Electric vehicles have rapidly grown in popularity over the last decade, with consumers flocking to EVs like the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Bolt and Tesla Model 3. However, pickup trucks – a mainstay of American driving – have been slower to electrify. That‘s now changing fast, with every major automaker planning new battery-powered trucks over the next 3 years.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the burgeoning electric truck segment – models available today, those coming soon, key specifications, use cases, technology inside these muscular EVs, challenges facing adoption, and the road ahead. Buckle up for the electrified trucking future!
Brief History of Electric Trucks
Electric trucks aren‘t entirely new. Small electric commercial vehicles have quietly plied roads for over a decade. Dutch startup Emoss produced converted battery-powered vans and trucks since the early 2010s. Electric carmaker Tesla unveiled a concept all-electric semi truck with 500 miles of range back in 2017.
However, purpose-built fully electric pickup trucks from major automakers are a very recent phenomenon. Rivian, a startup launched in 2009 to develop adventure-oriented EVs, took the wraps off its R1T truck in 2018. This spurred other manufacturers to announce electric trucks soon. GMC Hummer EV debuted in 2020, Ford F-150 Lightning in 2021. 2022 marks the year several much-awaited electric trucks finally reach customer driveways.
Electric Trucks Coming Soon
Here are some of the highly anticipated EV truck models customers can expect to land over the next couple years:
Rivian R1T – The R1T startup darling bags the pole position as the first entrant in modern electric trucks. Initial deliveries began in late 2021, with the quad-motor trucks touting 0-60 mph in 3 seconds. Different battery sizes of 135 kWh and 180 kWh deliver 230 miles to 400+ miles of driving range. Prices currently start at around $67,500 before incentives.
GMC Hummer EV – This revived brand flashes supercar rivalling performance – 0 to 60 mph in just 3 seconds courtesy 1,000 hp and a Jacuzzi-like Watts to Freedom mode. Triple-digit speeds get capped at 106 mph. Initial Edition 1 Hummers deliver this year, while cheaper variants follow later. Prices stretch up to $112,595 today.
Ford F-150 Lightning – The Blue Oval‘s flagship electric truck targeting mainstream buyers launches Spring 2022. Offering up to 580 hp and 775 lb-ft torque, Ford forecasts 230 to 300 miles of range. Prices start at $41,769 before any federal or state incentives.
Tesla Cybertruck – No other EV truck matches the Cybertruck‘s dystopian looks…or production delays! After a 2021 sales goal proved unrealistic, deliveries now appear pushed to late 2023. The angular truck will come in single, dual and triple motor flavours – with up to 500 miles of range and 0-60 mph acceleration as quick as 2.9 seconds.
Besides the above, a phalanx of electric truck startups like Atlis Motors, Alpha Motors, Bollinger and Canoo promise to enlist soon too. Legacy automakers like GM, RAM and Toyota have announced electrified trucks in the pipeline additionally. Interesting times ahead for the EV truck wars!
Comparing Key Specifications
Every electric truck highlighted above promises awe-inspiring performance accompanied by modern tech and premium amenities. However, significant differences exist between models depending on battery size, power output, feature sets and capabilities.
Let‘s compare some vital electric truck specs side-by-side:
As the chart above indicates, early EV trucks already boast impressive 0 to 60 mph acceleration under 4 seconds and power output between 600 hp to 1,000 hp. Driving ranges vary today from 230 miles in the Ford F-150 Lightning to 500+ miles for the Tesla Cybertruck. Towing capacities currently range from 7,500 to 11,000+ pounds.
Charging times are where we notice a bifurcation – while startups Rivian and Atlis claim capabilities to juice back hundreds of miles within an hour, others like Ford and GMC remain limited to Level 2 AC charging that takes longer. As 800V fast-charging infrastructure develops, trucks launching in 2023 onwards will catch up here too.
Pricing also shows a wide spectrum – from the reasonable Ford F-150 Lightning starting under $42,000 to the six-figure indulgence of a loaded Hummer EV. Cost deltas can be attributed to battery pack sizes, materials used, automaker profit margins and target customer too.
We will compare other parameters like ride height, wading depth, storage space, towing tech etc. later too. First, let‘s discover what it feels like driving one of these electric beasts!
The Electric Truck Driving Experience
Driving impressions of early EV trucks paint a picture of sinister fast vehicles – with abundant torque available instantly with your foot down, resulting in neck-straining acceleration. Yet at city speeds, they remain smooth and silent like luxury limousines. You get the best of both worlds!
Let‘s highlight stand-out aspects of taking the wheel in one of these electric juggernauts:
Otherworldly Acceleration – Instant access to 100s of horsepower results in sheer exhilaration when you floor the throttle. EV trucks crack 60 mph faster than several sports sedans! Hummers hit 60 mph in about 3 seconds – that‘s quicker than a $500K Lamborghini Aventador. The contra-rotating motors contribute to the tail-happy launches.
One-Pedal Driving – Like with other EVs, you barely touch the brake pedal around town. Lifting your foot off the accelerator engages regenerative braking that feeds kinetic energy back to recharge batteries. The deceleration effect can bring trucks to a complete stop when mastered. Great for stop-go traffic.
Plush Ride – The low center of gravity from skateboard batteries paired with adjustable air suspensions delivers a compliant ride. Hitting nasty bumps at speed in a 3-ton vehicle feels calm and composed. Frankly, some EV trucks seem to smother imperfections better than a luxury sedan!
Futuristic Tech– From driver assistance features like lane centering to augmented reality displays reflected on windshields, these trucks brim with leading-edge tech. Over-the-air software ensure they get better over time too. Options like tank turn taking tight u-turns excite the inner geek.
In summary, driving EV trucks impress with their imminent power, cushy ride quality and avant-garde features. They masterfully blend workhorse capabilities with family-hauling comfort. Let‘s shift gears to discussing use cases these electric beasts handle best next.
Ideal Uses for Electric Trucks
Electric trucks aim to eventually replace their fossil-fueled counterparts across all applications – from weekday chores to weekend warrioring. However, they‘re currently best suited to certain specific use cases as the charging infrastructure and range buffer to tow heavy expand.
Here are some prime roles these initial battery-powered pickups shine in:
Daily Drivers – Thanks to the silent operation and lower running costs, electric trucks make excellent urban commuters and grocery fetchers. EV trucks cost just a fifth to run per mile compared to their gas counterparts by most estimates. Lower maintenance needs add to the affordability.
Weekend Getaways– Nothing conveys your adventurous outdoorsy lifestyle better than an EV truck loaded with bikes/skis heading into the wilderness. Just ensure there‘s a charging station reasonably nearby – or you use the opportunity to test out those solar panels!
Heavy Loads Around Town – Lumber runs, hitching horse trailers, short hops towing equipment…EV trucks handle substantial loads splendidly – especially with AWD traction and unyielding torque always on tap. You‘ll be the king of your suburban jungle.
As reflected above, the key to enjoying electric trucks is to play to their strengths today. Unless you need to tow max rated weights long distances routinely or go deep into the boonies, these capable EVs shine fine. Next, we get technical about the technology powering these transportation tigers.
Electric Truck Technology Explained
Electric trucks exemplify the leading-edge of drivetrain engineering today. They pack clever, often bespoke solutions to channel extremely high power reliably while maximizing efficiency. Let‘s nerd out on some powertrain specifics:
Skateboard Batteries – The flat battery packs with cells laid out horizontally resemble skateboards in shape. Rivian uses cylindrical 2170 cells like Tesla. Atlis employs larger format 4680 cylindrical cells promising higher density. Bulletproof casing protects packs weighing 1,200 pounds or more.
Multi-Motor Setups – To unlock unparalleled torque vectoring abilities, several EV trucks utilize quad motor or tri-motor configurations. Hummers have a motor powering each wheel. Cybertrucks will offer single to triple motor options. Gobs of precision power awaits drivers‘ disposal.
800V Ultra Fast Charging – To rejuice 100+ kWh battery packs rapidly, next-gen pickups from Atlis, Tesla, GM and more will offer cutting-edge 800V charging promising up to 300 miles of range in 15 minutes. This allows recharging during lunch breaks on long highway drives.
Besides highlights above, we see cool things like tank turns allowing spinning on the spot, air suspensions that automatically self-level and even rear wheel steering on trucks like the GMC Hummer for tighter turning circles. The R&D dollars invested by legacy and startup automakers alike into electric truck tech impresses tremendously. However, some challenges need addressing before mass adoption can ensue.
Adoption Challenges Facing Electric Trucks
Teething issues exist dousing unbridled enthusiasm for EV trucks presently. Until key areas involving affordability, charging infrastructure and reliability get bolstered, widespread acceptance faces headwinds. Let‘s discuss hurdles in the path:
High Upfront Cost – Loaded trucks like the GMC Hummer EV edge towards the $113,000 mark! While cheaper variants arrive later, most EV trucks still demand $10,000s extra upfront over comparable ICE models. Steep price tags could slow sales.
Range/ Towing Penalties – Max tow ratings quoted by EV truckmakers assume unladen vehicles and no accessories drawing power. Actual range while pulling near max capacity could prove under 150 miles for some – requiring careful route planning.
Sparse Charging Network – Major highways boast reasonable DC fast charging options. But venturing off the beaten track risks stranding without juice for miles. until Level 3 chargers proliferate near trailheads, range buffers remain essential.
Teething issues should resolve over time as costs decline thanks to economies of scale, towing tech improves and more charging options sprout to support growing EV volumes. Government regulations and incentives play a pivotal role too in accelerating adoption – which we‘ll discuss next.
Government Regulations and Incentives
Given climate change ramifications globally, governments are trying to accelerate the transition to electric transportation including trucks. Regulations, guidelines and incentives remain key levers to swell eco-friendly EV truck sales.
For example, in August 2021, the White House in the U.S. announced a target requiring 50% of new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030. New emissions guidelines also demand big cuts from ICE vehicles. To motivate buyers, federal tax credits up to $12,500 exist on EVs – including trucks like Rivian, Tesla, Ford and more. Additional state-level rebates apply in places like California too.
In Europe, the Fit for 55 package looks to cut all transportation emissions 55% versus 1990 levels this decade. Countries like Sweden already pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. Expect recharging infrastructure investments and purchase incentives to further boost EV trucks adoption overseas too.
Many industry experts already forecast electric models grabbing 50% chunk of all new truck sales in wealthy markets by 2030. Next, let‘s examine how eco-friendly these green monster pickups remain under the skin.
Environmental Impact of Electric Trucks
When it comes to benefiting the planet, battery-powered trucks hold a clear edge over conventional combustion offerings. However, they aren‘t perfect – with potential ecological pitfalls to navigate. Let‘s weigh the pros and cons:
Pros
- Zero tailpipe emissions improve air quality
- Greater well-to-wheel efficiency than diesel trucks
- Over-the-air updates enhance eco-sensitivity over life
- Silent operation with no cold starts aids noise pollution
- Recyclability of battery materials at end-of-life
Cons
- Battery production remains energy intensive
- Depends greatly on source of electricity generation
- Rare Earth metals sourcing risks unethical mining practices
- Challenging carbon footprint to accurately calculate
As evident above, while greener than conventional pickups, factors like the actual electricity mix for juicing trucks, ethical resourcing of battery materials and end-of-life recycling greatly impact the sustainability of EV trucks. Continue advancing tech in these areas is vital to realize their full eco-potential.
The Road Ahead for Electric Trucks
While still in the early phases, the electric pickup truck movement promises to only snowball going forward. Let‘s gaze into the crystal ball at what the future holds:
Continued Performance Improvements – We have already leaped from under 400 hp in early EVs to production trucks touting 1,000+ horses today. Expect output, torque and tow capacities to climb further as battery densities increase.
More Affordable Options – Economies of scale coupled with simplified production methods like Tesla‘s gigacastings should lower cost barriers. Retrofitting platforms like Canoo skin-on-frame pickups helps too. We could see sub-$30,000 EV truck offerings appear.
Mainstream Adoption – As countries double down on emissions reduction goals, expect EV trucks grabbing 15-20% share of all new truck sales by 2025, leaping to 40-50% through this decade. They represent the future.
Besides the above, over-the-air updates will bring smarter self-driving capacities, fast charging tech will continue to slash rejuicing times and ingenious features like bidirectional charging should materialize too. The electric pickup space promises no shortage of excitement ahead!
