18" vs 20" OEM Wheels for Battery Range

[simbaesq]

OP, this is your first EV right?

EVs are not ICE powered transportation, and you shouldn’t expect to drive an EV like you would an ICE. Follow the suggestions above, keep your speed down and use the electrically heated seats and you will see a pretty dramatic improvement in range.

You should also study the hyper-mileage techniques of other more experienced EV drivers. To get the best range drive the terrain and use the brake coach to maximize regenerative braking. When you use all these techniques you should see your mi/kwhr increase to 2.5 or better, then you can realize the estimated ER range of 330 miles, maybe more.

Do people not understand how deeply unsatisfying (and damning to good will for the technology)it is to say "your vehicle will only get useable range if you drive 10-15mph slower than an ICE"?!

OBVIOUSLY I expected a range hit at highway speeds. I did NOT expect my EPA estimated 320 to plummet to 210. 210!

I have to drive downstate, with open empty interstate roads where everyone cruises at 75 or 80, frequently.

Driving 65mph would add about half an hour each way to my drive! I had already understood I'd have to charge once in there, adding 30-40 minutes to my trip. With an extra hour of driving on top of that, it makes the vehicle virtually unusable for my purposes. I guess I have to just start taking the ICE vehicle on the trip again.

I love everything else about the Lightning other than highway range. It's so bad though that I'm beginning to regret the decision to purchase it over the R1T, which also loses range at highway speeds (obviously) but not nearly as much. It's still a usable vehicle at interstate speeds.

I'm going to start looking into selling private party or trading in to get an R1T. I'm really bummed I came to that decision, and the money hit I'm going to have to take is going to suck, but numerous Lightning owners responding to my issue with "just drive at unusably slow speeds" has made me realize this problem is not going to be addressable.

I thought I'd be able to at least get ~2m/kwh and get a 240 or 260 battery range going normal interstate speeds. Clearly not. But I know the R1T can get that. I liked the Lightning better in most ways (size/truck utility, infotainment, ride comfort) but this goes to foundational usability. It's fatal for me.

Sponsored

 

[eRockBoon]

The rivian is only marginally better at speeds >75 MPH due to slightly better aerodynamics and the conserve mode. Don’t expect 30%!

 

[simbaesq]

The rivian is only marginally better at speeds >75 MPH due to slightly better aerodynamics and the conserve mode. Don’t expect 30%!

I typically drive 80mph on this route in an ICE vehicle. I'm perfectly willing to go to 75mph, that's a reasonable cut to me.

In the Lightning I get 1.6 or 1.7 m/kwh at those speeds. I've seen pretty consistent reports at or above 2m/kwh for the R1T at those speeds. That's more than enough of an improvement. The Lightning is on the threshold where it's just barely making it, and I'm concerned it just won't once it's winter.

 

[simbaesq]

Ford on range is so devious - recall how 400 miles with no payload was out there - now a functional real range for an ER is more like 240 between the 15% to 85% charge level at best.

I *wish* my Lightning was that bad!

I'm getting 205-230 to a charge... 100 to 0!

(I haven't actually fully drained a battery. I'm just doing the math.)

 

[Pioneer74]

Ford on range is so devious - recall how 400 miles with no payload was out there - now a functional real range for an ER is more like 240 between the 15% to 85% charge level at best.

Ford never advertised or promised 400 miles of range. That was a YouTuber that threw that unsubstantiated number out.

 

[simbaesq]

Ford never advertised or promised 400 miles of range. That was a YouTuber that threw that unsubstantiated number out.

Forget about 400 miles...

Unfortunately, my ER Lightning just barely gets 200 miles of range!

 

[Roy2001]

260 mile freeway range is during a cool but not cold day, 70mph, no head wind. Keep that in mind.

If you charge to 90% and drive =<70mph you should be fine most of time except cold winter. You will need to charge it. If not, try to drive at 65mph. Also find a semi and follow it closely, this would save a lot of energy.

Where are you located?

 

[simbaesq]

260 mile freeway range is during a cool but not cold day, 70mph, no head wind. Keep that in mind.

If you charge to 90% and drive =<70mph you should be fine most of time except cold winter. You will need to charge it. If not, try to drive at 65mph. Also find a semi and follow it closely, this would save a lot of energy.

Where are you located?

That anyone could see this as anything other than awful is baffling to me.

To use my $80k truck, I have to drive 15mph slower on my route and even then part of the year it's dubious.

Maybe I'm the idiot, but I consumed a good amount of Lightning content before making my purchase, and I did NOT think it was this horrible.

(I'm in Illinois. I drive 160 miles between Chicagoland and central Illinois quite regularly. Maybe I have to bite the bullet and get an R1T max pack...)

 

[Roy2001]

That anyone could see this as anything other than awful is baffling to me.

To use my $80k truck, I have to drive 15mph slower on my route and even then part of the year it's dubious.

Maybe I'm the idiot, but I consumed a good amount of Lightning content before making my purchase, and I did NOT think it was this horrible.

(I'm in Illinois. I drive 160 miles between Chicagoland and central Illinois quite regularly. Maybe I have to bite the bullet and get an R1T max pack...)

Well, most of time, you don't need to do this as 200-250 range is more than enough.

I mentioned that ONLY when you have to drive 150 miles on freeway during freezing cold days and you cannot charge during the day.

Unfortunately, you have to accept the fact. Try to find a place on your way to charge as backup plan.

 

[brewski]

I just did a 400 mile round trip.
One direction I had the back filled with heavy stuff and the gate down: 1.8.
On the way back empty gate up 2.0
Cruise was set at 80...there was stop & go in the ATL.

edit: clarifying I charged at my half way point.

 

[AI_Speed]

Ford never advertised or promised 400 miles of range. That was a YouTuber that threw that unsubstantiated number out.

Ford was eagerly encouraging 400 though & the EPA 320 estimate was with 1k lbs. of payload - flawed there too.

 

[AI_Speed]

260 mile freeway range is during a cool but not cold day, 70mph, no head wind. Keep that in mind.

If you charge to 90% and drive =<70mph you should be fine most of time except cold winter. You will need to charge it. If not, try to drive at 65mph. Also find a semi and follow it closely, this would save a lot of energy.

Where are you located?

Heat also reduces range quite dramatically.

 

[AI_Speed]

I just did a 400 mile round trip.
One direction I had the back filled with heavy stuff and the gate down: 1.8.
On the way back empty gate up 2.0
Cruise was set at 80...there was stop & go in the ATL.

And did you charge it a quick 50% or so?

 

[simbaesq]

I just did a 400 mile round trip.
One direction I had the back filled with heavy stuff and the gate down: 1.8.
On the way back empty gate up 2.0
Cruise was set at 80...there was stop & go in the ATL.

You monster, how?!

 

[brewski]

@AI_Speed & @simbaesq
I didn't mean to give the impression I did this without charging.
I charged at my destination which was the 200 mile point.
[can these tall ads pop up in the center of the screen at a worse time??]
The point of my post was that I'm not doing anything special, just driving 80 with the AC on.
Everything is stock.

Sponsored