Topic: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Review and Video

[AutoTrader.ca]

The all-electric F-150 might well be the most important vehicle of our generation.
Read more...

[rrocket]

Practicality 10/10??   

[Guy]

Where it goes its own way is under the hood, where there’s nothing at all – except all that nothingness amounts to a 400-L cargo hold that’s perfect for stashing tools or grocery bags without taking up valuable occupant space. There’s also a built-in 9.6-kW inverter that turns this truck into a mobile generator, with outlets both under the hood and in the bed (plus a couple more in the cabin).

Sound pretty practical to me..

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Where it goes its own way is under the hood, where there’s nothing at all – except all that nothingness amounts to a 400-L cargo hold that’s perfect for stashing tools or grocery bags without taking up valuable occupant space. There’s also a built-in 9.6-kW inverter that turns this truck into a mobile generator, with outlets both under the hood and in the bed (plus a couple more in the cabin).

Sound pretty practical to me..

Yeah, but it can't tow, which is kinda the whole reason for getting a truck...

[tortoise]

No it isn't.

The main reason to get a truck is to carry in the bed.

[JohnnyMac]

I thought the main reason was to look cool while driving alone, bed empty, and nothing towing behind.  That's like 90% of the trucks I see everyday.

The thinking that a pickup truck is bought mainly for utility is false.  It's more of a fashion statement with the occasional utility used, maybe a dozen time per year at most. 

[quadzilla]

I thought the main reason was to look cool while driving alone, bed empty, and nothing towing behind.  That's like 90% of the trucks I see everyday.

I know you are being funny but this is literally 90% of all vehicles on the road today.

[bridgecity]

A truck review with no mention of payload or towing capacity, unless I missed something.  I guess that's the direction we are heading. 

[valuator]

I thought the main reason was to look cool while driving alone, bed empty, and nothing towing behind.  That's like 90% of the trucks I see everyday.

The thinking that a pickup truck is bought mainly for utility is false.  It's more of a fashion statement with the occasional utility used, maybe a dozen time per year at most.

That seems to bother you?  Nobody uses their vehicles to their capacity, be it speed/acceleration, cargo/storage, people moving, etc.  These days full size trucks are as fuel efficient as SUV/CUV/minivan.  Not sure who it is harming if a guy simply likes the way a truck drives, no different than some folks like a 718.

[tortoise]

These days full size trucks are as fuel efficient as SUV/CUV/minivan. 

On the highway maybe.  Around town, massive difference.

We've already hashed out the arguements for and against the Lightning in all of the other Lightning threads.  It's a compromised product for sure, but it's also an awesome one for people in the niche it suits best.  Which is fine since it's a niche product.  It doesn't need to everything to all people. 

[JohnnyMac]

I thought the main reason was to look cool while driving alone, bed empty, and nothing towing behind.  That's like 90% of the trucks I see everyday.

I know you are being funny but this is literally 90% of all vehicles on the road today.

Totally true.  I would estimate that 95% of the kms I have put on my Civic has been solo, with nothing in the trunk.

[JohnnyMac]

I thought the main reason was to look cool while driving alone, bed empty, and nothing towing behind.  That's like 90% of the trucks I see everyday.

The thinking that a pickup truck is bought mainly for utility is false.  It's more of a fashion statement with the occasional utility used, maybe a dozen time per year at most.

That seems to bother you?  Nobody uses their vehicles to their capacity, be it speed/acceleration, cargo/storage, people moving, etc.  These days full size trucks are as fuel efficient as SUV/CUV/minivan.  Not sure who it is harming if a guy simply likes the way a truck drives, no different than some folks like a 718.

Sorry if it came off like it bothered me.  I don't really care what anyone drives, what I care about is when people think that trucks main selling feature is towing.  Yes some full size trucks can be as fuel efficient as SUV/CUV/minivans, but for the most part that would be the most efficient pickup and the least efficient SUV/CUV/minivan. 

I think it's fantastic that some people love pickups just for the style, ride, and perceived capability.  I love people who love their vehicles, doesn't matter what it is.  Doesn't have to align with my own preferences. 

The Lightning, like every EV, is not great at towing over any distance.  Not that it can't tow a great deal of wait, it just harms the range hugely.  People who tow over 100kms should not buy the Lightning, but you'd likely be taking what at most 1/4 of pickup truck drivers out of that group of buyers.  You'd probably gain at least 1/4 back in those that wouldn't buy a pickup due to the fuel economy and perceived environmental impact of a pickup.  Like all vehicles, it's flawed, but I do think it makes up for it in a lot of other areas.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

I was just saying it shouldn't have 10/10 practicality because of the towing thing.  8/10, perhaps, because it does everything but tow. 

[JohnnyMac]

I was just saying it shouldn't have 10/10 practicality because of the towing thing.  8/10, perhaps, because it does everything but tow.

How about we split the difference and give it a 9/10.  The thinking being that is is capable of towing, but only over a short distance (like 150kms), but that this utility is one that is less desirable than payload, front boot, interior volume, etc.

[rrocket]

I was saying the practicality should be lower because you practically need to own a home to own this vehicle.....

It's like saying a Ferrari is practical in the winter (as long as you have another car to drive).

[revalations]

These days full size trucks are as fuel efficient as SUV/CUV/minivan. 

On the highway maybe.  Around town, massive difference.

We've already hashed out the arguements for and against the Lightning in all of the other Lightning threads.  It's a compromised product for sure, but it's also an awesome one for people in the niche it suits best.  Which is fine since it's a niche product.  It doesn't need to everything to all people.

The problem with the EV crowd is that if it works for them, they go on with their blinders on thinking their "perfect" product will undoubtedly work just as good for everyone else. I've even read someone who thinks the Lightning is a no compromise vehicle. This is a truck that is limited in doing very important truck things. We're a long ways off before EV trucks can come close to ICE in every area of capability.

[Layne]

Where it goes its own way is under the hood, where there’s nothing at all – except all that nothingness amounts to a 400-L cargo hold that’s perfect for stashing tools or grocery bags without taking up valuable occupant space. There’s also a built-in 9.6-kW inverter that turns this truck into a mobile generator, with outlets both under the hood and in the bed (plus a couple more in the cabin).

Sound pretty practical to me..

Practical for a full size truck usually means a high towing capacity.  You know.  Utility.

[Layne]

No it isn't.

The main reason to get a truck is to carry in the bed.

Not west of Manitoba.

[dkaz]

I've egged a buddy of mine for buying a truck 10 years ago and not using it for truck things. He only finally got a side by side last year. Most people don't tow with their trucks.

There was a good point that perhaps trailers can start shouldering the load with additional battery capacity for towing. Putting another 1,000 lb of batteries on a vehicle is no bueno for payload. Putting another 1,000 lb of battery on the trailer is not the end of the world. Then one could unhook the trailer, charge that, and then charge the tow vehicle at the same time. Most trucks tend to be limited by payload, not towing capacity.

One thing to think about is that even at 90 kWh/100km charging at a Petro Canada level 3 charger at 35 cents per minute, that's about $12.60 per 100km to tow. I spent $45 per 100km when gas was $1.75 per litre. $200 to Jasper in an ICE truck in a trip for a total travel time of 5-6 hours each way (I did 95 km/h to save gas plus rest/gas breaks) vs. $50 to Jasper in an EV truck for a total travel time of 6-7 hours with rest/charging breaks.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

One thing to think about is that even at 90 kWh/100km charging at a Petro Canada level 3 charger at 35 cents per minute, that's about $12.60 per 100km to tow. I spent $45 per 100km when gas was $1.75 per litre. $200 to Jasper in an ICE truck in a trip for a total travel time of 5-6 hours each way (I did 95 km/h to save gas plus rest/gas breaks) vs. $50 to Jasper in an EV truck for a total travel time of 6-7 hours with rest/charging breaks.

I'm assuming that was towing your travel trailer?  It's all well and good to say the EV truck would be cheaper to run the same trip, but the fact is that when pulling a travel trailer, the Lightning will not make it to Jasper.