(Western Journal) The Ford F-150 Lightning, the electric counterpart to America’s best-selling truck, saw its driving range drop by almost one-quarter when it was fully loaded with cargo, according to a recent test by AAA.
The organization announced it had conducted a comprehensive test on the truck’s battery by taking its towing capacity into account.
Ford’s gas-powered F-150 is a popular truck for blue-collar workers and many people who operate their own businesses.
If there is one thing many of these entrepreneurs need, it is a reliable truck with not only range, but the ability to haul important and heavy cargo.
Insider noted Ford prioritized equipping its new electric truck with plenty of towing capability. But the test by AAA revealed that came at the expense of the battery’s range.
AAA tested the F-150 Lightning by loading it with 1,400 pounds of sandbags — which is actually short of its maximum hauling capacity.
The test revealed that the truck’s range dropped from 278 miles to 210 miles, a reduction of 24.5 percent.
The F-150 Lightning used in the test is officially rated by the Environmental Protection Agency to have a range of 300 miles.
The advertised driving range discrepancy and the weight test could see owners of these trucks lose 90 miles in the range advertised by Ford simply by hooking up their trailers and hitting the road.
Greg Brannon, the director of AAA Automotive Engineering, issued a comment about the evaluation of the truck in a news release.
“Our testing revealed a significant range reduction, but it’s important to note that the Lightning was loaded to near its maximum capacity,” he said.
Brannon offered a silver lining for prospective drivers who don’t intend to load up.
