Winter Road Trip across through BC Mountains

[user-name-required]

Hello folks


Finally got to do a long-ish road trip in our 2024 Flash trim Lightning, doing about 1500kms round trip through BC in winter, with lots of elevation changes, high speed highways, and some snow/cold. Here are some notes:

• Cost:
  • Overall, spent $200 on fast charging for 1500 kms of driving. Started nearly "full" from home, and was able to slow charge for free at our destination as well. A similarly equipped ICE F150 would have been about $320 or so depending on the fuel price de jour.
• Overall trip efficiency: 33kw/100kms, or just under 400km total theoretical range. That's about 22% less than the 510 official range, but of course that range is a mix of hwy (80kmh per Canada's testing regime) and city. So, for all highway, in winter, 22% less than official range seems ok for me.
  • Minimal effort to maximize range.
    • I.e., cabin was kept comfy (22*C) and windows fog free, we used pro power in the cabin to make espresso en route or at the chargers, we would set cruise at about 115 in a 110 zone when safe to do so (ie not snowing), we took direct routes even when at higher speeds vs lower speed smaller highways, etc. Even on the slowest highways or snowy sections, we were usually doing 80-90kmh still.
    • Truck was loaded up with a lot of stuff, but nothing protruding out of the tonneau cover/bed.
  • Temps were between -6*C and +6*C the whole time. And nearly half the trip, we were in mtns with blowing snow, snow covered roads, etc.
• Android Auto maps range/% SoC estimations were impressively accurate
  • This included elevation considerations, which was massively helpful. Instead of relying on average efficiency and doing my own estimates, the truck takes all that into consideration and gives really good % SoC at arrival estimates.
  • We found them to never be more than 1-2% off by the time we arrived, vs when we originally input the destination.
    • This included some 335km stretches with a shit ton of elevation changes up and down, and a net 250m elevation descent. SoC on arrival was 12% instead of the 13% it estimated. Impressive. And that included a 45 min highway stoppage for an accident we got caught behind.
  • Once we knew how accurate that % SoC estimation is, we were able to reduce the # of charge stops on the return trip, since we felt we could rely on the estimated arrival %.
• Charging
  • Tesla network plug and charge worked great all 3 times, and in BC at least, the price is decent/comparable to most other options at $0.50-$0.55/kwh on the route we were on
  • That said, if you can use the new 180 kw or the newest 350kw BC Hydro sites (massive new one in Lake Country, near Kelowna), they will always be the most affordable option at about $0.35/kwh
  • At all of them, the truck did the full ramp to 185kw charging speeds, and kept that up for as much as 10 mins solid before tapering off. Some stops we were able to do the 10 mins of surge, then another 10 mins of 150-130kw charging, for an overall session average rate in the 170 region, which is awesome.

Overall, we are pretty impressed with the truck's road trip chops for the winter. I have another straight shot 1400 km road trip in 3 weeks through BC once again, and I will add to this thread for any learnings from that one, that differ from this trip.



Cheers

Sponsored

 

[potato]

I live in Prince George and can agree with everything you said I did a big road trip after I bought the truck last spring. 9500 km to Toronto and back. And I got similar efficiency overall, 31 kWh/100 km. Cost was higher at 14.8c/km because other providers are more expensive than BC Hydro. BC is getting pretty good for charger coverage! That's kind of what I was waiting for, living in the north, and BC Hydro has really upped their game just in the last year so my timing was right.

With our cheap charging at home it's really a no brainer now

 

[21st Century Truck]

Hello folks


Finally got to do a long-ish road trip in our 2024 Flash trim Lightning, doing about 1500kms round trip through BC in winter, with lots of elevation changes, high speed highways, and some snow/cold. Here are some notes:

• Cost:
  • Overall, spent $200 on fast charging for 1500 kms of driving. Started nearly "full" from home, and was able to slow charge for free at our destination as well. A similarly equipped ICE F150 would have been about $320 or so depending on the fuel price de jour.
• Overall trip efficiency: 33kw/100kms, or just under 400km total theoretical range. That's about 22% less than the 510 official range, but of course that range is a mix of hwy (80kmh per Canada's testing regime) and city. So, for all highway, in winter, 22% less than official range seems ok for me.
  • Minimal effort to maximize range.
    • I.e., cabin was kept comfy (22*C) and windows fog free, we used pro power in the cabin to make espresso en route or at the chargers, we would set cruise at about 115 in a 110 zone when safe to do so (ie not snowing), we took direct routes even when at higher speeds vs lower speed smaller highways, etc. Even on the slowest highways or snowy sections, we were usually doing 80-90kmh still.
    • Truck was loaded up with a lot of stuff, but nothing protruding out of the tonneau cover/bed.
  • Temps were between -6*C and +6*C the whole time. And nearly half the trip, we were in mtns with blowing snow, snow covered roads, etc.
• Android Auto maps range/% SoC estimations were impressively accurate
  • This included elevation considerations, which was massively helpful. Instead of relying on average efficiency and doing my own estimates, the truck takes all that into consideration and gives really good % SoC at arrival estimates.
  • We found them to never be more than 1-2% off by the time we arrived, vs when we originally input the destination.
    • This included some 335km stretches with a shit ton of elevation changes up and down, and a net 250m elevation descent. SoC on arrival was 12% instead of the 13% it estimated. Impressive. And that included a 45 min highway stoppage for an accident we got caught behind.
  • Once we knew how accurate that % SoC estimation is, we were able to reduce the # of charge stops on the return trip, since we felt we could rely on the estimated arrival %.
• Charging
  • Tesla network plug and charge worked great all 3 times, and in BC at least, the price is decent/comparable to most other options at $0.50-$0.55/kwh on the route we were on
  • That said, if you can use the new 180 kw or the newest 350kw BC Hydro sites (massive new one in Lake Country, near Kelowna), they will always be the most affordable option at about $0.35/kwh
  • At all of them, the truck did the full ramp to 185kw charging speeds, and kept that up for as much as 10 mins solid before tapering off. Some stops we were able to do the 10 mins of surge, then another 10 mins of 150-130kw charging, for an overall session average rate in the 170 region, which is awesome.

Overall, we are pretty impressed with the truck's road trip chops for the winter. I have another straight shot 1400 km road trip in 3 weeks through BC once again, and I will add to this thread for any learnings from that one, that differ from this trip.



Cheers

Nice write-up, thank You.

I especially paid attention to Your notes on elevation changes.

Our now-gone 2022 Mach E Mustang's operating system would really underestimate, or rather not take into account at all, the significant increase in juice burn while climbing high elevation road passes.

Your trip report reads that the current Lightnings are better at this important calculation enroute thru unfamiliar terrain.

 

[user-name-required]

I live in Prince George and can agree with everything you said I did a big road trip after I bought the truck last spring. 9500 km to Toronto and back. And I got similar efficiency overall, 31 kWh/100 km. Cost was higher at 14.8c/km because other providers are more expensive than BC Hydro. BC is getting pretty good for charger coverage! That's kind of what I was waiting for, living in the north, and BC Hydro has really upped their game just in the last year so my timing was right.

With our cheap charging at home it's really a no brainer now

That's great to hear about your trip and efficiency. 31 overall for a 9500km trip is good, that's a theoretical 420+ km range for all highway. Or about 17% less than rated range.

Are you on the time of day rates for BC Hydro? If so, how's it been for you?

We just made the switch to that plan finally, as we now have two EVs ourselves and a 3rd EV of a friend who is renting a place on our property now, and charging here. I hope to see a noticeable change from moving all charging to 11pm-7am, and some reductions in household use during the 4-9pm surcharge period.


Cheers

 

[user-name-required]

Nice write-up, thank You.

I especially paid attention to Your notes on elevation changes.

Our now-gone 2022 Mach E Mustang's operating system would really underestimate, or rather not take into account at all, the significant increase in juice burn while climbing high elevation road passes.

Your trip report reads that the current Lightnings are better at this important calculation enroute thru unfamiliar terrain.

Glad you found it useful.

I think that the one thing that makes the % SoC arrival estimate LESS accurate, is speeding...so I think the truck takes posted speed limits and elevation along the route into account.

One section we drove where the SoC at arrival estimate was 3-4% off, was a section of 110 kmh freeway where everyone (ie, the semi trailers too) was doing like 15 over. To keep from having semis sketchily pass me at 1am in the pissing rain, I stayed fast enough so they couldn't.

It wasn't a big deal though because I knew we had more than enough to get to our destination, but I wanted to add the caveat that the estimate does seem to be based on posted speed limits, so if you're going 10-15% over that limit, the estimate will be less accurate.

Otherwise, yup it sounds like it's an improvement over the Mach E you had!

 

[Danface]

So a company that does data was able to more accurately predict range then a company that builds automobiles? Wake up automobile company, please take the time to understand what you've created and how best to utilize it's abilities beyond "car things" like wheel base and cup holders.

 

[Scorpio3d]

Hello folks


Finally got to do a long-ish road trip in our 2024 Flash trim Lightning, doing about 1500kms round trip through BC in winter, with lots of elevation changes, high speed highways, and some snow/cold. Here are some notes:

• Cost:
  • Overall, spent $200 on fast charging for 1500 kms of driving. Started nearly "full" from home, and was able to slow charge for free at our destination as well. A similarly equipped ICE F150 would have been about $320 or so depending on the fuel price de jour.
• Overall trip efficiency: 33kw/100kms, or just under 400km total theoretical range. That's about 22% less than the 510 official range, but of course that range is a mix of hwy (80kmh per Canada's testing regime) and city. So, for all highway, in winter, 22% less than official range seems ok for me.
  • Minimal effort to maximize range.
    • I.e., cabin was kept comfy (22*C) and windows fog free, we used pro power in the cabin to make espresso en route or at the chargers, we would set cruise at about 115 in a 110 zone when safe to do so (ie not snowing), we took direct routes even when at higher speeds vs lower speed smaller highways, etc. Even on the slowest highways or snowy sections, we were usually doing 80-90kmh still.
    • Truck was loaded up with a lot of stuff, but nothing protruding out of the tonneau cover/bed.
  • Temps were between -6*C and +6*C the whole time. And nearly half the trip, we were in mtns with blowing snow, snow covered roads, etc.
• Android Auto maps range/% SoC estimations were impressively accurate
  • This included elevation considerations, which was massively helpful. Instead of relying on average efficiency and doing my own estimates, the truck takes all that into consideration and gives really good % SoC at arrival estimates.
  • We found them to never be more than 1-2% off by the time we arrived, vs when we originally input the destination.
    • This included some 335km stretches with a shit ton of elevation changes up and down, and a net 250m elevation descent. SoC on arrival was 12% instead of the 13% it estimated. Impressive. And that included a 45 min highway stoppage for an accident we got caught behind.
  • Once we knew how accurate that % SoC estimation is, we were able to reduce the # of charge stops on the return trip, since we felt we could rely on the estimated arrival %.
• Charging
  • Tesla network plug and charge worked great all 3 times, and in BC at least, the price is decent/comparable to most other options at $0.50-$0.55/kwh on the route we were on
  • That said, if you can use the new 180 kw or the newest 350kw BC Hydro sites (massive new one in Lake Country, near Kelowna), they will always be the most affordable option at about $0.35/kwh
  • At all of them, the truck did the full ramp to 185kw charging speeds, and kept that up for as much as 10 mins solid before tapering off. Some stops we were able to do the 10 mins of surge, then another 10 mins of 150-130kw charging, for an overall session average rate in the 170 region, which is awesome.

Overall, we are pretty impressed with the truck's road trip chops for the winter. I have another straight shot 1400 km road trip in 3 weeks through BC once again, and I will add to this thread for any learnings from that one, that differ from this trip.



Cheers

$CAD? I assume
I wish y’all would post in English so I don’t have to convert everything while reading your posts

 

[Danface]

$CAD? I assume
I wish y’all would post in English so I don’t have to convert everything while reading your posts

Your not alone!
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-oct-01-mn-17288-story.html

 

[Scorpio3d]

Your not alone!
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-oct-01-mn-17288-story.html

Yeah, I actually remember that! I am old-ish-LOL
I remember they tried to get us to learn the metric system when I was in elementary school many moons ago. I have a grasp of it, but when you don’t use it, you lose it!

 

[potato]

Are you on the time of day rates for BC Hydro? If so, how's it been for you?

We just made the switch to that plan finally, as we now have two EVs ourselves and a 3rd EV of a friend who is renting a place on our property now, and charging here. I hope to see a noticeable change from moving all charging to 11pm-7am, and some reductions in household use during the 4-9pm surcharge period.

Yes the time of day plan is pretty much made for EVs I think. If our power wasn't so darn cheap to start with it would also make sense to do some power wall type setup where you charge house batteries during cheap hours and use them during the day.

This is a typical power bill... $35 savings from the TOU plan.

 

[rparry]

Yes the time of day plan is pretty much made for EVs I think. If our power wasn't so darn cheap to start with it would also make sense to do some power wall type setup where you charge house batteries during cheap hours and use them during the day.

This is a typical power bill... $35 savings from the TOU plan.

Thank you for posting this. My wife thinks that BC Hydro and Smart Meters are a Ripoff
and refuses to sign up for this program. We are soon to be a two EV family when my
2025 Flash arrives to compliment our 2018 Leaf.

 

[potato]

Thank you for posting this. My wife thinks that BC Hydro and Smart Meters are a Ripoff
and refuses to sign up for this program. We are soon to be a two EV family when my
2025 Flash arrives to compliment our 2018 Leaf.

I mean, just like with EV ownership in general, everyone's individual circumstance / use case is different. It's a no brainer for *me* since I don't have other heavy usage during the on-peak period. Cold here so no home A/C. Everyone needs to crunch their own numbers. I think BC Hydro and most other utilities have online tools to estimate the impact of switching plans? If so, definitely check them out to be sure. But with two EVs, especially a "thirsty" one like the Lightning it will probably be a savings.

 

[user-name-required]

Thank you for posting this. My wife thinks that BC Hydro and Smart Meters are a Ripoff
and refuses to sign up for this program. We are soon to be a two EV family when my
2025 Flash arrives to compliment our 2018 Leaf.

Funny enough, I had to convince my wife as well. Not that the smart meters are a scam/etc., but that the time of day would work for us, ESPECIALLY now with 3 frikkin EVs charging at home.

Sponsored