It is a easy indisputable fact that electrical autos do not go fairly as far per cost in colder temperatures as they do when it is heat outdoors. The Ford F-150 Lightning isn’t any exception, however as with all EVs, there are methods to fight winter vary loss.

Ford just lately revealed its winter driving suggestions for F-150 Lightning house owners and we took it a step additional within the video above. I am going to overview Ford’s suggestions in addition to chat with Ford’s VP of electrical automobile applications, Darren Palmer, and Jeff Head, an F-150 Lightning proprietor that lives and drives his electrical truck across the frozen tundra of Anchorage, Alaska. 

Ford F-150 Lightning winter driving tricks to maximize driving vary

I have been driving my electrical autos by means of the previous 13 winters right here within the Northeast so I’ve somewhat expertise with this matter. It is essential to know your vary will probably be lowered by as a lot as 33% to 40% in some excessive situations. Nonetheless, with the right preparation, you may take again a few of the vary you’ll have misplaced to the chilly. 

Within the video, I focus on how preconditioning your Lightning if you want the additional vary will guarantee that you simply go away in your vacation spot with the automobile totally charged and with a pre-warmed battery and cabin. I even have a complete clip from Ford that explains intimately the best way to set the preconditioning function from the FordPass app in addition to from the infotainment system contained in the truck. 

Aside from utilizing the preconditioning function, one of many best and handiest issues to do is to easily drive somewhat slower. At any temperature, the sooner you drive on the freeway the much less vary you may have. Nonetheless, in colder temperatures, the wind resistance really will increase as a result of chilly air is denser than heat air.

Shaving 5 or 10 miles per hour off of your regular driving velocity may end up in a further 10 to twenty miles of vary and should make the distinction between having to cease and cost alongside the route or making the vacation spot on a single cost. Slowing down a bit can also be safer, as sudden patches of frozen highway surfaces are simpler to maneuver at slower speeds. 

Along with reviewing the chilly climate driving suggestions, I had the prospect to talk to Ford’s VP of Electrical Automobile Packages, Darren Palmer, about driving the Lightning within the winter months. Darren additionally drives a Lightning as his each day driver, so he is aware of a bit about driving it in chilly climate as effectively. 

Lastly, I additionally had the prospect to talk to Jeff Head, a Lightning proprietor that lives in Anchorage Alaska. Jeff’s owned many pickup vans and stated the all-wheel drive system within the Lightning is one of the best he is ever skilled – and that features his combustion F-150.

So take a look at the video and tell us what you suppose. Did we miss something? Should you’re an skilled EV proprietor tell us when you’ve got any extra cold-weather driving ideas.