Over the past two years, Midland Power employees logged more than 20,000 miles behind the wheel of the cooperative's Ford F-150 Lightning, gaining valuable real-world experience with electric vehicle (EV) ownership. That hands-on experience helped employees answer members' questions and provide practical insight about charging, driving range, operating costs, and everyday usability.
The Lightning proved to be both a dependable truck and an outstanding learning tool. During its time in the fleet, the truck's onboard data showed that 87% of its energy was used to move the vehicle down the road. Climate control accounted for 7% of energy use, while accessories and the effects of exterior temperatures each represented about 3%.
Those numbers reinforce something many EV owners discover: despite common concerns, heating and air conditioning typically consume a relatively small share of an EV's energy over the course of a year. Most of the battery's energy simply goes toward moving the vehicle, just as fuel in a gasoline-powered vehicle is primarily used for propulsion.
Now, the cooperative is taking the next step.
When the Lightning's lease ended in April, Midland Power upgraded to a Chevrolet Silverado EV, equipped with the automaker's Max Range battery. The new truck offers an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 480 miles on a full charge, about 50% farther than the Lightning, while also providing significantly faster DC fast-charging capabilities.
Like the Lightning, the Silverado EV will serve as a general fleet vehicle and a hands-on educational resource, allowing employees to stay current with rapidly evolving EV technology and share their firsthand experiences with members considering an EV.
The Silverado EV is also available for test drives by members, and a test drive can be scheduled by calling (800) 833-8876 or emailing mpcrec@midlandpower.coop.
A brief video about our experience with the Ford Lightning is available below. To learn more about electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, visit MidlandPower.coop/EV.