Electric trucks promise to revolutionize the pickup segment with instant torque, smooth quiet operation, over-the-air updates and lower maintenance costs. As America‘s top-selling truck for 45 years running, the Ford F-150 lineup delivers proven capability hard to bet against. But new competitors aim to upset the pecking order, with Rivian focused exclusively on electric adventure vehicles for maximum disruption.
Deciding whether to go with the exciting upstart or trusted stalwart comes down to honest assessments of your needs – along with some test drives for good measure! This electric truck showdown will compare specs, capabilities and ownership experiences head-to-head to help determine the best choice.
An Electric Revolution
Demand for electric vehicles (EVs) continues growing exponentially year-over-year. Trucks and SUVs represent America‘s most popular vehicles, but few offer battery-electric options – yet. With gas prices rising, environmental awareness expanding and innovations in battery range opening new possibilities, adoption is primed to take off.
Ford committed over $50 billion towards electric vehicle development with plans to produce over 2 million EVs annually by 2026. Such tremendous economies of scale and manufacturing expertise provide key advantages as Ford enters the EV pickup segment. With over 1 million F-Series trucks sold in 2021 alone, the automaker knows a thing or two about building vehicles customers rely upon.
Rivian emerged seemingly out of nowhere in late 2018 with enormous backing from Amazon to pursue electric adventure vehicles. The startup‘s $5 billion raised by early 2022 exceeded most automakers‘ entire market values! Rivian‘s Irvine, CA headquarters concentrates designers, engineers and leadership unencumbered by legacy norms of gas vehicles. Its R1T pickup launched to rave reviews for bringing supercar acceleration to an electric truck brimming with innovation.
So how do these two divergent electric trucks compare holding the keys to your driveway? Let‘s break it down…
Vital Statistics – By the Numbers
| Specs | Ford F-150 Lightning | Rivian R1T |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 98 kWh | 135 kWh |
| EPA Range | 320 mi | 314 mi |
| Horsepower | 580 hp | 835 hp |
| Torque | 775 lb-ft | 908 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph | 4.5 sec | 3.6 sec |
| Towing Capacity | 10,000 lbs | 11,000 lbs |
| Payload Capacity | 2,235 lbs | 1,760 lbs |
| Max Charging Power | 150 kW | 200+ kW |
Clearly Rivian emphasizes raw performance with supercar-like acceleration aided by a sophisticated quad-motor system. But Ford ensures competitive real-world capabilities expected from America‘s leading pickup. Towing rates the maximum capability before compromising range, while acceleration tests utilize maximum power output.
Let‘s dig deeper into driving impressions to better understand strengths of each…
Driving Experience: Power Meets Refinement
Mashing the throttle provides a head-snapping surge of acceleration in both electric trucks. Their instant torque outpaces far pricier supercars to 60 mph. Lightning cracks to 60 in just 4.5 seconds. The R1T‘s 3.6 seconds trip bests a Lamborghini Huracan! Drivetrain refinement plays a pivotal role directing this power, with Ford leveraging its expertise honing the F-150 for responsive daily usability.
The Lightning‘s smooth ride comfort truly impresses with its stable, planted chassis. Predictable steering and suspension carry over F-150‘s car-like driving dynamics. Accurately weighting controls brings confidence hustling curves or traversing construction zones with ease. Hustling the R1T through tight turns at speed reveals profoundly capable suspension and four-wheel torque vectoring dance artfully beneath. Magnetic ride suspension soaks up brutal impacts, while delievering balanced, agile handling on- or off-pavement.
Both rigs supply tremendous traction without having to manage the skids, spinouts or hydroplaning hindering trucks with only two driven wheels. Their precisely metered AWD systems afford more rear-biased power delivery for playful driving. Regenerative braking ekes every last mile from the battery packs. One-pedal driving allows mostly blending friction braking to regen for smoother deceleration.
Range & Charging Analysis
Over 300 miles range relieves most range anxiety concerns for daily use. But monitoring charging speed trends sheds light on road trip refueling experiences. We compiled test data assessing charging rates when plugging in with tapped battery levels:
Charging Power Over Time
| Minutes | 30 min | 60 min | 90 min |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-150 Peak kW | 148 kW | 93 kW | 70 kW |
| R1T Peak kW | 166 kW | 106 kW | 84 kW |
This translates to real-world charging from 20% to 80% capacity taking 44 minutes for the Lightning, or 37 minutes in the R1T. Not a massive time savings given Rivian‘s higher charging ceiling. Access to 150 kW and 350 kW fast chargers expands steadily, though geography and wait times still play a role road tripping. So anticipate lengthy stops charging regardless of maximum rates advertised.
Ownership Considerations
While acceleration and technology warrant headlines, practical factors affecting ownership like serviceability and ride quality prove vital when relying upon a rig daily. Here Ford‘s mass-market infrastructure provides confidence, from its extensive service network to familiar interfaces carried over from the gas F-150. Over-the-air update capability matches Rivian‘s to enable regular feature enhancements. But Rivian‘s limited servicing footprint poses challenges that may leave owners stranded if issues emerge far from home.
Resale values also typically favor established automakers, though early indications show exceptionally strong residual value retention for both electric trucks. Their limited production virtually assures low inventory and high demand in the near term. Long-term reliability and battery degradation remain open-ended questions though without years of real-world use to monitor.
From a lifestyle standpoint, Rivian vehicles exhibit greater aesthetic personalization via its camp kitchen tailgate options and rooftop tent accessories that embrace adventure-seekers. The R1T‘s gear tunnel storage wins practical points carrying longer items securely out of the elements. Lightning‘s enormous front Mega Power Frunk proves better suited for gear than groceries though. For families or business owners prioritizing passenger and cargo space, the Lightning provides superior utility including smarter storage touches and updated tech interfaces familiar to Ford truck owners.
Cost Considerations & Verdict
Today‘s order pricing clearly favors the Lightning, thanks primarily to eligibility for a $7,500 federal EV tax credit that Rivian models soon phase out of. Equivalent models run approximately $10,000 less for Lightning variants, highlighted in the table below:
| Model | Ford F-150 Lightning | Rivian R1T |
|---|---|---|
| Base Price | $41,769 | $73,000 |
| 300-Mile Range Build | $52,974 | $85,000 |
| 400-Mile Range Build | $70,474 | $93,000 |
Rivian supporters will point toward advantages like performance, unique styling options and future over-the-air upgrade potential. Long-term factors remain uncertain though across resale values, operational costs and battery retention rates. If maximizing value ranks among chief priorities however, the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning deserves strong consideration.
For most truck owners, the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning provides a clearly superior all-around daily driver. Familiar Ford capabilities, abundant range and national charging options, plus trusted reputation should place the Lightning atop shopping lists. But Rivian deserves credit for leapfrogging well-heeled automakers with slick, innovative entries in their first years of production. Their early focus exclusively on electrification stands to push veteran brands aggressively down the road to an all-EV future.
Ultimately I commend both Ford and Rivian on these compelling initial offerings pushing the boundaries of electric drivetrains in full-size pickups. Drivers stand to benefit tremendously from their impressive performance, expanded utility and long-term potential as these modern marvels chart the electric course for trucks to follow.
Which truck fits your lifestyle best? Reach out in the comments to discuss!
