“Man’s Frustration with Electric Truck Spurs Critique on EVs: ‘Biggest Scam of Modern Times’
A Canadian man, Dalbir Bala, has voiced his discontent with electric vehicles (EVs), labeling them the “biggest scam of modern times” following his exasperating encounter with an electric truck.
Bala, residing in the Winnipeg area, purchased a Ford F-150 Lightning EV in January for $115,000 Canadian dollars (approximately $85,000 U.S. dollars), along with taxes. Ford’s Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the vehicle is $77,495 U.S. dollars.
He explained that he sought the vehicle for both work-related needs and recreational activities, such as trips to his cabin and fishing outings. Additionally, he desired an environmentally friendly option as part of his commitment to responsible citizenship.
However, Bala swiftly confronted the realities of EV ownership and operation soon after acquiring the vehicle. To support his EV, he had to install two chargers – one at his workplace and another at home – at a cost of $10,000. He also needed to upgrade his home’s electric panel, incurring a $6,000 expense. In total, Bala spent over $130,000, excluding taxes.
His disillusionment deepened after a minor accident shortly following the purchase, which necessitated “light assembly” on the front bumper. Bala entrusted the vehicle to a body shop, but it took six months before he retrieved it. His attempts to reach out to Ford for assistance went unanswered, with neither emails nor phone calls yielding a response.
The limitations of the EV truck became glaringly evident during a tumultuous 1,400-mile road trip to Chicago. The fast charging stations, which only charge up to 90%, proved costlier than gasoline for the same mileage. During the family’s first stop in Fargo, North Dakota, it took two hours and $56 to charge the vehicle from 10% to 90%, extending the range by 215 miles.
At the second stop in Albertville, Minnesota, the free charger malfunctioned, and the listed phone number provided no assistance. The family then proceeded to Elk River, Minnesota, in pursuit of another charging station, only to find it also inoperative.
In an online post, Bala conveyed his sense of helplessness: “This sheer helplessness was mind-boggling. My kids and wife were really worried and stressed at this point.”
With no fast charging stations within reach of Elk River and only 12 miles (ca. 19 km) of range remaining, the family found themselves stranded. The day had turned into late afternoon, and they were hungry and disheartened.
Bala ultimately had the EV towed to a Ford dealership in Elk River and rented a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle to complete their journey to Chicago. On their way back to Winnipeg, they retrieved the F-150 Lightning.
“It was in the shop for 6 months. I can’t take it to my lake cabin. I cannot take it for off-grid camping. I cannot take it for even a road trip,” Bala lamented. “I can only drive in the city – the biggest scam of modern times.”
Bala emphasized the need for government intervention to provide consumers with accurate information. He urged others to learn from his experience and conduct thorough research before considering an EV purchase.
Ford, in response to the situation, acknowledged the challenges faced by the industry and highlighted the urgency to enhance public charging infrastructure. They mentioned that EV-certified dealerships will install public-facing DC fast chargers by early 2024. Additionally, they revealed their access to Tesla Superchargers, aiming to offer alternative charging options.
GM also announced its collaboration with Tesla Supercharger stations, starting next year, through an adapter plug, providing access to over 12,000 chargers. In 2025, GM plans to integrate Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector design into their EV vehicles, enabling customers to plug into Superchargers without adapters.
