Article: How Ford’s F-150 Lightning, Once in Hot Demand, Lost Its Luster

[Jseis]

Can you tell me the math you did to get 74mpge? How do I know how many KW my battery has at 90%?

Use this

https://www.inchcalculator.com/convert/mile-per-kilowatt-hour-to-mile-per-gallon-equivalent/

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[TheBigBezo]

I think all the reasons why the Lightning, and EVs in general, have lost popularity has already been covered enough in this thread.

I appreciate Ford for releasing the Lightning because I love mine. I think if more people could have an open mind, they could love one too. But, at the end of the day, we all make our own decisions we feel are best for us. Whether they continue to make them or cancel them, I won't get bored of doing 4 wheel burnouts in my truck when the light turns green.

 

[chl]

As for the loosing luster - Ford had an estimated 80% drop-out reservation rate I read somewhere and the main reason, mine too, was the 40% price increase over what was originally promised.

I waited until this Jan 2024 to buy one because - big price drop in the 2023's and the $7500 tax credit up front and the IRS won't come back at you if you otherwise wouldn't qualify.

When I bought my first full-sized EV (had a lot of small radio controlled battery powered toy cars when my son was little) in 2011, a 2012 Nissan Leaf, I lost some of the tax credit due to income or tax liability issues, I don't remember the specifics, but it was a bummer.

So being an experienced EV driver since 2011, I was prepared for all the range, temperature, infrastructure, etc. issues with owning an EV, and all the benefits too.

Even with the higher up front cost, EVs beat on cost of ownership according to the recent analysis in the Washington Post, which has had its share of EV bashing over the years mostly by VW Deisel driver Charles Lane. (BTW, remember when the NYTimes reporter reviewed a Tesla and intentionally mislead?)

You should be able to read this, subscriber or not:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/01/30/plug-in-hybrid-car-worth-it/

Some excerpts for education and comment (fair use):

"...EVs were cheaper to maintain at a cost of 6 cents per mile, compared with 9 cents for plug-in hybrids and more than 10 cents for conventional gasoline vehicles, according to the latest Energy Department data...."

"...What’s the takeaway based on price? If you want the lowest sticker price, gasoline cars are still the winner — but they will cost you over time in fuel and maintenance, not to mention much higher carbon emissions. If you’re looking for the biggest savings over five years or more, and charging is accessible, go with electric..."

 

[1Jetpilot]

interesting, thank you. I guess that is a feel good equivalent

 

[columbiaskier]

If it's just a hype cycle, how come Ford is so stupid then to be massively changing its business priorities?

Because we are in the Trough of Disillusionment

 

[FordLightningMan]

Just about any married-joint tax return with AGI equal to the price of a Lightning Lariat or higher is going to have a $7500 or higher tax liability (though I’m not sure anyone should be buying a vehicle that costs as much as their annual income).

Maybe it's a different tax issue, there is now an income cap on the tax benefit. When other people are buying the same vehicle at $7,500 cheaper than people above the income cap, it's an instant $7,500 in depreciation. My next EV purchase is over $80k, simply so I don't have to pay more than someone buying the same vehicle.

This just made me think about another issue, buying an EV is a lot more complicated than buying an ICE vehicle. This is the stuff you need to think about, like what qualifies for a tax break. A lot of people don't want to think, we're the group on a forum obsessing over something, we're a minority.

 

[bydabeach]

Maybe it's a different tax issue, there is now an income cap on the tax benefit. When other people are buying the same vehicle at $7,500 cheaper than people above the income cap, it's an instant $7,500 in depreciation. My next EV purchase is over $80k, simply so I don't have to pay more than someone buying the same vehicle.

This just made me think about another issue, buying an EV is a lot more complicated than buying an ICE vehicle. This is the stuff you need to think about, like what qualifies for a tax break. A lot of people don't want to think, we're the group on a forum obsessing over something, we're a minority.

We did our research. Bought the Lightning in Nov. 2022 and earlier in August a plug-in hybrid Volvo recharge. We were able to take a full $15,000 tax credit for 2022, which was pretty sweet. We did solar early in 2023, and received a huge credit for that too. Now we have free "fuel" in the form of solar electricity for our vehicles and free electricity plus whatever additional electricity we generate. We laugh, because we are not really "tree huggers" or consider ourselves "green," but we see ourselves in the green from all the incentives, and in our later years not having a $400/month electric bill will be pretty great.

 

[rdr854]

Use this

https://www.inchcalculator.com/convert/mile-per-kilowatt-hour-to-mile-per-gallon-equivalent/

Whoo, Hoo! 2.7 miles per kWh lifetime equals 91 mpge. That’s far better than the EPA rating. Truck has 13,286 miles.

 

[bydabeach]

Whoo, Hoo! 2.7 miles per kWh lifetime equals 91 mpge. That’s far better than the EPA rating. Truck has 13,286 miles.

2.7- do you obtain this while driving on a freeway with no traffic lights and no regenerative braking. On most commutes on the Garden State Parkway driving 37 miles, I'm lucky to break pas 2.0 miles per kWh. I have tried pre-conditioning, driving below 70 mph (which can be difficult on the stretch of road I drive on), and I can't seem to break 2.0. I understand there is a cold weather penalty.

Even in around town (what used to be called "city") driving, I'm lucky to see 2.4. This has been in all seasons without the heat or air conditioning on, and driving "gently" with no fast starts, etc.

 

[RickLightning]

Whoo, Hoo! 2.7 miles per kWh lifetime equals 91 mpge. That’s far better than the EPA rating. Truck has 13,286 miles.

It's called local driving...

 

[rdr854]

2.7- do you obtain this while driving on a freeway with no traffic lights and no regenerative braking. On most commutes on the Garden State Parkway driving 37 miles, I'm lucky to break pas 2.0 miles per kWh. I have tried pre-conditioning, driving below 70 mph (which can be difficult on the stretch of road I drive on), and I can't seem to break 2.0. I understand there is a cold weather penalty.

Even in around town (what used to be called "city") driving, I'm lucky to see 2.4. This has been in all seasons without the heat or air conditioning on, and driving "gently" with no fast starts, etc.

My Fusion Hybrids taught me how to drive conservatively as I was able to average 50+ mpg over the life of the car.

The 2.7 miles per kWh is for the 13,200+ miles that are on the truck. I have not reset the trip odometer since I bought it new.

I do mixed driving and have taken the truck on some long trips. I generally do not go over 60 mph and if the speed limit is 55 mph, that’s what I do. I also do not precondition as a matter of habit.

The first summer, I did not use the AC and the second summer, if it did get used, it was set to 79 degrees. In winter, I only use the heated seats and steering wheel.

 

[Newton]

I don't get it, there are 3 Lightnings on the Ford lot near me and 19 Tundras at the Toyota lot. There 12 Ram 1500s on the lot at 15% under MSRP. Obviously EVs are doomed.

 

[rdr854]

It's called local driving...

Actually, it’s mixed driving having taken the truck from Northern Virginia to Roanoke, Va, Richmond, Va, Newport News, VA, Baltimore, MD and Philadelphia, PA - with trips to Richmond being several times.

 

[alexose]

Just my two cents, but a lot of these negative reviews have a "sitting in a chair in the sky" quality to them. EVs are incredible. Nearly everyone that buys an EV says that they're never going back.

Yet, because they're somehow not better than ICE vehicles in every single use case makes them some sort of wrongheaded mistake? I just don't see it.

 

[RickLightning]

Actually, it’s mixed driving having taken the truck from Northern Virginia to Roanoke, Va, Richmond, Va, Newport News, VA, Baltimore, MD and Philadelphia, PA - with trips to Richmond being several times.

Well, it is heavily skewed to low speed driving.

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