With the F-150 Lightning, Ford has turned its bestselling full-sized pickup into an all-electric truck with impressive capabilities. As the
electric vehicle market grows and prices come down, options like the
F-150 Lightning are becoming more attractive for buyers who want to combine top truck performance with a reduced carbon footprint. One of the biggest considerations when buying an all-electric pickup is how long it takes to charge the battery. Our
F-150 experts here at Jim Burke Ford have taken a closer look at this question.
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning Charge Times
Before diving into the F-150 Lightning’s charging times, it’s important to know that they vary according to several factors. Firstly, there are three different types of EV battery charging, known typically as Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 charging. A Level 1 charger is a household power outlet and the slowest way to recharge a battery.
Level 2 chargers can be installed in the home and are also found at public charging sites. They can fully charge a typical EV battery from seven to 11 hours, depending on its size. Finally, Level 3 or DC fast chargers are available at public sites only. They can replenish a battery in an hour or less.
In the case of the 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning, another factor impacting the charging time is whether it has a standard or extended-range battery. The F-150’s two electric motors generate 452 horsepower with the standard range battery, while the extended-range battery pushes output to 580 horsepower.
The standard battery takes about 36 minutes to charge from 15% to 80% when using a Level 3 charger. If driving a truck with an extended-range battery, the same charge takes about 41 minutes. By contrast, using a standard household power outlet adds a mere 2 miles of driving range per hour, which means it takes over 100 hours or four days to fully charge a battery, which isn’t a practical option for most people.
Level 2 chargers offer a good middle ground. With a standard power cord, a Level 2 charger takes about 10 hours to fully charge the standard battery and 15 hours for the extended-range battery. Ford’s Charge Station Pro, which we’ll discuss more below, speeds up the charging process. This device can fully charge an extended-range battery in approximately eight hours.
2025 F-150 Lightning Driving Range
The driving range of a
pickup truck varies considerably depending on the choice of battery. The standard battery pack for the Ford-150 Lightning, which contains a 98-kilowatt battery, is good for 230 miles when fully charged. The range rises to 320 miles with the extended-range battery pack, which contains a 131-kilowatt battery. However, it’s important to remember that the truck’s estimated range is based on typical driving, so it may change during off-roading or towing.
For example, the F-150 Lightning has a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds with the extended-range battery and 7,700 pounds with the standard battery. In a test by Car and Driver, the F-150 Lightning’s driving range with an extended battery dropped to 100 miles when it towed a 6,100-pound trailer and traveled at 70 mph. It is important to keep these changes in mind when deciding whether the F-150 Lightning would be suitable for specific driving and towing habits.
What’s new for 2025 is Ford’s improved charging interface and software features. Drivers can now set universal charging limits across all locations and view real-time charging speeds. Additionally, Apple Maps EV Routing has been integrated into CarPlay, enabling F-150 Lightning drivers to locate Tesla Superchargers and optimize charging stops.
