Good News & Bad News, page-16543

How fast can the F-150 Lightning charge? Using a 150kW+ DC fast charger, the standard-range 98kWh pack can charge from 15-80% in about 36 minutes. The extended-range 131kWh pack can charge from 15-80% in 41 minutes. From Ford.

Now we would need a 150kW DC fast charger for that and the charging network, as we know, is playing catchup here in Oz as we have been held back by our Lump of Lard, Oops, I mean Lump of Coal FF lovers.

As most of us know, the charging network will ramp up in the next decade. In the meantime, the average usage for suburban travel will be catered for by home charging.

Tradie's on average do about 70km per day. I should know, did that for 42 years. Also 90% of Tradie's don't tow a trailer so range is just not an issue. They can always get the extended range battery pack.

So using some very very basic calculations, standard range battery on the Lightning is 98kWh, range is 370km. Lets just approx' here and go with 20% of battery capacity used on average p/day. So approx' 20kW. I come home, plug my ute into the home BMS. I have an agreement with the Energy retailer to supply10kWh into the grid during the evening peak if so required and my Ute has enough charge to accommodate this with a buffer for my next day usage. This occurs and the retailer microgrid needs the 10kWh of supply. After the evening peak subsides, the retailer gives me back the 10kWh free of charge for helping the grid out, thereby reducing any expensive network augmentation requirements as we now have little power stations all over the network. You know, those little microgrids made up of batteries that will help out when the sun don't shine, the wind doesn't blow and those big polluting FF power stations get decommissioned.

So come 9pm, network load drops off and my Ute starts charging. The charge will be supplemented of course by the 20kWh ESS I have which was charged by my extensive residential solar system. Approx' 10kw of panels which up my way, supplies on average 50kWh per day up my way. Now if you haven't guessed my trade by now, well, we won't go into that. So, I have 30kW to put back into my Ute. I have a 7kW Charger which is about the load requirement of your standard Induction cooktop. Including ramp up and ramp down time, my Ute is charged to approx' 90% by about 3am and my BMS shuts down charging as that is what I have programmed it to do. Increases battery life by not charging to 100% constantly.

I won't mention what I did for a living for the last 15 years of my career. Most of the LT holders here would know that but shall we say, network something. Just incase you doubt what I say here is backed by any knowledge on the subject.

Anyway Jimmy, you can hang with the doubters, feed your horse (If you still have a horse and cart) and have a carcinogenic fun time producing your bio diesel from used fish and chip oil, to keep the spluttering Nissan Navara going into old age. Should keep you busy.