Wild Bill
Well-Known Member
Apparently today is the last day for the free adapter offer. ORDERED!
Driving an EV pickup
- Thread starter sly_karma
- Start date
Bifmalibu
Well-Known Member
That seems decently priced. I just paid 64000 for an F150 with the 2.7 eco boost. It's getting over 1200km to a tank though, not EV numbers obviously but pretty damn good to me.
sly_karma
Crew Member
Yesterday I drove from the Okanagan to Pemberton. I go to Whistler once or twice a year, so I'm used to using the hwy 99 route through Lillooet. This time I decided to see something different, and set my sights on the reaction ferry at Big Bar. Charged to 80% in Clinton and then headed west. 150 km of gravel roads to Lillooet and all day to do it.
The Lightning is an impeccable logging road performer. Super smooth ride from the independent rear end, ultra quiet of course. Stable, precise handling made this driver feel very confident, and I never found myself in the wrong gear! At any speed, there's always torque available, more than you'd ever need. This means you can concentrate on line and forget about gearing and rpm. No need to hammer up a section faster than you'd like because you know you need the power.
There is a long, super steep descent down to the east side of the Fraser on the High Bar FSR: signage at the top said grades high as 23%, and I'll take their word for it. This was an absolute blast to drive in the Lightning because the regen is so powerful. Sure, it's a 6000 lb tank, but you'd never know it. No more engaging low range and bumping between 1st/2nd to control speed, just feather the throttle or lift off altogether. I used the actual brake pedal a couple of times when I misjudged speed - having too much fun. That section descends from 1300 m to 500 in just 6 km of road driven, would be very easy to cook the brakes in a conventional truck, but it could easily be done in a Lightning without touching the brake pedal at all.
Final bonus: energy use is miserly. The slower you go, the less it needs. Remember, aerodynamic drag is proportional to the square of the speed. Despite all the elevation changes, average use was a ludicrously low 17 kWh/100 km. Anyone who's driven much in the bush knows their gas/diesel is pretty piggy because of the low gear/high rpm and never-steady throttle position. Leave the Jerry can at home, an EV will actually increase its range on those same bush roads; mine would have a theoretical range of 570 km at that rate (factory range is 385 km)! The ferry operator asked if I was worried about running low on charge. Ummmm, nope. I still had over 40% when I got to Lillooet.
I suspect none of my ICE truck buddies will believe any of this. I'll just have to bring 'em along next time to see for themselves.
The Lightning is an impeccable logging road performer. Super smooth ride from the independent rear end, ultra quiet of course. Stable, precise handling made this driver feel very confident, and I never found myself in the wrong gear! At any speed, there's always torque available, more than you'd ever need. This means you can concentrate on line and forget about gearing and rpm. No need to hammer up a section faster than you'd like because you know you need the power.
There is a long, super steep descent down to the east side of the Fraser on the High Bar FSR: signage at the top said grades high as 23%, and I'll take their word for it. This was an absolute blast to drive in the Lightning because the regen is so powerful. Sure, it's a 6000 lb tank, but you'd never know it. No more engaging low range and bumping between 1st/2nd to control speed, just feather the throttle or lift off altogether. I used the actual brake pedal a couple of times when I misjudged speed - having too much fun. That section descends from 1300 m to 500 in just 6 km of road driven, would be very easy to cook the brakes in a conventional truck, but it could easily be done in a Lightning without touching the brake pedal at all.
Final bonus: energy use is miserly. The slower you go, the less it needs. Remember, aerodynamic drag is proportional to the square of the speed. Despite all the elevation changes, average use was a ludicrously low 17 kWh/100 km. Anyone who's driven much in the bush knows their gas/diesel is pretty piggy because of the low gear/high rpm and never-steady throttle position. Leave the Jerry can at home, an EV will actually increase its range on those same bush roads; mine would have a theoretical range of 570 km at that rate (factory range is 385 km)! The ferry operator asked if I was worried about running low on charge. Ummmm, nope. I still had over 40% when I got to Lillooet.
I suspect none of my ICE truck buddies will believe any of this. I'll just have to bring 'em along next time to see for themselves.
jackfish
Active Member
Can be a challenge to find valid data on truck usage on the interwebs, but here is one source: "According to survey data from Strategic Vision, a vehicle research firm, 63% of Ford F-150 owners rarely or never use their truck for towing, and even more astonishingly, 32% rarely or never use their vehicle for personal hauling! So what the hell are they using their gigantic hauler for then? While the numbers are high for shopping/errands and pleasure driving (which makes sense, as those are normal parts of vehicle ownership), the surprising statistic is that 52% frequently use them for commuting. In other words, they’re not using their F-150 to haul construction equipment or landscaping supplies, they’re simply using it to haul their suit-and-tie butt to work."
I participate in other Lightning forums, and its pretty clear anecdotally from the prospective buyer questions that the Lightning is being considered as an option in place of a car/SUV rather than an option for more classic "truck" duties by many folks. Kind of guilt free driving of a massive family hauler.
I participate in other Lightning forums, and its pretty clear anecdotally from the prospective buyer questions that the Lightning is being considered as an option in place of a car/SUV rather than an option for more classic "truck" duties by many folks. Kind of guilt free driving of a massive family hauler.
Salmon Seeker
Crew Member
I'm one of those guys using my F150 for commuting. I do tow my boat maybe a dozen times a year as well. I'm in construction project management and for tax reasons, we can only get trucks. I will be strongly advocating for the lightning for my next truck, but my '22 currently has 60k km on it so I have a few years to go before i get a new one.
Max123
Well-Known Member
Agreed, its annoying to have a larger vehicle that is only used for its intended purpose occasionally. I drive an old GX470 that gets about 12.5L/100km highway and 15L/100km city. I use it for skiing, trips to the Okanagan piled high with gear, towing boats (short distances, but still need a truck), towing utility trailers, and occasional backcountry exploration down logging roads.
If I were to put on an accountant's hat, sharpen my pencil and actually allocate each km, I suspect 80% of my needs would be better served by a small light economy car. However, the things I do with the GX do not crossover into economy car territory (try pulling out a ski boat on a loose gravel launch at a 20 degree incline without 4wd & a locking diff). Also, cost of vehicle ownership is so high and space is at such a premium in Vancouver that owning two vehicles is nuts. After a few years of trying to juggle two vehicle, I've come to terms with this - sold one vehicle, save about $10k in annual cost, and put some of that towards a transit pass so I'm not commuting as much in the GX.
Anyway, once the trusty GX dies, my next vehicle choice will likely be an equivalent impractical SUV - but hopefully electric. I've been following the Rivian website and it sounds like the upcoming R2 is exactly what I'd be looking for. The price of an R1T is out of my league, and its just too big to fit in my garage. The R2 looks like its the exact same size as my GX (basically a 4runner) - and targets that segment of the market (it seems crazy that no one has targeted this yet).
If I were to put on an accountant's hat, sharpen my pencil and actually allocate each km, I suspect 80% of my needs would be better served by a small light economy car. However, the things I do with the GX do not crossover into economy car territory (try pulling out a ski boat on a loose gravel launch at a 20 degree incline without 4wd & a locking diff). Also, cost of vehicle ownership is so high and space is at such a premium in Vancouver that owning two vehicles is nuts. After a few years of trying to juggle two vehicle, I've come to terms with this - sold one vehicle, save about $10k in annual cost, and put some of that towards a transit pass so I'm not commuting as much in the GX.
Anyway, once the trusty GX dies, my next vehicle choice will likely be an equivalent impractical SUV - but hopefully electric. I've been following the Rivian website and it sounds like the upcoming R2 is exactly what I'd be looking for. The price of an R1T is out of my league, and its just too big to fit in my garage. The R2 looks like its the exact same size as my GX (basically a 4runner) - and targets that segment of the market (it seems crazy that no one has targeted this yet).
sly_karma
Crew Member
People love to home in on the weakness of an EV truck: towing range. I agree with them that this is its worst use case. But I then point out the worst use for a gas/diesel truck is short-run city or town use, yet for most owners that is its major task.
Alex_c
Well-Known Member
Great shots, and impressive range! My 89’ F-250 with F-350 drivetrain (transmission, solid axle swap, 5.8 motor) gets an eye-watering 35L/100 km off-road!!
That’s about 50/50 in 4-low and 4-hi
sly_karma
Crew Member
Everyone just accepted the big offroad fuel burn before, because there wasn't an alternative.Great shots, and impressive range! My 89’ F-250 with F-350 drivetrain (transmission, solid axle swap, 5.8 motor) gets an eye-watering 35L/100 km off-road!!
Alex_c
Well-Known Member
Definitely not in a full size. The only alternative was to tow
your 4 banger Toyota/Jeep to the trail.
Wild Bill
Well-Known Member
It's kinda a big vehicle. But for the price, a vehicle you can put 5 adults in, haul and tow. Keeping the Wrangler, my wife's trips to the dollar store etc. It's going to be treated nicer than the GMC, need to pick up 1/2 yard of stone before i put it up for sale.
kaelc
Crew Member
She's paid for. Depreciation the highest cost of vehicle ownership and I bet your 89 only depreciates and gains value based on the km's on the tires and brakes!Great shots, and impressive range! My 89’ F-250 with F-350 drivetrain (transmission, solid axle swap, 5.8 motor) gets an eye-watering 35L/100 km off-road!!
I seriously considered buying a Lightning, even though as a retired white collar guy who lives in the city it made no practical sense.
But.....being 6'4" it was the most comfortable vehicle I sat in. But, but, but running errands and parking a vehicle that size in Vancouver seemed like a bad idea
But.....being 6'4" it was the most comfortable vehicle I sat in. But, but, but running errands and parking a vehicle that size in Vancouver seemed like a bad idea
Alex_c
Well-Known Member
For sure, I drove 2000 km last week for less than the cost of a new truck payment. Then it sits in the driveway not costing me money until the next adventure
sly_karma
Crew Member
I won't lie, it's a beast to park. Not a city vehicle. Case in point I just parked in hotel underground parking in Whistler. Only way to describe it is an ordeal.
fish brain
Crew Member
I don't have an EV. But I do drive full size pickups.
I usually find it easier to back into tight parking spots than drive in front first.
sly_karma
Crew Member
Most people do that for the smaller vehicle's ability to go more places than fuel savings. Just the tow to get to the trailhead/hunting camp...
Alex_c
Well-Known Member
Well yes, that’s definitely the primary reason. When are we
gonna get smaller EV trucks that are capable off-road that can charge off the mothership truck back at camp?
sly_karma
Crew Member
I think the auto makers have forgotten that small street legal offroaders ever existed. All those Trackers and Samurais you see around hunt camps are 20+ years old, and there's no equivalent on the market. We're expected to buy $20-30,000 side by sides instead, and the f@#$in things still don't have a heater. So an EV version seems unlikely...
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