There are many EV Trucks on the market. CarShield helps answer which one is best for you.
After what feels like decades of promise, the electric car has finally arrived. And while that is exciting for many, what about those who need their pickup truck? Well, they are in luck because the best electric trucks provide all the performance and capability buyers could hope for.
Tesla Cybertruck
Perhaps the most publicized and well-known entry on the list, The Cybertruck, from Tesla, boasts “Better utility than a truck with more performance than a sports car".
That’s quite a claim, and yet it seems that Tesla is ready to deliver when it comes to specs.
The base model features a single-motor, rear-wheel drive, that offers a towing capacity of 7,500+ lbs of towing.
At that level, the Cybertruck has a 0-60 mph speed of 6.5 seconds and an EPA estimated range of 250+ miles. However, that version won’t be available for the first year, leaving the dual- and tri-motor versions as the sole option for 2024.
Taking the options up is a dual-motor all-wheel-drive option that accelerates from 0-60 mph in <4.5 seconds. It also beefs up the towing capacity to over 10,000 lbs. At the highest available level, the tri-motor all-wheel-drive option boasts supercar speeds of 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds, increasing towing capacity to over 14,000 lbs. The high-powered specs are impressive, but the real eye-catching feature of this electric truck is the eccentric design.
Also, Cybertrucks have 35-degree approach and 28-degree departure angles. They additionally boast an air suspension system that can raise the vehicle to an off-road-ready 16 inches.
Though the look of the Cybertruck is polarizing to hardcore truck enthusiasts, it appeals to the rabid Tesla fanbase. No matter how you feel about the aesthetic look of the truck, you can feel safe inside its thick skin. The exterior of the Cybertruck is aptly described as “a nearly impenetrable exoskeleton, every component is designed for superior strength and endurance, from Ultra-Hard 30x Cold-Rolled stainless steel structural skin to Tesla Armor glass.”
With this truck, Tesla strives to achieve strength, speed, and safety. An impressive feat.
The question is, will Tesla be able to make the Cybertruck available at the sub-$40,000 price touted by Elon Musk? Estimates for the dual- and tri-motor versions vary between $70,000 and $80,000.
Rivian R1T
Looking for an adventure truck that is between full-size and mid-size, that doesn’t look like a sci-fi film one-off? Well, Rivian has the electric truck for you. The R1T is one of the top electric trucks right now. Between its looks and its capabilities, it’s not hard to see why.
With a website that highlights an adventurous lifestyle, Rivian seems to push the brand aspect over touting its performance. However, that doesn’t mean this offering doesn’t hold its own against the battery-powered competition.
There are several flavors of R1T, each with AWD functionality and impressive performance for a pickup. The base Dual-Motor AWD features 533 hp and 610 lb-ft of torque; good for a 4.5-second, 0-60 mph run. A Performance Dual-Motor AWD version ups the horsepower to 665 and torque to 829 lb-ft, shrinking 0-60 times to 3.5 seconds.
The top-tier Rivian R1T is the Quad-Motor AWD, which can deliver 0-60 mph in 3 seconds, and hauls a towing capacity of up to 11,000 lbs., while still having an EPA estimated range of 328 miles.
Don’t let those impressive stats make you forget the adventure side of this high-tech truck powerhouse. It can also wade in 3 feet of water. Not that you should treat it like a canoe, but if you need one, it has plenty of space for one of those, too.Rivian has designed this truck to make the best use of every inch of the R1T. With an 11 cubic foot front trunk and the traditional bed with a 51.1” width and 83.6 in length when the tailgate is down, the R1T has plenty of space. Additionally, it has what is referred to as a “Gear Tunnel” which is a hollow space between the truck bed and cab. This spot is for the extra messy gear that you don’t want in the already rugged and muck-resistant cabin.
As for cost, this adventure vehicle isn’t cheap, though. The lowest trim starts at $67,500. The base Dual-Motor AWD model starts at $73,000. For that price, buyers get incredible power and capability compared to most pickup trucks and even many sports cars. The Dual Motor Performance version brings the price up to around $85,000. As for the ultimate Quad-Motor version, expect prices to begin at over $90,000.
GMC Hummer EV
GM’s first commercially available foray into the Electric Truck market makes a big splash.
The company has reignited the dormant Hummer brand to carry the company into the future. Fondly remembered for its incredible off-road capability and versatility, the Hummer was a jewel in GM’s crown for a long time. However, the relatively underwhelming fuel economy arguably held the vehicle back.
It’s fitting then, that the Hummer was revived to be the first all-electric truck offering from GM.
The Hummer EV Edition 1 has over 1,000 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful electric trucks on the market. It delivers 0-60 mph in 3 seconds, up to 11,500lb-ft torque, and an estimated range of 329 miles. Hummer EV offers fast charging capability with up to 350kw 800V DC Fast Charging that delivers nearly 100 miles in range from 10 minutes of charging.
That’s not the only interesting innovation. The “crab-walking” feature makes the Hummer EV unique. Its rear wheels can turn up to 10 degrees in either direction, which allows the vehicle to nimbly navigate treacherous terrain or parallel park with ease.
It is important to note, there are now three other trim levels of Hummer, including the EV2, the EV2X, and the EV3X. The EV2 is a 2-motor design with 250 miles of range and an impressive 625 hp, though only a 400V DC charger.
Next is the EV2X, which jumps to an 800V charger, has 300 miles of range, larger wheels, and adds underbody cameras. The EV3X features an extra motor, giving it 830 hp, torque vectoring, the Watts-to-Freedom mode, and a 3.5-second 0–60 time.
There is an available Extract Mode that uses the Adaptive Air Ride Suspension to raise nearly half a foot. This could be useful when forging ahead through water or crawling over boulders.
The design of the Hummer echoes back to the Hummer H2 which was unveiled in 2002. With all the Hummer brand appeal, updated designs, and tech improvements, this is the electric truck that leaves many drooling.
The Edition 1 version of the Hummer begins at $105,000, but it sells out quite quickly. The EV2 begins at $80,000, the EX2X starts at $90,000, and the EV3X has a base price of over $100,000.
Ford F-150 Lightning
The most recent electric truck to be announced on the list, the Ford F-150 Lightning. The Ford F-150 Lightning has a more traditional look, but that certainly doesn’t mean this electric truck disappoints or underperforms compared to the others. Instead, it has proven to be one of the top EV trucks precisely because it provides a mostly traditional truck experience.
The extended range version offers 0-60 mph acceleration between 4 to 5 seconds, a maximum of 10,000 lbs in towing capacity, and a targeted EPA estimated range of 320 miles on the extended range battery available in the XLT and Lariat trims. The base Pro version has an estimated 240 miles of range. The top Platinum trim level carries a range estimate of 300 miles.
Instead of looking for mind-blowing innovation, Ford opted to deliver what it’s known best for, a durable work truck.
Ford leaned into the practicality and usefulness of a rolling battery, and in doing so developed a “Mega Power Frunk”. This means that the front trunk contains 4 120v outlets to add to the additional outlets in the cab and bed of the truck, which in total can deliver 9.6kW of exportable power.
Talk about powering any job site or tailgating event. But all that power isn’t just relegated to the tasks at hand. Ford developed its Ford Intelligent Backup Power system. Providing that the home is properly equipped, the F-150 Lightning can act as a generator and supply full home power for 3 days. If you ration the use, it could last up to 10 days.
These practical uses of the F-150 Lightning and its MSRP of $50,000 for Pro trim level, make Ford’s electric truck very appealing for commercial use. However, with the additional options, add-ons, and trim levels available, the F-150 can increase in price dramatically. The XLT version starts at $57,000, the Flash version starts at $70,000, the Lariat version starts at $77,000, and the top Platinum version starts at over $91,000.
2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV
While the Chevrolet Silverado EV pickup isn’t available for purchase by the public yet, it’s incredibly close to release and is shaping up to be one of the best EV trucks on the market.
As for price, the base WT trim with 510 horsepower could be as low as $50,000. Higher trims, which will come with more power and range, will cost more. 3WT and 4WT trims will start in the $75,000 range, with the top 754 horsepower RST First Edition models commanding a $100,000+ sticker price.
The Silverado EV will include options such as 4-wheel steering, adaptive air suspension, and locking differentials, among others. As for range, the EPA says that the 4WT’s estimated range will be 450 miles.
With any of these electric trucks bringing serious value to the table, consumers in the market to switch to an EV won’t have to grapple with the decision. However, you should do your research on what the costs of maintaining it are. The EV world is still new and the industry is always adapting and changing, as are the plans to protect it.
