General Public reactions to our trucks? {⛔️NO POLITICS}

[F150guy]

Similar story, the summer I got my Lightning we were also having our gas meter moved from the basement to outside the house.

I had the entire Eversource work crew in my driveway inspecting the truck, eventually the foreman had to shoo everyone back to work.

I see some Eversource workers near me driving Lightnings.

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[TaxmanHog]

I see some Eversource workers near me driving Lightnings.

I might have had some influence on them in the summer of 2022.

 

[FloridaMan655321]

As others have mentioned, the frunk at a hotel is where most of the looks or comments come from. Especially in the drive up area to drop off luggage. I've had hotel staff say things like 'oh my god!' at a pretty high volume and then comment how much stuff is in there.

Otherwise, in general I've only had positive reactions or zero reactions. I think in FL we have more EV's than a lot of other States, so it's not a big deal seeing them. I mean I see a Cybertruck almost daily where I live, and it's not the same one driving around (multiple ones are wrapped).

 

[carys98]

My older brother worked on construction sites and drove a truck for most of his career. When I first visited him in the Lightning he asked me if it had enough power. There was a new stretch of highway near his house so I took him for a drive. When we got to the end I made a U-turn and stopped, then punched it. When I visited him at his assisted living facility just before he passed away every staff member I introduced myself to responded “oh, the one with the electric truck”. I apparently made an impression.

 

[Athrun88]

People will generally come over curious because of the frunk and that will trigger a short, and geneally positive, conversation. Had a handful of people try to bait me into a debate about EVs vs ICE but I usually stop them and inform them I am not one to change people's minds; either it works for your lifestyle or not.

I'll also get the occasional battery related question:
- How much to replace?
- What happens when it goes bad?
- What happens when you run out?
- Is degradeation bad?
- Winter range?

To which I have counter questions:
- How much to replace an engine/transmission?
- What happens when an engine blows a gasket or throws a rod?
- What happens when you run out of gas?
- Notice your engine wear reducing your gas mileage?
- Winter range?

Other questions are usually:
- How much to charge?
- How long to charge?
- What is the public charging infastructure like?
- Would you ever go back to ICE?

I live in a semi-rural area where there's a decent mix of 'old school' vs 'progressive' people and even most of the old school people will appreciate the benefits of EVs. While most will admit that they have some sort of anxiety, they do realize that EVs are the future though full conversion won't happen in their lifetimes. I do think the fact the Lightning looks like a normal truck helps with people willing to accept the electrification of vehicles. The difference at that point is drivetrain and not some scary technology that looks like magic. When you start to roll out platforms that are too futureistic looking, it starts to alienate a certain portion of the population which eventually turns hostile.

I did eventually convince my brother to consider a MME for his next vehicle when he saw my monthly electric bill vs his monthly gas bill for his Subaru Ascent!

 

[Wendy]

Had a good discussion with a Ford ICE driver in the grocery store parking lot when I opened the frunk for the bags. You get a Funk AND a Bed? They were pretty stoked about it.

 

[Nikos]

Here's some fun moments of being recognized from a recent road trip in the fall:

• A fun moment. We drove through a residential neighborhood with a few locals chatting in the middle of the street. The guy moved aside, then did a double take with a confused look. My wife said he mouthed “That's a Ford?!?” She waved. He stared. Hope he looks up the Lightning and realizes an EV truck can go on a road trip. Glad our truck could show him that EV trucks exist and can show up in that middle of rural openness.

• A more minor moment was an older gentleman who looked like he knew what an F150 looks like, stared at my truck as he crossed the street. He quickly looked away and kept to himself once he saw I noticed him and waved. I think the front no-grill and light bar didn't register as a F150, but the rest of the truck was a F150 for him.

• As I was packing the truck at the hotel, several observers were curious at the open frunk. One lady driving by in the parking lot kept staring in a friendly manner and craned her neck as she turned the corner. Another couple in a Maverick sat in their truck for a good 10 mins watching me fuss with organizing the frunk luggage. They were all very confused. The frunk blew their minds. That was a fun highlight.

I have quite the audience at my local Costco as I load I empty my cart into my frunk. They watch and watch until I close it and drive off. Some still stare on what just happened. Some ask but most are oblivious to the fact that there is an Electric F-150 out there.
I wouldn’t call them ignorant, but agnostic, not interested to know that there are better vehicles out there, other than the vehicles they are accustomed too.
To them, we are just strange people.
To us, they don’t know what there missing driving a better F-150, period.!!

 

[Pacific.NW]

Even better than people seeing one, is many... this was our Lightning Parade this morning (I had been the leader, but let them get ahead to snap a pic because it was so funny.)

I love getting the looks when that happens, even from the other Lightning drivers!

 

[dpwmc93]

I feel like the people who bad mouth EVs are the same people who have trouble working thier cell phones...Not tech savy at all. I love my 2025 Lightning Flash.

 

[HandymanBill]

I was at the hardware store the other day, and when I was swapping my empty propane tank for a full one, the store employee complimented my truck. I thanked him and said how much I enjoyed it. When it came up that it was a Lightning , he said he'd Never own one. I replied that I loved the tech and the 'Silent' running, and how different it was vs my Semi where i'm always battling the noise at work.
I let it go, but it stuck with me...
I saw an ad for a Cruise In coming up, and i'm planning on shining up Storm and going to hang out with the Ice-powered enthusiasts for the day.

A helper at a garden store yesterday said the Lightning was his "dream car."

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

I find a good comment for people who are automatically negative about the Lightning is: "do you own a cordless drill (yes) is it handy and kind of your go-to drill (yes),, do you run a large paddle mixer all day with it though (no) now you understand the Lightning"...

 

[Wendy]

That's why I have 5 or 6 batteries for my DeWalt cordless tools, screw/drill/cut range anxiety! Don't want to get caught mid-way through a project.

 

[truthlesshunter]

Very probable, and also I live in a decidedly rural 'environment', and this small town hardware store is very much geared toward the farming community. He was a Good Ole Boy , salt of the earth sort of guy. I expect he's driving a single cab 90's vintage f250 or square body chevy.
to each their own, I'm especially happy with Storm, considering how the gas prices are climbing right now.

i am not saying this applies to everyone like this or even the guy you're referring to...but i can't help but think of this when you said that:

You've got to remember that these are just simple farmers. These are people of the land—the common clay of the new West. You know... morons.

 

[Ned B]

i am not saying this applies to everyone like this or even the guy you're referring to...but i can't help but think of this when you said that:

I heard that in his voice…

 

[Ned B]

Driving home from work yesterday, I noticed a Rivian R1T in my mirror. When we both stopped at a light, the owners were all smiles, and gave me a thumbs up! I rolled down my window and we had a brief mutual truck admiration chat. They liked Storm and I said much the same for their hot rod .

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