Greetings. New Lariat SR owner. Love the truck, but am having questions about range/charge, etc. I charge at home with the included 240V charger to 90-95% each night. The range estimates after charging average between 155-190 mi. When I drive, it is usually highway, avg. 65MPH on cruise control, and the trip info equals 1.7-1.9-ish mi/kWh. So, where does the 220-230 miles range estimate come from, and how does one get there. It is an outstanding vehicle, but if I am gonna be limited to 150 miles of driving/day, it's gonna be hard to keep. Curious if it is the weather (New England avg. temps are approx. 30 degrees right now), or something else. I don't crank the cabin climate stuff, and don't drive like an idiot. Any insight would be appreciated.
Lariat SR Range issues
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2021 Mustang Mach E First Edition, 2016 Nissan Leaf, 2003 Toyota Tacoma, F-150 Lightning Lariat ER
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In citing a 220-230 mile range estimate, are referring to the Ford range rating of 230 miles for the Lightning? That is based on the EPA mixed cycle driving (combined city and highway) during temperate conditions. That's also where Ford gets the 68 MPGe combined on your window sticker. You are doing two things that reduce the observed range:
- You are driving mostly on the highway (61 MPGe) rather than city (76 MPGe). Aerodynamic drag reduces your efficiency and range at higher speeds.
- You are in New England where it is cold. Expect 20-40% range loss during cold weather (there are multiple threads here on that topic)
Don't trust the GOM! Best ways to calculate how far...
In EV forums there are always lots of new threads popping up from first time BEV drivers who are all worried or worked up because their Guess-O-Meter (GOM) is showing much less range than they think it should. This will especially happen in colder weather when the range drops. For new EV owners...
www.lightningowners.com
We get several new threads started on this every week. Congratulations: you are the first for this week!
The range estimate that truck gives is not great but not as terrible as some make it seem. For 30 degree driving 155-190 is not too far from normal. Are you garaged and do you leave the truck plugged in even if a charge isn't required? I never precondition but I do garage and plug in, my 95% charge range still shows 213-216 consistently with 30-40 degree temps. 64 degree heat and heated seats on 2 or 1 and I'm fine.
2021 Mustang Mach E First Edition, 2016 Nissan Leaf, 2003 Toyota Tacoma, F-150 Lightning Lariat ER
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You're at the warm end of the "cold" spectrum. Read the threads about cold weather range loss and you'll find owners in places like Manitoba and Alaska!
Not garaged, and it is plugged in overnight until I leave in the am. I certainly still have a lot to learn. Since I am already asking repeat newbie questions, might as well throw this one out there: Does tonneau cover help with aerodynamics, and improve mileage?
I think MythBusters did an episode on it. But I don't know that answer
2021 Mustang Mach E First Edition, 2016 Nissan Leaf, 2003 Toyota Tacoma, F-150 Lightning Lariat ER
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Not significantly.
If you need a tonneau, get one. It won't hurt mileage. Definitely don't buy it for the mileage boost as you'll never make your money back.
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Welcome!
What's your use case for that 150 miles a day? Rural? Urban? Is that every day? Do you have time and access to a DC Fast Charger?
The answer to your original question is that to match the EPA Highway range rating of 201.6 miles, you need to be looking at about 2.1 miles/kWh. Combined driving 230 miles of range needs to see about 2.3 mi/kWh. To me, those are the numbers to pay attention to.
I don't stress over the Range Estimator unless I need to go farther than the range indicated. Then, it's pretty simple math on what mi/kWh numbers I need to observe for the trip, then charge more or conserve more while driving. I'll pick the charging every time. If you have everyday needs that require more than 150 miles (1.5 mi/kWh using all of the SR battery) and can't fast charge, this probably isn't the vehicle for your needs.
I am experiencing similar mileage numbers to you in a similar climate… The good news is that in warmer temperatures, you’ll get much better performance. But I had to adjust my expectations for the cold weather numbers. Remain mystified as to why Ford didn’t choose to include a heat pump in these units, would’ve made a big difference for cold-weather drivers in modestly cold temperatures especially. Big miss. Will be interested in seeing what Chevy does with their new EVs.
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I have a Lariat SR. Showing 166 miles at 72% so 230 miles at 100%. Been 30-50 degrees here. My truck is relatively new (~400 miles) and I think the range estimate has been moving up as the truck figures out my driving habits. Im trying to get this number up around 300, which should be possible as many of my trips have shown over 3 miles /kWh. I avoid highways if possible and dont use climate control, just heated seats, steering wheel is all. Garaged but only plug in at the office for the free juice.
Trying to get the guess-o-meter to give you 300 miles of range on a 240 battery? Sounds insane, but 3 mi/kWh is impressive. Please come back here if you achieve it -- I need all the secrets.
I got Tired of waiting for my F150 Lighting so got Tesla Model Y 2 months back there is drop in range even in Tesla like today when the outside temp was 25 the range stating at my house was 178 Miles office is 5.5 miles away from house the car is outside the garage. I was in a rush so did drive faster then normal say 2.5 miles on highway and rest back roads the range show left on the car was 163 so drop of 15 miles close to 1/3 so Ford Truck is not the only EV that will see this.
Coming Saturday have to make 578 miles round trip in PA so will see how the range holds , only good thing is there are Tesla EV super charges on the turnpike rest areas.
Coming Saturday have to make 578 miles round trip in PA so will see how the range holds , only good thing is there are Tesla EV super charges on the turnpike rest areas.
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I have a Lariat with SR battery. I typically keep it charged up using 110V at home (nope I don't have a Level 2 charger installed yet). My 100% charge level range is now 170 miles. Considering the EPA range is 230 miles that means I have a 26% range loss of about 60 miles. I'm based out of Long Island; New York and the current low temperature today was 26 degrees Fahrenheit. My odometer only has 3,800 miles.
2021 Mustang Mach E First Edition, 2016 Nissan Leaf, 2003 Toyota Tacoma, F-150 Lightning Lariat ER
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Do you actually have a 170 mile range or is that just the reading on the Guess-o-Meter?
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LOL ... I guess that's the Guess-o-Meter range. At this point I always go with the lower range figure, every time I drive one mile, the range drops by 2 or 3 miles so I'd be a bit nervous to drive any significant distance.
These numbers are right in line with what one would expect. The SR is not what most would consider enough to make for a good road-tripping vehicle, but should be enough for most people's 'around town' needs. Many, including me, expect the SR to go the way of the P60. Time will tell.
If you are using heated seats and steering wheel your electric heater is running and therefor you are using climate power. Also, 300 miles is not possible on a standard range. If you are getting that then they must have accidentally given you the extended range battery.
You can have your seats and steering wheel heaters on but not have the cabin heater on. That’s what he is talking about. While 300 miles would be very difficult to accomplish it may not be impossible if all conditions were ideal. You need to average 3.1 mile/kWh. Remember 240 miles is epa average. there is always higher and lower numbers when it comes to an average, that’s how an average works.
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