Tesla, no doubt, revolutionized the potential for EVs. The roadster came out in 2008 and the Model S came out in 2012. The Model S made it seem like EVs were no longer a pipe dream. Then the Model 3 came out and made a higher end EVs affordable for the average person...based on the average sale price of a new vehicle.
This month, arguably the most important Electric Vehicle was announced. The Ford F-150. The reason why I think this is more important than a Tesla is because the F-150 is the number 1 selling vehicle in the US...I'll repeat that and emphasize. The F-150 is the #1 selling VEHICLE in the US, not just #1 selling truck, #1 selling vehicle. It's also the second most popular vehicle in the world. So, having the most popular vehicle in the US come out as an electric vehicle is extremely important for EVs. Not only that but they seemed to have knocked it out of the park.
One thing to note is the max range for the extending battery is being marketed as 300 miles. This is calculated with 1000 pounds of cargo. The truck bed has scales and uses the weight in the bed to calculate range. It's been reported with no load and an 80% battery, the truck estimates around 360 miles of range. This would mean with a full charge, you should get at least 400 miles of range.
Now to my point of this article. First, I'd like to point out, I'm not saying max range for an EV isn't important but it's importance is grossly overstated. The entire reason I thought of this was due to people complaining about the 300 mile range of the F-150 Lightning. It's a valid complaint but let's be honest, how often do you really drive more than 300 miles at a time...or even 100 miles at a time?
Most people probably drive 300-400 times per year. I would guess that most people only 1-2 trips of more than the average max range of EVs on the market today. So, if you choose not to buy an EV because of the max range, your basing your purchase based on 1% of your driving. If that's the case, you might as well buy an EV and rent a ICE for your vacation. It shouldn't make a difference since you didn't want to drive an EV for that trip in the first place.
The benefits of an EV should be worth the extra 1-3 hours per year of sitting at a charging station. In addition, you get extra storage space with the frunk. This should be a no brainer if you're buying a truck, no more tool box in the back and a secure place to store things if you don't use a truck for work. Plus, you can charge at home and you'll never need to visit a gas station again...at least to sit there and pump gas.
Fight Me.
*The obvious caveat being if you take a long road trip each month or your job requires you to use your personal vehicle to drive more than the max range each day...but that's a lot of driving, maybe you should find a different job.
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