Ford Tests the F-150 Lightning in Alaska to Improve its Cold Weather Performances

• A fleet of six trucks have been tested in minus 30-degree weather

• The testing was primarily done to improve the power delivery on slick surfaces

• The powertrain’s behavior in extreme cold temperatures has also been observed

Ford has submitted 6 pre-production units of its upcoming F-150 Lightning electric pickup to testing in Alaska.

These tests were done to determine how the truck will react in extreme cold temperatures, but mostly to fine tune the powertrain for driving on snow and ice.

The company chose a military base in the northernmost state of the US to conduct their tests due to the temperatures which regularly reach minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-34˚C) and the challenging driving conditions caused by snow and ice.

Most tests were intended to allow the engineers to calibrate the power delivery in order to better suit driving on slippery surfaces.

Since electric vehicles are capable of delivering their maximum torque instantaneously, driving them on ice can be tricky. As a result of these tests, Ford was able to program the motor controllers, the all-wheel drive system and the traction control system in order to make for a better and safer experience in winter.

The actual tests consisted of driving on different surfaces such as loose snow, packed-groomed snow, complete ice and half ice-half concrete surfaces, where one side of the truck is on solid ground and the other half is on slippery ice.

One of the benefits of the F-150 Lightning’s electric powertrain is its ability to control both axles independently and the ability for engineers to change the power settings and the torque characteristics in real time.

The final result will mean that the truck will be able to detect slippery roads and adjust its powertrain in order to provide a safer and more predictable driving experience.