GEARS & QUEERS REVIEW OF THE FORD F-150 LIGHTNING

 

In a recent edition of the “Gears & Queers” podcast, “Fun Girlie Car Time!,” hosts Chris Kluever and Chris Landry welcomed fellow automotive reviewer Chris Balaska to describe what traveling over 24 hours straight in a Ford F-150 Lightning Pick-up Truck was like. If you’re considering getting an electric pick-up, this podcast gives first-hand insight on what to expect.

The discussion centers around a test drive down the East Coast to Atlanta, Georgia in a 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat Extended Range. These “girls” are extremely knowledgeable about trucks and hauling in both commute and long-range distances. Diesel trucks are the current standard workhorses of the hauling world. However, if you need to haul loads in short 15-to-30-mile trips in traffic, this is murder on your diesel engine and fuel budget.

Enter the F-150 Lightning. The suspension and handling of the F-150 Lightning makes traveling with a load almost effortless. And there is nothing in the current EV market that comes close to the ride you get with the Lightning.

Note that the reviewers explain that with EV charging there are issues that make long drives, like this long road trip, less desirable. For instance, the trip that usually takes 17-1/2 hours in a diesel truck took just over 28 hours (this included a 5-hour nap). The main difficulties and delays are tied to finding and using charging stations and potentially dropping their trailers. On the return trip, Chris Belasca was able to use a NACS to CCS adapter which made charging much easier.

But charging delay occurs for any electric vehicle, so if you are looking for the savings and environmental advantages of an EV, the Lightning is on par with all other EVs. Handling, ride and reliability is heads and shoulders above other options. They won’t even discuss the Tesla Cybertruck.

Furthermore, if your truck use consists mostly of shorter trips with or without heavy loads, the F-150 Lightning is ideal. In any case, this podcast is a great listen if you are thinking about an electric pick-up truck. Listen to the entire podcast here.