Driving an EV pickup

[CIVANO]

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The 2028 F-150 Lightning EREV is Ford's next-generation electric truck, transitioning from a fully electric model to an Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) that combines electric motors with a gasoline-powered generator, offering an estimated range of over 700 miles. This design aims to provide the benefits of electric performance while alleviating range anxiety for drivers.

 

[sly_karma]

I've now seen lots of YouTube videos on solar set ups. In places like California where the panels were once looked at as being a 25 year pay back many have paid back in less then 8 years as the cost of electricity has increased their quite a bit.

I do say thought of powering you EV with your own solar system does seem appealing, especially now when some countries are going into rationing there fuel.

Aussies are flocking to EVs as their gas and diesel prices are well above $3.00/L and rationing seems likely in a month or so. About half of all Australian homes have rooftop solar, and many now have a battery as well, as governments have redirected incentives away from panels and into home battery/s. Daytime electricity prices are often lower than overnight because they have so much solar. Their "normal" grid rate is around $0.25-0.35/kWh, ie, 2-3 times what we pay. Solid savings by going solar and much of the country has the climate for it.

I know people back in Oz who drive EVs daily, yet haven't paid an electricity bill in three years because of their solar/battery setup. Making your own fuel at home sounds like a greenie fantasy, yet lots of people are doing it every day. Is there any wonder there are so many little media attacks on the renewable energy and EV concepts? All those articles and memes about fires, battery life, short range, long charge times, extra tire wear, etc etc... the original source for most of that is the fossil fuel industry battling for its life.

 

[sly_karma]

It's all good over in EV land. Loving my Mach E the last couple weeks. Saw 1.73 diesel this morning....

Penticton this morning is 1.90 for gas and 2.05 for diesel.

 

[Corey_lax]

Penticton this morning is 1.90 for gas and 2.05 for diesel.

I meant 2.73 LOL.

 

[jackfish]

Another item of minor interest: my Lightning has received another two over the air updates in the past month. Despite concerns following the announcement that the full BEV Lightning format was ending, Ford continues to support and improve the vehicle. The most recent update contained new software releases for Blue Cruise (hands free driving) and Adaptive Cruise Control.

There are ongoing safety recall notices out there as well, park brake and trailering modules. Waiting for local dealership to receive parts and schedule the work. Once again, Ford following normal practices for their vehicles. I wasn't too concerned when the announcement came, my faith appears to be justified. Surely they want us all to buy the new EREV Lightning when it's released, no chance of that if they abandon all us first gen owners.

I don't understand all the angst about a model being ended. Car makers end models all the time, and still have to support them for years to come. Why would the Lightning be any different?

As a Lightning owner I am disappointed, because its a very capable truck, but I get that the market isn't justifying this particular model so they have to respond. I've got zero worries about Ford servicing this vehicle as it ages.

 

[jackfish]

While ICE owners are being slammed with near-daily fuel price increases at the moment, it's all calm in EV land. Or is it? BC Hydro public chargers have new rates effective today. Fast charger pricing has bumped up from $0.37/kWh to $0.40/kWh, or about $1.50-$2.00 extra on a typical highway stop with my truck. Yes, it's an 8% increase, but 8% of not much to begin with ends up at not much more.

These price increases were of course submitted to BC Utilities Commission, and approved and announced back in February before taking effect today. All very orderly, considered and fact-based. Little details like this make life more bearable under the socialist regime in the People's Republic of Cascadia.

I do think the public charging rates are steep, and getting steeper. How do they justify billing 4x the rate we get power at home? I can understand that the infrastructure has a cost, but 4x?

Fortunately most of us EV owners charge at home the vast majority of the time. I think I'm at about 98% home vs road charging, over 200,000km of use.