Nearly nine months after it stopped taking reservations, Ford is ready to reopen the order banks for the F-150 Lightning. But buyers beware: the price for the electric truck has gone up by around $7,000 across all trim levels. Show Ford is citing “significant material cost increases and other factors” as the primary reason for raising the price. Indeed, the F-150 Lightning is only the latest electric vehicle to see its price go up as a result of supply chain constraints, inflation, and greater demand for batteries and other components. “Significant material cost increases and other factors” Ford said it will honor the original manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) for all current order holders. But anyone plunking down the $100 deposit starting Thursday, when reservations reopen, will have to pay the newly adjusted price. “Current order holders awaiting delivery are not impacted by these price adjustments,” Marin Gjaja, chief customer officer, Model E, said in a statement. “We’ve announced pricing ahead of re-opening order banks so our reservation holders can make an informed decision around ordering a Lightning.” Here’s a breakdown of the new prices: Pro old price: $39,974; new price: $46,974 XLT old price: $52,974; new price: $59,474 XLT High old price $62,474 (est.); new price: $68,474 XLT High / Extended Range old price: $73,974; new price: $80,974 Lariat old price: $67,074; new price: $74,474 Lariat Extended Range old price: $77,074; new price: $85,974 Platinum Extended Range old price: $92,669; new price: $96,874 Price increases suck, but Ford is trying to sweeten the pot by offering a few new features and a range boost. The automaker said it increased the EPA estimated range of its standard range battery back by 10 miles for a total of 250 miles. It’s also adding its Pro Trailer Hitch Assist technology, which pretty much automatically hooks up a trailer for you, as an added bonus. And if you think that the $7,500 federal EV tax credit might help take some of the sting out of these price increases, think again. Under the deal constructed by Senate Democrats, the Ford F-150 Lightning would not be eligible for the tax credit until at least 40 percent of its components — including the battery — are made in North America or by a US trading partner. Ford currently sources its batteries from South Korea’s SK Innovation which builds them at a facility in Georgia. The company plans on shifting to lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP) made by China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) for the Mach-E in 2023 and the F-150 Lightning in 2024. Update August 9th 1:09PM ET: Updated to note that F-150 Lightning order holders, not reservation holders, will not be affected by the price increase. Additionally, Ford sources its batteries from SK Innovation in Georgia, and will shift to packs made by CATL in 2024. A previous version of this story stated those facts incorrectly.  Ford worked its way toward a solid (and popular) electric truck with the F-150 Lightning — so much so that the Blue Oval had to stop taking reservations to fill the existing 2022 order bank. Now, you’re able to spec out a 2023 model truck on the Build & Price page and will soon be able to order your new electric truck, but there’s a caveat. Depending on which model you’re looking at, you could be paying up to $7,000 — possibly more, depending on available EV incentives and potential dealer markups. “Due to significant material cost increases and other factors,” Ford says, “[the company] has adjusted MSRP starting with the opening of the next wave of F-150 Lightning orders.” That said, Marin Gjaja, chief customer officer of Ford’s “Model e” electric division, insists this will not affect those who already have an outstanding order for a new F-150 Lightning. “Current order holders awaiting delivery are not impacted by these price adjustments. We’ve announced pricing ahead of re-opening order banks so our reservation holders can make an informed decision around ordering a Lightning.” Clarification 8/9/2022: The F-150 Lightning Build & Price is active, but the ability to actually order one will happen in waves. Per Ford: “Lightning reservation holders who previously received an invitation to order, but who elected to extend their reservation because their vehicle specification was unavailable, will receive a private offer for use in upcoming waves.” 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning price increases, by trimPer Ford’s official statement, the prices have gone up by around $7,000 for most of the range (excluding MSRP):
Keep in mind that Ford does automatically add in their 240V-capable mobile power cord, adding another $500 to the overall price. You can technically uncouple that option from your build, but it’s unlikely most people will (and dealers will certainly include it on trucks they sell from inventory). What more do you get for the money?Broadly speaking, the feature list for the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning remains across trim levels. However, you do get a bit more for your cash on Standard Range models. Ford upped the SR’s EPA-estimated range from 230 miles to 240 miles, and is adding in their Pro Trailer Hitch Assist as part of the Tow Technology package on Pro, XLT and Lariat trims. For fleet customers, Ford is adding in a Special Service Vehicle Package option for the F-150 Lightning Pro. That includes heavy-duty cloth front seats, steel intrusion plates and available LED warning beacons mounted on the roof. There’s another possible twist in the pricing story — the federal tax incentive For many years, folks buying into EVs have at least had a $7,500 tax credit to fall back on. That takes some of the bite out of the higher price tag, but you may not be so lucky in the near future with the F-150 Lightning. As part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which is st ill working its way through Congress but will most likely become law upon narrowly passed the Senate on a tie-breaking 51-50 vote, automakers would be forced to source at least 40% of a vehicle’s materials from North America to be eligible for that $7,500. At the moment, Ford sources its batteries from Chinese outfit CATL. That will change in the future, as the automaker’s currently building out a battery plant in Commerce, Georgia. That plant is in collaboration with South Korea’s SK Innovation, while the company is also working on its “Blue Oval City” mega campus in Tennessee as well as another facility as part of the BlueOvalSK joint venture in central Kentucky. So far this year, Ford dealers have sold 4,469 F-150 Lightnings. It’s unclear how the price increase and tenuous tax incentive situation will impact 2023 demand, but we should have a clearer answer on that near the end of the year. Check out more on our experience with the F-150 Lightning in our latest update on TFLEV, or the Northern Lightning series on TFLtruck! Update 8/9/2022: Added in a sentence referencing Ford’s $500 mobile power cord.
When can a 2023 Ford f150 Lightning be ordered?How will I know if I will get to place a 2023 MY order? Beginning in August 2022, we began distributing invitations. We will continue to send out waves of invitations to 2023 MY. If you are selected, you will receive an invite from Ford.
Is Ford taking orders for 2023 Lightning?Order banks for the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro extended range pickup are closed, and new orders are not being accepted. This applies to government, fleet, and commercial sales.
How many Ford Lightnings will 2023 produce?The good news is that Ford says it will increase its annual production of Lightning trucks to 150,000 units for the 2023 model year.
How many pre orders are there for the Ford Lightning?Ford F-150 Lightning reservations surpass 160,000 during pre-production. Ford Motor Company has maintained a steady flow of $100 reservation holders for its upcoming electric F-150 Lightning pickup, and that has now surpassed 160,000 in total.
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