[jmft08]

So I had my heart set on a Lariat ER and after a long wait can now place an order, but am getting cold feet because of the cost. I found a used 2022 Lariat SR for a good price and am thinking about pulling the trigger but a bit worried about range. Most of my driving is local (~80%) but I do take a trip from Indianapolis to South Bend about 6 times a year (~130 miles each way) and charging infrastructure isn't great on US31 yet...So my question to the collective wisdom of the cloud is if I should go for the SR now or wait and see if prices come down next year with the Silverado, Cyber Truck, and now RAM coming to the market...

I've never owned an EV before and have the typical newbie range anxiety when it comes to longer trips. I will charge overnight likely on a 40 amp charger so my rationale side says go for it and if you need to take a road trip before the charging infrastructure improves just rent something, but my part of me is still a bit nervous about pulling the trigger especially with all the chat here about range issues in the cold, towing, etc. with the SR.

 

[Voltz]

Personally, I could easily live with the use case you outlined and an SR battery. Others will tell you to avoid an SR like the plague. To me, the problem with SRs is not the battery, it's the availability of chargers. Will this be your only vehicle?

Realistically, you'd need to achieve 1.5 mi/kWh to make the trip with a bit of a buffer, then a full ~10 hour 40A Level 2 charge before returning home. That should be achievable in all but the worst (coldest, windiest, snow covered roads) weather. (1.33 mi/kWh is the theoretical lowest)

The other factor is that a used truck will have the tax credit used up, too. No used vehicle tax credit for 2022s yet. So, in order to make the SR compromise, I'd want to buy it at a discount. SRs will be perceived as less desirable, so make sure you get a fair price. Also, be familiar with the de-contenting that has gone on and know what features, if any, the truck is missing.

 

[jmft08]

Personally, I could easily live with the use case you outlined and an SR battery. Others will tell you to avoid an SR like the plague. To me, the problem with SRs is not the battery, it's the availability of chargers. Will this be your only vehicle?

Realistically, you'd need to achieve 1.5 mi/kWh to make the trip with a bit of a buffer, then a full ~10 hour 40A Level 2 charge before returning home. That should be achievable in all but the worst (coldest, windiest, snow covered roads) weather. (1.33 mi/kWh is the theoretical lowest)

The other factor is that a used truck will have the tax credit used up, too. No used vehicle tax credit for 2022s yet. So, in order to make the SR compromise, I'd want to buy it at a discount. SRs will be perceived as less desirable, so make sure you get a fair price. Also, be familiar with the de-contenting that has gone on and know what features, if any, the truck is missing.

Thanks for your thoughts. Standard 510A package with co-pilot active added, were there features that were deleted on the 2022s, I thought that was just a 2023 issue? offered about 1500 under MSRP w/ 2K miles...seems like a good deal.

 

[THEsocalledfan]

Personally, I could easily live with the use case you outlined and an SR battery. Others will tell you to avoid an SR like the plague. To me, the problem with SRs is not the battery, it's the availability of chargers. Will this be your only vehicle?

Realistically, you'd need to achieve 1.5 mi/kWh to make the trip with a bit of a buffer, then a full ~10 hour 40A Level 2 charge before returning home. That should be achievable in all but the worst (coldest, windiest, snow covered roads) weather. (1.33 mi/kWh is the theoretical lowest)

The other factor is that a used truck will have the tax credit used up, too. No used vehicle tax credit for 2022s yet. So, in order to make the SR compromise, I'd want to buy it at a discount. SRs will be perceived as less desirable, so make sure you get a fair price. Also, be familiar with the de-contenting that has gone on and know what features, if any, the truck is missing.

You are clearly very knowledgeable, but I got 1.1 during my cold winter trip to MSP and I was not hammering it at all. 70 mph for one stretch, and 65 mph for the other. Granted, its a ER so maybe a little heavier. See my trip report.

 

[Voltz]

were there features that were deleted on the 2022s, I thought that was just a 2023 issue?

Is it a dealer's mannequin/demo that was never titled? You may be able to find the original sticker if you have the VIN number. They disappear from the system after a few months, though.

@THEsocalledfan I should have clarified. The theoretical minimum of 1.33 mi/kWh is what @jmft08 would have to achieve to get 130 miles out of a 98 kWh SR battery. If he ain't getting it, it's time to turn around. That's what I meant, just the math of getting there with no charger in between. 1.5 mi'kWh gives about a 17 mile buffer. I've managed to maintain 2.2 mi/kWh average while I've had it. I don't live in a hard winter area, but that includes plenty of below freezing driving.

 

[THEsocalledfan]

Is it a dealer's mannequin/demo that was never titled? You may be able to find the original sticker if you have the VIN number. They disappear from the system after a few months, though.

@THEsocalledfan I should have clarified. The theoretical minimum of 1.33 mi/kWh is what @jmft08 would have to achieve to get 130 miles out of a 98 kWh SR battery. If he ain't getting it, it's time to turn around. That's what I meant, just the math of getting there with no charger in between.

Thanks for clarifying. So, it will depend on time of the year. Indiana is not as cold as us, but they do get some bad weather. I'd do ER, but that is just me.

 

[design this]

Don’t succumb to the predominant views of some the serial posters here trashing SR’s. Remember that we are all here for the right reasons. We want to be at the forefront of the transition to a greener mode of transportation so that we can get beyond the internal combustion engine which is steadily destroying the planet. I’ll offer a quote below and a link to an article:
“It’s easy to understand the mindset. The idea of a 400-, 500-, or 600-mile range in an electric vehicle appeals to the same side of the American car-buying psyche that needs four-wheel drive for one day a year, or a high towing rating for pulling a fantasy boat to the dock...someday.”

Analysis: Range is a red herring and we don't need a 500-mile EV

The U.S. market is taking a different trajectory on electric-vehicle battery size. Is it the American consumer mindset, or something more?

www.greencarreports.com

Buy the EV that you can afford because very soon the infrastructure will be there. I remember the days of having a cell phone with lousy service because of the lack of cell towers. The same can be said of charging stations. But for the vast majority of us, we will be charging at home. And the only reason to be at a gas station will be to buy beer. Happy Valentines Day!

 

[THEsocalledfan]

Don’t succumb to the predominant views of some the serial posters here trashing SR’s. Remember that we are all here for the right reasons. We want to be at the forefront of the transition to a greener mode of transportation so that we can get beyond the internal combustion engine which is steadily destroying the planet. I’ll offer a quote below and a link to an article:
“It’s easy to understand the mindset. The idea of a 400-, 500-, or 600-mile range in an electric vehicle appeals to the same side of the American car-buying psyche that needs four-wheel drive for one day a year, or a high towing rating for pulling a fantasy boat to the dock...someday.”

Analysis: Range is a red herring and we don't need a 500-mile EV

The U.S. market is taking a different trajectory on electric-vehicle battery size. Is it the American consumer mindset, or something more?

www.greencarreports.com

Buy the EV that you can afford because very soon the infrastructure will be there. I remember the days of having a cell phone with lousy service because of the lack of cell towers. The same can be said of charging stations. But for the vast majority of us, we will be charging at home. And the only reason to be at a gas station will be to buy beer. Happy Valentines Day!

So, I respond pointing out in brutally cold weather an SR may not work well for him due to not having the charging infrastructure he needs, and I'm trashing SRs? I've been pretty clear that if you are mainly doing local driving or have a business with local driving, SR is a great option. He gets a charger in between, hey go for it.

 

[design this]

So, I respond pointing out in brutally cold weather an SR may not work well for him due to not having the charging infrastructure he needs, and I'm trashing SRs? I've been pretty clear that if you are mainly doing local driving or have a business with local driving, SR is a great option. He gets a charger in between, hey go for it.

I hadn’t even seen your comment so please don’t take offense. A simple scan of posts on this forum have a bias towards trashing the SR. Obviously there are people who feel like they need the ER and great for Ford for providing it. But the vast majority of people who are looking into purchasing an EV don’t need the ER. I think some posters are doing a disservice to the community by undermining the confidence of people who should not be worrying about range.

 

[KElkhorn]

I think it comes down to whether this is going to be your only vehicle or not. If you will have another vehicle that you can drive to South Bend, especially in cold weather, I wouldn't hesitate to get the SR.
If you don't, and you have concerns about charging infrastructure in your area, I'd question whether you should be making the move to EV now, might be a bit better off in a year or two once some of the NEVI money starts to get spent. ER would solve the issue for this specific trip, but not if you ever went anywhere else.

Another thought, that 10-15K plus 7500 tax credit would go a long ways towards renting a car to drive to South Bend 6 times a year until they do get fast chargers in place.

 

[KElkhorn]

Also, if you want to wait for competition, you are probably more like 2 years out instead of next year, but competition would certainly give you more options/potentially better pricing.

 

[fhteagle]

My opinion is the Lightning is too expensive to not get exactly what you want.

The longer you wait, the more supply will come up from Ford and especially others, unmet demand will go down, and theoretically prices as well.

I would regret spending that much on the wrong thing far more than waiting.

 

[ekaddo]

My opinion is the Lightning is too expensive to not get exactly what you want.

The longer you wait, the more supply will come up from Ford and especially others, unmet demand will go down, and theoretically prices as well.

I would regret spending that much on the wrong thing far more than waiting.

Good point. I was a day1 reservation holder, that ordered the XLT SR due to the price and wanting to insure my first EV would fit our needs (currently work remote/at home, 80 year old mom 110 miles away). Got bumped from '22 to '23 by Ford, ordered 9/2022, truck delivered 12/2022. Love the '23 XLT SR, truck. No problem with charging at electrify America. installed Autel home 40A charger, works great. But my previous two ICE trucks were Lariat PowerBoost and Lariat Coyote. Found a '22 dealer demo Lariat with EB at MSRP and only 500 miles. Sold the XLT and really like the extended range and having a moon roof again (along with scales, heated steering wheel, sliding rear window, etc). The biggest difference now, is because of the big battery the 40A charger seems inadequate when doing a recharge from like 30% or lower. Just received the 80 A, Ford Charge Station pro, so need to get the electrician out for the 100A circuit. SR will work for in town travel and moderate road trips in my experience. But as @fhteagle mentioned, too expensive to not get what you want.

 

[tobyd]

If you're able to charge at the end of your 130 mile journey then an SR will be fine, unless you're doing 90 and it's -10°. Or, as another poster suggested, rent a car for that trip alone on the savings you get from the $10k battery difference.

 

[R.I.P.]

Good point. I was a day1 reservation holder, that ordered the XLT SR due to the price and wanting to insure my first EV would fit our needs (currently work remote/at home, 80 year old mom 110 miles away). Got bumped from '22 to '23 by Ford, ordered 9/2022, truck delivered 12/2022. Love the '23 XLT SR, truck. No problem with charging at electrify America. installed Autel home 40A charger, works great. But my previous two ICE trucks were Lariat PowerBoost and Lariat Coyote. Found a '22 dealer demo Lariat with EB at MSRP and only 500 miles. Sold the XLT and really like the extended range and having a moon roof again (along with scales, heated steering wheel, sliding rear window, etc). The biggest difference now, is because of the big battery the 40A charger seems inadequate when doing a recharge from like 30% or lower. Just received the 80 A, Ford Charge Station pro, so need to get the electrician out for the 100A circuit. SR will work for in town travel and moderate road trips in my experience. But as @fhteagle mentioned, too expensive to not get what you want.

View attachment 6265

Um, you know that the SR cannot charge at 80 amps, right? It is only capable of 48 amps maximum, so that is only going to be a small bump over what you currently have.

Because this thread is yet another SR versus ER thread, it should be noted that the SR charges significantly slower on both level 2 and level 3 chargers than the ER does. If faster turnarounds are needed, that should probably be taken into account.

 

[ekaddo]

Um, you know that the SR cannot charge at 80 amps, right? It is only capable of 48 amps maximum, so that is only going to be a small bump over what you currently have.

Because this thread is yet another SR versus ER thread, it should be noted that the SR charges significantly slower on both level 2 and level 3 chargers than the ER does. If faster turnarounds are needed, that should probably be taken into account.

My autel charger is 40 A, so big difference when i go to 80 A with CSP, with the new ER truck.

 

[R.I.P.]

My autel charger is 40 A, so big difference when i go to 80 A with CSP, with the new ER truck.

View attachment 6266

Oh yes, not sure how I missed that you were going to the ER truck. You are 100% right, going to the ER with the 80 amps is going to be a huge bump, and you will also get a great bump in level 3 speeds.

 

[WWISE]

Don’t succumb to the predominant views of some the serial posters here trashing SR’s. Remember that we are all here for the right reasons. We want to be at the forefront of the transition to a greener mode of transportation so that we can get beyond the internal combustion engine which is steadily destroying the planet. I’ll offer a quote below and a link to an article:
“It’s easy to understand the mindset. The idea of a 400-, 500-, or 600-mile range in an electric vehicle appeals to the same side of the American car-buying psyche that needs four-wheel drive for one day a year, or a high towing rating for pulling a fantasy boat to the dock...someday.”

Analysis: Range is a red herring and we don't need a 500-mile EV

The U.S. market is taking a different trajectory on electric-vehicle battery size. Is it the American consumer mindset, or something more?

www.greencarreports.com

Buy the EV that you can afford because very soon the infrastructure will be there. I remember the days of having a cell phone with lousy service because of the lack of cell towers. The same can be said of charging stations. But for the vast majority of us, we will be charging at home. And the only reason to be at a gas station will be to buy beer. Happy Valentines Day!

Sorry but you do not speak for me or other Lightning owners I would guess. We are not all here for your BS reasons. The Internal Combustion Engine is not destroying the planet. I love my Lightning Lariat because it is a well built, incredibly fast, great handling, smooth and quiet truck. And I can charge it at home for pennies on the dollar. I also love the 2024 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 ICE vehicle. It looks great, will sound great, and will haul ass. And I will not mind one bit filling it up with premium gas at Chevron. Ford is smarter than you or GM or Stellantis. They get it. Give people a choice. Don't cram an EV down your throat if you are not ready and if the infrastructure is not ready. I am sick of hearing about the "Greener mode of transportation" and everything else Green. Buy an EV if you like it. Buy an ICE vehicle if you like it. Freedom of choice. Enjoy life!!!

 

[atguru]

I just received my‘ 23 Pro SR about a month ago after waiting 14 months. I reserved my Lightning back where it was MSRP $39k. To an additional 20k + or more didn’t appeal to me. I wanted a truck - I didn’t need a truck… I wanted to go with the Lightning at lowest possible price and still enjoy features and functional of this revolutionary EV vehicle! With all that said, I had no clue what differences were between the SR and ER! I’ve never owned an EV before, and didn’t understand the impact or did or the disadvantages. I just knew it wanted something finally get me off of the gas pump!

So far I really enjoyed this vehicle. I picked it up in Texas and drove it to California -1700 miles! Had to stop about 12 times or so to charge, but can’t say I have any complaints.

I am eligible to federal and state incentives - also here in California, you receive a clean air vehicle sticker, which means you could drive in the HOV lane! I primarily work from home, but I want to take a trip, this area has a good DC fast charger infrastructure —there are a lot of chargers in the area.

Pro SR gets my vote!

 

[Txxthie]

To me, the problem with SRs is not the battery, it's the availability of chargers. Will this be your only vehicle?

This is really the problem! Tesla opening up their network of chargers would squash these SR vs ER range debates. The IRA will address the lack of availability of chargers.

The other factor is that a used truck will have the tax credit used up, too.

Not everyone will qualify for the tax credit going forward due to IRA income caps, so that could affect future used vehicle pricing. Most buyers of these trucks are high income earners.

My vote is for SR, it’s a Gen 1 EV vehicle and technology is changing quickly. Buy what you can afford and plan on upgrading sooner.

New chargers are coming! “Coming Soon” EA installation in CT.