Planning a Data Collection Maine to Texas Trip

[dkrueger]

The company I work for, Climate Central, just purchased a 2023 Lightning for a project I manage called "FloodVision." We collect elevation data using rooftop-mounted cameras, lidar, and GPS connected to a computer and custom electrical system in the vehicle. This data is used to help warn and educate people about future sea level rise and possible flooding from storms and hurricanes. We are able to take the visuals we collect and add future sea level rise and flooding models to create ultra-realistic-looking visuals based on scientific models. I've been working on this project for a couple of years and for the past year we've used a Toyota Highlander hybrid (which is still active). We just had a significant donor invest in this technology and we are expanding and wanted something larger and fully electric. I found the Ford Lightning the only viable option currently. We are in the process of outfitting it - we just installed the smart top and decked cargoglide slide for the bed. We plan to hit the road in June starting in Maine and driving the coast through flood-prone areas. This is a long-term trip and will likely take approximately 5 months as we will be driving about 50-100 miles per day 5 days a week. We understand there will be challenges with charging and range due to the added weight and using the vehicle's electricity to power the equipment but I'd love to hear your thoughts.

 

[tubby]

Not to be negative, but why have all the range anxiety along with unknown charging times with this long of a trip? Keep it more predictable and less stressful, go hybrid. They have electrical power in them also to plug your equipment in. Even the F150 hybrid. As we've read in many posts of the Lightning forums, this totally awesome truck was really not designed for this either. True, people like the challenge and love driving the Lightning, but the limitations are there even though folks love to attempt to overcome them...and fortunately some have. Now if I had never experienced the full range variances along with temperature and towing power of a lightning ER battery over the last year, I would want to try one, especially if I had a donor. Don't get me wrong, I never planned to ever charge other than at home and never have over the past year. On longer trips, the hybrid is the only choice. Either way, it sounds like a fun and interesting trip and the black Lightning ER Lariat in the pic is as cool as it gets. It would be interesting to hear how your trip goes. Maybe you'll be able to add another limitation overcome to the growing list.

 

[Danface]

Plan you very route carefully, use charging times to "do something", bring food and a hat, and maybe tow a battery camper

https://insideevs.com/news/652141/colorado-teardrops-the-boulder-ev-camper-trailer/

Bring a towel! ... LOL

 

[mr.Magoo]

On longer trips, the hybrid is the only choice.

I would argue that a hybrid on longer trips is kind of pointless.
You deplete the battery rather quickly and then what... use the gas engine to charge it or stop to charge, no, of course not - you just keep driving it as if it was a normal gas car.

I applaud the effort of going with the Lightning - very cool. If they're only driving 50-100 miles per day there's ample time to recharge for the next day. I don't know what the plan is for the down time, data analysis in the hotel ? If so, a lot of hotels have L2 chargers these days so I wouldn't bee too worried about range anxiety - only time that becomes an issue is if they have a dead set route they can not deviate from the slightest.

 

[srspring551]

Sounds like a great project and you absolutely should blog it on TikTok or Instagram! Is your Lightning an extended range battery? No matter what, those short drives shouldn't be a problem but I don't know what chargers are available along your route. I kind of get why some suggest hybrids because of range anxiety, and it does reduce emissions a bit but I just want all-electric and who needs the ICE maintenance hassle? (I definitely won't ever be getting a Toyota since their CEO is so anti-EV!... but I digress...)
Using destination chargers overnight is a good suggestion and if you take along a TeslaTap mini you can add a lot of Tesla-brand destination chargers to your options. Use Plugshare and ABRP apps and don't just "wing it" like the "duh" anti-EV stories we see. Your trip dates and N ->S direction look like you shouldn't have issues with cold temps dramatically decreasing range. As many suggest: take time to read the Manual and watch this Forum for great tips.

 

[VTbuckeye]

100 miles at lower speeds (Maine rt 1) and other local roads could require 30 to 50 kWh of electricity. That could be recovered overnight by level 2 charging or 30 to 60 minutes at a slow dcfc.
Sounds like an interesting project. Please share the final product with this group.

 

[dkrueger]

Sounds like a great project and you absolutely should blog it on TikTok or Instagram! Is your Lightning an extended range battery? No matter what, those short drives shouldn't be a problem but I don't know what chargers are available along your route. I kind of get why some suggest hybrids because of range anxiety, and it does reduce emissions a bit but I just want all-electric and who needs the ICE maintenance hassle? (I definitely won't ever be getting a Toyota since their CEO is so anti-EV!... but I digress...)
Using destination chargers overnight is a good suggestion and if you take along a TeslaTap mini you can add a lot of Tesla-brand destination chargers to your options. Use Plugshare and ABRP apps and don't just "wing it" like the "duh" anti-EV stories we see. Your trip dates and N ->S direction look like you shouldn't have issues with cold temps dramatically decreasing range. As many suggest: take time to read the Manual and watch this Forum for great tips.

Yes, it is an extended range and we do plan to utilize social media and speak with tv/radio along the way. We do plan to charge overnight as we go at hotels and to use fast chargers where available. There is plenty to do during downtime including data back-up and general planning. The route planning will be a team effort.

 

[The Weatherman]

Sounds fascinating to me. Good on you for being dedicated to such a worthy cause.

Great choice for a vehicle and based on what you have described I would say you will have zero issue keeping the truck charged. If it comes necessary you could actually use the mobile charger via a willing neighbor or merchant.

A fellow did just that circling global in a Tesla Roadster a few years ago. Just ask nicely.

 

[dkrueger]

Sounds fascinating to me. Good on you for being dedicated to such a worthy cause.

Great choice for a vehicle and based on what you have described I would say you will have zero issue keeping the truck charged. If it comes necessary you could actually use the mobile charger via a willing neighbor or merchant.

A fellow did just that circling global in a Tesla Roadster a few years ago. Just ask nicely.

That's a great idea and thank you!

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