The vehicle market is always evolving, and dealerships need to adapt to keep their businesses strong. A new development in the pickup truck market is the advent of EV pickup trucks. Here’s everything you need to know about how this staple vehicle evolved to become the new EV pickup truck, including the top-rated options to watch for in the marketplace. 

The Evolution of Pickup Trucks Over Time

The first pickup truck, Henry Ford’s Model T Roadster with Pickup Body, dates to the early 20th century². It wasn’t until the 1940s that the first production pickup with four-wheel drive arrived for personal use—the 1946 Dodge Power Wagon³. Over the next decades, pickup trucks became increasingly popular outside of farm use. More and more suburban customers purchased pickup trucks to use as personal vehicles, and the market grew for additional amenities and style in these trucks. 

Plenty of pickup variations arrived, from car-based pickups like the Ford Ranchero to compact pickups like the Chevrolet LUV. Muscle trucks gained popularity between the ‘70s and the ‘90s, and diesel pickup truck sales have increased recently⁴.

Electric pickup trucks are the latest development in this iconic vehicle’s long history. Many car manufacturers have either announced that they have electric pickup trucks in development or have already released them. 

Top-Rated EV Pickup Trucks

Ford F-150 Lightning

As the best-selling pickup truck in the United States⁵, it’s safe to say the Ford F-150 is a popular choice. It’s no surprise then that Ford chose this model to create its first electric pickup truck— the Ford F-150 Lightning. Since it was announced in May 2021, the Lightning has already received tens of thousands of reservations. The Ford F-150 Lightning has a range of up to 300 miles on a single charge, meaning it can handle any job with ease. The standard battery provides 563 horsepower and 775 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. 

Chevrolet Silverado EV

The original Chevrolet Silverado followed the Ford F-Series as the next most popular non-EV pickup truck in the U.S. in 2022⁶. Chevrolet’s electric Silverado may prove to be similarly popular with pickup customers when it becomes available in 2023. The RST First Edition will offer 664bhp and a towing capacity of over 8,000 pounds^⁷. Chevy is also launching a lower priced Work Truck version ($40,000 compared to $105,000 new) that still offers a respectable 510bhp and 8,000-pound towing capacity. 

Rivian R1T

The 2022 Rivian R1T is an electric pickup truck that combines rugged capability with advanced technology. Its bold, boxy design features a distinctive front fascia with LED lighting, and it sits on 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. The R1T is powered by a quad-motor setup that delivers up to 835 horsepower and 908 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to tow up to 11,000 pounds and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. With a range of over 300 miles on a single charge, the R1T can handle long-distance road trips or off-road adventures.

RAM 1500 Revolution Electric Vehicle (REV)

RAM revealed its 1500 Revolution Electric Vehicle pickup truck in 2023 and expects them to arrive in late 2024. It will have a standard driving range of up to 350 miles total, but buyers can increase this to 500 miles with the optional large battery pack⁷. The innovative front trunk (or “frunk”) includes 15 cubic feet of waterproof storage. With a payload capacity of 2,700 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 14,000 pounds, the 1500 REV packs a lot of strength. 

Hummer EV

GMC is billing the Hummer EV as the “world’s first all-electric super truck.” The 2022 Hummer EV weighs over four tons and has 1,000bhp thanks to three e-motors. Reviews of the truck—which costs over $110,000 new—are strong. Reviewers praise its off-road capability and strong acceleration⁸. The truck can reach 60 mph within three seconds. 

GMC Sierra EV

The GMC Sierra EV is set to come out in early 2024 with 400 miles of range on a full charge and 744bhp. Quick charging capability means the truck can hit 100 miles of range after charging for around 10 minutes. The Sierra EV includes four-wheel steering, meaning it can crabwalk like the Hummer EV. Prices for the Sierra EV launch model, the Denali Edition 1, start at $107,000, but buyers can expect that to come down significantly with future models. 

Find EV Pickup Trucks for Your Dealership with ACV Auctions

Though you likely won’t find many EV pickup trucks on the used market yet, it won’t be long before these vehicles start popping up. Get ready to find the best used EV cars & pickup trucks for your dealership by joining ACV Auctions today. As the leading online car auction for dealers, ACV Auctions will have the quality EV pickup trucks your customers want. Buy with confidence thanks to our data-rich market reports that detail each vehicle’s condition and value. 

Sources

1. Bell, S. (11 February 2023). Even Pickup Trucks Are Losing Market Share to SUVs. Car Scoops. Retrieved on April 21, 2023, from https://www.carscoops.com/2023/02/even-pickup-trucks-are-losing-market-share-to-suvs/ 
2. The Model T. Ford Motor Company. Retrieved on April 17, 2023, from https://corporate.ford.com/articles/history/the-model-t.html
3. Auto Editors of Consumer Guide. 1946-1968 Dodge Power Wagon. How Stuff Works. Retrieved on April 17, 2023, from https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1946-1968-dodge-power-wagon.htm 
4. Schaeffer, A. (25 January 2021). Diesel Sales Up 28% in 2020 Boosting Truck Segment Fuel Economy. GlobeNewswire. Retrieved on April 17, 2023, from https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2021/01/25/2163716/0/en/Diesel-Sales-Up-28-in-2020-Boosting-Truck-Segment-Fuel-Economy.html 
5. Carlier, M. (10 March 2023). U.S.: best-selling pickup trucks 2022. Statista. Retrieved on April 17, 2023, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/204473/best-selling-trucks-in-the-united-states-from-january-to-october-2011/ 
6. The First-Ever All-Electric Silverado. Chevrolet. Retrieved on April 17, 2023, from https://www.chevrolet.com/electric/silverado-ev 
7. RAM Rev Insider Plus. RAM. Retrieved on April 17, 2023, from https://www.ramtrucks.com/revolution/ram-1500-rev.html 
8. Stocksdale, J. (7 April 2022). GMC Hummer EV First Drive Review: True supertruck, for better and for worse. Auto Blog. Retrieved on April 17, 2023, from https://www.autoblog.com/2022/04/07/gmc-hummer-ev-edition-1-first-drive-review/