Last summer, Michael Puglia drove home in what he thought was the coolest vehicle in the world: a brand-new Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck.
Large enough to carry his kids and their hockey bags, his F-150 would never need gas and was exhilarating to drive. “It’s incredibly fast and responsive,” said Mr. Puglia, an anesthesiologist in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “The technology is incredible. »
Winter dampens the enthusiasm of motorists
But when the cold arrived, the truck’s range decreased significantly. One day, after a 56 km drive to an ice rink, the indicated range dropped by 117 km. Likewise, a 96 km trip reduced the stated range by 176 km.
Several software updates at the dealership haven’t fixed the problem: today, Mr. Puglia is wondering if he should keep this US$79,000 truck.
PHOTO SYLVIA JARRUS, THE NEW YORK TIMES
Halfway through winter, Michael Puglia wonders if he should keep his F-150 electric.
People talk about the anxiety of breakdown as if it was the driver’s fault. It’s not our fault: we don’t have true autonomy. Truck says 300 miles [483 km]. I don’t think I ever got that.
Michael Puglia, about his electric F-150
Mr. Puglia’s rapid disenchantment illustrates the recent trajectory of the electric car in the United States. A year ago, sales of battery cars seemed to be on a sustainable path, with a 46% increase in sales in 2023 – exceeding one million vehicles for the first time – and representing 7% of all vehicles. new light vehicles.
But in the fall, sales faltered and automakers’ optimism turned to caution. Sales fell even in California, the largest market for all-electric vehicles.
Since then, Ford and General Motors (GM) have slowed down their investments in electric vehicles. GM is also delaying the launch of some new electric models and plans to produce plug-in hybrid vehicles that dealers say are attracting more customer interest.
Acceleration of a sports car
PHOTO SYLVIA JARRUS, THE NEW YORK TIMES
Michael Puglia’s Ford F-150 Lightning parked outside his home in Dexter, Michigan, on February 3, 2024. More than any other new electric vehicle, the F-150 Lightning seemed a sure-fire success when it launched in 2022.
More than any other new electric vehicle, the F-150 Lightning seemed a guaranteed success when it launched in 2022. It’s the electric twin of the country’s best-selling vehicle… with the acceleration of a sports car. At one point, Ford had 200,000 reservations! But at first, the factory struggled to produce a few thousand vehicles per month; Ford lost sales. Then, in 2023, consumer enthusiasm waned.
Demand has weakened and reservations have melted. In 2023, Ford sold 24,000 Lightnings, 54% more than in 2022, but far from the target of 150,000 vehicles.
According to Marin Gjaja, head of electric vehicles at Ford, sales of the Lightning, although lower than expectations, are solid. On the fourth quarter, only Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 did better in the electric category. And in states where the rate of electric motorization is high – California, Oregon and Washington – 30% of the F Series sold by Ford are Lightnings. “We continue to view the Lightning as a success and a key part of our offering,” says Gjaja.
In December, Ford announced a 50% drop in production for 2024, to 1,600 Lightnings per week. Some 1,400 assemblers were reassigned to other models, including the gasoline-powered F-150.
In January, Ford sold 2,258 Lightnings, 6 fewer than in January 2023.
PHOTO SYLVIA JARRUS, THE NEW YORK TIMES
In December, Ford announced a reduction in output at the plant that assembles the F-150 Lightning for 2024, and 1,400 assemblers were reassigned to other models, including the gasoline-powered F-150.
Ford isn’t alone: the pickup truck has been a particularly disappointing segment of the electric market. Rivian sold 17,700 R1Ts in 2023, no more and no less than in 2022, according to Cox Automotive. Tesla and GM launched electric pickup trucks in 2023 – the Cybertruck and a Chevrolet Silverado – but have produced very few of them so far.
Ford CEO Jim Farley said on February 6 that the company will prioritize small electric vehicles, not large ones, in order to compete with more affordable models from Tesla and Chinese manufacturers.
The problem with big electric vans, owners say, is that despite fantastic technology and acceleration, their range drops dramatically when used like a van: to haul cargo. heavy loads, towing trailers and driving in difficult weather conditions.
The range of an electric vehicle can vary a lot. The research firm Edmunds tested a Lightning at 27 oC and got 550 km from a 100% charged battery. But the cold reduces the range of all electric vehicles. The recent cold snap in the Midwest has often cut their range in half. Owners who don’t have a charger at home suffer even more: they can’t preheat their car before leaving. Rain, slopes, aggressive driving and heavy loads also reduce range.
According to Mr. Gjaja, some drivers have not yet integrated measures that maximize autonomy. Thus, scheduling the battery to preheat on cold mornings can reduce the loss of range, and driving with minimal braking allows energy to be recovered when the vehicle slows down.
Driving at 100 km/h uses less energy than driving at 115 or 130 km/h, and can avoid a charging stop. “Sometimes, by driving slower, you get to your destination faster,” he says.
Heat pumps to heat the Lightning
Ford recently equipped Lightnings with heat pumps, which can increase range.
Tesla, which builds half of the electric vehicles sold in the United States, was sued last summer by three Californians who say their cars do not have the range advertised.
The suit, filed in federal court for the Northern District of California, is based in part on a Reuters report that range figures on Tesla’s dashboard screens do not take into account weather conditions and other important factors.
Tesla did not respond to an interview request.
Even where it’s hot, autonomy can be an issue.
Mike Kochav, a construction contractor in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, purchased a Lightning in the summer of 2022 for around US$90,000. His company already had six gasoline-powered F-150s. He loved the driving and the technology of the electric truck. But towing equipment to its sites throughout Florida was taking its toll on range: “As soon as you hook a trailer on it, the mileage drops,” he says.
Since he often travels 300 km or even 500 km per day, he had to stop to recharge the vehicle, which often took 45 minutes, and even longer if he had to wait for a charger.
“It was eating up too much time in my day,” Mr. Kochav said. He got rid of his Lightning last summer.
Despite everything, manufacturers are moving forward. Analysts estimate that 1.5 million electric vehicles will be sold in 2024, compared to 1.2 million in 2023. New federal emissions standards are expected next month. The Biden administration aims for battery-powered cars to account for two-thirds of all light-duty vehicle sales by 2032 (this could change by the time the new standards are ratified).
If we trust Mr. Korchav, this is not a lost cause. Despite his frustrations, he says he is willing to try the Lightning again in a few years if Ford improves its range and if there are more charging stations.
“I really loved this vehicle,” he assured. I really think I’ll come back one day. »
This article was published in the New York Times.
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