EV range falls while carrying heavy loads, AAA study finds

Electric vehicles lose a significant amount of range when loaded with heavy cargo, according to a study from the AAA automotive engineering research team.

The study released Tuesday found the range of the Ford F-150 Lightning dropped by nearly 25 percent when loaded with cargo approaching the maximum capacity.

During the study, the full-size pickup was loaded with 1,400 pounds of sandbags — the equivalent of about 70 bags of mulch or 20 bags of concrete mix. A Ford spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.

The study was important to broaden understanding of how EV range can be limited, AAA spokesperson Adrienne Woodland said in a statement.

"Range anxiety remains a top reason consumers are hesitant to switch from gasoline-powered vehicles to EVs," said Woodland. "While this study may heighten concerns, it's worth remembering that excess weight reduces fuel economy in gas-powered vehicles, too."

Gasoline-powered vehicles perform more efficiently at highway speeds, while EVs thrive in urban driving conditions because of regenerative braking from more frequent stops. Permanent loads, such as equipment racks or toolboxes, will always reduce the range in electric pickups used as work vehicles, even without additional heavy cargo.

EVs may appeal to consumers because they produce significantly fewer emissions than internal combustion engines. AAA still finds EVs to be a viable option for many motorists.

"Our testing revealed a significant range reduction, but it's important to note that the Lightning was loaded to near its maximum capacity," Greg Brannon, director of AAA automotive engineering, said in the statement.

"Most buyers will likely use their Lightning with a lighter load, resulting in a much smaller range reduction."