Ford F-150 Lightning Uses Onboard Scales To Measure Towing Range More Accurately

When Ford unveiled the F-150 Lightning, it revealed that the electric truck would be able to tow up to 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg). Just as with standard trucks, though, towing that amount of weight will affect the driving range. Fortunately, the automaker has come up with ways to ensure that customers know exactly how far they can expect to go no matter how much they’re towing.

“We know many F-150 Lightning customers will be first-time electric vehicle owners who expect that familiar Built Ford Tough capability along with robust towing,” said Linda Zhang, chief engineer, F-150 Lightning. “That’s why we created smart technologies to help take the worry out of towing long distances by giving customers more reliable and accurate range calculations, and then automatically locate charge points along the way, if needed.”

Helping supply those smart technologies with data are onboard scales that measure how much the truck is hauling or towing in order to better predict how far it will be able to go regardless of what’s being towed. Intelligent Range also collects data on traffic speed, ambient temperature, available energy, climate control, and even route topography to give drivers the best range predictions possible.

Read Also: Ford Tested F-150 Lightning By Towing 10,000 Pounds In Sub-Zero And 118 Degree Temperatures

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpxX6okt_Xk

In addition, the system also samples similar towing and energy situations from the past to make its range calculations in real time. Over time, Ford plans to make further refinements to Intelligent Range with over-the-air updates to make it even better.

“Whether you’re towing with a gas-powered or electric truck, range degradation as a percentage is basically the same – determined primarily by overall cargo and trailer weight at low speeds and by the aerodynamic profile at higher speeds,” said Zhang. “That’s why we expanded the capabilities of Intelligent Range on the F-150 Lightning with the available Onboard scales to also measure the load effects of trailers and cargo to further refine range calculations when towing.”

The F-150 Lightning further tries to be a good co-driver by using that information in the “Power My Trip” mapping system to plan a route around its charging needs, all in an effort to make towing as worry-free as possible.

“By giving customers the most accurate range assessments possible and the charge tools they need to tow reliably, we believe they’ll move past the myths about towing with an electric truck and embrace the value-added benefits F-150 Lightning provides,” said Zhang. “As they get accustomed to how Intelligent Range and Power My Trip work, they’ll naturally adjust their routines – whether that’s stopping for lunch and a DC fast charge or finding a route that simplifies their drive.”