2024 Pikes Peak Champion is Ford’s All-New Performance EV

Photo Source: Ford 

SNAPSHOT

• This is the second straight year Ford Performance found success with an electric vehicle (EV) demonstrator at Pikes Peak, following SuperVan 4.2 in 2023.
• Ford Performance F-150 Lightning SuperTruck made the fastest pass of all 61 competitors at the 102nd running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
• Romain Dumas piloted the electric vehicle demonstrator up America’s Mountain in 8:53.553.

On June 23, 2024, the 102nd Pikes Peak International Hill Climb demonstrated that electric vehicles are a mainstay of automotive competitions despite some shortcomings. Ford stole the show, with the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck crowned King of the Mountain despite breaking mid-race. With electric vehicles offering explosive performance that puts most combustion race cars to shame, they continue to conquer on the racetrack. 

Courtesy of their instantaneous power delivery, EVs can jump ahead of most gasoline engine-propelled vehicles. To that end, this is only true for a sprint, not a marathon. This is why electric vehicles dominate drag races but are almost non-existent in longer races. That is because they cannot sustain full performance for very long, as thermal limitations come into play. 

The drive units and battery overheat rapidly when pushed to the limits during a hill climb race, for example. Longer races are also challenging because many electric vehicles would run out of battery very quickly. That said, enthusiasts and factory teams have been racing electric vehicles in high-profile races. Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) is arguably the most illustrious, showcasing why we have seen numerous electric vehicles attempting to set a record there. It is not impossible, but it is grueling, as past years’ experience has demonstrated.

How Did Ford Win the 2024 Pikes Peak Hill Climb?

The Ford F-150 Lightning SuperTruck electric vehicle demonstrator prevailed in the 102nd Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with a record-breaking performance, clocking a remarkable time of 8:53.553, the quickest among 61 competitors. This accomplishment arrived just days after the SuperTruck set a new qualifying record for the open class, completing the course in 3:32.831 – over seven seconds faster than the 2023 record set by the Ford Performance SuperVan 4.2 of 3:39.939.

“The progression of Ford electric vehicles taking on and completing the toughest challenges is a major testament to the hard work and dedication our teams have put into the program. We learned a great deal from SuperVan 4.2 in last year’s Pikes Peak International Hill climb and were able to apply that knowledge to this year’s run. It’s onward and upward from here.”

–Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports

Of note, driver Romain Dumas encountered a technical issue during the climb, necessitating a complete stop on the course. According to Ford, this stop added approximately 26 seconds to his initial qualifying time. Nonetheless, Dumas’s quick thinking allowed him to reset the 1,600-horsepower F-150 Lightning SuperTruck and resume the climb, mitigating the impact of the technical setback.

The Creation of Ford’s EV SuperTruck

The development of the Ford Performance F-150 Lightning SuperTruck was a joint effort, with Stohl Advanced Research and Development (STARD) playing an integral part in devising the 1,600-horsepower juggernaut. The SuperTruck was also outfitted with first-rate safety equipment and Sparco racing harnesses, along with bespoke Pirelli P-Zero tires, ensuring its stability on treacherous mountain roads.

Hop Into the Blue Oval’s Electric Vehicles at NYE Ford!

The Ford F-150 Lightning SuperTruck’s performance at the 102nd Pikes Peak International Hill Climb illustrates the significant advancements and dedication of Ford Performance in the sector of electric vehicle technology and motorsports. If you support Ford’s achievement of flexing its EV muscles, please come visit NYE Ford. Are you excited about getting a new car? So are we. We are more than excited to help our customers; we are thrilled. If you are searching for a new EV option to purchase or lease, take a look at our new vehicle inventory or our quality pre-owned vehicles.