Vehicle comparison
Ford F-150 vs Ford F-150 Lightning
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas and electricity prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- EV rates vary by state
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Ford F-150 Lightning wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Ford F-150 Lightning costs about $914 per year, roughly $1057 less than the Ford F-150. Over 5 years, that's about $5286 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Ford F-150 | Ford F-150 Lightning |
|---|---|---|
| Type | TRUCK | EV |
| Fuel | Regular gas | Electric |
| City MPG/MPGe | 19 | 78 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 24 | 63 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 21 | 70 |
| Tank / Battery | 26 gal | 131 kWh |
| Energy cost | $3.45/gal | $0.16/kWh |
| Cost per mile | $0.164 | $0.076 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly fuel spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Ford F-150 | Ford F-150 Lightning | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $1314/yr · $110/mo | $610/yr · $51/mo | $705 (Ford F-150 Lightning) |
| 12,000 | $1971/yr · $164/mo | $914/yr · $76/mo | $1057 (Ford F-150 Lightning) |
| 15,000 | $2464/yr · $205/mo | $1143/yr · $95/mo | $1321 (Ford F-150 Lightning) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Ford F-150 Lightning
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Ford F-150 LightningBest for road trips
Ford F-150
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Ford F-150Best for families
Ford F-150 Lightning
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Ford F-150 LightningBest for lowest running cost
Ford F-150 Lightning
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Ford F-150 LightningHow we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the Ford F-150 or Ford F-150 Lightning?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Ford F-150 Lightning costs about $914 per year vs $1971 for the Ford F-150 — roughly $1057 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Ford F-150 and Ford F-150 Lightning?
The Ford F-150 is rated around 21 combined MPG versus 70 MPGe for the Ford F-150 Lightning. Highway figures are 24 vs 63.
How much will I spend on fuel over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $9857 for the Ford F-150 and $4571 for the Ford F-150 Lightning, a difference of roughly $5286.
Is the Ford F-150 or Ford F-150 Lightning better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Ford F-150 Lightning wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Ford F-150 is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas and electricity prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.