What the coming F-150 Lightning EREV needs (per Motor Trend)

[CopperAndCurrent]

Its funny, after owning 2 EV's now, my mentality on range has changed. I used to think that I didn't need a lot of gas range cause i can fill up fast but needed mega EV range because public charging is slower. Owning an EV has allowed me to critically think about my usage and what I actually need, I public charge a few times a year and that's it. When I tow, its so infrequent that i don't mind stopping for half an hour to charge on my 2.5 hour drive.

My thinking has now flipped overall, an EV with 400-500km range (ideally that between 80-10% is just fine for me 99.5% of the time, but for a gas car I now want MASSIVE range. 1500-2000km would be amazing! Not because I am ever going to drive that far in a single stretch, but because I want to stop at a gas station as little as possible in daily life. If I need to stop for gas ever, i don't want it to be more than twice a month. After waking up to a full "tank" every morning for years now any gas car or EREV better have insane range!

Sponsored

 

[RickLightning]

Everdrive will basically make that a reality. It's only level 2 so you're limited to the max ac speeds your truck supports though so the benefit will be limited if towing a good load

A great tool. I’m just thinking a manufacturer generated solution will have the benefit of software integration, bypass some issues that may be related to charge speed, etc.

Everdrive won't sell more than a handful of units, and likely will be getting a trademark challenge shortly (I checked the name months back and was surprised they had not). Here comes Bridgestone...

And yes, if not from an auto company, it doesn't exist to 99.9% of the population.

 

[jwrezz]

It is all about the range. Hybrid models are being advertised as to how much range they have, not their MPG. Because MPG is bad, but being able to drive for 8-10 hours without a brake makes perfect sense for people.

They always seem to fudge or put stats that they think people (the sheep) want to see. I don't want MPGE, I want mi/kwh or kwh/100km. I don't want range, I want efficiency. I want a full "tank" as fast as possible when I need to get on the road again, and don't mind sleeping during the rest of my charging needs. I can't go more than 300 miles without a break anyway. If not me, someone in the vehicle with me will need a break.

 

[RickLightning]

The point is towing and public perception. If you tow it’s drive an hour then stop to charge for 45 min and repeat. And even if people do stop to pee every 200 miles, the slow charging (relative to gas fill ups) and lack of charger availability makes people hesitate. If public chargers were more prevalent and charge times were closer to 10-15 min you’d have a lot more buyers.

And if you think Ford canceled the Lightning because of the federal government you’re delusional. Why pick on the Lightning? Why not the MME? Or every other electric truck? It was a short term profit driven decision, nothing more.

Perception is reality. The problem is that perception doesn't keep pace with reality. The problem is that reality changes, and perception stays in the past, and gets echoed by people who lack knowledge.

We just drove through bumf&ck North Dakota, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and back. We had NO ISSUE finding chargers at all. None. Zero. 2021 is gone, it's 5 years later, and there are chargers in places like Estevan, Saskatchewan (population 10,000). And I mean a BANK of chargers. Or, Invermere, BC, population 4,000. Go to Tesla.com, and look at a freakin' map.

Yes, slow charging is an issue. On our trip we charged 3 to 4 times a day, for 20 to 40 minutes per charge. Would I like to cut the time in 1/2? Absolutely.

Why did Ford cancel the Lightning over the MME? Because the MME has sold multiples more units, and is priced more reasonably. As to other electric trucks being cancelled, if you're talking about Ford's future trucks that got cancelled, it's because they talked big and then couldn't deliver.

And yes, a large reason that Ford and GM, and others are retrenching is to kowtow to the federal government, because among other things they buy 50,000 vehicles a year. But, more importantly, they're chickenshits afraid of being called out for defying edicts. Anyone who doesn't see politics in these decisions is blind.

And now they're being asked if they want to make weapons...

People like convenience. Time is convenience. Having to stop and charge for an hour or two, vs. a 15 minute fill defeats convenience. When those reach parity, then you will feel success.

For me, a 15 to 20 minutes stop every 3 hours would be perfect.

 

[Maineiac12]

Perception is reality. The problem is that perception doesn't keep pace with reality. The problem is that reality changes, and perception stays in the past, and gets echoed by people who lack knowledge.

We just drove through bumf&ck North Dakota, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and back. We had NO ISSUE finding chargers at all. None. Zero. 2021 is gone, it's 5 years later, and there are chargers in places like Estevan, Saskatchewan (population 10,000). And I mean a BANK of chargers. Or, Invermere, BC, population 4,000. Go to Tesla.com, and look at a freakin' map.

Yes, slow charging is an issue. On our trip we charged 3 to 4 times a day, for 20 to 40 minutes per charge. Would I like to cut the time in 1/2? Absolutely.

Why did Ford cancel the Lightning over the MME? Because the MME has sold multiples more units, and is priced more reasonably. As to other electric trucks being cancelled, if you're talking about Ford's future trucks that got cancelled, it's because they talked big and then couldn't deliver.

And yes, a large reason that Ford and GM, and others are retrenching is to kowtow to the federal government, because among other things they buy 50,000 vehicles a year. But, more importantly, they're chickenshits afraid of being called out for defying edicts. Anyone who doesn't see politics in these decisions is blind.

And now they're being asked if they want to make weapons...



For me, a 15 to 20 minutes stop every 3 hours would be perfect.

I live in the Midwest and my reality is different than yours. I-80 east of Des Moines is great for charger coverage. I-35 south is ok, but I-80 west between DSM and Omaha is crap and so is I-35 north from Ames to the MN border. It’s getting better every day but there are still gaps, especially when I tow because the stations need to be closer together to be feasible.

And you’re right about politics playing a role - mostly the credit being cancelled, but other posters keep saying that the government forced Ford to cancel the Lightning which is true. There’s plenty to complain about with our current government, I’d just prefer to focus on the stuff they are actually doing wrong.

 

[Maineiac12]

You’re delusional to not think it has anything to do with a downfall of many EVS not just the lightning many companies have gotten rid of theirs such as the ID4 and there’s others all because of who’s in office. The moment a dem gets back in office the push for EV’s, and the credit will be back

The funny part is democrats suck and so do Republicans it’s all part of the system to keep people fighting with each other. All behind closed doors they’re all sipping champagne together like look at all these idiots think we care about them.

You’re 100% right that these politicians don’t care about us and laugh all the way to the bank. Both sides!

The EVs being cancelled has more to do with congress pulling the plug on the tax credit along with low sales. Even if the White House changes hands it won’t bring the credit back until all branches come together on something. My point is that it was a multitude of factors at play and not an order from the White House to Ford.

 

[jamelski]

You’re 100% right that these politicians don’t care about us and laugh all the way to the bank. Both sides!

The EVs being cancelled has more to do with congress pulling the plug on the tax credit along with low sales. Even if the White House changes hands it won’t bring the credit back until all branches come together on something. My point is that it was a multitude of factors at play and not an order from the White House to Ford.

Who goes from Having a ev car show on the White House Lawn to hating them?

The whole world is going to evs but merica is going backwards , only because of the people that are in office right now, we all know the Republicans will not win Office again it’s gonna be a dem and the Dems are gonna take over Congress and the Senate and we’re gonna go back to the ways we should’ve continuing to be going forward not backwards.

Drill baby drill

Let’s not get into no new wars

Politics are comical

but I digress and go back to extended range. EV even comes to the market. This is their way of appeasing certain people, and when everything changes hey guys just kidding ev lightning is not going anywhere.

 

[Ishkatan]

I want a removable range extender. I want to run as an EV around home with good range like the current lightning ER, but roll the range extender into the bed when suffering from Range Anxiety.

Basically I want a small engine that I can roll into the truck bed and plug into a smart charger port. If I am going on a long highway trip or towing I want to have it puts out enough juice to add a few hundred miles at 65 on the highway. Have it charge the battery if I eat at The Primitive bar (no charger) - or shuts off when I charge at a fast charger. I want it to turn on automatically when needed and turn off when not needed. Key - it has to fit under my tonneau cover at night (theft concern), be quiet and produce clean current.

Useability: Charging at an Air B&B in the boonies (must be quiet), a trip to national parks where chargers are far apart, or towing a 5,000 lb. trailer / boat across a couple states where the topless bars along the way don't have L2 or fast chargers.

 

[Shawnson]

I want a removable range extender. I want to run as an EV around home with good range like the current lightning ER, but roll the range extender into the bed when suffering from Range Anxiety.

Basically I want a small engine that I can roll into the truck bed and plug into a smart charger port. If I am going on a long highway trip or towing I want to have it puts out enough juice to add a few hundred miles at 65 on the highway. Have it charge the battery if I eat at The Primitive bar (no charger) - or shuts off when I charge at a fast charger. I want it to turn on automatically when needed and turn off when not needed. Key - it has to fit under my tonneau cover at night (theft concern), be quiet and produce clean current.

Useability: Charging at an Air B&B in the boonies (must be quiet), a trip to national parks where chargers are far apart, or towing a 5,000 lb. trailer / boat across a couple states where the topless bars along the way don't have L2 or fast chargers.

I’ve been saying that this should be the solution for a while now. It makes no sense to make it a permanent fixture. Especially as price and weight are the enemies of EVs. The range extender should be an add on option. And be easily serviceable (not physically part of the vehicle).

 

[Ishkatan]

I’ve been saying that this should be the solution for a while now. It makes no sense to make it a permanent fixture. Especially as price and weight are the enemies of EVs. The range extender should be an add on option. And be easily serviceable (not physically part of the vehicle).

Great minds work alike...

I've been fantasizing of a Free-piston linear generator (FPLG) I can just roll to the front of the bed and strap down. Plop a 6 gallon diesel can or LPG tank next to it and plug into the smart outlet.

 

[ClevelandBeemer]

I want a removable range extender. I want to run as an EV around home with good range like the current lightning ER, but roll the range extender into the bed when suffering from Range Anxiety.

Basically I want a small engine that I can roll into the truck bed and plug into a smart charger port. If I am going on a long highway trip or towing I want to have it puts out enough juice to add a few hundred miles at 65 on the highway. Have it charge the battery if I eat at The Primitive bar (no charger) - or shuts off when I charge at a fast charger. I want it to turn on automatically when needed and turn off when not needed. Key - it has to fit under my tonneau cover at night (theft concern), be quiet and produce clean current.

Useability: Charging at an Air B&B in the boonies (must be quiet), a trip to national parks where chargers are far apart, or towing a 5,000 lb. trailer / boat across a couple states where the topless bars along the way don't have L2 or fast chargers.

I’ve been saying that this should be the solution for a while now. It makes no sense to make it a permanent fixture. Especially as price and weight are the enemies of EVs. The range extender should be an add on option. And be easily serviceable (not physically part of the vehicle).

Great minds work alike...

I've been fantasizing of a Free-piston linear generator (FPLG) I can just roll to the front of the bed and strap down. Plop a 6 gallon diesel can or LPG tank next to it and plug into the smart outlet.

If only Ford actually made this solution…… That said, I’m not sure how many would have the equipment needed to load/unload this from the truck.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a34277725/ford-f-150-range-extender-ev-pickup-patent/

 

[MidAtlanticLightningClub]

EREV just not for me. I do not really understand this strategy. Ford missing the mark.

EREV isn't for me either but I agree with Ford that developing an EREV F-150 is a logical move.

Where Ford is missing the mark is killing the Lightning first. They should continue the Lightning, then add the EREV beside it.

 

[MidAtlanticLightningClub]

People like convenience. Time is convenience. Having to stop and charge for an hour or two, vs. a 15 minute fill defeats convenience. When those reach parity, then you will feel success.

Who has to charge for an hour or two?

 

[Shawnson]

If only Ford actually made this solution……

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a34277725/ford-f-150-range-extender-ev-pickup-patent/

So they thought of it, hopefully they actually do go through with it. Because that is undoubtedly the answer to keep costs down.

@Ford Motor Company hear me out. You take whatever battery size you would feel comfortable with on an erev. Let’s say 70kwh. That will have no problem getting you through a whole day of city driving. Then you simply just sell the vehicle as is with the outlet in the bed. At the dealer you offer this as a dealer installed option that can be combined into your financing. You keep your up front base costs low, if any incentive came back you might be able to hit it. And then you sell a butt ton of range extenders to those who need it. As time goes by people will become more and more comfortable with taking it out as they know that most days they might not need it. In the future maybe at some point battery tech gets to the point where owners would instead be able to get a secondary battery pack similar to what Tesla thought for the cybertruck. The idea to NOT make it modular is insane. Don’t steal the frunk, I use mine 5x more than I use the bed.

 

[Shawnson]

Who has to charge for an hour or two?

People who are not Lightning owners but are on here hahaha

Sponsored