How long to charge a Ford Lightning on a 110V outlet?
On a standard 110V household outlet, charging the Ford F-150 Lightning (Level 1) is slow: you typically gain about 3–5 miles of range per hour, so a full 0–100% charge can take roughly 50–70 hours depending on the battery option and starting charge.
What Level 1 charging means for the Ford Lightning
Level 1 charging uses the vehicle’s onboard charger connected to a common 120V outlet. With typical home circuits, this delivers roughly 1.4 kW of power (about 12 amps at 120 volts), though real-world results vary due to electrical conditions and vehicle load. This is the slowest way to replenish the battery, but it can be convenient when you have limited access to higher-voltage charging.
Below are typical timelines based on the two main battery configurations offered for the F-150 Lightning. These figures assume charging from near empty to full under typical conditions and may vary with temperature, circuit stability, and other factors.
- Standard-Range battery (about 75 kWh usable): approximately 50–55 hours to go from empty to full on a 120V outlet.
- Extended-Range battery (about 98 kWh usable): approximately 65–70 hours to go from empty to full on a 120V outlet.
In practice, many drivers will only top up to a modest state of charge overnight, which means the practical daily benefit of Level 1 charging is limited unless no alternative charging is available. The key takeaway is that Level 1 is best avoided for regular charging if you rely on the truck for daily driving, but it remains a workable option for occasional needs.
Factors that influence Level 1 charging times
Charging duration is not fixed; several variables can extend or shorten the time required. Consider these factors when estimating how long Level 1 charging will take in your situation:
- State of charge when you begin charging (empty vs. partially charged).
- Ambient temperature and battery temperature, which affect charging efficiency.
- Electrical circuit quality, including the stability of the 120V outlet and any shared loads on the circuit.
- Vehicle electrical load from accessories (climate control, heated seats, etc.) during charging.
- Quality and condition of the Level 1 cable and any adapters used.
Because these factors can swing results by a noticeable margin, treat the hours listed above as estimates rather than exact deadlines. If you need faster charging, Level 2 (240V) or DC fast charging is the recommended option.
Alternative charging options
To dramatically reduce charging time, consider these alternatives. Each option has its own setup requirements and potential costs, but they can significantly improve recharge speed compared with Level 1 charging.
- Level 2 home charging (240V): Using a home charging station (often 32A or 40A, up to around 11–12 kW depending on your setup) can cut charging times to roughly 8–14 hours for a full 0–100% charge on the extended-range battery, depending on the unit and wiring.
- Public Level 2 charging: At 240V networks in public or workplace chargers, charging speeds are similar to a properly installed Level 2 home charger, typically much faster than Level 1.
- DC fast charging (CCS): When available, DC fast charging can restore significant range in under an hour, though the Lightning’s DCFC capabilities and charging curve will influence exact times.
If you frequently drive long distances or rely on the truck for daily commuting, upgrading to Level 2 charging at home or using public Level 2 and DC fast charging will dramatically reduce downtime and keep trips on track.
Summary
Charging the Ford F-150 Lightning from a 110V outlet is the slowest option, delivering roughly 3–5 miles of range per hour. Expect about 50–55 hours for a full charge on the Standard-Range battery and around 65–70 hours on the Extended-Range battery when starting from empty. Real-world results vary with temperature, circuit quality, and battery state. For practical daily use and longer trips, Level 2 home charging or DC fast charging is strongly recommended to cut charging time significantly.
Bottom line
If you’re planning around Level 1 charging, prepare for multi-day top-ups. If faster charging is important, install a Level 2 charger at home or locate reliable Level 2/DC fast charging options on your route.
End of report: staying current with Ford’s latest charging specs and your local electrical setup will help refine these estimates, but the takeaway remains the same: 110V charging is available, but it’s slow relative to higher-voltage options.
Can you charge a Ford Lightning with a 120V outlet?
Yes, you can use the Mobile Power Cord with a 120V outlet for Level 1 charging. Using a 120V outlet allows you to charge just about anywhere you can plug in, but it is the slowest way to charge at about two miles of range per charging hour.
How long does it take to charge an electric car with a 110V outlet?
Charging an electric car on a 110V outlet (Level 1 charging) is very slow, adding only about 4–5 miles of range per hour, and can take 24 hours or more for a full charge. This method is best for "topping off" the battery for short daily commutes or for situations where a full charge is not needed. For faster charging, a 240V outlet (Level 2) is required, which can provide a full charge in a matter of hours.
Level 1 charging (110V)
- Charging speed: Approximately 4–5 miles of range per hour.
- Full charge time: Around 24 hours or more for a complete charge, depending on the vehicle's battery size.
- Best for:
- Daily commutes under 40 miles, if you can charge overnight.
- Supplementing public charging.
- Plug-in hybrids, which require less time to charge fully.
- Considerations:
- It's the slowest charging method.
- Charging time is affected by factors like battery size and cold weather.
Level 2 charging (240V)
- Charging speed: Much faster than Level 1, adding about 20–30 miles of range per hour.
- Full charge time: Can take a few hours, depending on battery size.
- Best for:
- Most EV owners, as it's the fastest home charging option.
- Considerations:
- Requires a professional installation and a 240V outlet.
How fast is 120V charging?
120V charging, known as Level 1 charging, is a slow process that adds about 2 to 5 miles of range per hour. This means a full charge for a fully electric vehicle (BEV) can take 40 to 50 hours or more, though it's often enough to replenish a typical daily commute overnight if you drive less than 30-40 miles per day. For plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), a full charge can take around 5-6 hours.
Key details of 120V charging
- Speed: Adds approximately 2–5 miles of range per hour, though some sources cite it as high as 5 miles per hour.
- Typical use: Best for overnight charging for those with short daily commutes, often sufficient to add 30–40 miles of range over 8–10 hours.
- Full charge time: Varies significantly depending on battery size, but can take 40–50+ hours for a BEV and 5–6 hours for a PHEV.
- Efficiency: It is the least efficient method, as some power is lost to the vehicle's systems to manage the charging process.
When to consider alternatives
If you have a longer daily commute, 120V charging may not be sufficient on its own. In such cases, consider using a faster Level 2 charger (240V) or a public DC Fast Charger for quicker top-ups when needed.
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.
