2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is tested to its limits.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning will be introduced to dealers in the spring, but prior to the start of deliveries, Ford provided some insight into the rigorous testing this electric pickup truck had to undergo before signing off on its development program.

One of the toughest tests was in cold weather. Electric vehicles are notorious for their reduced range when the thermometer drops to extreme cold, so to ensure that the F-150 Lightning could withstand it, Ford tested the prototype in -30°C temperatures at a particularly restricted military base during the Alaskan winter.

This cold weather testing also allowed engineers to test the truck's performance on slippery surfaces such as ice and snow. In this way, they were able to fine-tune how the powertrain adjusts power delivery during low traction and low temperatures. According to Ford, these adjustments are made on a millisecond-by-millisecond basis, resulting in a very different feel than an F-150 with an internal combustion engine. [F-150 Lightning powertrain engineer Nick Harris said in a statement, "Response is so quick, with the dual motors, it's as if there are two engines delivering power to one car."

The F-150 Lightning comes standard with a dual-motor, four-wheel-drive powertrain, but buyers can choose between 426 and 563 horsepower outputs and batteries with an estimated range of 230 and 300 miles. The truck also features an electronic locking rear differential and a variety of drive modes.

This is not the only grueling test the F-150 Lightning has had to endure; in 2020, Ford demonstrated a prototype towing 10 double-decker rail cars with 42 F-150s. With a total weight of approximately 1.25 million pounds, the prototype handled it with ease.

As noted above, deliveries will begin this spring. Current reservations exceed 200,000 units, and as a result, Ford has had to double its initial product goal to 150,000 units per year. Production is taking place exclusively at Ford's Rouge plant in Dearborn, Michigan.

Pricing for the 2022 F-150 Lightning starts at $39,974.