This summer, we added a new vehicle to our operational fleet — and it’s not powered by gasoline or diesel.

The co-op recently purchased a 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning all-electric pickup truck from our local Ford dealership as part of a pilot program to assess electric vehicle (EV) performance under real-world utility conditions. The initiative is designed to collect data on operating range, energy consumption, charging efficiency, and potential cost savings while sharing lessons learned with our members. 

Since deployment, the Lightning has generated strong interest and many questions about its range, charging process, and suitability for daily field operations. Many of our employees have been overwhelmingly surprised by the Lightning’s performance, features, and practicality.

Our field staking engineer currently operates the truck throughout our service territory, often driving 150 to 200 miles per day, and rarely depleting more than 60% of the truck’s battery life. The truck is fully recharged every evening by a basic 30-amp, 220-volt charging station.

Members interested in EV technology are encouraged to give us a call or visit our office to look the truck over. We can share our experience and discuss the truck’s functionality in the rigors of our work and how this truck works to serve you!