v_traveller
Well-known member
Yup, happened on my FFE's maiden voyage, 78 mile RT commute to work, 1200ft elevation loss/gain, stop-and-go freeway traffic for about 30% of the trip. Did not intend to go round-trip on a single charge, but I thought my chargepoint account was set up for the charging station at work, and it wasn't. Fortunately I elected to freeze my extremities on the way down to work, so I had well over 60% of charge left, which the FFE translated to 62 miles, to get me back home.
Well, that wasn't enough for a 38 mile, 1200ft elevation gain. But, damn-the-torpedoes idiot that I am, I opted out of every opportunity to stop for a quick jolt at a free charger or blink station along the way. Heck, I even thought I was going to make it when FFE was telling me I had a mile of charge left with 7 miles to go. Stupid, in hindsight.
Then it happened. "Charge depleted, pull over safely". I feel a chill down my spine, and it wasn't because all life support systems were shut down for the entire trip. I was still 4 miles from home, going uphill before a final descent into the valley.
I slowed down from 50-55 to 35-40mph, semis blowing by me as I crawled up the truck bypass. Went about a mile more until the charge was really depleted. The crest of the hill was within sight, but my speed was gradually falling... 25.. 20... 10... 5... I thought we were on the downhill side by now, but it must have been an optical illusion... we were moving, at a leisurely walking speed, but the speedo needle was on zero... I got religious for a moment... speed finally started picking up after we really crested the hill, got to about 15 when I lightly braked, maintaining 15-20mph all the way down in hopes that we'd generate enough energy to drive home. No such luck - still had zero range at the bottom of the hill, so I pulled into a park and ride area and shut down, making sure the FFE was positioned for a quick tow hookup.
So now I know - charge depleted means, well, that the charge is depleted. Got maybe a mile or three to go. No "reserve" like in most ICE cars - which I've taken 20-30 miles on fumes a number of times.
Also - Ford Roadside assistance works well, very courteous, and perhaps even expecting your call...
"Ford or Lincoln?" she asked.
"Ford, a Focus Electric".
"Aww, did you run out of charge?".
"Yup."
"Don't worry honey, that's why were here".
Suddenly I felt better about this sorry situation I've inflicted on myself. In fact, if I wasn't happily married, I'd have asked her out for a cup of coffee or something.
Well, that wasn't enough for a 38 mile, 1200ft elevation gain. But, damn-the-torpedoes idiot that I am, I opted out of every opportunity to stop for a quick jolt at a free charger or blink station along the way. Heck, I even thought I was going to make it when FFE was telling me I had a mile of charge left with 7 miles to go. Stupid, in hindsight.
Then it happened. "Charge depleted, pull over safely". I feel a chill down my spine, and it wasn't because all life support systems were shut down for the entire trip. I was still 4 miles from home, going uphill before a final descent into the valley.
I slowed down from 50-55 to 35-40mph, semis blowing by me as I crawled up the truck bypass. Went about a mile more until the charge was really depleted. The crest of the hill was within sight, but my speed was gradually falling... 25.. 20... 10... 5... I thought we were on the downhill side by now, but it must have been an optical illusion... we were moving, at a leisurely walking speed, but the speedo needle was on zero... I got religious for a moment... speed finally started picking up after we really crested the hill, got to about 15 when I lightly braked, maintaining 15-20mph all the way down in hopes that we'd generate enough energy to drive home. No such luck - still had zero range at the bottom of the hill, so I pulled into a park and ride area and shut down, making sure the FFE was positioned for a quick tow hookup.
So now I know - charge depleted means, well, that the charge is depleted. Got maybe a mile or three to go. No "reserve" like in most ICE cars - which I've taken 20-30 miles on fumes a number of times.
Also - Ford Roadside assistance works well, very courteous, and perhaps even expecting your call...
"Ford or Lincoln?" she asked.
"Ford, a Focus Electric".
"Aww, did you run out of charge?".
"Yup."
"Don't worry honey, that's why were here".
Suddenly I felt better about this sorry situation I've inflicted on myself. In fact, if I wasn't happily married, I'd have asked her out for a cup of coffee or something.