Thanks for sharing your experience. What is your definition of a “long” trip while hauling? I’m asking because a routine “short” trip while hauling for me is over 100 miles.
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I’m not sure how this “more than off sets” if you included total engine maintenance over time, maybe, but still. Stopping and getting gas doesn’t take so long (even with my diesel that has a large tank), and changing the oil is a quick and straightforward job for me or my husband. On the other hand, charging can take up quite a bit of time depending on the charing source you have available, I think? If I were to haul a long distance, I would think that fueling up with diesel would take far less time and be more readily available/convenient. So I just don’t understand this comparison because I don’t see the time saved.
If I added up engine maintenance over time as the truck ages, the EV should take less time for that… But I can also fuel up my truck in a few minutes vs waiting hours for a full charge from empty.
I am, however, happy to hear that the battery on your car has aged well. We’ve started browsing around for an EB that we’ll purchase soon. We’ve chatted with our neighbor that has a Tesla and there are some drawbacks in our area, and I’d have to keep the truck for hauling just due to where we live, and the space and availability things, for the time being, but an EV would fit in for daily commutes, errand running, and day to day stuff. I had a really good experience with my previous Toyota hybrid.
I’m pretty devoted to Ram for trucks, and I’ve been keeping any eye out for their EV, so I’m interested to see how it does.
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It would be different for everyone. But personally, when I had an ICE I was taking 5-15 minutes every five days to drive to a gas station and fill up. That’s anywhere from 6-18 hours every year.
In comparison about 99% of my EV charging is done at home. I park, plug in (5 seconds) and it charges. I have it set to charge overnight when electricity is cheapest here and I’m sleeping.
I only fast charge a couple times per year and can usually coordinate it with running an errand or getting something to eat.
For the record, I drive around 30,000 miles per year, and I fast charged 5ish times. A couple road trips to horse shows, a wedding, and camping. The longest stop at a charger was 45 minutes.
The F-150 lightning can fast charge (level 3) in under an hour at a 150kW station. That’s faster than what my Chevy Bolt is capable of.
Yes, it can depend on a few things.
Being able to charge right at home can be very convenient.
The fast charging is impressive too.
Since I do my charging at home except on long road trips, the amount of time I spend at chargers is minimal. On road trips, the navigation will advise you as to which chargers to stop at and how long to charge. The vehicle charges faster the more depleted the battery is. So the navigation will account for that so that you spend the minimal amount of time at chargers. The vehicle can charge to 80 percent after about 30 minutes at a fast charger. So when charging I never spend more than 30 minutes at a charger.
I do factor total maintenance in as these cars are pretty maintenance free. With the regenerative braking I never had to do anything to my brakes either after 8 years.
So an on the road charge takes longer than a gas fill up most definitely. But over the life of the vehicle for my driving style I don’t charge at charges unless on a road trip.
If you do not have access to a fast charger on the road, your charging times will be longer. But the apps and navigation are good about not only identifying the level of the charger but also the occupancy so you can see if there are available charging spots.
But as I say, the vehicle has certain specifications and those specs may not be compatible with the type of driving that you do. If I routinely drive long distances, I may not want to use an EV. It does add some time for charging. But on long road trips those breaks are nice to get out and stretch.
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If your short trip is 100 miles round trip, that would not be a problem. If it is 100 miles one way, that trip would be dependent on the total weight, elevation changes and weather as to whether you could do that on a charge.
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Thanks! Sounds like EVs are a long way from meeting my towing needs.
But technology is ever evolving. Hope springs eternal.
Is the 300 mile range on the lightning while towing the 2 horses? If not what’s the range when towing them?
Ford is one of my organization’s partners. I asked my account contact this very question. He doesn’t recommend the Lightning for towing horses at this time. The range would be too limited. Give it time…
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If the trailer and 2 horses are about 7k lbs, you can go about 90 miles. Lighter trailer and 2 horses? 115 miles! So much freedom (cue sound of American Eagle!).
Lol, no. I drive distances. I don’t see the point if all you can do is local driving.
Darn, 90 miles would barely get me to the place I go most often.
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Part of the reason why I have my truck (diesel) is for driving to the clinic. Whether it’s for an emergency or routine appointment. I want to be able to fuel up and get there with no stops.
I’m interested in EV’s and we’ll likely purchase one by spring, but I’ll be holding onto the truck for awhile. It’s come in handy more times than I can count and I still have a use for it. Where I live things are pretty spread out and I’ve researched charging stations and there are some, and more are coming, so I’m happy to see that.
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Reveal of the Ram concept. No word on the range extender, but a laundry list of tech. Note the “autonomous mode,” in which the truck can follow you around. (Hijinks ensue.)
greys
Yuck, based on looks alone I’d definitely go with the Ford!
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Based on a number of road trips in the past few years, the number one dead truck was a Ram with a prolapsed drive train.
No thanks.
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Although I can see cues from the current generation of Ram trucks, it really is pushing the envelope. It is a concept, so who knows what will actually hit the production line.
greys
