Found unsold '23 XLT ER: Battery implications from sitting 2years?

[KHines]

That doesn't mean the battery won't be at 71% capacity in 8 years, instead of 85. Both still sufficient to maintain the warranty. Or worse, 68% capacity, so they swap in one refurbished module, bringing it up to 71%. Bam, meets the 8yr warranty. Let's not forget that 70% capacity is 225 miles, or more like 180 at 70mph.

10% capacity loss from sitting is 10% for the rest of the life of the vehicle. That 320 mile range is now under 300 from the day you buy it.

Possible, but I’d be willing to bet against it.

My larger point, having been a technician professionally for 25 years is that it’s impossible to pick which vehicle will be trouble or not - unless you go buy a Maserati, that’ll be a nightmare no matter what . OP could just as likely choose to buy a brand new ‘25 and have battery issues where the leftover ‘23 and have it be trouble-free. In my personal opinion, it’s pointless to worry about it because it’s not in the realm of control.

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[RickLightning]

My question was rhetorical

The battery warranty is 8yrs or 100k miles. Just buy the damn thing if you like the deal.

For reference, I’m knee-deep in the car business. I bought my ‘23 XLT ER after it sat on a local lot for about a year. Zero qualms about battery health, and on a full charge during warmer months I showed 340+mi

The GOM isn't a measure of battery health.

 

[KHines]

The GOM isn't a measure of battery health.

Observed by itself, you are correct

 

[RickLightning]

Prior to a recent trip, my Lightning showed a SOH of 98.5%. During the trip, it climbed to 99.5%, and then 100%. It sat from April 2022 to May 2023 at a dealership.

 

[Firn]

Possible, but I’d be willing to bet against it.

My larger point, having been a technician professionally for 25 years is that it’s impossible to pick which vehicle will be trouble or not - unless you go buy a Maserati, that’ll be a nightmare no matter what . OP could just as likely choose to buy a brand new ‘25 and have battery issues where the leftover ‘23 and have it be trouble-free. In my personal opinion, it’s pointless to worry about it because it’s not in the realm of control.

The issue isn't reliability, the issue is capacity. That is that we know with certainty is reduced by sitting at 100% charge, it is also something that is reported on by the BMS and can be retrieved with a scan tool (to as much as can be believed).

Any component can fail, but we are not talking about failure.

 

[KHines]

The issue isn't reliability, the issue is capacity. That is that we know with certainty is reduced by sitting at 100% charge, it is also something that is reported on by the BMS and can be retrieved with a scan tool (to as much as can be believed).

Any component can fail, but we are not talking about failure.

I highly doubt that a sales dept exists that keeps batteries charged at 100%. Even then we’re talking what, 5% deg? And then read what Rick just said about his measured SOH read and how it changed. SOH isn’t a constant either - it can and will change +/- with use and balancing of the cells. One individual cell can short internally at any given moment rendering that module faulty.

Being in the know, repairing systems just like this on the daily, wouldn’t stop me from signing on a good deal for a leftover ‘23 provided the warranty clock hasn’t started. Stressing ain’t worth it.

 

[Bills R Electric]

So, still have the Lightning bug. In browsing around, I found a dealer in rural western Canada that somehow appears to have 2 unsold 2023 Lightning XLT ER's still on their lot. Although they don't have a heat pump, they have the 312 package that have the faster onboard chargers, etc. They don't have them advertised at a competitive price but I haven't called to ask a real price either. Was interested in your thoughts about what the implications were for battery health here. Presumed sitting on the lot for 2+ years and rarely driven and no idea about what state of charge they've been kept at or charged to. In a really cold climate and regularly -30 for extended intervals in winter. Would have to be a crazy deal to make it worthwhile and to justify shipping it across country, but wondered if the battery age/lack of use would be a deal breaker for you? Would still have full regular warranty.

Buy.
Just bid a low price. The dealer is going to want to move them.
Pretend you are going to finance them though, then pay cash.
The dealer will give you a low sale price...thinking they are going to make money off of you on the financing.

Get a low price, and do it!

 

[Henry Ford]

That doesn't mean the battery won't be at 71% capacity in 8 years, instead of 85. Both still sufficient to maintain the warranty. Or worse, 68% capacity, so they swap in one refurbished module, bringing it up to 71%. Bam, meets the 8yr warranty. Let's not forget that 70% capacity is 225 miles, or more like 180 at 70mph.

10% capacity loss from sitting is 10% for the rest of the life of the vehicle. That 320 mile range is now under 300 from the day you buy it.

This is worst case scenario; where do you place the odds of this occurring? 10%? 90%? It's sort of pointless to talk about possibilities without probabilities.

The other part of the equation is the cost of the truck. For instance: is 10% off MSRP worth a 10% chance or your worst case scenario? I'd say no. Is 20% off MSRP worth it? Now I'm interested.

The about numbers are for illustrative purposes only. If I had to guess I'd say the odds of a barely better than warranteed battery after the warranty period is much lower than 10% no matter how a vehicle is stored.

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