Ford has taken the wraps off the F-150 Lightning; an electric version of its best-selling pickup that will go head to head with the Tesla Cybertruck.

The F-150 Lightning will provide 563hp of power and up to 300 miles of range

It’s due 2023 and will provide the missing link for many fleet operators looking to go electric.

“For both Ford and the American auto industry, F-150 Lightning represents a defining moment as we progress toward a zero-emissions, digitally connected future,” said Bill Ford, executive chair, Ford Motor Company. “F-Series is America’s best-selling truck for 44 years, the backbone of work across the country, and a trusted icon for generations of customers. Now we are revolutionising it for a new generation.”

It’s part of Ford’s $22bn-plus (£15.6bn) global electric vehicle plan to lead electrification in mass-market areas of strength, as already spearheaded with the Mustang and Transit.

The F-150 Lightning features a 563hp dual-motor powertrain that delivers 1,051Nm of torque – the most torque of any F-150 ever – and with standard 4×4 and independent rear suspension.

In the US, two options will be offered: a standard-range battery targeting 230 miles of range on America’s EPA cycle and an extended-range battery targeting 300 miles of EPA-estimated range and with an expected 0-60mph time in the mid-four-second zone.

The standard-range model is expected to bring around 907kg of payload while towing capacity is up to 4,535kg.

The F-150 Lighting will also feature Ford’s Co-Pilot360 technology, including the BlueCruise tech which provides hands-free driving on more than 100,000 miles of approved highways in the US and Canada.

Ford will also provide standard over-the-air software updates – dubbed Ford Power-Up – to improve the technology experience, add new features and fix issues without trips to the dealership.

Prices in the US start at $39,974 (around £28,241) for the commercial version and the F-150 Lightning can be reseved online with a $100 deposit.