Best EV Pickups

We’ve put together a straightforward guide to some of the best electric pickup trucks on the market. We’ll cover the specifications of each vehicle, including its towing capacity, torque, horsepower (HP) and range. We’ll also compare how each truck measures up against other rivals in its class.

What is an EV pickup?

Essentially, an electric vehicle pickup is similar to a regular pickup truck. But instead of being powered by a traditional gas engine, an electric pickup truck is powered by batteries. Since electric pickups don’t require fuel, they offer a net reduction in CO2 emissions, create exponentially less sound while operating, and offer more readily available torque and power vs. their gas-powered counterparts.

History of EV pickups

Pickup trucks are extremely popular in the United States. In fact, in 2022, pickup trucks made up around 20% of sales in the U.S. – and it’s no surprise. Thanks to their incredible capability and versatility, pickup trucks are a great choice for both work and leisure.

In September 2021, Rivian became the first automaker to introduce a fully electric pick-up truck (Rivian R1T) to the consumer market.

Following the success of the Rivian R1T, many automakers followed suit. In Spring 2022, Ford released the F-150 Lightning – an all-electric truck, available in four different trim levels. And as technology continues to increase daily, more and more manufacturers are unveiling plans for an EV pickup range.   

Why consider an EV pickup?

Maximum towing performance

All aspects of an EV pickup, from its wheels to its sheer size contribute to its overall strength. For example, the Silverado EV RST 2024, estimated to be released in Fall 2023, will be able to tow up to a mighty 10,000 lbs.

Robust engine power

Pickup trucks are renowned for being more powerful than the average car and EV pickups are no exception. For example, the F-150 Lightning 2022 has a full 580, compared to an average EV sedan like the Chevrolet  Bolt 2022, which is capable of producing up to 200 HP.

Incredible off-road capabilities

Pickup trucks have a full-frame construction, which gives them increased torsional flexibility. This increased torsional flexibility makes them an ideal off-road companion. They also supply torque to all four wheels in a way that gives them extra traction to tackle tough terrain.

Reduced emissions

EV pickup trucks produce fewer carbon emissions than traditional combustion engines. Taking into account the long operating hours that drivers typically log with pickups, switching to electric can result in a net greater reduction in CO2 emissions. This helps make the air in our cities and towns cleaner.

Avoid Congestion Charges

Because EV vehicles produce fewer emissions, you won’t have to pay congestion charges in Low Emission Zones (LEZs) and Clean Air Zones (CAZs).

LEZs are designated areas in cities where vehicle emissions are regulated through restrictions and taxes; CAZs have a similar purpose and limit vehicle usage in those areas. A prominent example of an LEZ in the U.S. can be found in Santa Monica.

With the rise of LEZs and CAZs, electric vehicles can be great options for business owners looking to cut back on costs.

Best electric pickup trucks

There are a growing number of EV pickups on the market, from both long-standing manufacturers and brands new to the sector. Here is a selection of models:

Rivian R1T

The Rivian R1T was the first-ever pickup truck to enter the consumer market. The mid-size electric light-duty pickup was released in September 2021. The 2022 Rivian R1T is currently available in three levels: Explore Package (an entry-price option), Adventure Package (offering heated and cooled vegan leather seats) and Launch Edition (which comes with the option of selecting upgraded wheels and tires at no additional cost).

Key Features:

• Towing capacity: Capable of towing up to a mighty 11,000 lbs, the Rivian R1T is crafted to perform heavy-duty tasks.
• Horsepower: The Rivian R1T is the first electric vehicle equipped with four separate motors. Each one of its four motors is able to produce 200 HP, resulting in a total of 835 HP and 908 lb-ft of torque.
• Range: The R1 is built to explore, offering between 260 to 400 miles of range, depending on which battery pack and motor you choose.

The R1T faces competition from the Ford F-150 Lightning and the GMC Hummer EV. However, although the Lightning is lighter and less expensive, it doesn’t offer as much power or off-road capability. On the other hand, the GMC Hummer is more powerful than the RT1 but is more expensive.

GMC Hummer EV

The GMC Hummer pickup truck was introduced in 2021. Equipped with revolutionary features and capabilities, the GMC Hummer EV is able to withstand all kinds of terrain. For now, the Hummer EV pickup is available in two trims: Edition 1 and EV3X.

Key Features:

• Towing Capacity: The GMC Hummer EV has a hefty towing capacity of 7,500 lbs.
• Horsepower: The GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 is capable of producing up to 1,000 HP and up to 11,500 lb-ft of torque.
• Range: The battery pack in the GMC Hummer EV is constructed with Ultrium technology that offers around 350 miles of driving per charge.

The Rivian R1T and Ford-150 Lightning are the GMC Hummer EV truck’s main competitors. While the GMC Hummer offers a greater standard battery range vs. the Ford 150-Lightning, the Lightning offers a greater towing capacity – giving each of these pickups a unique edge depending on consumer needs.

Ford 150-Lightning

A fully electric version of ‘America’s favorite truck’ was released in April 2022. The all-electric Ford 150-Lightning pickup truck is claimed to be faster and quieter than a regular F-150 pickup and is currently one of the best-selling electric trucks on the market. The 2023 model is available in four different trim levels: PRO, XLT, Lariat and Platinum.

Key Features :

• Towing Capacity: The Ford-150 Lightning offers an impressive maximum towing capacity of 10,000 lbs.
• Horsepower: The extended battery range of the Ford-150 Lightning 2023 is capable of producing up to 580 HP and 775 lb-ft of torque.
• Range: The Ford-150 Lightning 2023 comes with a standard battery that offers a range of 240 miles. An extended-range battery is also available with a range of 320 miles.

While the F-150 is currently one of the best-selling electric trucks on the market, the R1T offers some serious competition. With double the number of motors, the R1T can produce up to 836 HP and 908 lb-ft of torque, making it both quicker and more sure-footed than the Ford-150 Lightning. However, as we mentioned before, the F-150 is sufficiently cheaper than the Rivian R1T, so it may be an ideal option if you’re on a tighter budget.

What does the future of EV pickups look like?

Electric cars are the future, and over the past few years, we have seen several well-established automakers introduce more EVs to their lineup. One of the fastest-growing segments of the electric car market is electric pickup trucks. Here’s a glimpse of a few of the models set to arrive over the new few years:

Chevy Silverado EV

Key Features:

• 664 HP
• 780 lb-ft of torque
• 400 miles of range

Release date: Summer 2024

GMC Sierra EV

Key Features:

• 754 HP
• 785 lb-ft of torque
• 400 miles of range

Release date: Early 2024

Ram 1500 Revolution

Key Features:

Power and range features haven’t been announced for the Ram 1500 Revolution yet. However, it’s estimated that this vehicle will produce around 885 HP and feature a 200 kWh battery offering a 500-mile range.

Release date: Q4 of 2024

Don’t miss important news and updates on electric pickups. Make sure you bookmark or add this page to your “favorites” and check back often. Rent an electric car with Hertz today, or explore electric options in our other EV guides:

• Best EV hatchbacks
• Best EV sedans
• Best EV coupes