Consumer Reports Real-World EV range test, 22 EVs tested for range; F150 Lightning tested worst (50 miles less range than EPA estimate/claim)

[benderofbows]

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!

Right, and Tom then ran the exact same test in a Pro SR and got 200 miles, which is exactly what I see in mine under same circumstances (70mph, decent weather)

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[WhipSticks]

Interesting how Edmunds found the Lightning to be in the top 10...

https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/electric-car-range-and-consumption-epa-vs-edmunds.html

Notably, Edmunds uses a mix of 60% City and 40% Highway, whereas EPA testing methodology uses a 60% Highway and 40% City mix.

 

[jdmackes]

Not sure which real world Consumer Reports lives in but in mine, I often get better than EPA range in the summer (250+ on my SR). Winter is if course a much different story (I can count on at least 140+).

I'm the same, I needed 216ish miles to make it to my first charger on a trip, made it there with 25-30 miles to spare putting me exactly where it should be when charged to 100%. Now I wasn't going crazy fast or anything, but the majority of the trip was at 55-60 mph.

 

[flux capacitor]

It would be nice to see more details like what were they getting kwh per mile. Like what kind of driver was driving it.

 

[TaxmanHog]

 

[Tclark5]

They got 270 miles with it instead of 320, fairly similar to my experience. What do you think, is the current rating system fair, or does EPA need to change testing to better align with real-world conditions? Did Ford optimize the truck for the EPA test?

https://www.consumerreports.org/car...-epa-estimates-a1103288135/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_TW

I have the Platinum with 300 stated miles of range. Have been disappointed with highway range, about 1.7 to 1.8 on my last trip from Florida to Alabama. Was in November, temps from 75 to 45 degrees, some rain. Had cruise on 75 or less. maybe about 200 miles between charges. In mixed driving in home area about 1.9 to 2.4, mild driving. Still enjoy the truck!

 

[Maquis]

Note that they state setting region to its lowest setting. Does that mean they have one pedal driving off? Considering the size/weight/aero of the Lightning, regen is a key part of its range with outsized impact compared to a EV car, so I wonder if CR inadvertently disadvantaged the truck.

All else being equal, the % of energy harvested during regen is not affected by vehicle weight. A heavier vehicle requires more energy to accelerate to a given speed. And that additional energy is harvested back into the battery, minus conversion losses.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

I feel like having just ran my truck from 100% to 0% and being stranded when I hit empty, I should get a say about range….

and that something is…don’t run out of range.

Interesting how Edmunds found the Lightning to be in the top 10...

https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/electric-car-range-and-consumption-epa-vs-edmunds.html

The methodology matters a lot with our truck. 70mph nets me 2.0-2.1 in cold weather. 80mph nets me 1.5-1.6 in cold weather. That’s a different of ~65 miles of range.

But Edmunds tests are suspect. They noted 43.7kWh/100mi, that works out to 299 miles. (131/43.7=299.7 mi) If they got 345 miles, that implies a consumption almost 151kWh. Thats not a minor difference…

 

[roadhouse]

But Edmunds tests are suspect. They noted 43.7kWh/100mi, that works out to 299 miles. (131/43.7=299.7 mi) If they got 345 miles, that implies a consumption almost 151kWh. Thats not a minor difference…

They do note that the consumption is 'how much energy did it take to charge', and includes charging losses and inefficiencies.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

They do note that the consumption is 'how much energy did it take to charge', and includes charging losses and inefficiencies.

They do, but even with that it’s suspect. The Rivian R1T numbers work out to a smaller battery pack when in reality the R1Ts pack is almost 5% larger in capacity.

 

[Jseis]

In 11,599 miles to date I averaged 2.5 mi/KWh. Tires at 45 psi. Rural road speed at 53 mph (average probably sub 50 mph town driving wrapped in) . One 1700+ mile round trip to Great Falls averaging 2.2-2.3 at 64 mph and drafting a few trucks .

Winter is 2.3-2.4 but hasn’t impacted my long term average… yet.

fabulously efficient. Saves $$$ because I charge at home.

 

[F150ROD]

This is all good information for T3

 

[htobin]

For us, it’s mainly an issue of the lack of high-speed chargers. When that’s resolved, the range will be plenty adequate

 

[RickLightning]

Here's what I find interesting:

Lighting got 2.06 miles per kilowatt hour, 37% worse than Mach-E, exactly as I would expect.
Mach-E got 3.29.
Rivian got 2.47.
Telsa Model S got 2.5, way worse than Mach-E.

 

[CSall]

I think automakers need to do a better job of stating range at city and highway speeds, instead of relying on a combined or "best" number.

I also think the highway cycle needs to reflect real world driving, and all automakers should use the exact same test.

Exactly!! They need to clearly define the HIGHWAY range. In practical terms, range is almost irrelevant for daily, “city” driving. With the average vehicle going only about 40 miles per day, and the range of EVs now into the hundreds of miles, it makes no difference what the vehicle gets in “city” driving to the vast majority of owners. They will charge at home and easily replace the range used in most daily cases. The range that matters is the highway range.

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