I just put a deposit down and filled out the credit app for a Ford F150 Lightning Lariat, which should be delivered in about 1-2 weeks. This will be my first EV. What do you recommend I know about owning one?
Where do you charge?
Why would I need or when should I use the Ford adapter?
Any accessory suggestions? I have a few on my list, but I’d love to hear what you all think based on your experiences.
Should I get an extended warranty?
I went with the Ford Supercharger instead of the rebate. What’s your experience with the charger, or should I get a different one? Which one would you suggest?
How will I be using the truck? I live in a suburb, so it will be mostly highway driving (about 70%) with some city driving (30%). Any tips for that?
Lastly, any general advice for a soon-to-be EV owner? Thanks a lot!
I’ve been driving EVs for a while, but I just got my Lightning a few weeks ago.
Definitely get the Tesla Supercharger adapter and a Level 2 Tesla destination charger adapter. For the Supercharger adapter, I recommend Lectron or A2Z, but for the Level 2, you don’t need to be picky. A lot of hotels will have more Tesla plugs than J1772, so this could be useful if you’re traveling overnight.
Use the Plugshare app to find charger locations.
The in-truck navigation isn’t great, so I suggest using Carplay or Android Auto to track your battery percentage on trips. Apple Maps is solid for Carplay, and Google Maps now works well with Android Auto. You’ll need to add your truck to these apps for good estimates.
For daily driving, I’d recommend getting an electrician to install a 14-50 outlet and buying an EVSE like the Emporia. It’s cheaper than the Ford charger, and it works fine for regular charging. The truck may accept up to 48 amps, but you’ll be fine with 40 amps unless you’re in a rush to charge.
Be aware that your range will be lower in the winter—around 30% less—so don’t expect 320 miles from an extended-range truck in cold weather. This is just normal battery behavior, not degradation.
If you’re interested in accessories, the r/F150 forum has a bigger community of Ford truck owners and can offer more ideas on things like bedliners or covers.
@Sai
Do you have links for those adapters? I’ve been waiting since July and am about to go on my first long-distance trip. Having Tesla chargers available would ease my range anxiety a lot.
Skyler said: @Sai
Do you have links for those adapters? I’ve been waiting since July and am about to go on my first long-distance trip. Having Tesla chargers available would ease my range anxiety a lot.
I got mine from the A2Z website. The DCFC and Destination adapters together were $229 with the promo code STATEOFCHARGE. It’s hit or miss, though. It worked for me, but it didn’t for the next person. Ford should also give you a 10% discount, I believe.
You’re going to love this truck! It’s one of the best pickup trucks, and I’ll defend that statement.
For charging, I recommend charging at home as much as possible. EV ownership really works best when you can charge at home. DC fast charging can get expensive and should only be used in emergencies. If you qualify for the free adapter, it works with Tesla Superchargers, which can make road trips easier, but be prepared for a long wait—some of us have been waiting over 10 months for ours.
For road trips, you’ll soon learn which charging networks to trust and which ones are a waste. The PlugShare app is great for planning stops. It shows connector types, charging speeds, and user reports. Look at the PlugScore and read the comments from other Lightning owners to see how reliable a station is.
Regarding the Ford Supercharger, do you mean Ford Charge Station Pro? A lot of us use that, and it works well. Depending on your truck model, its capability to charge at 19.2kW on an 80-amp circuit might not be necessary if your truck only accepts 9.6kW or 11.2kW of AC charging.
If you plan to take the truck camping or on road trips where you might need to charge at a friend’s or family’s house, a mobile charger is a good backup. There are many good options out there, but if you won’t use it often, get an affordable one.
A key thing to know is that EV highway efficiency is the opposite of ICE vehicles. The range you see on paper is a mix of city and highway driving. The truck may get up to 350-360 miles in the city, but on the highway, you might only get 270-280 miles, especially in cold weather when range can drop to 200 miles on a highway. What’s the weather like where you are? Long cold winters could affect your driving range.
This forum is full of great advice, and there’s a lot to learn when switching to EVs. Keep coming back!
I’m not a Lightning owner yet since I’m waiting for my Tesla lease to end, but here’s my advice: Do most of your charging at home, and if you can, get a charger hardwired at home. Many people have problems with plug-in chargers for daily use. If you decide to get a mobile charger, check out used ones on Facebook Marketplace. Many people switch from Tesla or other EVs back to gas vehicles and sell their chargers. I bought a Tesla mobile charger for $100 and used it until I found a used wall charger.
Don’t charge to full every day. Set it to charge to the lowest comfortable point that covers your needs. Charging to 100% daily can degrade your battery faster. I charge my Tesla to 50% daily, and my older Model Y still has more range than my family member’s Model Y, which charges to 90% every day.
For an extended warranty, check with your car insurance company. They often offer it at a lower price than the dealer’s warranty, and it’s worth it if you’re already an insurance member.
@Kaius
Great advice here! Getting a charger hardwired at home is definitely the best way to go.
If you can’t do it yourself, make sure you hire a good electrician. I paid around $500 plus materials for a 50amp line, though it can cost more depending on how far the charger is from your electrical panel.
