial of E-Telematics services that begins on the new vehicle warranty start date. Requires modem activation. Terms and conditions apply. Telematics service and features, and access to vehicle data, depend on compatible AT&T network availability. Evolving technology/cellular networks/vehicle capability may limit functionality and prevent operation of connected features. After the three-year trial, annual service contract is required for E-Telematics service. Call 833-811-3673 to activate E-Telematics service.