Man forced to ditch $115K Ford EV truck during family road trip to Chicago: ‘biggest scam of modern times’

[Nukeman7]

Why? Lets just say that this guy, "did his research". What good would it have been when Ford is outright lying about the range of this thing?

People who "do their research" buy vehicles based on the numbers provided to them by the manufacturer. What else do they have to go by? Ford advertises this thing, (2022 F-150 Lightning), with a 230 mile range with the standard battery. And 300 miles with the extended range pack.

In reality it will get nowhere near that distance. In short Ford is putting out false advertising. And you want to blame the customer who purchases one of these turds on wheels in good faith, then finds out he's been duped.

And here's a news flash. People buy pickup trucks to tow and haul with. The fact of the matter is that Ford advertises and sells this thing based on a 10,000 pound towing capacity if it is purchased in it's full towing mode.

And the harsh reality is that it won't go 100 miles at highway speeds in that configuration. That's like buying an electric golf cart that craps out at the 5th hole. What is the owner supposed to do, call the starter, and tell him to send out a caddy?

Your argument would be valid, (that this guy is a "moron"), if Ford advertised the correct numbers, and he bought it anyway, and then started complaining. But that was not the case. The reality is he was outright lied to, and duped into purchasing something that could not perform the task it was designed, advertised, and sold to do.


"Ford estimates that range for the 2022 F-150 Lightning electric pickup will be 230 miles for trucks with the standard battery and 300 miles on trucks with the extended-range pack".

Did I miss something? Where in the article does it indicate he purchased the truck with the extended range battery pack? If that F-150 Lightening has the standard battery pack, he is getting the mileage advertised by Ford. The article stated he drove from Winnipeg to Fargo (~220 miles + undisclosed reserve) and from Fargo to Elk River (~215 miles + 12 miles reserve) between rechargings.

It is clear that the owner has no clue as to how to manage trip logistics and made assumptions that refueling an EV would be as uncomplicated as an ICE vehicle. Another example of someone who has more money than common sense. I also found the attached video clip telling as it did not even mention this individual's "plight". I won't get into politics here, but the whole article and clickbait title reeks of a hit-piece to promote an anti-EV agenda. While I don't plan to buy one, I appreciate the opportunity to have a choice of ICE, EV or hybrid technology in my next vehicle.

 

[cptbarkey]

but where are the EV semi trucks? oh. ok. this is why.

Oh, and there's trains that do it much more effectively.

 

[billt460]

Exactly, I thought I'd catch some flack about my comments, I might it's still early. I figured someone would say things break, vandals will vandalize etc, the usual rebuttals. Here's the rub, if a gas station is "broken," out of gas, etc. on a road trip, odds are there's another less than 5 minutes away. Many times seconds away. I don't see that happening anytime soon with EV charging stations in the US. In the somewhat distant future, maybe, in the near term, no. Oh and we still don't have the time to charge anywhere near the time to fill a tank. I read about people taking lounge chairs and chatting while they charge, and a whole bunch of other reasons why charging on a road trip is no big deal. Fine for them, no thanks for me. I have enough friends, no need to socialize while charging up on a road trip to kill time and feel good about myself and my EV. I want to get where I'm going as quickly and safely as possible. Regarding making friends, if I need another friend I'll buy or adopt a dog.

The away from home charging issue with these things will never be resolved. The government couldn't print enough money to subsidize it, (nationwide charge stations), without collapsing the economy.

And the private sector won't touch it with a barge pole, because it will require too much of an initial investment before they recieve a return.... If in fact they ever do. This is all turning into a big Catch 22.

EV's are basically worthless for ANY type of long distance road travel. And people aren't going to buy them without being able to conveniently charge them in a timely fashion while out on the road.

It is quickly turning into a stalemate. Far too much money is going to have to be spent up front, realizing little to an extremely delayed return, before these things can come close to directly competing with ICE. Be they car or truck.

As always it comes down to who will be willing to put up the money. And thus far we've seen and heard nothing but talk.

 

[billt460]

....It is clear that the owner has no clue as to how to manage trip logistics and made assumptions that refueling an EV would be as uncomplicated as an ICE vehicle.....

Especially when he is fed a load of crap by the manufacturer, as to the range of the thing.

 

[demarpaint]

The away from home charging issue with these things will never be resolved. The government couldn't print enough money to subsidize it, (nationwide charge stations), without collapsing the economy.

It wouldn't surprise me if they fire up the printing press and try. There's an agenda being pushed, so printing money to accomplish it is well within the current realm of reality.

 

[mrsilv04]

If he had a charger installed "at work", it would suggest that it is his business. He bought this thing only to impress people/clients, and didn't understand what it was that he was buying. Taking off on a 2800 mile round trip without figuring out how many times it would have to be charged at two hours per charge, and then running it down to 12 miles, seems to show that "thinking ahead" is something that he's completely deficient in, and he's disconnected from reality. Going to the media with his tales of woe proves it even more.

Not sure what line of work he's in, but it appears that he graduated with honors with his Master's degree in Idiot.

 

[billt460]

It wouldn't surprise me if they fire up the printing press and try. There's an agenda being pushed, so printing money to accomplish it is well within the current realm of reality.

They just might. It's pretty hard not to conclude this administration is deliberately trying to crash the present economy. An 8 year old running a Kool-Aid stand would have more economic sense than these people.

 

[GON]

While I don't plan to buy one, I appreciate the opportunity to have a choice of ICE, EV or hybrid technology in my next vehicle.

Like you, I appreciate the opportunity to buy the vehicle that best matches my wants/needs. Not sure how well we will have that choice in the not so distant future.

Less and less is the free market able to decide what vehicles are being offered. And it appears owners of vehicles being sold in the very near future may not have the ability to unilateraly decide when and where the vehicle they own may be driven/used.

 

[ctechbob]

No, you just want to name call, and in the process absolve the manufacturer from putting out certifiable B.S. as to range. The fact is many, (if not most) people who buy these things are first time buyers. (Especially EV trucks). All they have to go by are the numbers provided to them. Because they haven't been out that long.

They have no way of knowing if they are correct. That is not the case with ICE vehicles. Not to mention the fact range and MPG figures for ICE vehicles are regulated. They can't advertise blatantly false range and mileage figures like they can with EV's.

And even if they did people would be wise to it. If the window sticker on a 6.4 L Ram pickup said 52 MPG highway, would you believe it? Again this is not the case with EV's of any type.... But if a EV Ford Lightning say's I can tow 250 miles at max towing weight, that does not sound unreasonable.... But it's a total LIE.

And you're "solution" is to say the guy should go to Youtube for his information. That's nonsense. And for people who so love the government getting mixed up in the EV market, where are they on all of these false and inflated range claims? Nothing but crickets.

LOL, give me a break. Ford never claimed a towing range on the Lightning near that high.

No manufacturer that I've EVER seen lists ANY kind of mileage rating for towing.....not one.

Should I be mad at them that my Ranger only gets 10mpg towing my travel trailer? Ohh the humanity. No, because I'm a grown adult that knows that towing anything drops your mileage. I get right where they say I should unloaded.

You're all bent out of shape because a vehicle can't get the same mileage towing as it does not. What color is the sky you live in?

It doesn't matter. Physics doesn't care whether you burn gas or electrons, you can't fight it.

 

[DuckRyder]

anyone who can feed him/herself and is allowed out of the facility should be able to figure out the reality if EV road tripping. You could spend hours if not days watching Lightning range test on the Tube of You.

Let me guess he had 4 people in it and a 1000lbs of luggage.... and was running a steady 80-85...

Around here at least was mart has well maintained charging points...

 

[Astro14]

This has turned into a back and forth between two members, beating the same points over and over.

We can take a break if you two would like. I dislike bickering.

 

[billt460]

I won't get into politics here, but the whole article and clickbait title reeks of a hit-piece to promote an anti-EV agenda. While I don't plan to buy one, I appreciate the opportunity to have a choice of ICE, EV or hybrid technology in my next vehicle.

You don't have to get political. I don't see any "agenda" being pushed here, political or otherwise. This guy, regardless of what you think of him, has voiced his opinion of the problems he's faced with owning one of these things. And he's frustrated by all of it.

He is facing the reality of EV ownership. He found out the hard way he doesn't like it. Perhaps he listened to all the wrong people. You know, the ones who are everywhere on forums like this saying ICE is going to disappear, and EV's are coming, like it or not. So get your butt on board, or get left behind.

And now he is hit with the truthful reality of it all. And now realizes he shouldn't have bought the thing in the first place. Albeit too late. The only question that now remains to be answered, is how big of a bath will he take trying to dump it for something he can actually use?

 

[jeepman3071]

EV aside, paying over 100 grand for that is ridiculous.

I think there are several issues here, a big one being the misunderstanding of the owner, but also the narrative being pushed that EVs will just be the end all solution to everything. I think they are a great idea for many use-cases, but not for everyone like the powers that be and corporations would like us to think. It's glaringly obvious this article has an agenda, but it does bring up some good points. I work closely with some environmental technology scientists and some electrical engineers, and it is interesting to me how different their views are on EVs. The environmental scientists who are all-in on EVs think that they are a better solution, and you just "plug-in anywhere to charge it and it's SO much cheaper than gas" which we all know is the tip of the iceberg. The electrical engineers have a more logical evidence based approach, and when these two groups clash it becomes clear one side is acting more on emotion.

My bet is that in the future EVs will evolve and become a larger percentage of vehicles owned than they are today, but anyone who thinks they will be an adequate replacement for ICE is ignoring reality (including our elected officials), and has never explored the many places in the continental US where range anxiety is still a factor even with ICE.

 

[thastinger]

Try this one.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a36481590/ford-f150-lightning-range-towing/

"Applying these results to the F-150 means that towing a modest trailer would put the highway range at roughly 100 to 125 miles, depending on the pack. Towing anywhere near the 10,000-pound maximum rating on XLT and Lariat models (with the maximum trailer tow package and extended-range battery) at highway speeds, we believe you'd be hard pressed to exceed double-digit miles. We'd take that bet, in fact".

Certainly not defending anyone who would do that, but when I tow 8K with my gas F150 4x4, I'm looking for gas at the 150 mile mark at interstate speeds. I only have the 24gal tank.

 

[billt460]

Certainly not defending anyone who would do that, but when I tow 8K with my gas F150 4x4, I'm looking for gas at the 150 mile mark at interstate speeds. I only have the 24gal tank.

I have maxed out my ICE F-150 a few times towing. And I have emptied 2 tank fulls, (around 36 gallons total), in under 350 miles. That translates into a bit less than 10 MPG.

But the difference is even living in the sparsly populated desert Southwest, I'll pass by dozens of gas stations while the gauge keeps dropping. And it takes around 10 minutes or less to top off both tanks, and be underway again.

 

[vwmaniaman]

The only logical use for these limited vehicles is the local delivery rental truck at the Home Depot or Menards that you rent for a local delivery. The technology and support system is just not there for this push to non carbon transportation.

 

[thastinger]

I have maxed out my ICE F-150 a few times towing. And I have emptied 2 tank fulls, (around 36 gallons total), in under 350 miles. That translates into a bit less than 10 MPG.

But the difference is even living in the sparsly populated desert Southwest, I'll pass by dozens of gas stations while the gauge keeps dropping. And it takes around 10 minutes or less to top off both tanks, and be underway again.

I understand...I'm not OUT of gas at 150 but somebody of the 4 will need to pee by then anyways.

 

[billt460]

I understand...I'm not OUT of gas at 150 but somebody of the 4 will need to pee by then anyways.

That is true. And it opens up yet another marketing possibility for EV's. Travel with the wife, kid, and your dog, and the range isn't going to matter anyway!

 

[Skippy722]

Cool. Buyer failed to understand the assignment.

Exactly. This would be like me buying a C8 Corvette and then being mad that it can’t fit my 4 children and the double stroller for the younger 2… or get out of my driveway without scraping. I guess that goes full circle to being unable to pullout but I digress

 

[macarose]

Let me fix the OP remarks...

This article identified many things that have been discussed on this forum between what is being stated, and reality- when it comes to using one electric vehicle on road trips.

A sample size of one, with that one being someone who didn't even use a vehicle correctly, is a pointless exercise.

Let us know when you finally hammer that nail down with your screwdriver.