Ford F-150 Lightning vs Chevy Silverado EV – American electric trucks

The Ford F-150 Lightning and the Chevrolet Silverado EV are two different ways of building an electric pickup truck. The Ford F-150 Lightning takes the classic, best-selling F-150 and adds an electric motor and battery. It keeps the same body shape and dimensions. This means all the existing accessories like bed covers, campers, and toolboxes fit perfectly. The Chevrolet Silverado EV is a “clean-sheet” design, which means it was built from the ground up as an electric truck on GM’s dedicated Ultium platform. It has a more futuristic look and more advanced battery technology.

When you compare the two trucks side by side, the Chevrolet Silverado EV has some big advantages. The Silverado EV has a much longer driving range. It can travel up to 494 miles on a full charge, while the Ford F-150 Lightning can go up to about 320 miles. That is a difference of over 170 miles, which is huge for long road trips. The Silverado EV also has more power.

In its top performance mode, called “WOW” mode, it produces 760 horsepower, compared to the Ford, which makes up to 580 horsepower. The torque figures are very similar, with the Chevy producing 785 lb-ft and the Ford making 775 lb-ft. The Silverado EV can also tow more weight, up to 12,500 pounds, compared to the Ford’s 10,000 pounds. The Chevrolet also charges much faster because it uses an advanced 800-volt system. It can add 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes, while Ford’s maximum charging speed is 155 kW, which is slower.

The Ford F-150 Lightning has its own strengths. The Ford is more practical and familiar. Because it uses the same body as the regular F-150, you can use all the existing accessories like bed covers, campers, and toolboxes. Reviewers have noted that the Ford feels lighter and more nimble to drive than the Chevy. The Ford also has a larger front trunk, or frunk, with 14.1 cubic feet of space, compared to the Chevy’s 10.7 cubic feet. This frunk is fully sealed and can even be used as a cooler. Another big advantage for the Ford is that it still supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Chevrolet has removed these features from the Silverado EV, so you have to use the built-in Google system. The Ford also has useful work features like onboard scales to measure payload and smart hitch assist for towing.

In terms of price, the Ford F-150 Lightning is generally more affordable. It starts at around $54,780. The Chevrolet Silverado EV often starts higher, and the high-performance RST trims can exceed $96,000. Cheaper “Work Truck” trims are available, but they are not as common in showrooms.

If you are trying to decide between these two electric trucks, here is how to choose. Pick the Ford F-150 Lightning if you want a more affordable electric truck, if you need a large frunk for storage, if you want to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, if you prefer the familiar look and feel of a classic F-150, and if you want to use existing F-150 accessories like campers and bed covers. The Ford is also better for job-site use with its onboard scales and smart hitch assist.

Pick the Chevrolet Silverado EV if you need the maximum range for long trips, if you want the fastest charging speeds, if you need to tow very heavy loads up to 12,500 pounds, and if you have a higher budget, especially for the top trims. The Silverado EV also has a clever feature called the Multi-Flex Midgate, which allows the bed to expand into the cabin so you can carry items nearly 11 feet long. Higher trims also offer four-wheel steering, which gives the big truck a turning circle nearly 9 feet smaller than the Ford, making it much easier to park and manoeuvre in tight spaces.