How important is the heat pump on a 2024 compared to the 2023 model? I’ve seen some deals on 2023s and even a few 2022s that could save me a lot, but I don’t want to miss out if the heat pump makes a big difference. Planning to keep this truck for 10+ years, so any advice would be much appreciated!
Not many 2024s have gone through a full winter yet, so there’s not a ton of data. I’ve driven in temps below 45°F a couple of times, and I didn’t see a big drop in range, but it’s a small sample size.
The heat pump is unlikely to save enough money to make up the price difference between new and used. If you’re more concerned with range, you might notice a difference in the 50°F-20°F range, though.
Unless you’re always pushing the range limits in cold weather, a 2023 might be a better deal if you can find one for much less. Heat pumps generally give a 5-15% range improvement under ideal conditions.
I did some quick math for my situation: getting 15% better efficiency during the four colder months would save me about $40-50 a year. So if a 2023 costs $5k less, I’d go for it.
@Ali
The 5-15% improvement only applies to heat efficiency, so it won’t make a huge difference overall. My range dropped by about 10% recently with a 10°C temperature drop. The SR version has LFP batteries, which handle cold better too.
@Shawn
Agreed, I was giving it a best-case scenario, but the actual savings are probably even less.
@Ali
I’d be surprised if it’s really 15% more efficient. The Lightning is basically a big brick on wheels. 
Removing side mirrors and replacing them with cameras would do more for range… but I guess that’s illegal here.
@Teo
Haha, yeah, I was being generous. It’s probably closer to 5-10% in reality.
Ali said:
@Teo
Haha, yeah, I was being generous. It’s probably closer to 5-10% in reality.
You could see up to a 10% range boost in the winter with a heat pump. Here’s some data: EV Range Test Of Various Models Shows Up To 20% Drop In Cold Temps
Ali said:
@Teo
Haha, yeah, I was being generous. It’s probably closer to 5-10% in reality.
Yeah, maybe in milder winter weather if you like keeping the cabin toasty. But once it gets really cold, the heat pump can’t handle it alone and will need backup from resistive heating.
It’s basically just the AC compressor running in reverse, so it’s odd that Ford didn’t include it in 2022 and 2023 models.
@Teo
Probably just a time crunch to get the truck to market. They might not have had time to fully integrate it.
@Teo
The heat pump doesn’t affect aerodynamics; it just makes heating more efficient. So, the truck’s overall range won’t change dramatically because of it.
@Ali
It really depends on where you live. In some areas, the heat pump doesn’t add much.
Jory said:
@Ali
It really depends on where you live. In some areas, the heat pump doesn’t add much.
Exactly, it all comes down to climate. My math was based on where I live, but your mileage may vary. 
I have a Mach-E without a heat pump, and if you live somewhere that gets really cold (like -20°C) and do a lot of highway driving, I’d definitely recommend getting one. My car struggled during my 100km daily commute in the winter—sometimes I had to choose between having heat or driving 110km/h. 
@Parker
Wow, that really shows how much cold weather can affect range.
I’ve got a 2024 and it’s gotten colder where I am. I’ve noticed my efficiency drop from 2.8 mi/kWh to 2.3 mi/kWh since the temps went from 75-90°F down to 35-55°F.
I drive 50-100 miles a day with a mix of stop-and-go traffic, highway, and city driving. The heat pump does its job, but the air from the vents isn’t exactly hot once it reaches the set temperature—more like lukewarm. It’s similar to how my home’s heat pump works.
The heat pump helps protect the battery too, not just with efficiency. I used to wish the older models had it, but now I’m not sure I’d trade it for instant hot cabin heat unless the efficiency gains were massive.
And keep in mind, some 2023 trims don’t have certain features like built-in scales, which might matter to you. Either way, it’s a great truck.
I have a 2023, and it hasn’t been through a real winter yet. Temps are still in the 50s-60s most days. From my experience with other EVs without heat pumps, once the battery warms up, performance is mostly normal. The Lightning seems to handle thermal management well, with or without the heat pump.
Heat pumps are up to three times more efficient than resistive heaters. The 2022/2023 Lightnings use 10-15% of their energy for climate control. In freezing temps, you might see a 10% range improvement with perfect conditions, but more realistically, I’d expect around 5%.
Doesn’t seem like there’s a huge difference. I thought using heat could degrade the battery over time?