Today, Ford has announced the launch of America’s first electric pickup truck purpose-built for the police with the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro Special Service Vehicle.
Currently, Ford Pro customers include more than 12,000 police departments across the country and its police vehicle lineup outsells all other police vehicles combined. The company attributes this success and customer loyalty to the automaker’s close collaboration with its customers, specifically the Ford Police Advisory Board.
Nate Oscarson, Ford Pro national government sales manager, said: “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.
“Pro Power Onboard can serve as a mobile power source to light up evening accident scenes on the highway, the electric powertrain helps to potentially reduce costs associated with fuel and scheduled maintenance needs and the Mega Power Frunk provides extra lockable storage on top of purpose-built police additions our customers have come to expect from the leader in police vehicles.”
The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro Special Service Vehicle blends familiar Ford’s power and performance, with a targeted 452 horsepower. This electric vehicle (EV) is available with an impressive sub-four-second 0-60mph (97kph) acceleration capabilities, ideal for high-speed chases, thanks to the vehicle’s high-tech electric platform and innovation with Ford Pro’s real-time software and support.
This model is designed to handle specialised departmental needs outside of pursuit situations, such as assisting at an accident or crime scene or giving departments the ability to tow a boat or trailer.
It also has practical features including police-grade heavy-duty cloth seats with reduced bolsters to help holstered officers enter and exit the vehicle more easily. Plus, easy-to-clean vinyl rear seats and vinyl flooring.
The police version of the Ford F-150 will also be available with red/blue, amber/white roof-mounted LED warning beacon and upfit-friendly reinforced instrument panel top tray for easy mounting of police equipment.
The Ford F-150 Lightning, which is the electric version of America’s number one selling vehicle, is already a hugely popular electric pickup truck. As a result, Ford announced at the start of the year it will be doubling the production of it to 150,000 units per year.
Ford has been providing police departments with the vehicles they need to protect and serve communities for more than 70 years. It’s good to see that the police are transitioning to electric vehicles and helping to lead by example. Hopefully, the number of these electric vehicles (EVs) ordered will ramp up quickly thanks to their practicality and low running costs.
More information on the 2023 F-150 Lightning Pro Special Service Vehicle, including the range, will be released later this summer.
