Pickup trucks are very popular with drivers, especially in North America. These trucks are very versatile, from moving things on construction sites to transporting camping gear.
However, when it comes to electric pickup trucks, the category was practically non-existent until recently, when the EV revolution started to touch the category. In this article, we look at the best options for battery-powered pickup trucks, and we include models whether they are in production or still awaiting release.
Rivian R1T
The R1T deserves to be mentioned first because it has beaten every other manufacturer to the market. It also remains the only electric pickup truck delivered to customers.
However, the R1T has much more going for it than being the first to the market. It uses four electric motors, one attached to each tire, and generates more than 800 hp, allowing it to move from 0 to 60 mph in about three seconds.
Rivian started delivery with a trim that lasts 300 miles plus on a single charge and has promised a model with about 250 miles in range and another model with a beefier battery, enough to last 400 miles.
Reviewers have attested that the R1T lives up to expectation as the exploration partner Rivian is marketing it. It also has a raft of practical extras that make life in nature easier. For example, the R1T has an air compressor, can send out power from its battery, has a tunnel-like storage space, and offers a compact kitchen upgrade so you can cook everywhere.
The R1T starts at $67,500.
Tesla Cybertruck
The Cybertruck deserves a higher sport due to the unreal amount of interest it has generated. Unofficial reports indicate the electric pickup truck has more than a million reservations.
If you can get past the brutal, cold, futuristic exterior made of stainless steel, the Cybertruck is a beast of a truck. Tesla is offering it in single, dual, and tri-motor configuration, with the top trim capable of 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds.
The top-spec will last more than 500 miles, which is remarkable, given the truck’s weight. However, Tesla plans to use its vastly improved 4680 battery.
Tesla has moved the production of the Cybertruck to 2022, and prices should start around $40,000.
Ford F-150 Lightning
After selling millions of the gas-powered version, Ford has made a smart decision to use its F-series brand for its first battery-powered truck. The American company is also building the Lighting to look like its gas-powered cousin, which should help with acceptance.
The F-150 Lightning has what it takes to be a daily driver, even for more demanding users. It can carry up to 2,000 pounds of payload and tow up to 10,000 pounds behind it.
This truck will zoom from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, with 563 hp coming from the electric motors. Driving range is 300 miles on the top trim.
There will be options for personal and fleet-oriented models, with prices starting at $40,000 for the base model. Production will begin in 2022.
GMC Hummer EV
Remember the huge Hummer SUVs that hugged all the road in the ’90s? GM is bringing the monsters back, but with a twist; a battery will power it, and a pickup option will exist.
Power is still natural to this electric pickup truck, with more than 1,000 hp coming from the three electric motors. It will do 0 to 60 mph in 3 seconds and last more than 350 miles on a charge.
Other interesting features include Super Cruise driving assist, adaptive air suspension, and CrabWalk mode that lets the truck move sideways.
To get a piece of resurrected mobility, get ready to part with more than $110,000.
Chevy Silverado EV
The last entry on this list comes from another GM brand, the Chevy Silverado EV. This is another appropriation of both ICE name and styling. Since it is based on the same Ultium electric platform that powers the Hummer EV, we expect around 400 miles of driving range.
Details are still scarce, but we already know the Silverado will have a glass roof, a first for a Chevy pickup truck. But we expect to get more details during CES 2022 event.
