Finally got the invite after 18 months and now I have cold feet.......

[watchdoc]

I really don’t see 400 mile trucks happening without 200 kWh of usable battery while maintaining the same efficiency. The ER Lightning has 131 kWh. It’s not going to happen for a long time.

PHEV trucks are probably the answer to towing. RAM has something in the works.

I'm gonna argue this point. I think we will see a combination of cheaper battery prices and increased battery energy density over the next several years. Ford just teamed up with CATL and their new Lithium chemsity (LFMP??) is being made now and is claimed to have 15% more energy density. Meanwhile, Lithium prices are crashing. Finally, the F150 is really too big to begin with for a EV truck IMO. I think the sweet spot will end up being a Tacoma, Ranger, Dakota, Ridgeline sized truck or just slightly larger and efficiency figures approaching 3 miles per kw. I think Rivian got it right on the size for EV trucks. Full size trucks are gonna need to be hybrid or range extended which makes the most sense to me.

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[BennyTheBeaver]

The Lightning was an incredible package when pricing was first announced. It was an ok deal after the first round of price increases. I love the truck, but I'm not sure at current prices I would pull the trigger. It's no longer a no-brainer.

At this point, the 2 models that I would look at are the SR XLT (without the 312A), and the base Lariat ER. Past that, I'd play the waiting game.

FOMO is real. The hardest part is knowing these other trucks will be coming out, but realizing that actual availability will be just as hard as it was getting a Lightning last year. If you don't have a Chevy invite...you probably won't be able to get an affordable one at MSRP until late 2025 or early 2026. CT, will be harder to get. All these trucks will be around $60k+ for the least expensive model.

If you do find one on a lot, it won't be for MSRP.

 

[jimfigler]

I would be passing on my invite if i had gotten it now.

 

[BennyTheBeaver]

I really don’t see 400 mile trucks happening without 200 kWh of usable battery while maintaining the same efficiency. The ER Lightning has 131 kWh. It’s not going to happen for a long time.

Trucks need a radical redesign to increase efficiency.

Us Lightning owners have all seen what wind resistance does to our range. That's the price we pay for having an EV Truck that looks like a traditional truck.

A 400mi truck with a 131kW battery is possible. Tesla's currently can get around 3.4mi/kWh. Trucks would have to get around 3mi/kWh for a 131kW battery for example. The Lightning can do 2-2.2kWh/mi in a lot of scenarios. It's a stretch, but doable I think.

You can either redesign for efficiency or throw more batteries at the issue. 2 different ways to achieve the same goal.

 

[jimfigler]

Trucks need a radical redesign to increase efficiency.

You can either redesign for efficiency or throw more batteries at the issue. 2 different ways to achieve the same goal.

Or do both

 

[Replika]

Trucks need a radical redesign to increase efficiency.

Us Lightning owners have all seen what wind resistance does to our range. That's the price we pay for having an EV Truck that looks like a traditional truck.

A 400mi truck with a 131kW battery is possible. Tesla's currently can get around 3.4mi/kWh. Trucks would have to get around 3mi/kWh for a 131kW battery for example. The Lightning can do 2-2.2kWh/mi in a lot of scenarios. It's a stretch, but doable I think.

You can either redesign for efficiency or throw more batteries at the issue. 2 different ways to achieve the same goal.

As an example, the Rivian R1T gets low 2s m/kWh highway. The InsideEVs 70 mph range test (45F) got 2.0. Rivian has the benefit of being smaller, having air ride to lower itself in conserve mode, and motors that "sleep" for increased efficiency. They wouldn't have left 1.5 miles per kWh on the table if they could have helped it. Those trucks are efficient already for their size and weight.

 

[BennyTheBeaver]

As an example, the Rivian R1T gets low 2s m/kWh highway. The InsideEVs 70 mph range test (45F) got 2.0. Rivian has the benefit of being smaller, having air ride to lower itself in conserve mode, and motors that "sleep" for increased efficiency. They wouldn't have left 1.5 miles per kWh on the table if they could have helped it. Those trucks are efficient already for their size and weight.

I see what you're saying, however, they still went for a tradional truck appearance. They just added optimizations the Lightning was unable to since Ford (very smartly) built its first EV Truck on the F-150 platform.

Currently the pickup truck is a moving brick.

Cybertruck is the first pickup to actually radically change the shape and design (I think it looks like shiny garbage). The RAM looked like it was going to be the 2nd, but those dummies balked on the concept design.

 

[RickE]

I would be passing on my invite if i had gotten it now.

Agree 100%. I was lucky enough to get my 22 Lariat ER at MSRP of just over $80K. Received the full $7,500 tax credit, so actually paid $73K for the truck. Now, that same truck is just under $90K with no heated steering wheel or onboard scales. That new truck also does not qualify for the $7500. There is no way I could now justify paying an additional $16K to 17K more for the exact same truck with less options.

 

[jimfigler]

Agree 100%. I was lucky enough to get my 22 Lariat ER at MSRP of just over $80K. Received the full $7,500 tax credit, so actually paid $73K for the truck. Now, that same truck is just under $90K with no heated steering wheel or onboard scales. That new truck also does not qualify for the $7500. There is no way I could now justify paying an additional $16K to 17K more for the exact same truck with less options.

Good deal. A bunch of us got 23 Pro’s at $39974 before the tax credit. We are the super lucky ones .

 

[metroshot]

I would be passing on my invite if i had gotten it now.

Agreed!

I got my '22 Lariat SR for $69K which was pricey then, but combine the $7500 tax credit (refunded last month), $2750 state rebates, $1000 local utility, HOV carpool exemption = very nice deal.

Now, it's not worth it now with the deletions and AM radio loss (yes, I use AM radio).....

 

[Coolbreeze704]

I really don’t see 400 mile trucks happening without 200 kWh of usable battery while maintaining the same efficiency. The ER Lightning has 131 kWh. It’s not going to happen for a long time.

PHEV trucks are probably the answer to towing. RAM has something in the works.

Honestly as much as I would like 400 mile range my biggest inconvenience is the charging network. If I had 320 plus range and easy access to Tesla charging network my anxiety for using it for long distance trips would be resolved.

 

[thevofl]

I completely understand your decision to walk away. I gave up when I got my reservation conversion e-mail in February. If I was ordering at 2022 prices, I could make the argument, but at these prices, without any tax incentives makes absolutely no sense for me. I will probably go electric in a few years.

 

[jefrank]

Agree 100%. I was lucky enough to get my 22 Lariat ER at MSRP of just over $80K. Received the full $7,500 tax credit, so actually paid $73K for the truck. Now, that same truck is just under $90K with no heated steering wheel or onboard scales. That new truck also does not qualify for the $7500. There is no way I could now justify paying an additional $16K to 17K more for the exact same truck with less options.

Ditto, down to the last degree. So glad someone didn't take the 22 Lariat ER I ended up getting.

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