What's it like to take a road trip in a truck like the Terra (F-150 Lightning)?

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Okay. Long day.

Lots of traffic leaving the LA Valley.
Fog, rain, wind, and traffic on-and-off along the entire central valley.
We did 590 miles, lots of traffic, some bad. Varying weather (rain, wind—lots of wind, fog, and other inclement weather and it was chilly but not cold).

For our second charge, we tried to go to a Brand-T, but I broke my rule of never going to a Brand-T station with fewer than 20 plugs. This one had 12 and every other plug was in use (6/12 available). Because of the very short cables. the Lightning doesn’t have access to a brand-T plug directly in front of the truck, so we couldn’t use the open ports. We waited a few minutes and decided it wasn’t worth waiting any longer. EVGo had a station a few miles away, so we went there. That’s where I ran into the expired credit card issue mentioned earlier.

It looks like we stopped four times before getting to our hotel, but the fourth stop was to visit family for a few hours, so I don’t think it really counts as a stop—we passed our hotel and had to backtrack 13 miles. We plugged in when we arrived and got a good charge before heading to the hotel.

LegDistance (miles)Energy used (kWh)Mean speed (mph)Efficiency (miles/kWh)Start SoC (%)Arrival SoC (%)Battery % usedDepart SoC %Added Energy (kWh)Time on Charger (minutes)Average Charge Rate (kW)Charge NetworkStart Temp (F)Stop Temp (F)Weather/other notes
118083.8552.1922864847834138EA4060Wet, windy, foggy
216183.8561.9842064808233149EVGo6050High crosswinds, rain, fog
315070.7642.1802654827533136EA5042Windy, traffic, light rain
48647.2621.882463658172:456.2L2 Home4238Windy, traffic, heavy rain, Charged while visiting
5135.22.558544


At our first stop, Kettleman City, we crossed the small highway from the charging station to grab a coffee (tea) and snack. Then because we had a brief break in the clouds, we hiked up the hill overlooking Interstate 5.

PXL_20251223_180044968.PANO.jpg


At our second stop, we grabbed lunch at a local sandwich shop.

At our third stop, we used the restroom at the nearby Walmart, bought a couple of things. While in line, I thought to ask my family if they needed anything. The responded just after we had checked out, so I went back in to get the items they requested.

None of those stops needed to be as long as they were from a charging standpoint. We had plenty of extra charge by the time we left. You can see that from the next charging stop’s “Arrival SoC.” To us, as mentioned earlier, 20% is too high a state of charge to need to stop for a charge.
 
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Okay. Long day.

Lots of traffic leaving the LA Valley.
Fog, rain, wind, and traffic on-and-off along the entire central valley.
We did 590 miles, lots of traffic, some bad. Varying weather (rain, wind—lots of wind, fog, and other inclement weather and it was chilly but not cold).

For our second charge, we tried to go to a Brand-T, but I broke my rule of never going to a Brand-T station with fewer than 20 plugs. This one had 12 and every other plug was in use (6/12 available). Because of the very short cables. the Lightning doesn’t have access to a brand-T plug directly in front of the truck, so we couldn’t use the open ports. We waited a few minutes and decided it wasn’t worth waiting any longer. EVGo had a station a few miles away, so we went there. That’s where I ran into the expired credit card issue mentioned earlier.

It looks like we stopped four times before getting to our hotel, but the fourth stop was to visit family for a few hours, so I don’t think it really counts as a stop—we passed our hotel and had to backtrack 13 miles. We plugged in when we arrived and got a good charge before heading to the hotel.

LegDistance (miles)Energy used (kWh)Mean speed (mph)Efficiency (miles/kWh)Start SoC (%)Arrival SoC (%)Battery % usedDepart SoC %Added Energy (kWh)Time on Charger (minutes)Average Charge Rate (kW)Charge NetworkStart Temp (F)Stop Temp (F)Weather/other notes
118083.8552.1922864847834138EA4060Wet, windy, foggy
216183.8561.9842064808233149EVGo6050High crosswinds, rain, fog
315070.7642.1802654827533136EA5042Windy, traffic, light rain
48647.2621.882463658172:456.2L2 Home4238Windy, traffic, heavy rain, Charged while visiting
5135.22.558544


At our first stop, Kettleman City, we crossed the small highway from the charging station to grab a coffee (tea) and snack. Then because we had a brief break in the clouds, we hiked up the hill overlooking Interstate 5.

View attachment 12337

At our second stop, we grabbed lunch at a local sandwich shop.

At our third stop, we used the restroom at the nearby Walmart, bought a couple of things. While in line, I thought to ask my family if they needed anything. The responded just after we had checked out, so I went back in to get the items they requested.

None of those stops needed to be as long as they were from a charging standpoint. We had plenty of extra charge by the time we left. You can see that from the next charging stop’s “Arrival SoC.” To us, as mentioned earlier, 20% is too high a state of charge to need to stop for a charge.
Thanks for keeping us informed on a normal trip expectations…. Valuable info.

“ They responded just after we had checked out, so I went back in to get the items they requested.”

My wife does this to me all the time!
 
The efficiency gains when lowering my truck appear very small... So small in fact that I worry more about tire wear / negative camber when lowering my truck for long runs.
Interesting point. I have not noticed any odd tire wear in my previous or current iX. But, my suspension has less travel than a Rivian.
 
Okay. Long day.

Lots of traffic leaving the LA Valley.
Fog, rain, wind, and traffic on-and-off along the entire central valley.
We did 590 miles, lots of traffic, some bad. Varying weather (rain, wind—lots of wind, fog, and other inclement weather and it was chilly but not cold).

For our second charge, we tried to go to a Brand-T, but I broke my rule of never going to a Brand-T station with fewer than 20 plugs. This one had 12 and every other plug was in use (6/12 available). Because of the very short cables. the Lightning doesn’t have access to a brand-T plug directly in front of the truck, so we couldn’t use the open ports. We waited a few minutes and decided it wasn’t worth waiting any longer. EVGo had a station a few miles away, so we went there. That’s where I ran into the expired credit card issue mentioned earlier.

It looks like we stopped four times before getting to our hotel, but the fourth stop was to visit family for a few hours, so I don’t think it really counts as a stop—we passed our hotel and had to backtrack 13 miles. We plugged in when we arrived and got a good charge before heading to the hotel.

LegDistance (miles)Energy used (kWh)Mean speed (mph)Efficiency (miles/kWh)Start SoC (%)Arrival SoC (%)Battery % usedDepart SoC %Added Energy (kWh)Time on Charger (minutes)Average Charge Rate (kW)Charge NetworkStart Temp (F)Stop Temp (F)Weather/other notes
118083.8552.1922864847834138EA4060Wet, windy, foggy
216183.8561.9842064808233149EVGo6050High crosswinds, rain, fog
315070.7642.1802654827533136EA5042Windy, traffic, light rain
48647.2621.882463658172:456.2L2 Home4238Windy, traffic, heavy rain, Charged while visiting
5135.22.558544


At our first stop, Kettleman City, we crossed the small highway from the charging station to grab a coffee (tea) and snack. Then because we had a brief break in the clouds, we hiked up the hill overlooking Interstate 5.

View attachment 12337

At our second stop, we grabbed lunch at a local sandwich shop.

At our third stop, we used the restroom at the nearby Walmart, bought a couple of things. While in line, I thought to ask my family if they needed anything. The responded just after we had checked out, so I went back in to get the items they requested.

None of those stops needed to be as long as they were from a charging standpoint. We had plenty of extra charge by the time we left. You can see that from the next charging stop’s “Arrival SoC.” To us, as mentioned earlier, 20% is too high a state of charge to need to stop for a charge.
Would you ever consider a DCFC cable extension? I have some reservations about them, but maybe I’m being overly cautious.
 
Would you ever consider a DCFC cable extension? I have some reservations about them, but maybe I’m being overly cautious.
No. The length of the NACS cords on the V3 superchargers is limited by thermal physics and an extension needs to limit charging speeds to the point that it undermines the point of going to a DCFC. I don't want to pay DCFC costs for just over L2 speeds.
 
No. The length of the NACS cords on the V3 superchargers is limited by thermal physics and an extension needs to limit charging speeds to the point that it undermines the point of going to a DCFC. I don't want to pay DCFC costs for just over L2 speeds.
Thanks! More really valuable information that I for one may have missed and made a bad purchase…
 
Thanks! More really valuable information that I for one may have missed and made a bad purchase…
There will be people who disagree with me on this.

IF you NEED a charge, isn't it better to have the extension than not?

I think they're unsafe and don't believe I'll ever be so desperate for a charge that I would put my loved ones, myself, or even my vehicle into the kind of danger posed by DCFC extensions.

They're also expensive. And they have to be big and bulky.

And the one reputable company that was working on DCFC extensions no longer have them on their websites (that I can find). A2ZEV had a suggestion that they would be selling one, "coming soon." It's no longer there. State of Charge has reviewed at least one other prototype, but I've lost track because of my lack of interest.
 
No. The length of the NACS cords on the V3 superchargers is limited by thermal physics and an extension needs to limit charging speeds to the point that it undermines the point of going to a DCFC. I don't want to pay DCFC costs for just over L2 speeds.
I love that I learn something new from you nearly every single day. Thank you for sharing your knowledge in an approachable way!
 
The crosswinds (gusts over 65 mph, sustained over 35 mph) and rain in California really hammered efficiency for the trip to the airport yesterday.

Drove down at 1.6 miles per kWh.
You would think the return trip would benefit, but crosswinds are bad in all directions.
1.7 miles/kWh.
Wow. Amazing the hit you take. Guess it’s similar for ICE vehicles
 
There will be people who disagree with me on this.

IF you NEED a charge, isn't it better to have the extension than not?

I think they're unsafe and don't believe I'll ever be so desperate for a charge that I would put my loved ones, myself, or even my vehicle into the kind of danger posed by DCFC extensions.

They're also expensive. And they have to be big and bulky.

And the one reputable company that was working on DCFC extensions no longer have them on their websites (that I can find). A2ZEV had a suggestion that they would be selling one, "coming soon." It's no longer there. State of Charge has reviewed at least one other prototype, but I've lost track because of my lack of interest.
I’m glad I asked this question. I completely agree with every point you’ve made. You have way more experience at DCFCs than I do so I figured you would have an opinion or may have even seen the extension cords in use. Bad idea.
 
I’m glad I asked this question. I completely agree with every point you’ve made. You have way more experience at DCFCs than I do so I figured you would have an opinion or may have even seen the extension cords in use. Bad idea.
I've never seen one. I don't believe there are any available to the regular consumer yet. There've been rumors since the first CCS1 vehicle got access to NACS chargers.

I would love to hear counter-arguments to mine.
 
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