Blue Oval Says Next Gen Ford F-150 Lightning Customers Will Be Long Distance Drivers

[Zaptor]

If you stopped for less than an hour, how much would that add to the battery? At 50 KW, would it even be worth it? Genuinely curious, not sarcastic. I noticed this past weekend while on a trip down to Jupiter, FL, the Turnpike has Service Plazas every 45 miles with DCFC at all of them. A mix of Tesla and something else. I don't see why all rest stops wouldn't do this eventually.

IIRC this is because most rest stop lands along interstates are owned by the government and there are laws and statutes about what can be done on the land; I believe that one such stipulation limits the sale of any items for profit (this avoids a McDonalds at every rest stop, for example) but this also limits their ability to place charging stations since they obviously require a profit motive to even be installed, much less operated.

Supporting article: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b9c0d2749d324132acbe9557de3bf0cf

But; that said... it would be the best possible option for charging stations if the laws can be changed!

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[K6CCC]

If you stopped for less than an hour, how much would that add to the battery? At 50 KW, would it even be worth it? Genuinely curious, not sarcastic.

Real world answer. Obviously you could not go rest stop to rest stop with a 50KW charger without taking a really long time! Last time I stopped at one of those chargers, I had charged at the Tesla SuperCharger in Lone Pine, CA. I had charged to 95% because I really wanted to be able to get home without another charge. Two hours later I pulled into the Coso Junction rest area. Plugged in, used the facilities, refilled my drink, and grabbed a snack from my back seat stock. Unplugged 13 minutes after I plugged in. Got 9.36 KWH - or about 20 miles. I got home at 20% - which would have been 14% without the quickie at the rest area. So, was it necessary? No. Was it helpful? Sure, and it was free. Saved me a couple bucks of charging at home. And I was perfectly happy to get home at 20% rather than 14%, and if I had to make another charging stop before getting home, for the last 50 miles or so of the drive, there is a SuperCharger every few miles.

 

[Rayden]

Real world answer. Obviously you could not go rest stop to rest stop with a 50KW charger without taking a really long time! Last time I stopped at one of those chargers, I had charged at the Tesla SuperCharger in Lone Pine, CA. I had charged to 95% because I really wanted to be able to get home without another charge. Two hours later I pulled into the Coso Junction rest area. Plugged in, used the facilities, refilled my drink, and grabbed a snack from my back seat stock. Unplugged 13 minutes after I plugged in. Got 9.36 KWH - or about 20 miles. I got home at 20% - which would have been 14% without the quickie at the rest area. So, was it necessary? No. Was it helpful? Sure, and it was free. Saved me a couple bucks of charging at home. And I was perfectly happy to get home at 20% rather than 14%, and if I had to make another charging stop before getting home, for the last 50 miles or so of the drive, there is a SuperCharger every few miles.

Thank you. That real example of how it worked for you is exactly what I was wondering!

 

[Grumpy2]

Another example of real life with a Lightning, on a 500 mile trip made last week:

I like to use the "upper portion" of the battery. The Columbia River highway usually has winds and you never know which way will be blowing until you are in it. I am old, so a bathroom break at each stop too

 

[jdmackes]

I understand the market for this and I could even see myself wanting one if the battery tech doesn't improve enough to make charging fast enough (and obviously the infrastructure improves enough to have enough fast chargers). As long as it's just a generator, the maintenance on it should be pretty easy and minimal, while giving the advantage of longer trips without having to stop and charge. Ideally, I'd love it to be something that could be removed when not needed, which is why the everdrive seems so interesting to me.

 

[electricpig]

I understand the market for this and I could even see myself wanting one if the battery tech doesn't improve enough to make charging fast enough (and obviously the infrastructure improves enough to have enough fast chargers). As long as it's just a generator, the maintenance on it should be pretty easy and minimal, while giving the advantage of longer trips without having to stop and charge. Ideally, I'd love it to be something that could be removed when not needed, which is why the everdrive seems so interesting to me.

Oh the batteries have improved (very fast charging speed), we just can't have them in the US.

 

[RickLightning]

If you stopped for less than an hour, how much would that add to the battery? At 50 KW, would it even be worth it? Genuinely curious, not sarcastic. I noticed this past weekend while on a trip down to Jupiter, FL, the Turnpike has Service Plazas every 45 miles with DCFC at all of them. A mix of Tesla and something else. I don't see why all rest stops wouldn't do this eventually.

Thank you. That real example of how it worked for you is exactly what I was wondering!

A 50kW charger is near useless on a trip. However, in some places there are no choices.

Math:

Assuming a 131kWh battery, charging from 20 to 80%. Let's ignore the charging curve, but pick a fair number. 125kW.


78.6 / 125 = .62 hours or 37 minutes
78.6 / 50 = 1.57 hours or 94 minutes...

In reality, the Lightning is closer to around 30 minutes at a good fast charger, and a 50kWh charger puts out about 45kW...

 

[Poolboy1637]

I feel like one of the biggest issues here is that so many people have a misaligned perception of what their use case really is.

When I was working for a dealership on the mid 2000's we had a document that was sent around to the sales people that showed, when polled, the vast majority of potential 1/2 ton pickup truck buyers had claimed specific needs for range, towing capacity, payload, off-road capability and various other factors.

When actual use of the vehicles was reviewed less than 20% of the owners had regularly used the vehicles in a way that utilized the capabilities that had shaped their decision to purchase.

While there are people who use their light duty pickups regularly as working vehicles, most people use them as a daily commuter first and as a tool second.
For my own uses, I feel the Lightning has excelled in that capacity. The overwhelming majority of miles have been put on with nothing more demanding than some golf clubs or groceries loaded in the truck, with occasional times (maybe 12-15 times a year) where the truck is being used in a manner that a regular car or small SUV would not be very handy Hauling mulch, fence posts, motorcycles, towing a boat or camper, helping people move etc.

The specific areas where gas trucks perform better than EV's seem to have become focal point for the decision to avoid purchasing an EV truck even though it may not be a relevant concern for the actual use of the vehicle.

This is merely my own observation/experience, and could be inaccurate.

 

[K6CCC]

I feel like one of the biggest issues here is that so many people have a misaligned perception of what their use case really is.

I think you nailed it right there.
Unfortunate reality is that most of us only have one vehicle, and it needs to serve our our needs, and is therefore a compromise. But it is a reality. A large heavy trailer towing vehicle is not going to be a good daily commute vehicle, etc.
In my case, my Lightning is my daily driver, but I do carry large loads now and then, and I do drive up crappy dirt roads to mountain top two radio sites somewhat regularly. Fairly regularly I have at least three people in the truck, so the rear seat is not optional. With that said, my Lightning has served me very well.

 

[astrand1]

Shit I’m a long distance driver now! I’ve got 43k on mine in less than 2 yrs. Many trips from Michigan to LA and MI to GA etc. love every minute of this truck. And I ain’t giving up my frunk for a stupid ICE that I dont need!

 

[RickLightning]

I feel like one of the biggest issues here is that so many people have a misaligned perception of EVERYTHING.

People say one thing, and do another. They convince themselves of things that have never happened, never will happen, and are totally beyond reason for themselves.

I spent my career as a marketer focused on direct mail, catalog, and internet marketing. If you ask people's INTENT, they tell you one thing. If you then measure their ACTIONS, you find they're full of crap.

Back in the day, we spent 6 figures to try and get a handle on product demand in a catalog. Gave a sample of people the catalog early (first off the press, overnighted to them), and a mythical $XXX to spend, and ask for their "order". Then the merchants looked at the top sellers (including color and size), and figured out which they needed to buy more on (long lead time). Guess what - it was a colossal waste of money. It predicted absolutely nothing.

Another example - people wrote us letters about selling a product commemorating military service in Vietnam, made in China. "Outrageous". Got a group of them in a room. You can buy this made in China product for $37.50, or we'll make it in the US for $129.50. Guess what? Every single one of them backed off their "principles".

You see this in "buy America" pushes. My father in-law preached this all the time when I owned a Japanese car in the 1980s. I asked him about his Toshiba TV, his ____ this and ____ that. Sure, he drove a Mercury Grand Marquis, but it didn't extend to all things.

I have the scales. Used them once.

People scream they want X or Y, and never use those features, or never take a long trip.

 

[Poolboy1637]

... most of us only have one vehicle, and it needs to serve our our needs, and is therefore a compromise. But it is a reality. A large heavy trailer towing vehicle is not going to be a good daily commute vehicle, etc....

Precisely! The Lightning has done a great job of partially relieving the compromise of sacrificing efficiency to gain capability. Depending on the week, and how many vehicles have tried their luck, I'm paying around a third of what I would be paying for operating cost of a similar gas powered F-150. It's not as efficient as something like a smaller EV SUV or sedan but it's still an improvement.

 

[Poolboy1637]

People say one thing, and do another. They convince themselves of things that have never happened, never will happen, and are totally beyond reason for themselves.

I spent my career as a marketer focused on direct mail, catalog, and internet marketing. If you ask people's INTENT, they tell you one thing. If you then measure their ACTIONS, you find they're full of crap...

Right? we've seen it time and time again in the automotive market. People complain about not getting the hot sports wagons from other markets, and once that finally bring them here they don't get bought. I think the Slate will be a good test of people putting their money where their mouth is. It's the truck so many people have claimed they would buy if the automakers would just build it. Bare Bones, No Frills. I like it but I fear the take rate on those won't meet hype or expectations.

 

[Garyl]

Right? we've seen it time and time again in the automotive market. People complain about not getting the hot sports wagons from other markets, and once that finally bring them here they don't get bought. I think the Slate will be a good test of people putting their money where their mouth is. It's the truck so many people have claimed they would buy if the automakers would just build it. Bare Bones, No Frills. I like it but I fear the take rate on those won't meet hype or expectations.

Yes It will be an interesting test of consumer wants.

Does the consumer want to deal with Car Dealer?
Does the consumer want to be forced to buy a $2000 "package " just to get a simple $200 upgrade?
Does the consumer want the ability to customize there truck?

If Slate stays true to there stated principals I really think it will become the 2027 version of the VW Bug. AS long as they don't dream of becoming the next big car company and stay grounded in there roots I think they have a chance.

 

[ClevelandBeemer]

Yes It will be an interesting test of consumer wants.

Does the consumer want to deal with Car Dealer?
Does the consumer want to be forced to buy a $2000 "package " just to get a simple $200 upgrade?
Does the consumer want the ability to customize there truck?

If Slate stays true to there stated principals I really think it will become the 2027 version of the VW Bug. AS long as they don't dream of becoming the next big car company and stay grounded in there roots I think they have a chance.

IMO Slate is wayyy too niche to find commercial success, at least in the new vehicle market in the USA given its size. This seems PERFECT for Europe and Asia though. Remember Ford’s universal EV platform is coming and they’re promising $30,000 vehicles.

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