The “greatest swindle of our modern age,” according to a bold declaration made by a Canadian guy after an unpleasant experience with an electric truck left him disillusioned. Dalbir Bala, a local of Winnipeg, entered the world of electric vehicles by purchasing a Ford F150 Lightning for a whopping $115,000, tax included. His intentions were good; he wanted a car that would serve both his professional and recreational needs, be suited for trips to the cabin and fishing excursions, and be consistent with his eco-conscious lifestyle beliefs.
The initial excitement, however, gradually faded as the complex realities of EV ownership became clear. In order to satisfy the truck’s needs, Bala was compelled to incur a startling $10,000 expense by installing two charging stations at his home and place of business. Additionally, a $6,000 improvement to his home’s electrical panel necessitated extra spending. Including taxes, Bala’s total investment grew to more than $130,000.
Following a small collision that required “minor assembly” maintenance on the truck’s front bumper, the EV experience took an even more terrifying turn. Bala’s following trip to the body shop turned into a painful six-month ordeal that was hampered by Ford’s unreturned emails and phone calls.
The EV truck’s full limitations became apparent during the tumultuous 1,400-mile trip to Chicago. Rapid-charging stations that top off EV battery levels at 90% resulted in costs that were higher than what you’d pay for gasoline to travel the same distance. It cost an astounding $56 and took an arduous two hours to recharge from 10% to 90% at a stop in Fargo, North Dakota, expanding the range by just 215 miles.
During following pit breaks in Albertville, Minnesota, and Elk River, Minnesota, problems with the charging stations arose. In his account, Bala describes a combination of broken machinery and unhelpful helplines that left his family trapped and worried.
Bala chose to use a regular gasoline-powered car to finish their trip to Chicago out of desperation, towing the EV to a Ford dealership in Elk River. In the end, the F150 was recovered during the trip back to Winnipeg.
Deep-seated frustration is evident in Bala’s online account: “It sat in the shop for 6 months. I was unable to bring it to my lake cabin. It was useless for my off-grid camping trip. Not even a road trip would be possible with that. The biggest fraud of the modern era, it was a city-only car.
Bala fervently demands that the government step in to provide proper information to future EV buyers as he mulls over his trauma. He is steadfastly devoted to telling his experience in the hopes that it will inspire others to conduct rigorous study before making the decision to purchase an electric vehicle.
Bala’s thoughts reflect a deep disappointment that develops when the lofty expectations of EVs meet the unpleasant realities of ownership. He bemoans the lack of options for recourse when people become trapped in situations where expectations and financial reality vary sharply, binding them to vehicles that fall well short of their advertised advantages.