During an interview on X, formerly Twitter, Ford CEO Jim Farley told customers that charging the automobile maker’s electric pickup truck has been “challenging” and a “reality check” on longer drives.
“Charging has been pretty challenging,” Farley explained. “It was a really good reality check of the challenges of what our customers go through and the importance of fast charging and what we’re going to have to do to improve the charging experience.”
Farley said he attempted a roundtrip across Route 66 in Ford’s latest electrical vehicle venture, the F-150 Lighting. (Trending: Ex-Capitol Police Chief Drops Bombshell About Jan 6)
No surprise charging can be a challenge, but still learning a lot seeing firsthand the issues our customers face. This is why we’re working w/ @Tesla to provide @Ford drivers access to +12,000 superchargers & our EV certified dealers are installing fast chargers at their… pic.twitter.com/fES15o9orT
— Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) August 13, 2023
During one stop, Farley said it took 40 minutes to gain a 40% charge due to low-speed chargers.
Since Tesla’s charging technology is faster than Ford’s technology, this caused Ford to partner with Elon Musk’s company to improve access to superchargers.
Using a 350 kW charger in Baker, California, Farley said it was much faster. It appears these sorts of charges are far more rare.
“Was so quick and easy. Really highlighted the difference that nice stations and fast charging can make on the overall EV experience,” Farley said. (Poll: Is America Better Off Under Biden? VOTE)
Farley’s road trip in the F-150 Lightning followed along Route 66 from Palo Alto, California, to Las Vegas, Nevada.
The purpose of the trip was to visit with “researchers, businesses, dealers, salespeople, EV conversion shops, EV drivers and communities.”
