How fast is the Ford Lightning AC charging?
On 240V Level 2 charging, the Ford F-150 Lightning can AC-charge at up to about 11.3 kW with the available high-output onboard charger, while the base setup maxes out around 9.6 kW.
AC charging speed in the Lightning is primarily determined by the onboard charger and the home or public Level 2 supply you use. In practical terms, charging from empty to full depends on which battery option you have (standard around 75 kWh usable, extended around 98 kWh usable) and conditions such as temperature and the charger’s efficiency. Most daily-use charging aims for up to about 80% to preserve battery longevity, which dries the time difference a bit.
Onboard AC charging options
The following options describe the two main AC charging rates available for the Lightning’s Level 2 charging setup.
- Standard onboard charger: 9.6 kW maximum (240V, up to 40A).
- Optional high-output onboard charger: up to 11.3 kW maximum (240V, up to 48A).
Note: The higher 11.3 kW rate only applies if you’ve equipped the optional charger and are connected to a Level 2 circuit capable of delivering up to 48A.
Estimated charging times by battery pack
Before the following list, it’s helpful to understand two commonly cited pack sizes and how they translate to charging times with the Lightning’s AC capabilities.
- Standard-range battery (about 75 kWh usable):
- At 11.3 kW: 0–100% ≈ 6.5–6.8 hours; 0–80% ≈ 5.3 hours.
- At 9.6 kW: 0–100% ≈ 7.8–8.2 hours; 0–80% ≈ 6.3 hours.
- Extended-range battery (about 98 kWh usable):
- At 11.3 kW: 0–100% ≈ 8.6–9.0 hours; 0–80% ≈ 6.9 hours.
- At 9.6 kW: 0–100% ≈ 10.2–10.5 hours; 0–80% ≈ 8.1 hours.
Real-world charging times vary with factors such as ambient temperature, battery state of charge, charger efficiency, and the vehicle’s charging curve. In daily use, many Lightning owners top up to around 80%, which shortens the practical charging window noticeably.
Maximizing AC charging speed at home
To approach the 11.3 kW ceiling, you should plan for a Level 2 installation that can deliver up to 48A on a 240V circuit, and you’ll want the optional high-output onboard charger installed in the vehicle.
- Install a dedicated 240V Level 2 circuit rated for 40–50A (commonly using a NEMA 14-50 or similar outlet with appropriate EV charging hardware).
- Choose the Lightning with the optional 11.3 kW onboard charger to unlock the higher AC rate.
- Use a capable Level 2 charger at home or at public charging locations to sustain higher power delivery without frequent voltage drops.
Temperature management and battery health also influence how quickly the pack accepts a charge. If the battery is cold, charging can be slower until it warms up; preconditioning while plugged in can help maximize uptake.
Summary
The Ford F-150 Lightning’s AC charging speeds tops out around 11.3 kW with the optional high-output onboard charger, or about 9.6 kW on the standard setup. Depending on whether you’re charging a standard 75 kWh usable pack or the extended ~98 kWh pack, a full 0–100% AC recharge can take roughly 6.5–9 hours (11.3 kW) or 7.8–10.5 hours (9.6 kW). In day-to-day use, charging to around 80% is common and often sufficient for most driving needs. The exact time will vary with temperature, SOC, and charging efficiency.
How fast does the lightning charger charge?
As for charging, Lightning cables support 20W of output. That is enough to provide half a charge to an iPhone in as little as 30 minutes.
Is Ford cancelling the lightning?
Ford is reportedly considering canceling the F-150 Lightning, but the decision is not final. Production was paused due to an aluminum supply shortage, and ongoing EV losses have led Ford to evaluate the future of the electric truck. While production is temporarily halted, there is no official announcement of cancellation yet.
- Production is paused: The F-150 Lightning assembly line at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center is currently on hold, and Ford will not say when it will restart.
- Supply chain issues: A fire at a key aluminum supplier's plant caused a shortage, and Ford is prioritizing its more profitable gas and hybrid F-150s.
- Financial losses: Ford's electric vehicle division has been losing a significant amount of money, and the F-150 Lightning has been a major contributor to these losses.
- Uncertain future: The Wall Street Journal reports that Ford executives are in active discussions about ending the truck's production.
- Potential replacements: If production were to end, the F-150 Lightning might be replaced by a new vehicle built on the Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform, according to MotorTrend.
How long does it take to charge a Ford Lightning at a fast charging station?
A Ford Lightning can fast charge from 15% to 80% in approximately 32 to 41 minutes, depending on the battery. The standard-range battery takes about 32–36 minutes, while the extended-range battery takes about 38–41 minutes at a DC fast charger.
This video shows a fast charging session of a Ford F-150 Lightning: 59sDerek Bonzagni Automotive enthusiastYouTube · Oct 11, 2024
DC Fast Charging (15% to 80%)
- Standard-range battery: Approximately 32–36 minutes
- Extended-range battery: Approximately 38–41 minutes
- Charging speed: The initial minutes of charging are the fastest, adding around 7.5 miles of range per minute, with the speed slowing down as the battery fills up.
Other charging methods
- Level 2 (240V) home charging:
- Standard-range battery: Under 12 hours to fully charge
- Extended-range battery: Approximately 14.6 hours to fully charge
- Ford Charge Station Pro: Can fully charge an extended-range battery in about 8 hours
- Level 1 (120V) home charging: This is the slowest method and is not practical for most people, as it adds very little range per hour.
How fast is the F-150 Lightning AC charging?
Using Level 2 Alternating Current (AC) charging: The 2024 and 2025 F-150 Lightning Standard Range (98 kWh battery) can charge from 15-100% in about 10 hours. The 2024 and 2025 F-150 Lightning Extended Range (131 kWh battery) can charge from 15-100% in about 13 hours.
