Funding Will Retrofit America's Existing Automotive Manufacturing Facilities, Expand & Retain High-Paying Auto Manufacturing Jobs, & Bolster Domestic Supply Chains, Part of the Investing in America Agenda to Create Not Just More Jobs But Good Jobs
I’m a contractor and have been working out of a 2 door Jeep for the past 8 years and it’s time to buy a truck. I’d be down for an F150 Lightning, but I’m not about to try to afford $50k (plus dealer markups) when I can get a decent used long bed rig for about $30k that already has a utility bed. The added weight of a utility bed plus tools and materials will destroy that mileage estimate, so if I have jobs that are a decent ways away, I don’t have time to sit for 30-60min to charge. Until range gets better and I can get something more conducive to my job, I’m kinda stuck. I’d take a van, but we get snowy winters and all the 4x4 vans are ridiculously expensive because of the van life crowd, and I sure as hell am not putting on chains unless it’s R3.
The F-150 lightning pisses me off. They released it for $40k but it sold really well so they raised the prices several times.
It’s a great truck but they want to price it out of being sellable. $40k is right on par with a brand new f-150.
I will say, the mileage isn’t destroyed by the utility bed. I don’t own one but I have spoken to owners. I drove PA to Kentucky on my Niro EV and met someone hauling farming equipment in OH. They were going from FL to Illinois. Said he still gets close to the 300 mile range while hauling so it’s a bit of a hit, but not as much as people think.
That being said, the people who drive a lot every day are the toughest sells and for good reason. People who drive a bit in the city think they drive more than they do. But realistically I think everyone needs to actually check how many miles they drive a week and not just assume how much they drive.
EV’s aren’t ready for a lot of driving jobs but are getting there. And charging is getting better too. My trip to KY had an average charging stop of 10 minutes. Compared to a gas station that’s filling up and running in for a restroom break. It depends on whats in your area but that tech is around
I’m a contractor and have been working out of a 2 door Jeep for the past 8 years and it’s time to buy a truck. I’d be down for an F150 Lightning, but I’m not about to try to afford $50k (plus dealer markups) when I can get a decent used long bed rig for about $30k that already has a utility bed. The added weight of a utility bed plus tools and materials will destroy that mileage estimate, so if I have jobs that are a decent ways away, I don’t have time to sit for 30-60min to charge. Until range gets better and I can get something more conducive to my job, I’m kinda stuck. I’d take a van, but we get snowy winters and all the 4x4 vans are ridiculously expensive because of the van life crowd, and I sure as hell am not putting on chains unless it’s R3.
The F-150 lightning pisses me off. They released it for $40k but it sold really well so they raised the prices several times.
It’s a great truck but they want to price it out of being sellable. $40k is right on par with a brand new f-150.
I will say, the mileage isn’t destroyed by the utility bed. I don’t own one but I have spoken to owners. I drove PA to Kentucky on my Niro EV and met someone hauling farming equipment in OH. They were going from FL to Illinois. Said he still gets close to the 300 mile range while hauling so it’s a bit of a hit, but not as much as people think.
That being said, the people who drive a lot every day are the toughest sells and for good reason. People who drive a bit in the city think they drive more than they do. But realistically I think everyone needs to actually check how many miles they drive a week and not just assume how much they drive.
EV’s aren’t ready for a lot of driving jobs but are getting there. And charging is getting better too. My trip to KY had an average charging stop of 10 minutes. Compared to a gas station that’s filling up and running in for a restroom break. It depends on whats in your area but that tech is around