Yeah, gas in California is very expensive compared to most other parts of the US, but I think electricity is higher too. But that whole discussion gets so complex. We lived in Indiana for a few years and our first apartment when we moved there had this electric "provider" that was just a reseller for the main electric provider in the area. All they did was buy power from IPL (Indianapolis Power and Light) and then charged you for the transport cost to deliver to your home from where they hooked into IPL.

Anyway, electricity for that apartment was the most I have paid in my life. Two bedroom, nice new apartment, was running like 200-400/month for just my wife and I (variance based on weather). I know those aren't insane figures for some depending where you live, but it was a ton for Indiana and an apartment. The reason was they charged the wholesale cost they paid IPL, then they had a "transport" fee that was equal to the wholesale cost, then they had some random fees and that.

A couple years later we moved into the home we had built, it was almost 2.5x the square footage as that apartment, but our provider was directly IPL. At the worst, our electric bill was around $180, so our worst cost was lower than the lowest cost with the apartment.

Anyway, the cost to have an EV at those apartments versus the home we built that was only a few miles away would be significant. Definitely need to take stuff like that into consideration as it doesn't really matter what it costs someone else for electricity or even gas, only matters what it costs you. I definitely understand why some would be hesitant to go EV if their local electric prices are crazy.

 

My antenna was exactly 1-inch taller than the cab before I replaced it with a shorty.

 

Yeah, I can't quite explain why it's a little taller than the cab, but maybe so you can have some breathing room. I don't imagine it's a real big concern for an F-150 compared to a Super Duty, but for those that lift their trucks I think I would leave it. I know the parking garage at a place I worked was just a few inches taller than the F-150 I test drove at the time, there were a couple places where the antenna hit on pipes that were running overhead. Was a tense experience.

 

I understand the EV skepticism on this thread... but it's not an electric vs. gas cost conversation, that ship has sailed (it's not close). Range, battery fear, charge time, logistics, etc., I get that and agree. Until it will go 750+ miles on a charge, not sure I'd want the inconvenience. As with any newer technology, the infrastructure trails, it doesn't lead, so that is another thing I can reason people will avoid it.

Crazy fun to drive though... go 0-60 in 2.4 seconds takes your breath away and the weight of the vehicle is very comforting, at least for me.

 

Well said.

Just like a 3.3L V-6 is not for everyone.

Just like a 2.7 L V-6 is not for everyone.

Just like a 5.0L V-8 is not for everyone.

Just like a 3.5L V-6 is not for everyone.

Just like a 3.0L Powerstroke is not for everyone.

Just like a 3.5L V-6 Powerboost is not for everyone.

Just like a Raptor is not for everyone.

Ford is simply adding one more powerplant to the stable, the Lightning. What are people so afraid of?

I would not propose that Ford stop selling its lowest volume vehicle, the Raptor, so why would anyone propose that Ford not sell a vehicle that will outsell the Raptor?

Defies common sense. If you don't like it, or can't afford it, don't buy it.

 

And folks, please wait before making a snap judgement. If the Lightning gets 1/2 the EPA mileage as the MME gets, watch out. If it gets more than that, well, I will be buying more Ford stock.

 

Ignore the Tesla X, it has a much smaller frontal area than an F150, and takes a larger hit on mileage with a big trailer. Best to do is just look at the mpg hit on an F150... the larger trailers will knock the mpg's down 50%, that tells you it's taking twice the energy to tow the trailer. Expect to have range in the lightning cut by 50% with the same trailer.


At least one company has been working on a travel trailer with it's own battery pack and motor for EV towing. Being able to send power from a trailer to the tow vehicle would be great, but how robust would that connection need to be? Certainly more robust than the charging ports currently in use. Then there is the issue of having a sizeable battery pack on a TT that sees little use... maybe this would work better if it could be tied into the house to be used as storage for solar/wind generation.


Gasoline burns at about 1500ºF. Lithium burns at about 3600ºF. Both of these will melt through the 6061 or 6083 Ford uses to build the cab (@1200ºF melt point), but one presents a high speed directed flame danger, burns over twice as hot, is difficult to put out, and reacts with water.

You are SOL if you get pinned and the battery goes off, passerby's will not be able to extinguish a battery pack fire, you're going to burn to death. There are valid reasons to be fearful, and expectant that mfg's are taking big steps to protect the batteries. EV's don't present a new danger, they present a different danger.


The Texas blackout was an anomaly that originated at the power source. Most outages are localized and the result of storm damage. When power was lost to 609,000 homes and businesses in northern Ky in 2009, you simply needed to drive a few extra miles if your preferred gas station had no power. In major metropolitan areas, power is often run underground in heavy retail areas, so they only lose power when multiple transformers blow at a substation. In other areas, business gets priority over residential because people need milk and eggs and gas more than air conditioning and TV. It's rare for retail to be without power for 24 hours. Hurricanes, flooding and Tornados are the exception.


Most likely it retains the antenna because Ford feels it has enough owners outside of metro areas that care about FM reception. Cramming 31 inches of wire into a chip might still be a 1/4 wave antenna, but you lose gain.

 

That reason is not from Ford, but rather people's theories as to why it still exists, as there clearly is no other explanation than that the Ford engineers are lazy. It is one of the last vehicles currently in production that has this stupid antenna, and an EV should not have it. Maybe one day the designers will get with the current times. They tried to make the front end of the Lightning look like it came from Back to the Future (and failed IMO).

 

100%. it looks absurd on a new fully electric "halo" vehicle.

 

I wonder if Ford is going to curb the dealer`s $10k+ "market adjustment" policy that they usually try when something new comes out.