TFL made it to Fairbanks

[Bandit216]

Ran by our sole DC Fast Charger and who should be there:

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[sotek2345]

I really want them to start selling some swag from this trip. I would love a t-shirt, but I am no where remotely close to their geocache locations.

 

[Bandit216]

I told them I would wait until they post the Fairbanks segment video before I try to claim the geocache.

I also broke the news to them that they missed being the first Lightning in Alaska by a few days.

 

[rdr854]

I told them I would wait until they post the Fairbanks segment video before I try to claim the geocache.

I also broke the news to them that they missed being the first Lightning in Alaska by a few days.

First Lightning delivered in Alaska or first Lightning driven to Alaska?

 

[Bandit216]

Yep, that's how we split the difference. We each get a first.

 

[PungoteagueDave]

I’m not sure it’s legit claim when a road trip requires taking a second pickup truck along with a generator to provide charges (TFL is using an accompanying PowerBoost F-150 to span areas without charging). It’s a stunt - not really an EV trip until it can be replicated by an independent driver. Put another way, your Lightning is stranded in Alaska for now, not possible to drive it to the lower 48.

 

[Pioneer74]

I’m not sure it’s legit claim when a road trip requires taking a second pickup truck along with a generator to provide charges (TFL is using an accompanying PowerBoost F-150 to span areas without charging). It’s a stunt - not really an EV trip until it can be replicated by an independent driver. Put another way, your Lightning is stranded in Alaska for now, not possible to drive it to the lower 48.

Why wouldn't it be legit if they don't use the Powerboost to charge the Lightning?

 

[Bandit216]

Why wouldn't it be legit if they don't use the Powerboost to charge the Lightning?

What's not legit about their trip, regardless of whether they use the Powerboost?

 

[lancersrock]

I’m not sure it’s legit claim when a road trip requires taking a second pickup truck along with a generator to provide charges (TFL is using an accompanying PowerBoost F-150 to span areas without charging). It’s a stunt - not really an EV trip until it can be replicated by an independent driver. Put another way, your Lightning is stranded in Alaska for now, not possible to drive it to the lower 48.

I thought the power boost was more of an emergency back up?

 

[Pioneer74]

What's not legit about their trip, regardless of whether they use the Powerboost?

I wouldn't have a problem with it. I'm just trying to understand Dave's rationale for calling it a stunt.

 

[PungoteagueDave]

I thought the power boost was more of an emergency back up?

Their stated strategy was to use the PowerBoost for charging in the spots where there is no charging available. I’ve driven and ridden (motorcycle - that’s Alaska in my profile pic, on a ride from the Arctic Ocean to Argentina) that entire route several times, including to Prudhoe Bay. No way they can make it from Fairbanks to Deadhorse without bringing their own charging, and I suspect there are other sections that were dicey or impossible - and they “cheated” by using the ferry to Skagway, so eliminated the charging desert across the Alaksa Highway. They haven't posted the drive video yet, but did say in advance that the PowerBoost was part of that base charging strategy.

This is akin to the Long Way Up disaster where Evan McGregor and Charlie Boorman tried to ride Harley Lightnings from Ushuaia to San Francisco, using Rivians as support trucks. Completely failed, PR disaster for both companies, and simply ended up proving that EV travel remains impossible in remote locations. The reason this is a stunt is the same - they are doing the run, but no one else can do so driving a normal EV - and they are showing the truck cannot do the run without using ANOTHER truck as a crutch. Seems to define stunt to me..

 

[Nick Gerteis]

Their stated strategy was to use the PowerBoost for charging in the spots where there is no charging available. I’ve driven and ridden (motorcycle - that’s Alaska in my profile pic, on a ride from the Arctic Ocean to Argentina) that entire route several times, including to Prudhoe Bay. No way they can make it from Fairbanks to Deadhorse without bringing their own charging, and I suspect there are other sections that were dicey or impossible - and they “cheated” by using the ferry to Skagway, so eliminated the charging desert across the Alaksa Highway. They haven't posted the drive video yet, but did say in advance that the PowerBoost was part of that base charging strategy.

This is akin to the Long Way Up disaster where Evan McGregor and Charlie Boorman tried to ride Harley Lightnings from Ushuaia to San Francisco, using Rivians as support trucks. Completely failed, PR disaster for both companies, and simply ended up proving that EV travel remains impossible in remote locations. The reason this is a stunt is the same - they are doing the run, but no one else can do so driving a normal EV - and they are showing the truck cannot do the run without using ANOTHER truck as a crutch. Seems to define stunt to me..

I fully get your reasoning for calling it a stunt because they pre planned for generator aka Powerboost charging. But: wouldn’t it be possible to make that trip using maybe 120V outlets for (very slow) charging? Or are there simply none there? I’ve never been up there.

 

[Sharpster]

I’m not sure it’s legit claim when a road trip requires taking a second pickup truck along with a generator to provide charges (TFL is using an accompanying PowerBoost F-150 to span areas without charging). It’s a stunt - not really an EV trip until it can be replicated by an independent driver. Put another way, your Lightning is stranded in Alaska for now, not possible to drive it to the lower 48.

I don't think the legitimacy matters. Its just flat out cool that they are doing it. Sure it is a stunt and they are traveling with a back-up charging plan, but its still cool.
35yrs ago, a friend and I drove my Toyota 4x4 from Los Angeles to Coldfoot to Denver and back to LA via the AlCan hwy. That was a grueling trip in an ICE vehicle. Our northern goal was Prudhoe Bay but we didn't start early enough in the summer and hit heavy snow in Fairbanks. Turned around in Coldfoot after several near misses with big trucks and having to dig out of a few ditches.
TFL using the power boost to charge lightning is still going to be crazy inconvenient, when they have to do it, and is going to tax the capabilities and range of that hybrid vehicle too. Stunt or not, it is cool to follow the wins, losses, and heartaches...makes me want to do the trip again, if I ever retire.

 

[Bandit216]

Alaska has the same types of power outlets including 240v 14-50 outlets in most rv parks. The real problem is the 500 miles between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay where there is absolutely nothing- no powerlines and no cell coverage. The one "town" has like 6 houses. That town is almost exactly halfway between Fbks and PB. So you have two 250 mile legs which are right at the maximum range for the Lariat with the big tires and weight and drag of their camper shell. You need that powerboost for safety, if not power.

 

[webfootdawg]

IIRC they said they were brining the other truck just in case. Have we heard they had to use it yet to charge the lightning?

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