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Ford’s software updates remain an enigma. As an example, this past July a meaningful and appreciated improvement was made via OTA update: a current SOC display was added to the instrument cluster in place of the static “100%.” Problem is, it was only applied to certain trucks (mainly ‘22s)...

In my SR, the only difference is that I have to think about charging on a road trip 30% sooner than you do, and definitely have one more charging stop in a 500mi drive. In everyday use, the 200-240miles range I can leave my garage with every morning nearly always exceeds my daily driving. I...

Re: “Range” discussions— Somehow, we’ve got to understand that “efficiency” (mi/kWh or Wh/mi) is the heart of the matter, the independent variable to be monitored and discussed, and not “range.” Range depends entirely on efficiency, which varies with driving conditions. Wondering why range...

You were getting 1.6mi/kWh. The full 100% of your 98kWh battery pack would give maximum range of 156mi, driving at 1.6mi/kWh. The lower efficiency is most likely due to 1) high speed, 2) headwind, 3) colder battery temp, or a combination. If you look under “Trip Energy” in Features, you’ll...

I guess it’s all in how you look at it, but I used it last week (drove over to Tampa to see one of the only two Cybertrucks in FL), and thought it was great! Very close to I-4, lots of commercial establishments nearby, and so new, the building permits were still posted. Had an awesome charge...

Nothing new here. Tom Moloughney shared one of the first-in-media 70mph Lightning range tests over a year ago (“State of Charge” Youtube channel) and reported- (you guessed it) 270mi range!

Does anyone know what the Max Tow Pkg hardware will consist of in MY ‘24, when primary cooling/heating is by vapor-injection heat pump? Will Max Tow keep the traditional chiller for additional battery cooling- or perhaps add an additional heat pump instead, for battery cooling and heating...

Seems unlikely to apply to unsold 2023 Lightning SR-ER, pre-LFP 2024 Lightning SR, and 2024 Lightning ER, all of which have battery packs from SK ON, headquartered in our erstwhile ally nation, South Korea and manufactured in USA.

Tax credits that just reduce your tax bill (“non-refundable” credits) simply alllow you to keep more of the money you made. “Refundable” tax credits give you cash from taxes that others have paid, if the amount of the credit exceeds your tax bill. I totally support the former, and totally...

It remains to be seen, but when Fords can use Tesla Superchargers (Gen3 only) next Spring, there should hardly ever be a well-traveled route without multiple options for fast-DC charging. And don’t be afraid of Electrify America - in my experience, they’re reliable and getting better, and...

Lightning’s current designed pack voltage is low-mid 300s, and EA 350kW Hyperfast is limited to 500A (330v x 500A is only 165kW)…. if Ford could change the battery pack design to something nominally closer to 400v, or use the GM approach of reconnecting battery pack modules in...

The Range Extender is a significant new concept: a 30-40kWh removable battery pack that rides in the bed. Certainly could be duplicated in a Lightning! Cost unknown, but a 14kWh Tesla Powerwall costs about $13k, and weighs 250lbs…. so, Cybertruck Range Extender is likely $25k+, and 500lbs+...

Lectron sells extension cables for J1772 and Tesla (20ft and 40ft), find it here: ev-lectron.com. They are only rated for 40A, however. I have one in my “just in case” travel kit, and it works great.

[Yawn] I think government has done more to harm the “EV Revolution” than help it, through tax credits that manipulate the free market by vehicle price caps, domestic content requirements, and purchaser income caps. Forget “green energy” for a moment. The discovery and development of the...

It’s useful to monitor real-time efficiency in mi/kWh (or Wh/mi, which is the Tesla way). Can either use an OBD port reader to an app on your cellphone, or use the Lightning’s “Trip 1” screen and reset it frequently to see your present efficiency; you can then tweak your speed and/or climate...

Thanks for pointing that out. I’m always amazed when I read efficiency comparisons between Teslas and Lightnings. The issue is physics, not necessarily drivetrain design- simply, the Lightning pushes a lot more air than a Tesla, and that’s what highway efficiency is mainly about. Would a...

The seat heaters w/cloth upholstery in my XLT are pure luxury- never before had anything with seat heaters that wasn’t leather- but the feeling with the cloth upholstery is more like an electric blanket. The warmth is deep, not superficial. Best way to cabin comfort is to heat the occupants...

The sensor may be “seeing” something that isn’t raindrops on the windshield (bug spot, condensation if the truck sits out overnight, window tint film overlapping the sensor, toll road transponder, glass chip, etc.). I’d check the windshield glass in front of the rearview mirror.

I suspect the difference in manufacturing cost between a Pro and a Platimum, or a Mach E and a (hypothetical) Focus EV is relatively trivial, the major cost being the battery pack and electric drivetrain, not the upholstery or the audio or the bits of trim. At the end of the day, it will have...

Always go for the 350kW charger, if you’re driving a Lightning.