Should I leave my Ford Lightning plugged in?
The short answer is that it is generally recommended to leave your Ford Lightning electric vehicle plugged in when not in use. Keeping the battery charged helps maintain its overall health and longevity. However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind when leaving your Ford Lightning plugged in.
Maintaining Battery Health
Electric vehicle batteries, like the one in your Ford Lightning, perform best when kept at a moderate state of charge. Leaving your Lightning plugged in helps maintain the battery at an optimal level, preventing it from becoming fully depleted or overcharged. This helps extend the overall lifespan of the battery.
Charging Efficiency
When your Ford Lightning is plugged in, it can take advantage of trickle charging, which keeps the battery at a steady state of charge without overcharging. This is more efficient than repeatedly charging the battery from a low state of charge. Leaving your Lightning plugged in ensures it is always ready to go with a full charge when you need it.
Convenience and Accessibility
Keeping your Ford Lightning plugged in also provides convenience. You can be confident your vehicle is ready to go with a full charge, without having to remember to plug it in before each trip. This is especially helpful if you have a regular commute or need to use your Lightning for unexpected trips.
Potential Drawbacks
While leaving your Ford Lightning plugged in is generally recommended, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider:
- Electricity costs: Keeping your Lightning plugged in continuously will result in higher electricity bills, even if the vehicle is not actively charging.
- Battery degradation: Leaving the battery at a full state of charge for extended periods can potentially accelerate battery degradation over time.
- Fire risk: There is a small risk of fire or electrical issues if the charging equipment or electrical system is faulty or damaged.
To mitigate these drawbacks, it's recommended to unplug your Ford Lightning when it is fully charged and only plug it in when necessary. Additionally, regularly inspecting the charging equipment and electrical connections can help ensure safe operation.
In conclusion, leaving your Ford Lightning plugged in when not in use is generally the best practice to maintain battery health and ensure your vehicle is ready to go. However, it's important to balance the benefits with the potential drawbacks and take appropriate precautions to ensure safe and efficient operation.
Should I charge my EV to 80% every night?
Ideally, you should keep your battery between 20 and 80% to maintain good battery health and prolong battery life. It's also better to charge as little as possible, while keeping your battery above the recommended 20% and below 80%. Charging every day, when it's not necessary, will degrade your battery faster.
Should you charge Ford Lightning to 100?
You can charge to 100% if you need the range. It is also a good idea to slow charge (level1 120v) overnight up to 100% occasionally so the cells in the pack can top balance.
Is it bad to leave a charger plugged in all the time?
One of the biggest dangers of leaving your phone charger plugged in is the risk of fire. If your charger overheats, it could potentially catch something on fire. This is especially dangerous if you leave your charger plugged in overnight, as you may not be around to notice if there is a fire.
How long to charge a Ford Lightning on a 110V outlet?
Ford's supplied charger can be used at a 110-volt outlet which will only provide about two miles of charging per hour. I did that the first night with Lightning and ended up with 16 additional miles of range following an 8-hour session through a 20-amp circuit.
Should I leave my EV charger plugged in all the time?
Yes, it's recommended to leave it plugged it so the battery management system can help keep the battery optimized. Set it to a daily range, not a trip range (> 90%). I leave mine at 90%, but ive read others suggest 50-80% for daily use to maximize the longevity.
What is the lifespan of a Ford Lightning battery?
Your Ford F-150 Lightning battery will usually last between 3 to 5 years, but that can fluctuate heavily depending on battery size, weather conditions type of battery, and driving habits. Even still, just because your battery isn't completely dead, doesn't mean it's operating properly.
How many miles will a Ford Lightning last?
America's top all-electric truck can drive 230 miles on a full standard battery, while the extended-range battery option on the XLT or Lariat trim provides 320 miles of coverage. That means you can expect to drive at least a few hours on a single charge.
Should I charge my EV to 80% or 90%?
Charging to 80% is often recommended for daily use, helping to preserve battery health and reduce charging time. Charging to 90% can provide a bit more range for longer trips. Charging to 100% is useful for maximising range but can impact battery longevity over time.
Why does Ford recommend 90% charge?
The chief technology officer at Ford stated explicitly that the reason they recommend 90% is because it prevents most of the damage of heat stress in a fully charged battery in hot weather WHILE maximizing mileage and towing. It's a compromise.
How long is the Ford Lightning battery warranty?
Eight years
Electric Vehicle Component Coverage: Eight years or 100,000 miles (whichever occurs first), with retention of 70% or more of the original High Voltage Battery capacity over that period. Powertrain Coverage: Five years/60,000 miles. Bumper to Bumper Coverage: Three years/36,000 miles.
