14 Feb 2026, Sat

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

However, the journey to widespread adoption isn’t without its speed bumps. Electric pickups typically command a higher initial purchase price compared to their internal combustion engine (ICE) equivalents, a barrier for many potential buyers. More significantly, towing heavy loads—a primary function for many truck owners—can drastically reduce their potential range, sometimes by half or more, triggering range anxiety and requiring more frequent charging stops. This limitation, coupled with the nascent state of public charging infrastructure for larger vehicles, presents a challenge for long-haul towing applications.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

Despite these hurdles, the pickup truck segment remains a titan in the U.S. automotive market, accounting for over 20% of annual vehicle sales, which totaled approximately 16 million units in 2024. These "big haulers" are also monumental profit drivers for automakers. According to J.D. Power, the average price of a new pickup truck has increased by 3% every year since 2009, reaching over $60,000 on average in 2024. This trend underscores a significant evolution: the basic, utilitarian work truck has transformed into a luxurious, multi-purpose family vehicle, often doubling as a mobile boardroom for business professionals. Electric trucks continue this evolution, serving as dazzling tech showcases for their respective brands. Leveraging the inherent advantages of EV platforms, they reimagine and recreate what a traditional pickup can be, integrating features like advanced air suspensions, dynamic ground clearance, and optimized storage spaces that truly maximize utility.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

The market has already seen some standout contenders. The Rivian R1T, for example, clinched The Car Connection Best Pickup Truck To Buy 2025 award, lauded for its blistering acceleration, adventuresome off-road prowess, refined handling, and superlative telematics. This wasn’t an isolated incident of an EV pickup gaining critical acclaim; two years prior, Ford significantly improved upon its bestselling F-150 with the F-150 Lightning electric pickup, which earned The Car Connection’s overall Best Car To Buy 2023 award. These vehicles are not merely great trucks; they are truly evolutionary, pushing the boundaries of what a pickup can offer.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

The competitive landscape saw GM and Tesla playing catch-up in 2024, excluding the early-to-market GMC Hummer EV pickup. Adding to the dynamic, Ram announced in December that it was once again delaying the highly anticipated Ram REV electric pickup truck until 2026, pushing its entry into a crucial segment further back. Despite these delays and the inherent challenges, the electric truck and delivery van segment is showing modest but steady growth. In 2024, these vehicles accounted for 132,993 sales, representing 11.7% of total EV sales, up from 10.2% in 2023. While this is a positive trajectory, it still constitutes less than 1% of the approximately 16 million vehicles sold in the U.S. that year. The critical question now is whether this nascent electric pickup segment can maintain its momentum and thrive amidst potential political headwinds, including shifts in policy, infrastructure development, and consumer sentiment.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

Crucially, government incentives play a significant role in encouraging EV adoption. The revised 2025 federal EV tax credit offers a substantial $7,500 incentive. To qualify, SUVs and trucks must have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) below $80,000. Furthermore, stringent requirements mandate final assembly in North America, and at least 60% of the battery pack components must be sourced from North America. Income limits also apply, capped at $150,000 for a single filer. For comprehensive information on eligibility criteria, including income limits and other factors, consumers are encouraged to consult the official IRS page. A significant enhancement for 2025 is that this credit can often be absorbed into the sticker price directly at the point of purchase, eliminating the need for buyers to wait until tax season to receive the benefit, thereby making electric trucks more immediately affordable.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

The following electric trucks are currently available, coming soon, or under development. Prices and estimated ranges are subject to change as the market evolves and technology advances.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

Rivian R1T

The Rivian R1T holds a distinguished place in the EV market as the first battery-electric pickup truck to reach consumers, launching even before its R1S SUV sibling. Its groundbreaking design and performance have garnered widespread acclaim, including Motor Authority Best Car To Buy 2022 and, more recently, The Car Connection Best Pickup To Buy 2025. This consistent recognition underscores its innovative engineering and compelling user experience.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

California-based Rivian offers the R1T with a range of configurations to suit various needs. Buyers can choose from three battery pack options (Standard, Large, Max) and three motor configurations (Dual-Motor, Performance Dual-Motor, Quad-Motor). The base Dual-Motor, all-wheel-drive model, despite weighing around 7,000 pounds, achieves 0-60 mph in a swift 4.5 seconds. Opting for the Performance pack with the Large or Max battery further reduces the 0-60 mph time to a blistering 3.4 seconds. For off-road enthusiasts, the All-Terrain pack adds robust skid plates, specialized off-road tires, and a full-size spare. The Dual Max battery configuration is the range champion, offering an impressive estimated 420 miles, though this figure is attainable only with the optional $2,200 aero wheels.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

Beyond its speed, the R1T is exceptionally capable. It boasts an impressive towing capacity of 11,000 pounds and an adaptive air suspension system that can elevate the truck to nearly 15 inches of ground clearance, enabling supreme off-roading adventures. With over 50 different drive mode configurations, it adapts seamlessly to various terrains and driving conditions. While it shares the width of a full-size truck, its length is comparable to a mid-size pickup, allowing for a spacious, luxurious crew cab and innovative cargo solutions. A standout feature is the unique "gear tunnel" located between the cab and the bed, capable of holding up to 300 pounds of equipment. Its power-operated doors even double as convenient seats, perfect for outdoor activities. The R1T excels as both an excellent daily driver and a formidable weekend getaway vehicle, offering silent, emission-free exploration thanks to its electric powertrain.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

Ford F-150 Lightning

The Ford F-150 Lightning represents a pivotal moment in the electrification of America’s best-selling vehicle. Available in Pro, XLT, Flash, Lariat, and Platinum trims, the Lightning ingeniously retains much of the familiar F-150 architecture, from the spacious crew cab to the 5-foot-6 bed. This design choice allows for seamless integration of existing F-150 accessories, appealing directly to a vast customer base.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

Powering the Lightning are dual in-board motors, paired with either a standard-range 98-kWh battery pack providing an estimated 240 miles of range or an extended-range 131-kWh pack capable of an impressive 320 miles. Both battery configurations deliver a potent 775 lb-ft of torque. The standard range models produce 452 horsepower, while trucks equipped with the larger battery pack boast 580 horsepower. The Lightning is a true workhorse, offering a substantial towing capacity of 10,000 pounds and a maximum payload of 2,000 pounds.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

One of the Lightning’s most celebrated features is its expansive frunk (front trunk), offering 14.1 cubic feet of secure, waterproof storage space and a 400-pound capacity. This versatile compartment can also double as a cooler or a powerful mobile generator. Furthermore, when equipped with Ford’s innovative Home Integration System, the Lightning transforms into a formidable backup home generator, capable of powering appliances and even an entire house during power outages, providing up to 9.6 kW of output from the bed. This feature highlights the Lightning’s evolution beyond just transportation, making it an invaluable asset for homeowners and workers alike. The bestseller has indeed gotten even better, merging familiar utility with cutting-edge electric capabilities.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

GMC Hummer EV Pickup

The return of the Hummer as an electric vehicle marks a dramatic and symbolic shift in the automotive industry. Once a symbol of gas-guzzling excess, the GMC Hummer EV Pickup now epitomizes innovation with its zero tailpipe emissions and extreme capability. It stands as a technological showcase, boasting features like four-wheel steering with "Crab Walk" functionality, allowing it to move diagonally, and an adaptive air suspension system that can achieve an astonishing ground clearance of up to 15.9 inches (via Extract Mode). The Hummer EV also integrates GM’s advanced Super Cruise hands-free driving system for highway travel and features a unique four-panel removable roof that can be conveniently stowed in the frunk, offering an open-air driving experience.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

This behemoth is powered by a potent three-motor system generating an astounding 1,000 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque. Despite its colossal weight of over 9,000 pounds, it can rocket from 0-60 mph in approximately 3.0 seconds. The Hummer EV offers an estimated range of 329 miles and can tow up to 11,000 pounds, showcasing its immense power and versatility. It’s not just about raw power; it’s about unparalleled capability and an exclusive driving experience, redefining what an off-road luxury electric truck can be.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

Chevrolet Silverado EV

The Chevrolet Silverado EV is a distinct entity, sharing its name with the iconic Silverado pickup truck but built on GM’s advanced Ultium battery and motor propulsion systems, much like its sibling, the GMC Hummer EV. Offered exclusively with a crew cab and a 5-foot-11 bed, the Silverado EV is a substantial vehicle, weighing around 8,000 pounds.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

The Silverado EV Work Truck (WT) variant features front and rear motors that produce 510 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque. Equipped with standard all-wheel drive and a robust steel suspension, the WT is capable of towing up to 8,000 pounds and carrying a payload of up to 1,200 pounds. While Chevy has not yet disclosed the exact battery size for its base model, the focus is clearly on practical utility for commercial and fleet customers.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

At the top end, the RST Max Range model elevates performance significantly, delivering 664 horsepower and 780 lb-ft of torque. This variant comes with a large 24-module, 205-kWh battery pack, providing an impressive estimated range of 460 miles. Chevy also boasts a 0-60 mph time of less than 4.5 seconds for the RST, along with a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds, though its payload is slightly less at 1,300 pounds. The RST features an adaptive air suspension with four inches of ride height adjustment and rear-axle steering for enhanced maneuverability. A standout feature across higher trims is the innovative interior midgate, reminiscent of the classic Chevy Avalanche. This midgate, with its 60/40 split, opens from the cabin into the bed, allowing for items up to 9 feet long to be carried. When combined with the standard Multi-Flex tailgate, which includes a bed extender, the total bed length can stretch to an impressive 10 feet 10 inches, offering unparalleled cargo flexibility.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

GMC Sierra EV

The GMC Sierra EV is positioned as the luxury counterpart to the Chevrolet Silverado EV, sharing much of its underlying Ultium platform technology but distinguished by its premium trim levels and refined experience. Initially slated to launch with more approachable Elevation and AT4 models, the focus for now appears to be on its higher-end offerings.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

Like the Silverado EV, the Sierra EV utilizes massive battery packs to power two permanent magnet motors, providing standard all-wheel drive and a formidable 785 lb-ft of torque. This configuration allows it to achieve 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The Sierra EV aims to offer a more sophisticated and less flamboyant experience compared to the Hummer EV Pickup, and even a more polished one than the Silverado EV. It comes standard with an adaptive air suspension and rear-wheel steering for superior ride comfort and handling, along with a robust 10,500-pound towing capacity. The large crew cab also integrates the innovative midgate feature, extending the 5-foot-11 bed to 9 feet 1 inch when opened. With the 6-way power tailgate’s bed extender deployed, the bed length expands to a full 10 feet 10 inches, matching the Silverado EV’s exceptional cargo versatility. The Sierra EV is designed to cater to a discerning buyer who seeks the ultimate in electric truck luxury and capability.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

Tesla Cybertruck

The Tesla Cybertruck, with its audacious, stainless-steel wedge design, truly stands apart in the automotive world. Its aesthetic, characterized by vertical ends, triangular points, and a massive single-blade windshield wiper, makes it look unlike anything else on the road, sparking both admiration and controversy. The vehicle boasts a 100-cubic-foot "vault" that translates into a 6-foot-4 bed, capable of carrying 2,400 pounds or towing an impressive 11,000 pounds, while seating six occupants. Tesla claims blistering acceleration figures, with the top-tier "Cyberbeast" model achieving 0-60 mph in under three seconds.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

The Cybertruck’s futuristic appeal extends to its minimalist interior and advanced dashboard interfaces, aligning with Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s vision of advanced, almost extraterrestrial, transportation. It features an adaptive air suspension system that can raise the ground clearance to 17 inches. However, despite these impressive specifications and its off-road potential, the Cybertruck has faced challenges in proving its practical adeptness at handling the varied contours of planet Earth in real-world scenarios. Initial deliveries have highlighted concerns around manufacturing consistency, fit-and-finish issues, and the sheer impracticality of its angular design for certain tasks. While it embodies Tesla’s commitment to pushing design boundaries and performance envelopes, its unique form factor continues to be a point of debate regarding its overall utility and mass market appeal.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

Ram 1500 REV

Price: TBD
Expected delivery: 2026?

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

The Ram 1500 REV, initially previewed by the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept unveiled in early 2023, is a highly anticipated entry into the electric pickup segment. However, its market arrival has been delayed, with current expectations pointing to a 2026 delivery. This delay puts Ram behind its primary rivals in the full-size electric truck race.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

The concept showcased a visionary approach to pickup truck design and functionality. It features two electric motors providing all-wheel drive, though Ram has yet to disclose specific battery pack sizes or whether it will utilize a 400-volt or 800-volt architecture. The crew cab has been extended by 4.0 inches, and the concept dramatically featured rear suicide doors and the elimination of a B-pillar, creating an expansive, unobstructed cabin opening. The configurable interior promises exceptional versatility, with the potential for a third row of jump seats and a removable mid-gate option that can even allow the jump seats to extend outside the cabin. A unique center tunnel, akin to a driveshaft tunnel, runs from the bed through the cabin into the frunk, designed to accommodate exceptionally long items up to 18 feet in length. The production version is expected to retain many of these innovative features, aiming to differentiate the Ram REV through superior utility and a highly adaptable interior.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

RIP: Electric trucks that never made it

Lordstown Endurance

Price: $65,000
Expected delivery: Lordstown shipped the first batch of trucks to fleet customers in December 2022.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

The story of the Lordstown Endurance serves as a cautionary tale in the volatile world of electric vehicle startups. This mid-size electric pickup was designed to make 550 horsepower from four innovative in-wheel hub motors, one in each wheel, offering a unique approach to electric propulsion. Lordstown estimated a range of 193 miles from its 109-kWh battery unit. Performance figures included a 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 118 mph. The truck was also spec’d to haul a maximum payload of 1,050 pounds and tow up to 8,000 pounds.

Electric pickup trucks: A complete guide

However, Lordstown Motors was beset by significant financial woes and an SEC inquiry over allegations of executives selling shares before adverse news became public. Despite these challenges, the company managed to ship a first batch of approximately 500 Endurance trucks to fleet customers in December 2022. The manufacturing facility was subsequently acquired by iPhone maker Foxconn, with Lordstown Motors entering into a partnership to slowly ramp up production as supply chain constraints were addressed. Ultimately, Lordstown Motors filed for bankruptcy in 2023, marking the end of its ambitious journey to bring the Endurance to a broader market. The Endurance, while technically reaching production, never achieved the widespread commercial success or sustained market presence that its creators envisioned, highlighting the immense difficulties and capital requirements involved in scaling EV manufacturing.

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