Maybe scrapping the Lightning is a good thing

[molsonmatt]

https://insideevs.com/features/782432/more-evs-should-get-canceled/
The author of this article makes a valid point. While it seems he isn’t a Lightning owner and doesn’t know what we all know by calling the lightning a “bad EV,” he is right about some things behind that statement. This is definitely a market shift that will not be experienced by ford customers alone. The data showing the shift towards EV adoption doesn’t lie. That being said, enjoy that truck sitting in your garage. The future looks bright when it’s time to trade up.

Sponsored

 

[Maxx]

Didn’t know about buzz. It was going to be wife’s next car.

I probably should not admit this in public but we just made a last minute 2000 mile road trip decision and ended up opting for the white’s Subaru. I know we would be fine with Lightning and it would be more comfortable. But the 600 mile range, zero planning requirement and $60C/kWh supercharger prices pushed me over the edge to the dark side. And if Subaru brakes down any mechanic can fix it. Hopefully I will have enough emotional growth to make a different decision next time.

 

[davehu]

Didn’t know about buzz. It was going to be wife’s next car.

I probably should not admit this in public but we just made a last minute 2000 mile road trip decision and ended up opting for the white’s Subaru. I know we would be fine with Lightning and it would be more comfortable. But the 600 mile range, zero planning requirement and $60C/kWh supercharger prices pushed me over the edge to the dark side. And if Subaru brakes down any mechanic can fix it. Hopefully I will have enough emotional growth to make a different decision next time.

Made the same conclusion and have made two holiday trips (800m and 400m RT) this month and for both we took my wife's Honda Pilot. the reason, simple math. DCFC charges $.30-$.50/kwh, vs 28mpg with gas at $2.20/gallon.

 

[hturnerfamily]

nobody needs to 'apologize' here... there is no reason for any of us to somehow feel like owning an EV somehow pigeonholes one into using it 24/7 and EVERY situation... it's just a vehicle.

but, yes, my wife was looking forward to getting a New EXPENSIVE Volkswagen ID BUZZ... so..... oh well.... I guess we'll wait then for the KIA PV5 'people mover' van supposedly also coming next year... maybe.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my LIGHTNING - just arrived after a 120 mile trip to see the folks... still CAN'T BELIEVE how smooth and fun and enjoyable and easy this Amazing MACHINE is to DRIVE! (or, it drives itself : )... give me another one!

... and, I'll let it drive me home in a little while, back the same way, and nary a stop in-between! Joy!

 

[Grumpy2]

Ditching the Lightning was a Bad thing, not for shareholders or for corporate Ford, but for the public and future.

That article over looks what are the driving forces elsewhere in the world towards ditching combustion vehicles.
Just a week or so ago there was an emergency briefing in the UK about tipping points and why the climate change forecasts are wrong. There is evidence that in as little as 25 years England may have the same winters as Hudson Bay while having hotter and dryer summers.

https://www.youtube.com/@nebriefing

I have no idea if China believes in climate change, but the government has decided since they have limited natural energy resources and, they want to develop as much electric energy as possible. The people played no role in this decision.

In the USA we believe we have independent power to decide: where we go for news, whether to believe in science, who are experts as well as who will be our public servants.

One chart from this hearing:

By the way I think there are many that like the current EV9 as a good people mover.

 

[Heliian]

And when Subaru brakes down

Fixed it for you.

 

[Maxx]

Fixed it for you.

This is her second Subaru. The first one took us on long trips in snow storms and good weather for 200,000 miles. Doubled as a truck with all the crapped we moved inside and on top. Brakes and a rubber boot were the only unexpected repairs we had, both at over 100K. Neither of which left us stranded. We are at 70K with this one with zero issues. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

 

[Highpi]

I’m just going to drive mine for 8 or so years. By then there will be other choices and I’ll pick one that suits my needs at that time.

 

[Maxx]

I’m just going to drive mine for 8 or so years. By then there will be other choices and I’ll pick one that suits my needs at that time.

Yup, car shopping before you need one robs you of living life (but I don’t know how to stop).

 

[Highpi]

Yup, car shopping before you need one robs you of living life (but I don’t know how to stop).

Haha, gotta keep your options open!

 

[hturnerfamily]

...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my LIGHTNING - just arrived after a 120 mile trip to see the folks... still CAN'T BELIEVE how smooth and fun and enjoyable and easy this Amazing MACHINE is to DRIVE! (or, it drives itself : )... give me another one!

... and, I'll let it drive me home in a little while, back the same way, and nary a stop in-between! Joy!

it's true: it drove me home, with a total today of 244 miles, without stopping to charge,
in my 3+ year 'young' 64,000 mile 22' PRO SR Lightning - and with 10% left in the 'tank'....

"I'm LOVIN' It!" da ta da da da!!!!

 

[Maxx]

it's true: it drove me home, with a total today of 244 miles, without stopping to charge,
in my 3+ year 'young' 64,000 mile 22' PRO SR Lightning - and with 10% left in the 'tank'....

"I'm LOVIN' It!" da ta da da da!!!!

That is impressive. I wouldn’t be able to pull that off in Maryland with my Pro. In summer on backroads I regularly go on 140 mile trips and I could get that kinda efficiency but right now with 85% power and heat on,…..no way.

 

[Jseis]

Here in SW WA gas hovers around $4.50/gallon and power is $.064 per kW. It is why we are a 2 BEV household (SR Mach E and ER Lightning Lariat). Last 3 years combined mileage about 115,000 and that’d translate at 20 mpg, serious fuel use savings versus charging at home costs (95% home charging). Combined kWh per mile is 3.0.

Plus few dealer trips.. every 10,000 miles. No oil changes, brake jobs, air filters, etc.

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

sometimes it seems like people assume a lot when they see the lighting, but at home between my wife and I we have the '24 Lightning, '23 Hybrid Escape, a 2010 Mazda Tribute (camp-mo-bile) and I also still have my 2500 Ram when needed -ie company truck generally for towing heavy long distance.
No "one size fits all" at least not yet.

To me, Ford did a good thing building the Lightning, and getting to market early. They learned some things, and consumers saw and noticed the trucks, even if they didn't buy one. The long game needs higher energy lighter weight batteries, faster charging, and we need pull-through chargers along hwys for EV's pulling trailers. All this will take time, and a lot of infrastructure build out. It will come, but it will take time.
Meanwhile I feel lucky to have been able to land a 2024, with a HP & lot of great features, at a price that was comparable to the 5.0L XLT at the time, that runs for so cheap I almost feel guilty about it, at a time when there were few other options in a truck. I know the truck cost Ford more than what I paid, and it saves me $7,000/year in Not-Gas travel, while perfectly fitting in with my off grid solar and independant living, while also being a backup electrical power source, job site power source, super driving experience machine.
I hope to see the next gen in about 8 years time and be blown away by what it can do. Meanwhile Ford need to sell what people what to buy, and exist to develop and launch the next gen.
One of the main selling points for me, was Ford has dealers 'everywhere' and I felt they were the best option for future parts and service. Still feel that way.

Sponsored