The most radical thing about the Ford F-150 Lightning?cost

All-electric Ford The F-150 Lightning launched by the American automaker on Wednesday has some impressive specifications: 0 to 60 acceleration in 4.4 seconds; F-150 Lightning. Enough on-board power supply can keep the house running for three consecutive days; and the front luggage compartment (something that can be installed on a vehicle without an internal combustion engine).However, the most striking thing about the Lightning pickup truck is-apologies, the most shocking-Undoubtedly the price: the price of the basic model is $39,974.

This makes the F-150 electric aircraft cheaper than almost all electric competitors.It and Tesla Model 3 sedan, The most popular electric car in the United States, and cheaper than upcoming electric cars Cyber ​​Truck About 10,000 USD is charged. It is tens of thousands of dollars cheaper than it. The upcoming electric Hummer And electric pickups from Amazon-funded startups Rivian.

Even more surprising: After considering the state and federal tax credits for purchasing electric vehicles, the electric F-150 may be cheaper than the basic gasoline and hybrid versions. It is even cheaper than some second-hand F-150.

For electric vehicles, this is indeed a big deal.Case electric car Very long: they have lower maintenance costs because they have fewer parts. They are fun to drive; they are a key part of the fight against climate change. The U.S. transportation sector contributes the most to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, of which 60% comes from cars and light trucks, such as pickup trucks. If they are electrified, the world can avoid the worst climate change.

However, cost has always been the main obstacle to curiosity about electric vehicles. It is difficult to persuade people to do new things, build new models and buy novel products. Persuade them to do this and pay more for the privilege? no, thank you. Electric car sales in the U.S. are growing, but less than 2% of the cars sold in 2019 are electric cars. Most sold In California.Investigation of pickup truck owners Analyzed by NPR The study found that only 7% of people would pay much more for trucks just for environmental protection considerations.

electric Ford F-150 may change this calculation.Costa Samaras, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, said: “Prices will be the biggest pull factor.” “Prices are the most disruptive in this regard. Thing because it brings some people who might have been overlooked [an electric truck]. Now it’s like,’Well, maybe this electrical thing actually works. ‘”