Home Sweet Charger: My Two-Year Experience With the F-150 Lightning

When I first brought home my Ford F-150Lightning, I wasn’t focused on torque or towing—I was focused on where and how I was going to keep it charged. Two years later, I can say that charging has become second nature, but not without a learning curve. If you’re thinking about going electric, especially with a truck, understanding the reality of EV charging is essential.

This is the first in a series of personal reflections I’ll be sharing over the next few months about my life with the Lightning. I’ll cover everything from winter driving to towing, road trips, and real-world range. But let’s start with what powers it all: charging.

Why a Home Charger Was Non-Negotiable

One thing I learned fast: if you’re serious about EV ownership, you need a proper home charging setup. For the first few days, I tried charging with a standard 120V outlet. At that rate, it would have taken days to go from 20% to 80%. That was never going to work.

Looking back, the home charger should’ve been installed before I even took delivery of the vehicle. I eventually installed a ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 at my house. Now, charging from 20% to 90% takes about 7 to 8 hours—usually overnight. I plug it in when I get home and forget about it until morning.

Having home charging in place changed everything. It’s the only way to truly benefit from the cost savings of owning an EV—especially here in New Jersey, where PSE&G offers an off-peak program that makes overnight charging significantly cheaper.

Public Charging Is a Mixed Bag

While I charge at home whenever possible, public EV charging is sometimes unavoidable—especially on road trips. And those experiences have been all over the map.

I’ve had excellent charging sessions at EVolve NY stations, where the fast chargers work reliably and are easy to access. But I’ve also dealt with broken chargers, long waits, and public Level 2 chargers that were painfully slow. Even when fast chargers are available, they’re often expensive—sometimes costing more than gas.

That’s one of the more frustrating realities of EV ownership right now: Level 3 charging (DC fast charging) isn’t cheap, and Level 2 public charging is often too slow to be useful unless you’re parked for hours. If you don’t have access to home charging, I’d think twice.

The Truth About Ford’s BlueOval Charge Network

Ford makes a big deal about its BlueOval Charge Network, but in my experience, it’s more marketing than substance. Yes, the truck will show you compatible stations, and yes, it integrates with some charging providers—but the coverage and real-time accuracy leave a lot to be desired.

The FordPass app is helpful in some cases, but I’ve learned not to rely on it alone. Instead, I plan all of my public charging stops in advance. Every trip gets mapped out (sometimes painfully) every leg, every charge. That’s a huge departure from how I used to drive my gas-powered truck, where spontaneity didn’t come with the risk of getting stranded.

Real Costs: The Home Advantage

Charging at home remains the best financial option. My electricity bill has gone up about $60 to $80 per month on average. That’s a meaningful increase—but when compared to what I used to spend on gas, oil, and service, it’s still a win. And more importantly, it’s predictable.

On the other hand, when I use public fast chargers, the cost can sometimes rival or even exceed a tank of gas. That’s one of the realities that doesn’t get talked about enough—EVs don’t always save you money if you’re relying on the more expensive public infrastructure.

What I’ve Learned

I’ve come a long way from those early days of range anxiety and slow trickle charging. With a home charger installed and a solid understanding of which fast chargers are reliable on my routes, I feel much more confident behind the wheel.

But here’s the truth: EV ownership still requires planning. Charging isn’t as convenient as pulling up to a gas station, and I’ve learned to plan everything—daily commutes, weekend trips, even errands—around battery level and charger availability.

Still, the benefits of owning the Lightning outweigh the trade-offs. Charging at home is simple, affordable, and reliable. And while public charging has a long way to go, I’ve found a rhythm that works for me.

If you’re considering an electric truck, my biggest piece of advice is simple: get your home charger set up early, learn your local charging network, and be ready to plan. With those pieces in place, charging doesn’t have to be a chore—it just becomes part of the routine.