Rental ‘24 SR Experience - southern rural CA

[MrLoganRoss]

I have a Mach-E and a ‘24 lightning at home. I prefer to rent EV‘s when I travel, about once a month. This is the second time that I have rented a lightning during a trip. Although each time it has only been a standard range, I have had no issues. In Texas, I used Tesla superchargers. in California, I am using the 50 kW L3 chargers at the hotel.

Using the car to drive 30 miles each way between the hotel and our daytime destination, at 75 to 80 mph, used about 38 kW of power per day. I haven’t worried about Max range, because just like I could go to a gas station with an ICE car, when I need more ‘fuel’ , I charge (after every 2 days during this current trip). The car came fully charged, I charge the night before heading back to the airport (a two hour drive). I don’t worry about the SOC I turn the car in with.

I have been very happy traveling and renting EV‘s. It isn’t much more inconvenient for me so far than Driving around town near home. I think recent comments advising people not to obsess over range anymore than they obsess over range and EPA ratings for ice cars is good advice. Just enjoy the fun of driving the car.

One more thing: I think that one of the biggest mistake rental car companies made was to select Tesla as their partner when they tried to kick off EV rentals. I am as techie of a person as you can be, and it takes a good amount of time to adjust to driving a Tesla given the lack of traditional controls. I can’t imagine it would be anything but a miserable experience for those that are not technical by nature. It’s not the type of thing you want to try to figure out and learn while on vacation. Even if you could learn it, many people don’t want to. Hats off for Ford. They make cars with buttons

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[SpaceEVDriver]

We also try only to rent EVs when on travel. It's a much more pleasant experience IMO.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I have a Mach-E and a ‘24 lightning at home. I prefer to rent EV‘s when I travel, about once a month. This is the second time that I have rented a lightning during a trip. Although each time it has only been a standard range, I have had no issues. In Texas, I used Tesla superchargers. in California, I am using the 50 kW L3 chargers at the hotel.

Using the car to drive 30 miles each way between the hotel and our daytime destination, at 75 to 80 mph, used about 38 kW of power per day. I haven’t worried about Max range, because just like I could go to a gas station with an ICE car, when I need more ‘fuel’ , I charge (after every 2 days during this current trip). The car came fully charged, I charge the night before heading back to the airport (a two hour drive). I don’t worry about the SOC I turn the car in with.

I have been very happy traveling and renting EV‘s. It isn’t much more inconvenient for me so far than Driving around town near home. I think recent comments advising people not to obsess over range anymore than they obsess over range and EPA ratings for ice cars is good advice. Just enjoy the fun of driving the car.

One more thing: I think that one of the biggest mistake rental car companies made was to select Tesla as their partner when they tried to kick off EV rentals. I am as techie of a person as you can be, and it takes a good amount of time to adjust to driving a Tesla given the lack of traditional controls. I can’t imagine it would be anything but a miserable experience for those that are not technical by nature. It’s not the type of thing you want to try to figure out and learn while on vacation. Even if you could learn it, many people don’t want to. Hats off for Ford. They make cars with buttons

We're honored that you choose Ford at home and on the road!

 

[rio]

I'm surprised that you could find one of these for rental. Which rental company was it?

 

[The Weatherman]

I fully approve of your color choice.

 

[MrLoganRoss]

I'm surprised that you could find one of these for rental. Which rental company was it?

There are plenty of EVs, but they barely show up in the app. You have to ask at the counter, even if you are preferred. Sometimes they have to go look. This time, at LAX, the person was kind enough to walk around and see there were lightnings. This is the second time that has happened and it is annoying.

 

[MrLoganRoss]

Closed out our trip today with the 116 mile ride back to LAX airport. Arrived with plenty of juice left over (30% after starting the drive with 90%). The mountain passes of i5 are a beast so it does not surprise me about the battery usage. The trip to and from LAX averaged 1.9x2.0 kw/h (and was about 1.3 going up the mountain).

Then again, I didn’t need to count. In the end, all I care about is that there is always enough ‘fuel’ to reach my next timely and convenient fill-up! There always is. Even this time when I forgot to bring my Tesla adapter.

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