The Lightning is ready to fight crime.

  • Ford unveils F-150 Lightning Pro SSV (Special Service Vehicle)
  • Replacing the F-150 Police Responder, the new police truck can hit 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds
  • First model of the new 2023 F-150 Lightning range

The US federal government wants to maintain a zero-emissions fleet by 2035, and that mandate will eventually trickle down to the state level, including police forces. To that end, we’ve seen automakers like Ford and General Motors release all-electric police vehicles based on the Mach-E GT and the recently-revealed Blazer SS. Both will make excellent replacements for the popular Explorer-based Ford police interceptor utility, but what what if they need something large to carry their gear?

Fear not officers, because the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro SSV (Special Service Vehicle) has arrived. Based on the electric F-150 Lightning, the Pro SSV will replace the existing Ford F-150 Police Responder pickup with a zero-emission solution. Oh, and for the naysayers who don’t believe in EVs, just wait until you hear how quick it is.

The standard-range battery version produces 452 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque with a 7,700-pound towing capacity and 2,235-pound payload capacity. Stepping up to the extended-range battery improves the output to 580 hp with the same amount of torque, and ups the towing capacity to 10,000 pounds. Either battery can rocket this police truck to 60 mph in under four seconds, which should be way quicker than the gas-powered F-150.

Since the SSV is based on the Lightning Pro model, it features easy-to-clean vinyl rear seats and vinyl flooring. The truck has been upgraded inside for police duty with heavy-duty cloth seats and reduced bolsters (so holstered officers can get in and out easier), steel intrusion plates in the front seatbacks, roof-mounted LED warning lights, and a reinforced instrument panel top tray for equipment.

“We’re proud to offer America’s first electric police pickup truck to local government customers who can use the truck’s game-changing technology to help improve their productivity,” said Nate Oscarson, Ford Pro national government sales manager. “Pro Power Onboard can serve as a mobile power source to light up evening accident scenes on the highway, the electric powertrain helps to potentially reduce costs associated with fuel and scheduled maintenance needs and the Mega Power Frunk provides extra lockable storage on top of purpose-built police additions our customers have come to expect from the leader in police vehicles.”

This is the first model in the 2023 F-150 Lightning lineup, and Ford says more information, including range, will be announced later this summer. Ford will even offer municipal loan options for charging solutions, including installation, hardware, and software. Special fleet management software will help police forces schedule charging and services to lower operating costs and improve uptime.