A man from Canada has labeled electric vehicles as the "biggest scam of modern times" following his disappointing encounter with an electric truck.
Residing in the Winnipeg vicinity, Dalbir Bala purchased a Ford F150 Lightning EV in January at a price of $115,000, excluding taxes. Sharing his story with FOX Business, he mentioned that he required the truck for professional purposes. Additionally, he sought a vehicle fit for leisure pursuits like trips to his cabin or fishing expeditions. He also expressed his desire for a green vehicle, seeing it as a mark of "responsible citizenship these days."
Shortly after acquiring his EV, Bala confronted the practicalities of its ownership and usage. He was necessitated to set up two charging stations – one for his workplace and another at his residence – amounting to $10,000. Moreover, to facilitate this charger, he had to enhance his home’s electrical panel at a cost of $6,000.
In total, Bala's expenditure exceeded $130,000, not including tax.
A minor mishap soon after acquisition led to what Bala described as a need for "light assembly" on the front bumper. Upon taking the vehicle for repairs, it wasn't returned to him for half a year. Bala expressed that his attempts to communicate with Ford via email and calls went unanswered.
When Bala set out on a tumultuous 1,400-mile journey to Chicago, the drawbacks of his EV truck became glaringly evident.
Quick charging stations, which can only power EVs to a maximum of 90%, proved pricier than fuel for equivalent distances. During their inaugural halt in Fargo, North Dakota, charging his vehicle from a 10% to 90% capacity consumed two hours and drained $56 from his wallet. This charge powered the truck for an additional 215 miles.
During their next halt in Albertville, Minnesota, Bala found the complimentary charger to be non-operational, and the contact number on the station wasn't beneficial, he shared. The family then ventured to another station in Elk River, Minnesota, only to encounter another malfunctioning charger.
Bala expressed his disbelief online, stating, "This sheer helplessness was mind-boggling. My kids and wife were really worried and stressed at this point." They were in a predicament as there were no other quick chargers accessible from Elk River and their vehicle was left with a mere 12-mile range.
"As the day progressed towards evening, we found ourselves stranded, famished, and deeply disappointed," Bala remarked.
In the end, Bala resorted to having his EV towed to an Elk River Ford dealership. They continued their journey to Chicago in a gasoline-powered rental car and retrieved their F150 during their return to Winnipeg.
In his commentary, Bala emphasized, "It was in [the] shop for 6 months. I can’t take it to my lake cabin. I cannot use it for secluded camping. I can't even trust it for a lengthy drive. Its utility is confined to urban drives – biggest scam of modern times."
Speaking to FOX Business, he stressed the government's role in "provide consumers with the right information."
"People must make informed decisions. I urge everyone to internalize my experience," he conveyed. "Thoroughly investigate before even considering an EV and then make a more informed selection."
He added, "The promised functionality falls dramatically short, barely meeting half the expectations. After the purchase, you're bound to it, bearing significant financial burdens if you wish to part ways. And assistance is scarcely found."
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