Ford F-150 Lightning vs. GMC, Tesla, Chevy, and Rivian Electric Trucks
You have probably heard of these trucks if you haven’t lived under a rock lately. The Ford F-150 Lightning is arguably the most popular, but how does it stack up against other electric trucks from Tesla, Chevy, GMC, and Rivian? More specifically, the Chevy Silverado EV, Tesla Cybertruck, GMC Hummer EV Pickup, and the Rivian R1T electric trucks.
Comparing the Ford F-150 Lightning to other electric trucks like the GMC Hummer EV Pickup
After many discussions, CNET says the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning electric truck is finally about to hit dealerships. The F-150 is the country’s most popular vehicle as it is, and now it will be available as an electric vehicle. However, it will have some stiff competition in a few months. There are a lot of options rolling out this year: the GMC Hummer EV, Chevy Silverado EV, Rivian R1T, and the elusive Tesla Cybertruck.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the Tesla Cybertruck only has hypothetical numbers for now, same with the Rivian R1T. While the R1T has gotten into some customers’ hands, the top-trim numbers are still estimates. Since delaying it into next year, Tesla has been pretty silent about the Cybertruck. The Lightning has impressive power numbers and a solid-enough range for most people (with the extended battery pack).
| Powertrain & Range | Power (hp) | Torque (lb.-ft.) | Range (mi., est.) |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 563 | 775 | 300 |
| Chevy Silverado EV | 664 | 780 | 400 |
| Tesla Cybertruck | 800 (est.) | 1,000 (est.) | 500 |
| GMC Hummer EV Pickup | 1,000 | 11,500 (at axle) | 329 |
| Rivian R1T | 800 (est.) | 900 (est.) | 400 (est.) |
If buyers decide to go with the standard battery, the Lightning gets around 230 miles of range. Ford has not released the kilowatt-hour rating for the batteries yet, which will leave a lot of info unknown for now. However, Ford is offering an 80-amp home charging system capable of adding 30 miles of range an hour.
What are the payload and towing numbers for the F-150 Lightning compared to other trucks like the Chevy Silverado EV?
When it comes to electric trucks, most people want to know about payload and towing capability. One of the major selling points of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is the 10,000 pounds towing capacity on the XLT and Lariat trims. Buyers need the extended range battery and Max Trailer Tow package to get that, though. Ford added a Pro Trailer Hitch Assist to help tow heavy loads, but that hasn’t been tested yet.
| Towing & Payload | Towing (lbs.) | Payload (lbs.) |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 10,000 | 2,000 |
| Chevy Silverado EV | 10,000 | 1,300 |
| Tesla Cybertruck | 14,000 | 3,500 |
| GMC Hummer EV Pickup | 7,500 | 1,300 |
| Rivian R1T | 11,000 | 1,760 |
The Tesla Cybertruck has an alleged towing capacity of 14,000 pounds on the hefty tri-motor trim. Next up, the Rivian R1T can tow 11,000 pounds allegedly. The Silverado EV RST should be able to pull 10,000 pounds when it comes out, but it is only rated for 1,300 pounds of payload. The Silverado EV WT has a hypothetical tow rating of 20,000, but that hasn’t been fully confirmed yet.
The GMC Hummer EV Pickup can tow 7,500 pounds and has a payload of 1,300 pounds. However, no one at GMC has mentioned the range with these numbers.
The pricing for these electric trucks is all over the place, but the GMC Hummer EV is at the top
Ford went low when it came to the starting price of the F-150 Lightning, starting at $41,669. And if that wasn’t good enough, it is still eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit. If you want the fully-loaded, top-of-the-line version, it’ll inch above $90,000, though. The GMC Hummer EV starts at $112,595 for the first Edition 1 version. Hopefully, a less flashy version will hit the dealership lots after that for a more reasonable amount.
The Chevy Silverado EV is starting off with a bang, too. The First Edition will start at $105,000, with a lesser WT trim level starting at $39,900. Chevy says the other options will fall between $50,000 and $80,000. The Rivian R1t will begin at $67,500. A large battery pack will run you another $6,000 but gets 320 miles of range. If you want 400 miles of range, it will add a staggering $16,000 onto the price.
The Tesla Cybertruck was supposed to start at under $40,000, but Tesla has been increasing prices across the board at a rapid pace recently. The EV maker hasn’t released any updated pricing or info on the Cybertruck but is supposedly working on it behind the scenes.
For now, there is still a lot up in the air with the next crop of electric trucks. Many of the details still need to be confirmed by the brands. Tesla is taking its sweet time with the Cybertruck, but that will be one electric truck worth the wait. Until then, keep your eyes peeled for the Ford F-150 Lightning to appear on a job site near you.
