Honda Ridgeline to Lightning...maybe.

[Highpi]

Hi, I'm just dipping my toes the EV pool and have a few questions. I currently have a 2017 Honda Ridgeline with a shell on it. It's been a great little truck. Unfortunately, I find myself needing to carry more stuff, so I'm looking into either the Powerboost with the 6.5 foot bed or the Lightning.
The majority of my driving is around town or up to 40 miles away. A few times year, its up to 100-400 miles. I also do some woodworking, so trips to the lumber yard are a few times a year, as well.
The Lightning seems like it would be ideal, especially with the trunk. The Ridgeline trunk is about half the size.

Long story short (I hope ), I'm torn between the Powerboost with the longer bed and about the same gas mileage as the Honda and the Lightning, which has a shorter bed, but has the larger trunk and maybe better reliabilty.

Any thoughts on the two?

The Ford guy said I should lease the Lightning due to battery tech changing and buy the PB.

Is the Lightning more reliable than the PB. or do they just have there own little issues?

Does the Lightning let you know where charging stations are or do you use third party apps?

Thanks for your time.

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[Maquis]

The lack of an available 6.5’ bed almost stopped me from getting the Lightning. But it hasn’t bothered me as much as I thought it would. Hauling 8’ sheets or 10’ lumber isn’t a big deal.

Have you driven a Lightning yet? If so, that should seal the deal!

I wouldn’t lease because of battery technology - it isn’t changing as fast as people think it is, or would like for it to. Do what makes the most financial sense…..leasing may get you in on the $7500 tax credit.

My son-in-law got a new PowerBoost about the same time I got my Lightning. He’s had it in for service more than I have, but small sample size, for sure.

 

[Henry Ford]

Have you driven a Lightning yet? If so, that should seal the deal!

This describes my situation exactly. Nearly two years later I'm still super pleased with the purchase.

 

[Athrun88]

Driving the Lightning also sealed the deal with the wife. The bed is more than adequate for most cases, really don't think the average person needs a bed longer than 5.5ft. Worst case, get one of those supports that plug into your trailer receiver.

I also would go against a lease. I just really don't like the idea of 'renting' a car and being so limited with mileage and the hassle of the return process. If I'm paying for something, I want to own it at the end of the term!

 

[Randall Stephens]

Don’t worry about the bed unless you need to internally carry something of a certain length. Anything else get an extension.

 

[Ltron]

traded my 21 Ridgeline for 23 Lightning ER and love the EV life. Ridge was great but!!!!

 

[Scorpio3d]

Hi, I'm just dipping my toes the EV pool and have a few questions. I currently have a 2017 Honda Ridgeline with a shell on it. It's been a great little truck. Unfortunately, I find myself needing to carry more stuff, so I'm looking into either the Powerboost with the 6.5 foot bed or the Lightning.
The majority of my driving is around town or up to 40 miles away. A few times year, its up to 100-400 miles. I also do some woodworking, so trips to the lumber yard are a few times a year, as well.
The Lightning seems like it would be ideal, especially with the trunk. The Ridgeline trunk is about half the size.

Long story short (I hope ), I'm torn between the Powerboost with the longer bed and about the same gas mileage as the Honda and the Lightning, which has a shorter bed, but has the larger trunk and maybe better reliabilty.

Any thoughts on the two?

The Ford guy said I should lease the Lightning due to battery tech changing and buy the PB.

Is the Lightning more reliable than the PB. or do they just have there own little issues?

Does the Lightning let you know where charging stations are or do you use third party apps?

Thanks for your time.

Here is my take based on what you said above:
You have a 2017 Honda Ridgeline, so I would assume that you tend to keep your vehicles for a while. (not sure how that would help in your decision to buy or lease? Also I am not sure about the lease terms, payments, etc.) I think there are some pretty good deals on the lightning, if you shop around. For your driving use case it sounds like the F150 lightning would be ideal assuming your electricity prices are reasonable. The pro power on board could be very beneficial if you needed to plug in any power tools, etc.. I would definitely recommend driving both. I think you will find the lightning to be a joy to drive. I love having the frunk for storing items safely and keeping them dry.

Here is an interesting comparison between the F150 and the Lightning.
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/ford-f-150-vs-ford-f-150-lightning

 

[FloridaMan655321]

I had a Ridgeline, but then I went to a Gladiator before going to the Lightning. I really do wish there was an extended cab version of the Lightning (and Gladiator), but I’ve been able to accommodate with the woodworking that I do. When I had the Gladiator I did kind of miss the bed trunk of the Ridgeline. I basically had under my seat filled up because of the lack of storage. The Lightning is the opposite, I have so much storage I can’t even pretend to use it all. The frunk really makes me not miss the bed trunk.

On the leasing, there is a reason dealerships are pushing them, because they are going to make money. Just thought I’d mention this.

 

[Highpi]

The lack of an available 6.5’ bed almost stopped me from getting the Lightning. But it hasn’t bothered me as much as I thought it would. Hauling 8’ sheets or 10’ lumber isn’t a big deal.

Have you driven a Lightning yet? If so, that should seal the deal!

I wouldn’t lease because of battery technology - it isn’t changing as fast as people think it is, or would like for it to. Do what makes the most financial sense…..leasing may get you in on the $7500 tax credit.

My son-in-law got a new PowerBoost about the same time I got my Lightning. He’s had it in for service more than I have, but small sample size, for sure.

No, I haven't driven one yet. I'm sure it will be fantastic. I did drive the PB a while back and that was really nice as well. Very smooth.

And yes, I can work with the shorter bed. My lumber is rarely over 10'.
The only reason I mentioned lease is because the sales guy was talking about future battery tech like solid state, but that seems a bit down the road.

 

[Highpi]

Don’t worry about the bed unless you need to internally carry something of a certain length. Anything else get an extension.

Yup, that's been floating around in my head, as well.

 

[Highpi]

traded my 21 Ridgeline for 23 Lightning ER and love the EV life. Ridge was great but!!!!

That's good to hear, thanks.

 

[B177y]

Does the Lightning let you know where charging stations are or do you use third party apps?

Thanks for your time.

For this question, yes and no...

The built-in GPS and mapping will direct you to CCS1 chargers like EA, Charge point, BP, etc. It still doesn't direct you to Tesla chargers, even though you can use them with the NACS to CCS1 adapter or built in magic dock.

Google Maps and A Better Route Planner (ABRP) are third party apps that both work through Android Auto and route you to all chargers when configured correctly.

 

[Highpi]

Here is my take based on what you said above:
You have a 2017 Honda Ridgeline, so I would assume that you tend to keep your vehicles for a while. (not sure how that would help in your decision to buy or lease? Also I am not sure about the lease terms, payments, etc.) I think there are some pretty good deals on the lightning, if you shop around. For your driving use case it sounds like the F150 lightning would be ideal assuming your electricity prices are reasonable. The pro power on board could be very beneficial if you needed to plug in any power tools, etc.. I would definitely recommend driving both. I think you will find the lightning to be a joy to drive. I love having the frunk for storing items safely and keeping them dry.

Here is an interesting comparison between the F150 and the Lightning.
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/ford-f-150-vs-ford-f-150-lightning

You are right, I do keep my vehicles for many years. In fact, if I get the Lightning, the 7 years I've had the Ridgeline will be the second shortest time I've owned one.

Everything about the Lightning seems like it would be a good fit. Speaking of fit, I wish it would fit in my garage, but that's not a deal breaker.

I'm not concerned about charging anxiety. I'm in suburbia and 98% of my charging would be at home. The rest, I assume, just takes a bit of planning.

I'm in California and I pay about .19 per kWh. Plus, my city runs their own electric company, so we aren't bothered by the fluctuations of the big company in the area.

Looks like I just need to go drive one and I'm sure that will seal the deal.

Thanks for the link.

 

[Highpi]

For this question, yes and no...

The built-in GPS and mapping will direct you to CCS1 chargers like EA, Charge point, BP, etc. It still doesn't direct you to Tesla chargers, even though you can use them with the NACS to CCS1 adapter or built in magic dock.

Google Maps and A Better Route Planner (ABRP) are third party apps that both work through Android Auto and route you to all chargers when configured correctly.

Thanks, that's helpful. Do you know if those apps work with Apple?

 

[pullinggs]

I'm not concerned about charging anxiety. I'm in suburbia and 98% of my charging would be at home. The rest, I assume, just takes a bit of planning.

I'm in California and I pay about .19 per kWh. Plus, my city runs their own electric company, so we aren't bothered by the fluctuations of the big company in the area.

I was going to point out that, in my book, the ability to charge at home is absolutely required. (Read up on a few threads; the use case requiring an expensive 80A EVSE at home is rare. I can charge at 48A but I routinely just push 24A because it is more than enough. YMMV.)

Check with your power company. Our "EV/solar plan" with PG&E only costs us $0.11 per kWh from midnight to 3 pm.

Thanks, that's helpful. Do you know if those apps work with Apple?

Yes!

Sounds like the Lightning would be perfect for you.

Mine has the standard range battery. The grocery is a 60 mile round trip with a 3000+ foot elevation change, and it is rare that I drive more than about 400 miles for a trip. The bigger battery would be nice, but it wouldn't make any practical difference to the way I use the truck. Simply could not be happier with this truck, it's totally awesome.

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