Photo Credit: iStockA Ford F-150 owner considering switching from gas to electric said the decision came down to the dollars and cents. Their 2023 Tremor was costing a whopping $357 a month in fuel.Before they made the swap, owners on the r/F150Lighting subreddit kept coming back to one point. To make it work, they needed home charging.Here's what to knowIn a Reddit post, the owner said they bought a 2023 Tremor. Because the off-roading they expected never really materialized, they started exploring whether a 2024 F-150 Lightning Flash could work as a near one-for-one replacement.Trade-in estimates seem to be a big part of the appeal. The poster said the Tremor has turned into "a road warrior" with "a $357 a month average on gas," and added that the truck's trade-in value looks strong enough that the switch may not cost much more.Several Lightning owners responded favorably. One commenter said their "miss or regret" was "nothing" after making a lumber run between Madison and Chicago with about 1,000-1,500 pounds on board on a trip that took "over 4 hours round trip.""Home charging is an absolute must so factor that cost into your purchase price," a user wrote.Like almost all EVs, Ford includes a Level 1 charger with new purchases, but that is plugging into a regular wall outlet and can get about 20 to 40 miles of driving across 10 to 12 hours overnight, give or take. So part of what many commenters spoke to, beyond just being able to plug into any outlet at home, was to install a Level 2 home outlet through a service like Qmerit, which takes that estimate to 200 to 300 miles of driving in about 10-12 hours.More backgroundWhile charging infrastructure was a large part of the conversation, much of the advice focused on how the truck would actually be used. One commenter said the biggest thing to think through is "road trip range" and whether regular long-distance towing would turn charging stops into a hassle.Running costs came up repeatedly, too. One commenter said their Lightning costs "8¢ a mile in 'fuel'" and that the "30k service was $34," while another said the first week of relying on public charging before a home unit was installed was "a PITA."The discussion also expanded beyond battery range and charging. One commenter advised finding "a Ford dealer that actually cares to sell and service EVs," arguing that many dealerships either do not want to sell them or are "just clueless."What can be done?Before buying, several commenters said you need to sort out your home setup first."You absolutely need level 2 charging at home though," one wrote. "Don't attempt to own an EV truck without that."That may be less of a hurdle for the original poster. In a reply, they said the garage already has a permitted subpanel installation, which could make installing a charger simpler.For longer drives, commenters suggested planning around charging networks. One recommended budgeting for "a high quality NACS to CCS1 adapter so you can use Tesla Superchargers," while also warning that drivers may need "a bunch of apps" because different charging providers do not always handle payment the same way.According to their follow-up, the OP ended up heeding everyone's advice. While they still had to convince their wife and find the right vehicle to buy in the St. Louis area, they had budgeted for a Level 2 home charger and seemed set on making the switch.Those interested in doing the same can try out Qmerit, which can provide a free estimate by uploading a picture of your electrical panel and answering a few questions about the desited charger location in relation to that panel.Where can I learn more?If you're weighing the same tradeoffs, charging-access and operating-cost questions are ones that Lightning shoppers keep coming back to.• Across the U.S., apartment charging access is still shaping whether an EV works.• Ford is offering free home charger installation with some EV deals.• In the Bay Area, charging costs 7.9 times less per mile than gas, even without home charging.Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
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