Range issues..... 2023 Ford Lightning Pro SR

[Grease Lightning]

I have owned EVs for over 4 years now and I am aware on how to get good range. Having said all that I cannot get above a 2.1/M avg on my Lightning... Is it really effected by weather that badly? Today drove from Indianapolis to home 150 miles.... average speed set on cruise control was 56 mph, Average outside temp was 48f when I left and I had my inside truck temp set at 65f speed 1. My tires are slightly overinflated to 46psi. I feel like I should be getting better than 2.1 average... whats going on... is this expected ? Side note, I swear I hear what sounds like a slight brake pad is constantly on or a rubbing noise, Is that normal or possibly my issue?

In your drive, yes you can do better. I normally would see 2.3-2.5 in those conditions. The difference maybe I don’t use cruise, as I always have seen a reduction in efficiency and I choose to not use heat except for short blasts at 68 deg to defrost.

So yes it is possible, but you have to really want it.

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[Danface]

The other day I got 2.3 and 2.1 coming back mostly highway at about 42 degrees out and was a bit shocked (pun intented). Do you have one pedal on? I use around town and turn it off on the highway (for coasting purposes)

 

[DennisM1]

I have a Lariat ER nd am averaging 2.0 miles peer kWH over 27,000+ miles in the Pacific NW. However, I have a pop up camper on the bed and run nearly at full bed capacity for the life of the truck.. As others have said, speed and temperature do matter but also, pre-conditioning in the cold really moderates the impacts of temperature. We have seen as high as 3-3.5 miles per kWH traveling at lower speeds and undulating terrain on the Oregon and CA coast to as low as 1.4 miles per kWH in the Columbia Gorge with very low temperatures and a 30 mph headwind so you have to adjust to conditions with range and charging stops.

 

[jimfigler]

No.. Lol... just that I was going to be able to beat EPA estimates.... I figured hopefully in the 3.0 range max, come summer Ill see. Just feel like 1.5-2.1 max seems low 2.1 is only when I pull out all the stops basically.

I averaged 2.4 april through october. While it is not exact, I would imagine the driving mix was very close to the EPA mix. After the october reset Im definitely lower during these winter months. Last time I looked about a month ago it was averaging 2.1. Im in Buffalo, NY. I run the heat at 65F, use the seat warmers and never precondition but I do remote start while plugged in at home on occasion.

 

[ryun]

I have found that setting the cabin temp to 60F auto + air recirc (for as long as it'll stay on) helps out a lot with efficiency. Keeps me plenty warm on those cold days as long as I wear a jacket and gloves and use the heated seats. I never precondition (can't and my schedule is too varied anyway).

Anyway, your numbers don't seem too bad honestly. Sub 2 mi/kwh on highway is what I get unless I'm driving city speeds.

 

[LightningShow]

From April to October I'll average 2.4mpk, from November to March I'll average 1.8mpk. At times it will be as low as 1.5mpk (Jan/Feb). I don't make any effort to drive efficiently, it could probably be a few tenths higher if I drove significantly slower on the highway but I would only do that if I needed to extend my range for whatever reason. 2.1mpk for this time of year seems pretty good.

 

[Barbariansuperdad]

I get about 1.9 right now in California. It’s been about 40-50 degrees. But in the last week it’s been up to 2.1-2.3 since it’s been closer to 60 degrees. I hope to get better range as it gets warmer.

 

[Txxthie]

The Lightning uses a PTC heater that takes a very hard knock on the range/battery during cold weather. WeberAuto on YT showed how inefficient these type of heaters are. If you run with your heat on high and also need the A/C for dehumidification, it can use up to 9.5 kW/hr. If the Lightning gets 2.4 miles/kWH, that's about 23 miles of range loss an hour. In your case, ~10 miles of range loss an hour using the heat set at 65F. It would take 3 hours for your trip driving 56mph, so you lost ~30 miles of range using heat. You are getting the stated range for your truck if you averaged 2.1 miles/per kWH.

 

[dangerdman]

I bought my Lightning a month ago in Wisconsin and the range/efficiency has been shockingly bad. Tonight it was 51 degrees (warmest in a while) and I had to drive 25 miles at 70 mph. I averaged 1.4. I have been lucky to average 1.6 on any highway driving. There is a lot to love about the Lightning, but I am not sure I can take a 40% reduction from driving 70 on the interstate when it is 51 degrees.

 

[JEIIYMAN87]

I bought my Lightning a month ago in Wisconsin and the range/efficiency has been shockingly bad. Tonight it was 51 degrees (warmest in a while) and I had to drive 25 miles at 70 mph. I averaged 1.4. I have been lucky to average 1.6 on any highway driving. There is a lot to love about the Lightning, but I am not sure I can take a 40% reduction from driving 70 on the interstate when it is 51 degrees.

Yeah driving over 60mph will suck it down fast. Now that the temp hit 60f and I did 70% city 30% hwy driving, I have been averaging 3.2/kwh

 

[dangerdman]

Yeah driving over 60mph will suck it down fast. Now that the temp hit 60f and I did 70% city 30% hwy driving, I have been averaging 3.2/kwh

Personally I am more concerned about range than efficiency (have 40A charging at home). If I need the range, it likely means I am driving 55mph+ for a distance. I have two trips I do regularly that are 170 miles round trip and it looks like the SR Lightning will not cut it. Zero charging stations along the way, but I could add on 40 minutes of total drive time (aside from charge time) to get to one. And, I refuse to drive remote country roads at ultra low speeds to make it happen.

I really want to love my truck, but it is tough. I bought it for transportation at the same cost of ICE (my XLT was $48K after rebates) to replace an ICE truck with zero impact to my driving habits, and did not buy it for the journey of owning an EV and regularly sitting at remote chargers. With my driving habits, I figured my time at remote chargers should be close to none. I am not trying to be a downer/complainer, but rather honest to anyone reading this and considering buying one who drives 55+ mph in cold weather and thinks they can confidently get even 175 of the 230 when it is 30 degrees. Luckily I also own an ICE car,
If the range of 55mph+ driving does not get better quickly as temps are 50+, I am taking the "L", admitting my mistake, and getting an ICE until there is a step level change in EV.

 

[JEIIYMAN87]

Personally I am more concerned about range than efficiency (have 40A charging at home). If I need the range, it likely means I am driving 55mph+ for a distance. I have two trips I do regularly that are 170 miles round trip and it looks like the SR Lightning will not cut it. Zero charging stations along the way, but I could add on 40 minutes of total drive time (aside from charge time) to get to one. And, I refuse to drive remote country roads at ultra low speeds to make it happen.

I really want to love my truck, but it is tough. I bought it for transportation at the same cost of ICE (my XLT was $48K after rebates) to replace an ICE truck with zero impact to my driving habits, and did not buy it for the journey of owning an EV and regularly sitting at remote chargers. With my driving habits, I figured my time at remote chargers should be close to none. I am not trying to be a downer/complainer, but rather honest to anyone reading this and considering buying one who drives 55+ mph in cold weather and thinks they can confidently get even 175 of the 230 when it is 30 degrees. Luckily I also own an ICE car,
If the range of 55mph+ driving does not get better quickly as temps are 50+, I am taking the "L", admitting my mistake, and getting an ICE until there is a step level change in EV.

You might be on the hook for the $7500 tax rebate if you do. Make sure you fully understand the repercussions financially, and efficiency is range with evs, just over time. The more efficient you are the longer your range. Everyone's situation is different obviously, but for what you needed it sounds like the extended pack would have done it.

 

[dangerdman]

You might be on the hook for the $7500 tax rebate if you do. Make sure you fully understand the repercussions financially, and efficiency is range with evs, just over time. The more efficient you are the longer your range. Everyone's situation is different obviously, but for what you needed it sounds like the extended pack would have done it.

Thanks for the heads up on the rebate..

 

[dangerdman]

You might be on the hook for the $7500 tax rebate if you do. Make sure you fully understand the repercussions financially, and efficiency is range with evs, just over time. The more efficient you are the longer your range. Everyone's situation is different obviously, but for what you needed it sounds like the extended pack would have done it.

Can you expand on the "the more efficient you are" part? I am aware of not using heat, using heated seats as much as possible when heat is needed, not gunning it, keep speed as reasonably low as possible, breaking as little as possible, keeping tire pressure high, and preconditioning. Are there other tricks? I apologize if this is a rookie question.

 

[JEIIYMAN87]

Can you expand on the "the more efficient you are" part? I am aware of not using heat, using heated seats as much as possible when heat is needed, not gunning it, keep speed as reasonably low as possible, breaking as little as possible, keeping tire pressure high, and preconditioning. Are there other tricks? I apologize if this is a rookie question.

No, that's about all of them. But speed is king of all of those. Top speed. In 50f weather at 60mph I have SR and get 2.1-2.4 @ 70mph I get 1.6-1.8 and @55mph I get 2.3-2.7 Overall top speed is a huge factor, if you have the absolute need for speed and have the balls and attention you can draft. While drafting behind a semi at 70mph I have gotten better than 3.1, but that means you need to maintain no more than 2 car lengths away from the rear of them, but in general even if you are in the 2-4 car lengths you will see a boost.

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