Locator: 46270EVS.
Before we get started, EV charging times for Chevy Bolt, the #1 non-luxury EV vehicle in North America:
- driving range: 260 miles
- 120 volt, typical US outlet: 4 miles per one hour of charging -- overnight charging 40 miles range
- 240 volt, typical US utility outlet: 40 miles per one hour of charging; overnight charging -- full charge -- 260 miles driving range;
- commercial fast charging: 100 miles in 30 minutes
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Sales
The supply chain problems are resolved except in some sectors, notably batteries.
The Verge 2022 F-150 Lightning review: link here.
- one of the best reviews I've seen
- dated August 16, 2022
- The Verge: huge audience; incredible review; how many comments? Zero. Speaks volumes.
- the biggest problem: impossible to buy
- did this get any exposure? I don't recall Phil LeBeaux, CNBC, doing a story on this:
So, I was curious, a year later, how has the F-150 Lightning done?
But look at all the headlines:
- Inside EVs, November 2, 2023: Ford F-150-Lighhtning US sales hit new record -- 3,712
- Yahoo!Finance, October 16, 2023: Ford cutting F-150 Lightning factory shift is "emblematic...."
- Teslarati, July 7, 2023: Ford F-150 Lightning sales up over 100% in 2Q23 -- 4,466
- wikipedia:
- 3Q22: 6,466
- 2022, full calendar year: ca. 2000
- 1Q23: 7,085
- 2Q23: 4,466
- 3Q23: 3,503
And then this, which, I guess, I had forgotten about.
So, I guess, one year later: still impossible to buy.
But, then this, earlier in the year, from Detroit News: Ford on track to produce 150,000 units, according to Ford:
I have a longstanding theory on EVs that they are a luxury item and can only be successful if they stand out. People who drive an EV want others to know they are driving one. Teslas are unique. People know you are driving a Tesla. But the F-150 Lightning looks... nearly identical to a regular F-150. Why spend more $ for a truck (that is more difficult to fuel/charge) if you aren't turning heads when you drive down the street?
ReplyDeleteAgree completely. There is a smaller subset: what we used to call "yuppies." Now: 20- to 30-year-old urban residents looking for a small, inexpensive EV like the Bolt. These folks have grown up with the "environmentally-friendly" mantra their entire lives and no longer think for themselves when it comes to the meaning of "emission-free" and/or environmentally friendly.
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