Why can't Ford get it right?

[potato]

Who drives 34MPH for more than a few miles? Speed limit is 60-65mph minimum. Factor in all the other BS of wind speed, barometric pressure, wind resistance, air temperature and the fact that charging stations are few & far behind I will bet you a lightning truck you can't drive a MN winter 190 miles on any freeway without a charge.

You're not wrong, but I think that's the point. The 320 EPA number is real, BUT it does not represent the real world conditions in which we care about range. When we're just driving at slow speed around town, yes we'd get that range, but we don't notice or care since we just go home and plug in anyway. On the highway, when the range is reduced well below the EPA number, that's when we pay attention.

Whether this is the fault of manufacturers / sales people misleading customers or at least not setting expectations, or customers not doing enough research to know they need to take the EPA range with a large helping of salt, at the end of the day you can't beat the laws of physics. It takes a lot of energy to push a brick through the air at high speeds.

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[TaxmanHog]

The EPA numbers are a standardized measure to allow consumers a method to compare and make an informed decision on which vehicle to purchase.

 

[Ventorum94]

Factor in all the other BS…

Monitoring your trip’s mi/kWh, while driving, factors in everything. Your range depends mostly on only one of those factors: how much air you’re pushing out of the way (truck speed + wind speed). Though very cold temperatures also reduce your battery capacity (mitigate by plugging in at night, and setting your expected departure time), and driving uphill uses more juice (but it’s assumed that’s usually offset by downhill returns), how fast you’re pushing the truck through the air is numero uno.

 

[G-Zeus]

I hear you, range anxiety is THE big issue, even for the early adopters. Do yourself a favor and go and buy your own Tesla adapter, problem solved (mostly).

 

[kf59]

Part of the joy of driving an electric vehicle (for me) is being more engaged with it. I enjoy doing the “on-the-fly math,” and it is probably holding dementia at bay for now. If you don’t like doing it in your head, then ask Siri or Alexa to do it for you. Of course you have to mentally keep track of a couple of numbers still to prime them, but they will give the answer to three decimals.

 

[FreshDaddyE]

I can't imagine having this truck without a NACS (Tesla) adapter. It would drive me up the damn wall and GREATLY reduce the experience.

We did some long miles this week for the holidays and took the Lightning. Granted there are a healthy number of SuperChargers (and other L2) spread around the east coast but none of them in my orbit exceed the range of my Lariat ER or my bladder. Each time we would drop below 40% we'd map one out, drop in, charge up, eat, pee, and move on. It was painless.

Bottom line, just buy the adapter. You spent this much on the truck, what's a few hundred dollars more for immense peace of mind? If I were without my A2Z I would probably HATE this truck. But I'm not so it's quite the opposite. Pull the trigger.

 

[NCevGuyF150]

I have shared my frustration with being sold a truck that advertised 320 miles on full charge. I have never come close to that on full charge. Oh wait - charging to Full Capcity is bad ...right? Last Night I left on a 95% charge with my battery conditioned for departure. It i was 10 degrees Fahrenheit with a headwind. I have a level 2 charger that is 20 miles from my destination that I thought I could use if needed (I also have a Tesla high capacity charger half way but my adapter that was supposed to be delivered in March 2024 - is now pushed again to December - so never mind that). I got to the level 2 with 18% charge and 40 miles in the GOM but the charger was non-functional. Not trusting the GOM I figured 18% at 1.3 I have 24 miles left. 20 miles to go. talk about pucker factor. I made with 4% after shutting off cabin temperature (keeping in mind it was now closer to 6 degrees).

My point (and yes I am bitching cause I hate the anxiety of driving this truck) I am performing on the fly math looking at the last 30 miles KWPh usage (I use all three trip calculators to track). I am ranging between 1.4 and 1.5. Why can't Ford computer calculator computer my range dynamically and adjust for the long haul. At mid point - I was going finish with 70 miles left. Then 50 miles. Then 40 miles by the time I hit the level 2 charger with 18% - my math said i'd arrive 4 miles - I arrived with 6 miles (not 40).

Long story short - if @Ford Motor Company is reading this please figure out how to improve the mileage and estimates. And future buyers -start adding disclaimers that 320 miles on a full charge will NEVER Happen unless it is 61 degrees; tail wind and you drive 34MPH on a slight decline. And for those that live where temps drop below 10 degrees F - cut everything in half and still worry.

Range anxiety is a real thing. And I do understand. I charged my to 100% because I expected it to be 27° here this morning. Got in the truck and it told me I had 230 miles of range. Well I thought I bought an extended range. However, I understand, using the heat and warming the batteries Does use electricity. And well to diminish the range. However, I feel like the Ford lightning is the best truck I’ve ever driven. And I know that there are quirks that will have to be worked out of the technology. After all the technology is new. However, in the summer months, I was getting 350 miles out of a charge. Of course that was driving sensibly and driving the speed limit. I’m not sure if I was not a conservative person, would I have ever bought a lightning. I tried to conserve my battery and range and electricity at my home whenever possible. I guess that’s why I drive a little bit like grandma. I hate that you’re having frustration. I hope that as the weather warms, you’ll get to enjoy the truck as much as I do.

 

[majerus]

I have shared my frustration with being sold a truck that advertised 320 miles on full charge. I have never come close to that on full charge. Oh wait - charging to Full Capcity is bad ...right? Last Night I left on a 95% charge with my battery conditioned for departure. It i was 10 degrees Fahrenheit with a headwind. I have a level 2 charger that is 20 miles from my destination that I thought I could use if needed (I also have a Tesla high capacity charger half way but my adapter that was supposed to be delivered in March 2024 - is now pushed again to December - so never mind that). I got to the level 2 with 18% charge and 40 miles in the GOM but the charger was non-functional. Not trusting the GOM I figured 18% at 1.3 I have 24 miles left. 20 miles to go. talk about pucker factor. I made with 4% after shutting off cabin temperature (keeping in mind it was now closer to 6 degrees).

My point (and yes I am bitching cause I hate the anxiety of driving this truck) I am performing on the fly math looking at the last 30 miles KWPh usage (I use all three trip calculators to track). I am ranging between 1.4 and 1.5. Why can't Ford computer calculator computer my range dynamically and adjust for the long haul. At mid point - I was going finish with 70 miles left. Then 50 miles. Then 40 miles by the time I hit the level 2 charger with 18% - my math said i'd arrive 4 miles - I arrived with 6 miles (not 40).

Long story short - if @Ford Motor Company is reading this please figure out how to improve the mileage and estimates. And future buyers -start adding disclaimers that 320 miles on a full charge will NEVER Happen unless it is 61 degrees; tail wind and you drive 34MPH on a slight decline. And for those that live where temps drop below 10 degrees F - cut everything in half and still worry.

I complained about this in 2022, the avg that ford got the epa to list these trucks as is way off. Their prediction sucks, and most people on forums will tell you dont use the GOM which is a bad take. You will need to drive slower for better range in winter.

 

[VEGAS LIGHTNING]

I have shared my frustration with being sold a truck that advertised 320 miles on full charge. I have never come close to that on full charge. Oh wait - charging to Full Capcity is bad ...right? Last Night I left on a 95% charge with my battery conditioned for departure. It i was 10 degrees Fahrenheit with a headwind. I have a level 2 charger that is 20 miles from my destination that I thought I could use if needed (I also have a Tesla high capacity charger half way but my adapter that was supposed to be delivered in March 2024 - is now pushed again to December - so never mind that). I got to the level 2 with 18% charge and 40 miles in the GOM but the charger was non-functional. Not trusting the GOM I figured 18% at 1.3 I have 24 miles left. 20 miles to go. talk about pucker factor. I made with 4% after shutting off cabin temperature (keeping in mind it was now closer to 6 degrees).

My point (and yes I am bitching cause I hate the anxiety of driving this truck) I am performing on the fly math looking at the last 30 miles KWPh usage (I use all three trip calculators to track). I am ranging between 1.4 and 1.5. Why can't Ford computer calculator computer my range dynamically and adjust for the long haul. At mid point - I was going finish with 70 miles left. Then 50 miles. Then 40 miles by the time I hit the level 2 charger with 18% - my math said i'd arrive 4 miles - I arrived with 6 miles (not 40).

Long story short - if @Ford Motor Company is reading this please figure out how to improve the mileage and estimates. And future buyers -start adding disclaimers that 320 miles on a full charge will NEVER Happen unless it is 61 degrees; tail wind and you drive 34MPH on a slight decline. And for those that live where temps drop below 10 degrees F - cut everything in half and still worry.

What is your mailing address? I have Lectron adapter that works just fine that I can send your way. It was left behind by a previous charger at a Tesla spot at a Buckees in Colorado. I have my other adapters, so you are welcome to that one. You can pass it on to someone else after your freebie comes in.

 

[Kit2874]

I have shared my frustration with being sold a truck that advertised 320 miles on full charge. I have never come close to that on full charge. Oh wait - charging to Full Capcity is bad ...right? Last Night I left on a 95% charge with my battery conditioned for departure. It i was 10 degrees Fahrenheit with a headwind. I have a level 2 charger that is 20 miles from my destination that I thought I could use if needed (I also have a Tesla high capacity charger half way but my adapter that was supposed to be delivered in March 2024 - is now pushed again to December - so never mind that). I got to the level 2 with 18% charge and 40 miles in the GOM but the charger was non-functional. Not trusting the GOM I figured 18% at 1.3 I have 24 miles left. 20 miles to go. talk about pucker factor. I made with 4% after shutting off cabin temperature (keeping in mind it was now closer to 6 degrees).

My point (and yes I am bitching cause I hate the anxiety of driving this truck) I am performing on the fly math looking at the last 30 miles KWPh usage (I use all three trip calculators to track). I am ranging between 1.4 and 1.5. Why can't Ford computer calculator computer my range dynamically and adjust for the long haul. At mid point - I was going finish with 70 miles left. Then 50 miles. Then 40 miles by the time I hit the level 2 charger with 18% - my math said i'd arrive 4 miles - I arrived with 6 miles (not 40).

Long story short - if @Ford Motor Company is reading this please figure out how to improve the mileage and estimates. And future buyers -start adding disclaimers that 320 miles on a full charge will NEVER Happen unless it is 61 degrees; tail wind and you drive 34MPH on a slight decline. And for those that live where temps drop below 10 degrees F - cut everything in half and still worry.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but EVs (all of them) if you live anywhere where it gets cold, do not, I repeat, do not buy them. It's not worth
it yet.

My recommendation, get rid of the truck.

 

[The Weatherman]

I personally have NEVER owned a vehicle in 50+ years of ownership that hit its EPA numbers. I sure didn’t expect this EV would be any different.

Still loving the Lightning experience.

 

[VTbuckeye]

When driving primarily below 55mph in the summer my estimated range at 60 percent charge is between 190 and 205 miles. After 400+miles of 70+mph driving the estimate was around 165-170 miles. This morning at 28 degrees the estimate was 155-160 miles.

Temperature affects range/efficiency and travel speed also affects range/efficiency. The EPA numbers I believe are accurate for the test, but the real world does not match test conditions/parameters. Ideally there would be an official 70mph range test at ideal temperature and a 70mph test at very cold temperatures. Maybe they could also make available to the public their internal information on efficiency based on changing temperature so that we can do the math from a known number. Out of spec and inside EV do their range tests, but it would be nice if the manufacturer could provide this information (you know they must have it).

 

[Ventorum94]

Each time we would drop below 40% we'd map one out, drop in, charge up, eat, pee, and move on. It was painless.

Excellent post, imho. Access to reliable and convenient DCFC is more important than longer range (especially for those of us who like to stop every couple of hours anyway).
And (just saying), I’m not sure I’d want a truck that weighs 2000lbs more, and costs $20k+ more, than my Lightning even if it offered double the range from its ginormous battery pack.

 

[RickLightning]

EPA range is a mix of 55% highway and 45% city. You can absolutely get 320 miles to a full charge. Ive actually gotten 360 miles before. Always charge to 100% for a roadtrip. If you have range anxiety, dont do on the fly math. Use plugshare and ABRP and plan appropriately.

I'm going to totally disagree here. Use ABRP and PlugShare AND do on the fly math.

In fact, get an OBD reader and Car Scanner and look at the available energy, times your efficiency, is your true range. The more accurate data, the better.

 

[grange]

@RickLightning....I'll go back to my title......why cant Ford figure this out? It is just data and a little computing power. Ford has all the data and variables. ?

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