Crossing an EV (and quite real) desert

[Joneii]

Nice trip! I agree that the Lightning is a great road tripper. I’ve taken my 22 ER Lariat on many long distance trips.

On my latest long trip from PA to Idaho (towing a 25’ travel trailer) I noticed that the battery temps seemed to fluctuate more than they typically do. Also, I’ve often gone to 5% SOC on some of the longer stretches while towing. But in the homestretch of this trip (after several days of towing and DCFC) my Lightning went from 8% SOC to 3% in less than a mile and then stopped. Luckily I was on the off ramp and could see the charging station. I dropped the trailer and limped to the charger. 5% is now my new 0%.

Also, as of this week my truck is in the shop having a module one of the HVB replaced due to a bad cell. I’m not sure if the events are related as the ID trip was last fall and the battery module just failed. I have noticed that I’ve gotten some odd power limitations at times seemingly for no reason. Maybe they are precursor indicators of battery issues?

Even with the battery issue, I don’t think I will go back to an ICE vehicle ever again. I love this truck. I also have a 22 Tesla Model Y that has over 55k miles and has never needed anything other than routine maintenance. I mean not a damn thing—I’ve never had a vehicle that I could say that about!

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[Hammick]

Nice trip! I agree that the Lightning is a great road tripper. I’ve taken my 22 ER Lariat on many long distance trips.

On my latest long trip from PA to Idaho (towing a 25’ travel trailer) I noticed that the battery temps seemed to fluctuate more than they typically do. Also, I’ve often gone to 5% SOC on some of the longer stretches while towing. But in the homestretch of this trip (after several days of towing and DCFC) my Lightning went from 8% SOC to 3% in less than a mile and then stopped. Luckily I was on the off ramp and could see the charging station. I dropped the trailer and limped to the charger. 5% is now my new 0%.

Also, as of this week my truck is in the shop having a module one of the HVB replaced due to a bad cell. I’m not sure if the events are related as the ID trip was last fall and the battery module just failed. I have noticed that I’ve gotten some odd power limitations at times seemingly for no reason. Maybe they are precursor indicators of battery issues?

Even with the battery issue, I don’t think I will go back to an ICE vehicle ever again. I love this truck. I also have a 22 Tesla Model Y that has over 55k miles and has never needed anything other than routine maintenance. I mean not a damn thing—I’ve never had a vehicle that I could say that about!

I'm guessing your sudden loss of power was related to the bad module. That being said 5% as the new 0% is a good plan even with all healthy modules.