Loaded with cargo, the Ford EV truck travels nearly 25% fewer miles.

The Ford F-150 Lightning: Performance with a Heavy Load

The Ford F-150 Lightning, an impressive electric truck, recently faced a challenging test. AAA decided to put its capabilities to the test by loading the bed with 1,400 pounds of sandbags, nearly reaching its maximum capacity. The results were intriguing.

Typically, the F-150 Lightning boasts a range of 278 miles. However, with the added weight, the loaded electric vehicle managed to cover only 210 miles, experiencing a significant 25% drop in range.

Implications for Everyday Use

AAA Automotive Engineering Director Greg Brannon shed light on the situation, stating, “Most buyers will likely use their Lightning with a lighter load, resulting in a much smaller range reduction.” This suggests that for everyday tasks, the impact on range may not be as severe as observed in this extreme test.

Comparatively, gas-powered equivalents can achieve a range of up to 500 miles, according to AAA. This highlights the trade-off between the environmental benefits of electric vehicles and the longer range offered by traditional combustion engines.

Discrepancies in Range Reporting

Interestingly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) overestimated the F-150 Lightning’s range by over 7%, leading to a discrepancy in the reported figures. AAA’s loaded test results were off by 30% compared to the EPA’s estimates. The reason behind this discrepancy remains “unclear,” as acknowledged by AAA.

For more information on this topic, click here to read more from the Washington Examiner.

Pricing and the Rise of Electric Vehicles

It’s worth noting that the regular Ford F-150 starts at $34,445, while the Lightning variant begins at $54,974. This price difference reflects the advanced technology and capabilities offered by the electric model.

Furthermore, the demand for electric vehicles is on the rise, with a 65% increase in sales in 2022. This surge has also led to electric vehicle registrations accounting for 6% of total registrations. Interestingly, this growth in electric vehicles coincides with a decrease in total car sales for the first time since 2011.