So you‘re tempted by the siren song of electric pickups promising Tesla-rivaling acceleration paired with worksite capabilities. Your shopping list is narrowed to two awe-inspiring battery-powered trucks: the brutish GMC Hummer EV and Ford‘s F-150 Lightning strike.
But with both commanding six-figure price tags and extended wait lists, choosing the right electric truck is no casual purchase. That‘s why I‘ve put together this comprehensive 2500+ word guide comparing every specification that matters across four key categories:
- Performance & Capability
- Charging & Battery Essentials
- Technology & Interior Experience
- Ownership, Costs & Availability
By the end, you‘ll hold the complete breakdown to decide whether the Hummer EV‘s beastly performance or Ford‘s practical ingenuity wins your hard-earned dollar. Time to gear up!
Introducing the Contenders: Hummer EV vs Ford Lightning Overview
First, let‘s set the stage introducing our heavyweight opponents in this battery-powered truck tilt.
In one corner, we have the return of the Hummer, reincarnated by GMC as a 1,000 horsepower electric vehicle mixing cyberpunk styling with serious off-road prowess.
And in the other, Ford leverages America‘s best-selling vehicle nameplate for their innovative F-150 Lightning model. Infusing the world‘s toughest truck with electric motors bridges their ICE legacy into the sustainable future.
The stakes couldn‘t be higher, so let‘s dig into the details comparing these titans across all that matters for electric truck buyers:
Performance & Capabilities
- Torque vectoring & rear-wheel steering give the Hummer EV unmatched off-road talents and rock crawling abilities.
- But Ford‘s Lightning strikes back with traditional truck capabilities like 10,000 lbs max towing capacity.
Charging & Battery Essentials
- Hummer EV touts 350 kW fast charging but Ford‘s modular battery architecture allows more convenient home charging scales.
- Significantly lower 400V voltage system brings charging infrastructure advantages for the Lightning.
Technology & Interior Details
- Hummer EV infotainment centered around dual 13.4" diagonal touchscreens with unique UI requiring acclimation.
- Ford sticks to their tried-and-true Sync 4A interface on the huge 15.5” screen for intuitive control of all systems.
Ownership Experience
- As the debut Hummer EV, Edition 1 models ring up over $110k sticking to GMC premium luxury pricing.
- With a starting MSRP below $42k, Ford positions Lightning as an attainable electrification of America‘s workhorse vehicle.
Now that you know the key areas of comparison, let’s shift to gears and hit the gas dissecting how these electric trucks stack up by the categories that matter most.
Performance & Capability Breakdown
Let’s kick off analysing the vehicular virtues buyers expect from a full-size pickup, whether desert running or job site duties.
Off-Road Domination: Hummer EV Claims the Trail
You expect off-road excellence wearing the Hummer badge and the EV incarnation delivers with specialized tech and features enabling drivers to tackle rugged terrain.
The Supertruck benefits from features like:
- Extract Mode – Software adjusts suspension height up to 6 inches delivering class-leading 15.9” ground clearance for extreme obstacles and (up to) 36” water fording depth
- CrabWalk – All-wheel steering enables diagonal driving with the wheel angle up to 10 degrees for navigating tight trails
- UltraVision – Full underside cameras and ground spotter views provide virtual vision of obstacles otherwise hidden
Software Enhancements Further Aid Off-Road Handling
Assisting capabilities like Extract drive modes, the Hummer EV benefits from true e-axle torque vectoring plus rear-wheel steering for greater low speed maneuverability.
This translates direct torque delivery side-to-side to keep the truck tracking evenly no matter the terrain. The faster steering ratio (up to 10°) then takes over enabling pivoting action within a tighter envelope at the front and rear tires.
All combined, few challengers can compete with the Hummer EV for technical trail running or remote rock crawling challenges straight from the factory floor.
Hummer EV "Crab Walk" articulation demonstration courtesy GMC
Towing and Hauling: Ford Holds Down Truck Legacy
While a trail-taming beast lies within, buyers expect pickups to excel at real job site requirements like towing heavy loads. By the towing and payload numbers, the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning better upholds classic truck virtues:
- Maximum Tow Rating: Ford Lightning – 10,000 lbs | Hummer EV – 7,500 lbs
- Max Payload Capacity: Ford Lightning – 2,235 lbs | Hummer EV – 1,300 lbs
Multiple independent tests confirm the F-150 Lightning can confidently haul near its max tow rating without struggle. Truck owners report responsive acceleration whether running empty or loaded down given the immediate electric torque delivery.
The independent rear suspension also maintains composed damping and shock absorption hitting bumps and road undulation while towing. Hitting the max towing spec requires upgrading to the extended range 131 kWh battery proving 31% extra capacity over base pack.
Buyers should note that exceeding max payload in the cargo bed can reduce overall driving range while towing. But Ford‘s max tow and payload ratings still trounce the Hummer EV, fulfilling expectations buyers have of full-size American pickups.
Electric Horsepower Wars: Hummer EV Crushes 0-60 MPH
While clearly down on utility metrics like towing, the revived Hummer makes no apologies about delivering wicked performance channeled through an e-axle at each wheel.
- 0-60 MPH: Hummer EV – 3.0 sec | Ford Lightning – Mid 4 sec range
- 1/4 Mile Acceleration: Hummer EV – 11.3 sec @ 106 mph | Lightning – 13.8 sec @ 98 mph
- Top Speed: Hummer EV – 110 mph limited | Lightning – 105 mph capped
Unleashing the full acceleration force engages Watts to Freedom mode, dropping the torque hammer using immersive audio/visual feedback for the 3 second thrill ride to 60 mph.
This neck-snapping performance partially comes thanks to the GM Ultium platform’s industry-leading 200 kWh battery capacity feeding the smash-you-back power output. Specially designed track mode software unlocks even further performance potential when kicking up desert dust or screaming on-road.
Make no mistake, the resurrected Hummer lives up to its Supertruck moniker by trouncing the Lightning for sheer acceleration metrics.
Charging Essentials: Facts About Batteries & Infrastructure
Shifting gears from vehicle performance, this section focuses on charging essentials impacting ownership like total range, battery details and infrastructure considerations.
Range & Efficiency – Ford Holds Usability Advantage
Top-line maximum range numbers can misrepresent actual usability, with Ford showing greater consistency:
| Spec | Hummer EV | Ford F-150 Lightning |
|---|---|---|
| Max EPA Range | 329 mi* | 320 mi (ER battery) |
| City/Hwy Range | 277/358 mi* | 290/264 mi (ER) |
*GM range estimate not yet EPA certified
Why the city/highway range divergence? It comes down to weight and drivetrain efficiency. At over 9000lbs curb weight, the Hummer EV‘s mammoth battery yields less efficiency when tackling off-road terrain versus ideal freeway cruising.
The Lightning benefits from battery capacity right-sized to intended applications, yielding range figures with less variability. Ford‘s team also invested heavily in drivetrain optimizations like lower chassis aero-drag and rear suspension fine-tuning to maximize highway range, evident by the ratings.
For customers prioritizing daily range over recreational weekend warrior duties, the F-150 Lightning better delivers on usable range expectations.
Battery & Charging Infrastructure – Why Voltage Matters
You can‘t discuss electric vehicle capabilities without analyzing what lies beneath – the battery pack. And when it comes to charging, voltage and supporting infrastructure play pivotal roles that are often misunderstood.
Let‘s decode the why behind these EV considerations:
Battery Chemistry
- GMC utilizes the standard electric Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion formulation for the modules making up the overall Hummer EV pack.
- Ford bucked industry trends opting for Lithium Iron-Phosphate (LFP) chemisty citing enhanced stability and safety.
NMC has higher energy density packing more range per pound explains GM‘s industry leading 200+ kWh capacity. But LFP solutions typically present longer cycle life expectancies and robust tolerance during fast charging. Ford claims elimating cobalt further reduces environmental impact.
Expect rapid innovations in battery chemistry as capacities ramp up while shrinking packaging sizes and weight. But today‘s lithium ion batteries require smart charging and thermal controls to ensure longevity avoiding degradation.
That brings us to…
Voltage – Why Lower Can Be Better
- Hummer EV: 800 volt electrical architecture
- Ford F-150 Lightning: 400 volt system
You‘ll frequently see EV headlinestout 800V as an advantage allowing faster DC charging. But higher voltage systems require robust (and heavy) wiring plus specialty components able to handle surging current flows.
There‘s a reason most vehicles today utilize 12-volt automotive electrical systems. And Ford‘s F-150 team opted for 400 volts citing improved stability for truck demands while enabling practical at-home and public charging scaling.
With twice lower voltage than the Hummer EV, affordable Ford Charge Station Pro installation combined with wider DC Fast Charger access delivers a complete ecosystem. This fortifies dependable F-150 Lightning operation including charging stops enabling longer haul towing trips.
So don‘t assume higher voltage directly translates into better vehicle integration or ownership experience. Combined with battery chemistry selections, we‘re still in the early days of optimizing EV power foundations.
Interior Experience: Comfort & Convenience Upgrades
Beyond propulsion essentials, we use vehicles daily becoming an extension of our lives on the road. That‘s why interior comfort and connectivity also weigh heavily for buyers. Here‘s how these electric trucks compare inside the cabin:
Lightning (left) adopts familiar layout while Hummer EV (right) gets artsy ultra-widescreen treatment
Seating & Ride Comfort
- The Hummer EV prioritizes interior space for front passengers with its R1T platform tightening mid and rear seat legroom.
- Ford maintains the Lightning crew cab‘s spacious seating thanks to battery packaging that preserves beloved cab dimensions.
Expect a smoother highway ride in the Lightning as well thanks to the independent rear suspension‘s composed damping even while loaded down. The traditional solid rear beam axle on Hummer EV models allows more road feedback and impact harshness to transmit straight into chassis and seating.
If your passengers plan to rack up highway miles, Lightning better protects from fatigue.
Infotainment & Controls
- Hummer EV suicide doors allow nearly four feet of interior pass-through breadth thanks to the flat load floor.
- Undisputed leader in storage flexibility goes to Lightning‘s Mega Power Frunk parceling out 14.1 cu ft of lockable cargo room.
Gear hauling Ability expands thanks to both trucks‘ flat load floors from the absence of a driveshaft and transmission tunnels. But Ford‘s frunk dimensions swallow larger equipment freeing bed real estate for overlanding attachments or building materials.
Smart Vehicle Connectivity
- Hummer EV currently lacks full drive recording and reporting that telematics-savvy owners may expect in 2023 model years.
- Ford offers standard connectivity via the FordPass app to access vehicle status, charging controls, location services and intuitive mobile features.
Expect expanded apps and self-updating notification alerts as these EV become more connected over future model years thanks to OTA software flashing.
Ownership Considerations: Value Propositions
This final section focuses on total ownership costs and considerations beyond just MSRP. From warranty protection to long term maintenance, here are key differentiators.
Pricing & Order Timing
| Model | Base MSRP | Avg Order-to-Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Hummer Edition 1 | $108,700 | 12-14 months |
| Ford Lightning Pro | $41,769 | 8-12 months |
With order books overflowing for these splashy electric trucks, delaying purchase decisions carries real costs if incentive landscape shifts. Get your name on the list sooner than later, especially as rising rates stretch buyer budgets.
Projected Residual Values
Third party vehicle history sources predict stronger near-term used pricing and resale value retention for the Ford Lightning over three years of ownership thanks to fiscal constraints slowing luxury truck spending. Limited availability certainly drives up premiums for early adopters.
But brand loyalty and desirability metrics suggest stronger long term collector interest in Hummer variants amongst EV enthusiasts. Time will tell whether either emerges as a coveted future classic.
Insurance & Ongoing Maintenance
Repair complexity and parts availability weigh on insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs getting damaged EVs back on the road. Here Ford carries the advantage of leveraging F-Series scale and mass production efficiencies with common mechanical components across models.
As a clean sheet design and low volume product, Hummer EV out-of-commission downtime proves longer until parts inventory and servicing experience scales up. Something to consider if relying on a single vehicle in your household fleet.
TLDR: Stronger residual value retention forecast for the Ford Lightning but rapidly evolving EV segment brings unpredictability. Reinforcing the importance of proactive warranty protections on either high dollar purchase.
The Electric Truck You Should Buy: Key Takeaways
We‘ve covered a full gamut of considerations, so where does that leave shoppers on this six-figure decision balancing priorities? Here are key takeaways compartmentalizing the strengths of each electric truck:
If you prioritize worksite utility with max towing, choose the Ford Lightning for its traditional F-Series truck capabilities
- 10,000 lb max tow rating among highest for any EV Pickup
- More stable 400V electrical architecture benefits dependability
- Smart scaled charging ecosystem including 80A home installation
If max power and off-road talent tempts over practicality, the brutish Hummer EV wins for extreme performance
- 1,000 hp and 11,500 lb-ft torque crushes 0-60 mph in 3 seconds
- Extract terrain response and Ultravision spotlight toughness
- Lofty Supertruck status carries exclusivity pricing to match
For most truck buyers, the Ford Lightning narrowly claims the crown thanks to its balance of sustainable EV ingenuity keeping owners productive across work and play. Yet the wicked Hummer EV keeps things exciting while pushing the boundaries of electric propulsion possibilities. Lucky for us, Americans love to compete so expect both brands to rapidly traded blows advancing EV tech with each subsequent model year update.
I hope this guide gives clarity making this war of electrification titans an informed decision. Any thoughts on the Hummer EV versus Lightning breakdown? Drop your takes in the comments below!
