New look at the EV factory

[shutterbug]

Wouldn't it be risky to have the charge cord on the pass side and out of view by the driver as he enters the truck? Or, does the car not "start" if it is plugged in?

The car will start when plugged in (in case you won't to sit in it and use A/C), but it won't go. There are some EVs that do have charge port on the passenger side or in the front.

Sponsored

 

[Tomf]

I wonder, for right hand drive cars, if they would move it to the other side. There is more than just the American market.

 

[astricklin]

I wonder, for right hand drive cars, if they would move it to the other side. There is more than just the American market.

I would guess that until the redesign in 2025, all the lightnings produced will be sold in North America. US and Canada are by far the largest market for the F150.

 

[shutterbug]

I wonder, for right hand drive cars, if they would move it to the other side. There is more than just the American market.

I don't know how many F150 trucks are sold in countries with right hand drive, but it can't be that many. Also Mustang Mach-E sells in UK with right hand drive, but the charge port is still on the left.

 

[vandy1981]

Wouldn't it be risky to have the charge cord on the pass side and out of view by the driver as he enters the truck? Or, does the car not "start" if it is plugged in?

EVs won't shift into drive when plugged in. Not sure why ICE cars don't do the same when the fuel door is open.

I really hate that there's no override for this feature that can be used in an emergency. I have charged my current EV at EA stations in dark, unoccupied parking lots at night and always thought that I would be a sitting duck for robbers, zombies or hungry wildlife if they came for me while charging.

 

[Whiskey]

Looks like the factory is coming along. Hope they can start production soon.

https://www.businessinsider.com/for...c-pickup-truck-factory-tour-photos-2021-9?amp

Amazing how Ford can do all of this but yet to be held up by a tiny micro chip.?

 

[Pioneer74]

Amazing how Ford can do all of this but yet to be held up by a tiny micro chip.?

All of that equipment was ordered before the microchip problems arrived.

 

[audiomikej]

And here is the reason for the elevated rear cab floor on the Lightning and another reason Ford is going quick to design the 2nd gen EV Lightning to be released in 2025.

 

[TRP]

I have charged my current EV at EA stations in dark, unoccupied parking lots at night and always thought that I would be a sitting duck for robbers, zombies or hungry wildlife if they came for me while charging.

This is where I think charge networks need to step up their game. I'm all for getting more up and running but I also feel they should at least have canopies and lighting.

 

[wattdon]

Fun fact. There is a VIN on one of the station display screens in the OP article.

Here is the window sticker for it. Obviously, Ford hasn't changed it yet from the current ICE stickers because the standard equipment list still lists a capless fuel filler and Selectshift.

Looks like 11th character in VIN is "W" as plant designation for the Lightning builds at new Rouge site on this window sticker shown.

 

[Brian Head Yankee]

This is where I think charge networks need to step up their game. I'm all for getting more up and running but I also feel they should at least have canopies and lighting.

ANYONE can buy a charge station for $42,000, install it, and make money. (not much money but you get the point)

 

[astricklin]

ANYONE can buy a charge station for $42,000, install it, and make money. (not much money but you get the point)

I bet you can get it done for less if you can convince any one of the many networks out there that they could possibly be profitable sometime in the future if they put a station at your location.

 

[Brian Head Yankee]

Possibly. I was quoting the retail cost of a charge station. An installed station is double that figure after paying a contractor to install it. Rebates help but they vary by state.

 

[ShirBlackspots]

ANYONE can buy a charge station for $42,000, install it, and make money. (not much money but you get the point)

From what I was reading from some early 1910's electric vehicle magazines put out by the Electric Vehicle Association of America, was that charging station owners were doing quite well making money.

You can read them here (many of the archives are multiple magazines, over 300 pages total), from 1913 to 1917
https://library.si.edu/digital-library/book/electric-vehicles

 

[Theo1000]

So what's the shakedown period for a plant like this 6 months +-. Or is this Fords first plant of this type so 9 months?

Sponsored