2024 Ford Maverick Lightning

With a starting price of just over $20,000 and the ability to travel around 600 miles on a full tank in the real world, there isn't another pickup on the market that is as efficient or affordable as the Ford Maverick hybrid. Those willing to overlook its monocoque chassis will find a pickup that is capable enough for 90% of most people's everyday needs. But if the Maverick hybrid was a groundbreaking pickup, the all-electric Maverick Lightning will be something else altogether. Ford filed a trademark for the name recently, indicating that the smallest fully electric pickup that Americans have seen is on the way. Here's what we can expect from it.

The 2024 Ford Maverick Lightning's release date remains unknown. In mid 2021, Ford CEO Jim Farley said that he could envision an electric Maverick as part of the range but didn't say when it would be coming out in the USA. It's impossible to say exactly when the electric Maverick will arrive, but a 2024 reveal is likely the best-case scenario.

The new Ford Maverick Lightning pickup truck will likely command a premium over the gas and hybrid models. We already know, for instance, that the F-150 Lightning is about $9,000 pricier than the regular F-150. But that is also a much larger truck.

If Ford can retain the Maverick's high-value price tag and bring in a Maverick Lightning from around the $30,000 mark, we are sure that many hesitant buyers would take the plunge and make the move to an EV. Right now, a Maverick Lariat with the EcoBoost engine and all-wheel drive will cost just below $30,000 MSRP. Whatever happens, the 2024 Ford Maverick Lightning's price will be crucial to its success.

At the moment, there are exactly zero direct rivals for the Maverick Lightning.

Our own render of an electric Maverick gives an idea of what the final product will look like. We expect the Ford Maverick Lightning's exterior to have the same basic shape as the regular Maverick, but with details like special wheels, a closed-off grille, and a unique lighting signature to set it apart. It should also be prominently badged as a Lightning model, as is the case with the F-150 Lightning. Of course, there will also be a port for charging.

If the Ford Maverick Lightning's colors mirror those of the standard Maverick, we can expect shades like Velocity Blue, Area 51, and perhaps Cyber Orange.

There should be no surprises here as the Ford Maverick Lightning's dimensions are unlikely to deviate much from the normal Maverick. The latter has a 121.1-inch wheelbase and measures 199.7 inches in length, 83.5 inches in width including the mirrors, and 68.7 inches in height. The normal Maverick is only available in SuperCrew guise so these specs don't vary as they do on the F-150 with its multiple body styles.

Curb weight is likely where the Maverick Lightning will differ most. The heaviest current Maverick is 3,731 pounds and that applies to the EcoBoost with AWD. We can imagine the Maverick Lightning with AWD reaching 4,000 lbs.

The Ford Maverick shares its front-wheel drive-based unibody platform with the Bronco Sport and Escape. Accommodating either one or two electric motors in place of the normal Ford Maverick's engine would require quite a lot of work, but the C2 platform is known for being adaptable to suit various wheelbases, track widths, and vehicle sizes. Presumably, it can also support full electrification.

Whereas the F-150 Lightning only has dual electric motors, the Maverick Lightning will likely start with a single electric motor. The Maverick emphasizes value more than ultimate capability or rapid 0-60 mph times, which is reflected in the hybrid's modest 191 combined horsepower. The base Mustang Mach-E has one electric motor that makes 266 hp, and that would be more than sufficient for the Maverick Hybrid.

We'll have to wait and see if AWD is standard or optional for the Maverick Lightning.

The Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning are vastly different vehicles but both can reach over 300 miles on a full charge depending on the trim and battery. We would be surprised if the Maverick Lightning wasn't at least as capable, and its expectedly higher price would have to offset the Maverick hybrid's stellar mpg ratings.

150 kW charging speeds should enable owners to get close to the maximum state of charge in about 45 minutes, but again, none of these numbers are close to being confirmed yet. Ford may very well have raised its charging speeds by the time the Maverick Lightning arrives.

Despite its low price, we were very impressed when we got inside the Maverick. The new Ford Maverick Lightning's interior should share the same traits that won us over. That includes a highly functional design, a user-friendly eight-inch touchscreen interface, and loads of thoughtful storage spaces that will keep a family happy. As is often the case with EVs, we suspect the Maverick Lightning will push the technology envelope a bit further. It may get a larger touchscreen and access to the brand's advanced Blue Cruise hands-free driver-assistance system.

The Ford Maverick Lightning's seats should be comfy with leather or faux leather on upper trims, and while we found space in the normal Maverick to be good in the second row, it can't match larger pickups in this area.

One major advantage should be the Ford Maverick Lightning's cargo space. We don't expect it to have the massive frunk of the F-150 Lightning, but it should still be a welcome addition to the bed at the back. Speaking of the bed, the standard Maverick has a 4.5-foot bed with 33.3 cubic feet of volume. That's not a lot for a truck, but then again, the Maverick is a lot easier to maneuver than an F-150.