Power Running Boards VS Fixed - Is kWh affected?

[Sullyfamily]

Background - I bought a slightly used 23 Platinum last year. It had the power retractable running boards. Drove it for 3 months before it was totaled in a head on collision. As soon as insurance paid me off, I bought another 23 Platinum, however it had the fixed running boards instead of the retractable ones. I have driven it for 3 months now and it appears it is getting less kWh that my old one. As soon as I had time to notice the change, I have been watching the "where my energy goes" screen closely. It appears that the driving portion is definitely less than the old Lightning I had. I live in Texas so there is some cold weather, however even on warm days, it still appears this Lightning is getting worse mileage. Do you think the power running boards on the old Lightning were hat much more efficient?

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[Grumpy2]

I did not notice a range difference when I added ICE 6" running boards from a 2022. So many variables effect energy, it is so hard to pin down impacts. I do not have mud flaps as I worried those may impact the range ...

 

[explosive0]

I doubt the fixed running boards will make a noticeable difference vs the retractable ones.

 

[Old Aviator]

I did not notice a range difference when I added ICE 6" running boards from a 2022. So many variables effect energy, it is so hard to pin down impacts. I do not have mud flaps as I worried those may impact the range ...

I have to believe retractables help. I replace the fixed on my Platinum a few months after bought it. I installed AMPs and they store flush to the body of the cab no way they are not more aerodynamic than those fixed ones sticking out. And the Amps are far more friendly to occupants for ease of access and ingress. My wife had difficultly finding a point of contact since the fixed ones don't provide much foot space.

 

[Altivec]

Considering EV enthusiasts make a big deal about door handles being inset or flush, I am assuming running boards would have considerable more drag than handles. But to me, the loss of .0001 kw per month to have actual handles and not some electronic gizmo found in other EV's is well worth the cost. I have retractible in my lightning because It was already on, otherwise I would have chosen fixed. I Had them on my previous truck and they only lasted about 4 years. I live in a winter city where the salt just gets constantly flung into those motors and kills them.

 

[Howard_Scott_Warshaw]

Never will understand the obsession with optimizing range when people also claim to driving 75 on the interstate.

Dropping to 70 will add more range than any of these other aesthetic tweaks

 

[Grumpy2]

I did not have any impact to range that I could determine. Compared to the mirror and the disturbance around each wheel I think it is minimal if any. These 2022 ICE 6" boards nearly flush with the sidewall of the tires. I didn't like the idea of motors living behind the wheel under the body, and we needed the help of the step to get in.

 

[Firn]

Never will understand the obsession with optimizing range when people also claim to driving 75 on the interstate.

Dropping to 70 will add more range than any of these other aesthetic tweaks

Because range and time are connected. Drop speed, increase time. Some would like both range and lower time

 

[Firn]

I have to believe retractables help. I replace the fixed on my Platinum a few months after bought it. I installed AMPs and they store flush to the body of the cab no way they are not more aerodynamic than those fixed ones sticking out. And the Amps are far more friendly to occupants for ease of access and ingress. My wife had difficultly finding a point of contact since the fixed ones don't provide much foot space.

Drag around the bottom and sides of the vehicle is minimal. Here you are looking at macro changes not micro.

If anything fixed boards may help not hurt, by extending the undertray and by allowing less air to roll off the sides and underneath.

 

[Howard_Scott_Warshaw]

Because range and time are connected. Drop speed, increase time. Some would like both range and lower time

250 miles at 75 MPH is 3.33 hours. at 70MPH is 3.57 hours. That's 0.24 hours, or 14 minutes.

Ive spent more than that debating what tires I should put on my snowblower.

Worth it? Open question.

 

[MillieChliette]

You've had the replacement for the 3 colder months. That simple.

 

[Firn]

250 miles at 75 MPH is 3.33 hours. at 70MPH is 3.57 hours. That's 0.24 hours, or 14 minutes.

Ive spent more than that debating what tires I sho8kd put on my snowblower.

Worth it? Open question.

And going from 75 to 70 will change your efficiency from about 2.0 mi/kwh to 1.9mi/kwh, or about 15 miles of range in an ER.

Driving isn't free time, one can choose what to do with your free time, you can't choose what else to do if you need to be driving.

 

[Henry Ford]

Almost certainly the colder weather that's affecting range. Check back in one year from now.

Power running boards is the one option I wish I had on my '22 Platinum. My wife's car has them. I like how they look while retracted and like the step placement while extended.

 

[Albern]

If you want to do a better test of this, are you able to keep the running board deployed for a planned test loop and do a second one with them retracted?

It's not the same comparing with a pair of fixed running boards but it's much closer. Alternatively you could just take 3D images of a Lightning with and without the power running boards and run them through a CFD program.

When I was looking for my Platinum, I opted to not get the power running boards because I wanted the rear cornering light (deleted for 2024 - didn't know) and because it made unexpected sounds when in operation (first time experiencing them in a Lightning).

 

[mattskr]

Have you checked tire pressure? With the cold you've probably lost some significant pressure than what the older one had in the warmer months. Add that to the colder weather itself we've had here and that explains your noticeable efficiency difference.

The Platinum needs to be at 42Psi cold, and I actually do 45. I had an ignorant dealer put each tire to 35PSI and I was struggling to get even 1.5Kwh at 60mph until I realized what had happened.

This is what I've experienced after two years of ownership in summer months not scientific by any means just observed:

45psi - 2.0/2.1 Kwh going 65-70. Very happy with this.
40psi - I'm looking at 1.8/1.9 tops.
Under 40psi I'm lucky to get 1.6

In the colder months hitting 2.0 never happens.

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