EV Pickup Trucks: Can They Go the Distance?

You need a powerful pickup truck for the job, and you’re considering going electric to save on fuel and help the planet. But can an EV pickup truck like the Ford F-150 EV really go the distance, or will it leave you stranded? And what about performance and towing?

Read on to learn more about how far an EV pickup truck can go, how well it performs, whether it might be a good fit for your needs and how to avoid running out of juice.

EV pickup truck strengths

In most situations, an EV pickup rivals a gas or diesel pickup and offers added advantages.

The performance is excellent

EV pickups are fast and quiet. The Ford F-150 Lightning goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds. The Rivian R1T goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds.

EV pickups also have excellent towing capacity, offering more power than all but the largest diesel pickups. The Ford F-150 Lightning can tow up to 10,000 pounds, with 775 pound-feet of peak torque. The Rivian R1T can tow up to 11,000 pounds, with 908 pound-feet of peak torque.

One full charge provides more miles than most people drive in a day

The range of EV pickups varies depending on the manufacturer and the battery option you choose. The Ford F-150 EV range is an estimated 230 miles with a standard-range battery. Upgrade to an extended-range battery for an estimated range of up to 320 miles. The Rivian R1T can travel an estimated 260 miles on a fully charged standard-range battery and up to 400 miles with an upgraded battery and motor.

Onboard technology prevents low-battery surprises

Embedded telematics keeps you constantly informed about the battery’s charge level and your remaining range. This technology alerts you when the battery is getting low, and when it does, the GPS map will automatically redirect you to the nearest charger.

The Ford F-150 Lightning is equipped with smart technology that increases the accuracy of your range estimates over time. For example, it collects driving behavior data as you drive and takes your driving stye into account when estimating your range.

Charging during downtime is efficient

If your pickup sits parked overnight at work or home, those hours can be used to charge the battery. The next day, you not only won’t have to make fuel stops, you also won’t have to recharge, unless you’re traveling an unusual distance. Note that for battery health, it’s recommended that you charge to 85% to 90% for everyday driving. Charge to 100% only when you think you’ll need every bit of juice for your journey.

If you want to charge during the day when you’re parked for lunch or meetings, there’s a good chance a charging station is nearby. How fast you can charge depends on what type of charger you plug into. A DC fast charger can give you about 54 miles of range in 10 minutes. Level 1 and 2 chargers will be significantly slower.

The truck locates charging stations for you

Enter your destination into the pickup’s navigation system at the start of the trip and it will map out charging stations along the way. You can filter the results to show only the preferred types of chargers, such as DC fast chargers or Level 2. To find charging stations on your smartphone, you can download the truck manufacturer’s app.

EV pickup truck limitations

EV pickup trucks have a lot going for them, but they aren’t perfect for every situation.

Towing significantly reduces range

Towing cuts the range by about half according to some estimates. The actual reduction depends on a host of factors, such as trailer weight, wind resistance, traffic speed, weather, route topography and driving behavior. The pickup’s navigation system will take these factors into account and determine if you will need a charge along the way.

If you often need to tow over long distances, an EV pickup isn’t currently a realistic option.

Heavy loads, extreme temperatures and other factors also reduce range

As with gas- and diesel-powered pickups, the range on EV pickups is affected by many factors. Hauling a heavy payload in the truck bed is no problem in terms of performance, but it does reduce the range. Very cold and very warm temperatures can also affect range, as can blasting the heat or AC.

Another significant factor is driving behavior. You can make the most of the truck’s regenerative braking system, and maximize range, by coasting more and doing less hard braking.

What to do if you run out of charge

You really shouldn’t run out of charge, considering the range of these vehicles and the fact that onboard assistance lets you know how much charge is left and directs you to nearby charging stations as needed. But what if, somehow, you do run out of battery power?

An EV pickup that’s equipped with an onboard generator (aka an inverter generator, available with some option packages) can plug into a dead EV battery and charge it at a Level 2 rate, which is about 10 or 11 miles per hour. (If you’re charging a different vehicle make, you may need an adapter.) There are also portable chargers that can plug into any outlet, so if you can get to even a standard 120V outlet, you can get enough of a charge to make it to a charging station.

Matching the vehicle to the mission

They key to a positive experience with an EV pickup truck is making sure it suits your needs. If your daily mileage falls within the vehicle’s range and you’re not regularly towing over long distances, an EV pickup is very likely a good bet. But these trucks are still relatively new, and as more people use them in more situations, their advantages and disadvantages will become clearer.

United Rentals, which has purchased a number of Ford F-150 Lightnings and is beginning to offer them as rentals, is learning along with its customers. As the company tests these trucks in its own applications, it’s tracking how they work in customer applications, including construction and industrial applications. Together, United Rentals and its customers will Work United™ to identify the best uses cases for these trucks and how to get the most from them.

Call us at 833.347.6180 to find out if the Ford F-150 Lightning is available for rent near you. Visit our online marketplace to browse our other pickup trucks.