MotorTrend's 2023 F-150 Lightning XLT Yearlong Review - Speed vs Range Study for Road Trips

[lightspeed]

In case you haven't seen it. MT did a comprehensive study for speed vs range when road tripping.

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT Yearlong Review: Road-Trip Range Strategies

We measure our Michigan Lightning’s MotorTrend Road-Trip Range at varying speeds and strategize how best to cover long distances quickly.

*******************************************************

I kinda disagree with their final results because they don't account for the extra time to get to chargers and the probability of chargers not working or delivering low rates.

What's more useful is their graph of speed vs range. It's interesting that their measured results are flatter than predicted. And also a good reference to see the massive hit that speed gives to range.

Sponsored

 

[Revenge]

Would love to see this graph include low speed results for around town driving. I wonder if the same slope continues or if it flattens out. The average range loss for every 5MPH is about 25MI according to this data. Could the truck beat 400MI range for city driving?

Speed Range 25​ 474​ 30​ 449​ 35​ 424​ 40​ 399​ 45​ 374​ 50​ 349​ 55​ 324​ 60​ 293​ 65​ 268​ 70​ 240​ 75​ 214​ 80​ 194​ ​

​

 

[F150ROD]

I want to see the comparison with ICE. Speed vs MPG (Range).

 

[lightspeed]

I want to see the comparison with ICE. Speed vs MPG (Range).

The percentage drops from speed alone are very close to the same for ICE from my experience (and I can't think of a reason why the physics would be significantly different).

Probably on the average, ICE is actually slightly worse because they tend to be a little less aerodynamic.

 

[lightspeed]

Would love to see this graph include low speed results for around town driving. I wonder if the same slope continues or if it flattens out. The average range loss for every 5MPH is about 25MI according to this data. Could the truck beat 400MI range for city driving

​

In my experience, I can get a predicted 400+ miles when doing just 40mph-ish city driving. That's expressway driving and not too much stop light to stop light.

 

[PreservedSwine]

I’d rather see a speed vs mi/kWh than “range”

 

[lightspeed]

I’d rather see a speed vs mi/kWh than “range”

Just divide range by 131 to get mi/kWh.

 

[PreservedSwine]

Just divide range by 131 to get mi/kWh.

I don’t have an extended range battery.

I’m familiar with the math.
In my opinion, it would’ve been a more useful ratio

 

[Heliian]

They tried really hard to have a flat line for their graph.

 

[lightspeed]

I don’t have an extended range battery.

I’m familiar with the math.
In my opinion, it would’ve been a more useful ratio

Cool.

Just saying you can trivially convert to the SR battery range.

(er range / 131) * 98 = sr range

Maybe I'll add it to their graph for the heck of it...

 

[Maxx]

I do enjoy my summer time Max speed of 60-65 mph country road trips.

They mentioned the air density for drag but I am not sure which one of these measurements were in summer, which in winter, which with heat on, which without.

If DCFC rates are high and you are enjoying the scenery with a nice music or podcast in your comfy Lightning, slower drive may be the ticket.

On the other had, if you are stuck in the truck with grand parents that can't hear or smell their own farts, you may not mind longer charging times.

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

On the other had, if you are stuck in the truck with grand parents that can't hear or smell their own farts, you may not mind longer charging times.

Speaking from experience?

 

[Maxx]

Speaking from experience?

I could write a book about it. I would share but I don’t want my membership revoked here.

 

[GoodSam]

Similar MT story from 2022:
2022-ford-f-150-lightning-platinum-range-max-charging-test-review

 

[lightspeed]

All of us who live with the Lightning know how speed kills range, but it's still kinda shocking to see it in a graph and see that every 5mph takes about 10% more off or range. Add some battery degradation as it ages, plus some cold weather, and we're talking less than 200 mile range at 75mph.

Here is the graph with calculated SR ranges:

Sponsored