Last week, Ford Motor Company made headlines with its announcement about exploring the idea of using olive trees to make car parts. However, the latest news is all about the Ford F-150 Lightening EV. Launched in April 2022, the electric pickup truck has garnered great acclaim from MotorTrend and others, and Ford is not slowing down. The company has unveiled an off-road racing version of the Lightening and it’s ready to hit the road with a bang.
This Electric Pickup Truck is Built for Off-Road Adventures
Ford provided CleanTechnica with a sneak peek of the big news. A souped-up version of the F-150 electric pickup truck will be showcased at the King of the Hammers off-road racing event in Johnson Valley, California on January 25. This new truck, named the Switchgear Demonstrator, has been designed to demonstrate the capabilities of an electric pickup truck in grueling off-road conditions.
But why King of the Hammers? Because, as King of the Hammers itself claims, it is home to the toughest one-day off-road race in the world. The treacherous terrain and challenging courses make it the perfect testing ground for Ford’s new creation.
While not every pickup truck will face the same rugged terrain, Ford’s foray into off-road racing positions the company as a leader in the market.
The F-150 Lightening earned the MotorTrend 2023 Truck of the Year award, marking a historic victory as only the second electric vehicle to win unanimously in MotorTrend’s year competitions.
“The Lighting is the first EV pickup to appeal directly to the existing truck market. It does so with a trove of new engineering accomplishments wrapped in a practical, recognizable package truck owners have come to trust,” noted MotorTrend, recognizing its significance in bridging the gap between traditional and future vehicles.
The Unique Features of the Switchgear Demonstrator Electric Pickup Truck
The Switchgear Demonstrator is a one-of-a-kind showcase of innovative features that are not available at your local Ford dealer. Custom independent double-wishbone suspension, multilink independent suspension at the rear, carbon composite front fenders, bed sides and rear bumper cover are just a few of the highlights. The truck also boasts steel fabricated rock rails, front skid plate, and unique chase rack with two spare wheels/tires.
Add to that an increased track width for better stability, more ground clearance, improved suspension travel, and FOX 3-inch diameter internal bypass shock absorbers, and the Switchgear Demonstrator becomes an off-road beast.
On the commercial side, Ford announced the F-150 Lightning Flash, a tech-forward version of the electric pickup truck that incorporates popular tech capabilities, including extended-range battery and hands-free highway driving.
With these developments, Ford is taking steps to make electric pickups more accessible to consumers, bridging the gap between sustainability and the market demands.
What Lies Ahead for Ford’s Sustainable EV Initiatives?
Alongside its foray into off-road racing and tech-forward models, Ford is making significant strides in sustainable innovation. The company has been experimenting with biocomposites derived from olive tree waste under Europe’s “COMPOlive” project, aiming to reduce plastic consumption in the automotive industry and minimize air pollution caused by the burning of olive tree waste.
The successful development of prototype parts from olive tree waste showcases Ford’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing and its dedication to exploring new possibilities for electric vehicles. As Ford evaluates this process for mass use, the potential use of olive tree waste in future electric vehicles emerges as an exciting prospect.
As part of its drive towards sustainable innovation, Ford has also completed projects involving agave fiber partnership with Jose Cuervo and the use of rubber derived from dandelion sap.
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