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Food trucks are going all-electric

Your favorite food truck is most likely powered by gas or diesel, but they will now have the option to go all-electric with Lightning Systems launching its electric powertrain for the Ford F-59, a model used for food trucks.

Lightning Systems is a Loveland, CO-based designer and manufacturer of zero-emission all-electric powertrains for commercial fleets.

They buy chassis from automakers like Ford and install their own all-electric powertrain in them to offer zero-emission fleet solutions to clients.

This week, they are launching a new electric powertrain for all the configurations of the Ford F-59.

They described the powertrain in a press release:

“The Lightning F-59 offers two range variants – either 80 or 110 miles – with a modular, state-of-the-art, thermally-managed lithium ion battery systems with 96 or 128 kWh respectively. The battery system will accommodate a full charge in under two hours for 80 miles of range and a little over 2 hours for the 110-mile range version with DC Fast Charging. The powertrain supports full regenerative braking, with industry-leading efficiency that adds range while reducing wear and tear on the friction brakes. The vehicle comes with Lightning Analytics, the leading electric powertrain telematics-analytics system that provides detailed reporting on key vehicle efficiency and operating metrics critical to fleet optimization.”

110 miles of range may sound limited, but it is well within the average daily mileage of most F-59 use cases.

Tim Reeser, CEO of Lightning Systems, commented on the new powertrain:

“Our top priority is to offer fleets high-quality, elegantly engineered zero emission solutions on platforms that they already use extensively. Our customers have been asking for this platform because the Ford F-59 chassis is economical, high quality, and widely used by our customers in delivery truck and food truck applications.”

Lightning has already received orders for early production units and it is taking more for deliveries to begin this summer.

Electrek’s Take

At Electrek, we believe every segment in transportation is going all-electric and yes, that includes food trucks.

They have become very popular in some cities and for good reason. They enable creative chefs to launch their own operation for a much lower cost than starting their own restaurant.

But their trucks often sit at the same spot burning diesel. It would be great to see them go all-electric.

If you are a patron of some food trucks, maybe you should let them know that it is now an option for them. If they even have a Ford F-59, you can tell them that Lightning Systems even offers conversions to electric.

In some markets, the government also offers incentives to do that.

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Avatar for Fred Lambert Fred Lambert

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