Electric Trucks and Payloads: How Much Do They Affect Range?
When it comes to vehicles, whether electric or ICE, adding weight to them means they will consume more energy. This is a well-known fact among drivers who have pulled a boat or car trailer or loaded up a pickup with DIY supplies. However, while electric cars like the Chevy Bolt are unlikely to experience a significant difference in weight between being lightly laden and fully laden, pickups are designed (and bought) for serious hauling.
So what happens to the range of an electric truck when it is close to its maximum payload? AAA, the American Automobile Association, tasked its engineers with finding out. They added 1,400 lbs (635 kg) of sandbags to a 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning and measured the electric driving range both with and without the ballast.
AAA’s techs found that they had lost EV range before even adding a single sandbag. Their test of the unladen F-150 revealed a true electric driving range of 278 miles (447 km) versus an EPA estimated range of 300 miles (483 km). Throwing in the ballast and repeating the test dropped the range to 210 miles (338 km), which represents a 24.5 percent reduction compared to the unloaded test condition and a 30 percent reduction compared to the EPA estimate.
The engineers added 1,400 lbs (635 kg) of sandbags to the Lightning, which is just 110 lbs (50 kg) short of its maximum payload. This is a big old chunk of weight, and it’s equivalent to driving a minivan one-up and then putting eight additional adults inside it. There’s no way the performance and efficiency won’t be affected.
Hauling a boat will also massacre your EV range, as will any other heavy load. The question is, how does this compare to driving gas or diesel trucks? If you regularly drive a gas or diesel truck, how does that 24.5 percent drop in range compare with what you experience when driving your own truck empty and fully loaded? Drop a comment below and let us know.
Related: Ford EVs Will Be Able To Charge At 12,000+ Tesla Superchargers Starting In 2024
### The Impact of Payloads on Electric Trucks
When it comes to electric trucks, the impact of payloads on their range is significant. The more weight they carry, the more energy they consume. This is because the battery has to work harder to move the vehicle, and this results in a reduction in range.
In the case of the Ford F-150 Lightning, AAA’s engineers found that adding 1,400 lbs (635 kg) of sandbags reduced the range by 24.5 percent compared to the unloaded test condition and 30 percent compared to the EPA estimate. This is a significant reduction in range, and it highlights the importance of considering payloads when driving an electric truck.
### The Importance of Payloads for Pickups
Pickups are designed for hauling heavy loads, and this is why they are popular among drivers who need to transport equipment, supplies, and other items. However, when it comes to electric pickups, payloads can have a significant impact on their range.
The Ford F-150 Lightning is a prime example of this. While it has a range of up to 300 miles (483 km) when unladen, this drops to just 210 miles (338 km) when carrying a payload of 1,400 lbs (635 kg). This is a reduction of 24.5 percent compared to the unloaded test condition and 30 percent compared to the EPA estimate.
This means that drivers who regularly haul heavy loads need to consider the impact on their range when driving an electric pickup. They may need to plan their routes carefully and ensure that they have access to charging stations along the way.
### The Impact of Payloads on EV Range
The impact of payloads on EV range is significant, and it’s something that all electric vehicle drivers need to consider. Whether you’re driving an electric car or an electric truck, adding weight to the vehicle will reduce its range.
This is because the battery has to work harder to move the vehicle, and this results in a reduction in range. The more weight the vehicle carries, the more energy it consumes, and this means that drivers need to plan their routes carefully and ensure that they have access to charging stations along the way.
### Conclusion
In conclusion, the impact of payloads on electric trucks is significant. The more weight they carry, the more energy they consume, and this results in a reduction in range. This means that drivers who regularly haul heavy loads need to consider the impact on their range when driving an electric pickup.
They may need to plan their routes carefully and ensure that they have access to charging stations along the way. While electric pickups offer many benefits, including lower operating costs and reduced emissions, they do have limitations when it comes to payloads and range. However, as battery technology continues to improve, we can expect to see electric pickups with longer ranges and greater payloads in the future.
