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New tech in a traditional package
Ford’s all-electric F-150 Lightning, arriving spring 2022, can provide portable power to a job site and packs plenty of extra cargo capacity in the front where the internal combustion engine used to go.
Photo Credit: Ford
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Where technology meets the road
Backed by Ford and Amazon, Rivian plans to roll out the R1T all-electric pickup in late 2021.
Photo Credit: Rivian
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Breaking all the rules
It doesn’t conform to traditional pickup truck styling, but that hasn’t hurt sales. Tesla has more than one million drivers waiting on delivery of the all-electric Cybertruck in early 2022. This concept art shows the truck configured as a camper.
Photo Credit: Tesla
As electric vehicles of all kinds continue to capture the interest of American drivers, the much-anticipated arrival of electric pickup trucks and truck-like SUVs is just down the road.
Ford’s electric F-150 Lightning is scheduled to arrive in spring 2022, starting under $40,000 for the commercial trim package (230-mile range model). A 300-plus-mile battery is an option, and all models are four-wheel drive with respectable towing and payload capacities. The Lightning is also equipped to provide 9.6 kilowatts of home backup power or portable power for a job site; it’s one reason the company declared this new model their best truck to date––not best electric vehicle, but best truck, period.
Tesla has more than a million preorders for their new Cybertruck, which will likely arrive in 2022. The 250-mile range two-wheel-drive model starts under $40,000 and steps up to $50,000 for the 300-mile range, four-wheel-drive model. Tesla plans to offer a 500-plus-mile-range version for $70,000 that can tow more than 14,000 pounds.
GMC has announced a late 2021 release of an electric Hummer with 1,000 horsepower and additional features for off-road performance. Rivian, a startup backed by billions of dollars from Ford and Amazon, is planning to unveil their R1T electric pickup later this year with the R1S SUV to follow.
Crossover SUVs (sometime called CUVs) are one of the most popular types of vehicles, and a number of manufacturers say they’ll have electric models available soon. Ford’s Mustang Mach-E is available now with a range up to 305 miles, starting at $45,000. Volkswagen’s ID.4 starts at $40,000 and is available with all-wheel-drive options.
Electric trucks and SUVs are a natural extension of the EV market. The vehicles benefit from the inherent advantages of an electric drive train, including a low center of gravity and the instant torque and superior traction control of electric motors, which can increase off-road capabilities.
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