So you‘re trying to decide between the Ford F-150 Lightning and upcoming Chevy Silverado EV electric pickups. You‘ve come to the right place! As an EV analyst, I‘ve taken a deep dive into the specs and capabilities of both trucks to help explain the key differences. I‘ll provide some expert insights to help you determine which electric pickup is the best match for your needs.
Background on the Contenders
First, a quick background on our two contenders vying for electric truck supremacy:
Ford F-150 Lightning: The Lightning kicks off Ford‘s big pivot toward electric vehicles. As the best-selling truck in America for 45 years running, electrifying their crown jewel F-150 lineup is a bold move by Ford. The Lightning packages trademark capabilities and performance of the F-150 family into an innovative EV. Customer deliveries began in May 2022.
Chevy Silverado EV: General Motors answer to the Lightning, the Silverado EV brings battery power to Chevy‘s half-ton truck pillar. As the second best-selling pickup in the US, GM aims to evolve their Silverado franchise into the EV generation using the latest tech. The Silverado EV hits dealerships in spring 2023.
Now let‘s take a detailed look at how these two electric trucks compare across several key purchase consideration categories. I‘ll use some handy comparison tables to break down the specs.
Driving Range & Charging Speed
For any EV buyer, driving distance per charge is a top priority. Let‘s see how the Detroit automakers‘ range estimates compare:
| Model | Range | Charging Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 230-320 miles | 150 kW |
| Chevy Silverado EV | 400+ miles | 350 kW |
The Silverado EV clearly wins when it comes to maximum range, delivering up to 400 miles on a single charge based on GM‘s projections. That handily beats out the Lightning‘s maximum of 320 miles.
However, range estimates haven‘t been verified by EPA testing yet. So in reality, we can‘t crown a definitive range king until both trucks go through final certification testing.
As for charging speed, the Silverado EV‘s 800-volt electrical architecture enables slicing charging times. By supporting charging rates up to 350 kilowatts, the Silverado EV can replenish 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes at compatible DC fast charging stations.
The Lightning maxes out at 150 kW charging power, resulting in longer charging stops. That‘s owed to its 400-volt battery system voltage. The F-150 can still recharge decently fast, but lags the Silverado EV by a solid margin.
Performance and Capability Comparison
Now let‘s examine some key performance, hauling and towing specs:
| Model | Horsepower / Torque | 0-60 mph Time | Max Towing | Max Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 580 hp / 775 lb-ft | Mid 3-second range | 10,000 pounds | 2,000 pounds |
| Chevy Silverado EV | 664 hp / 780 lb-ft | 4.5 seconds | 20,000 pounds* | 1,300 pounds |
*A 20,000 lb towing Work Truck model is planned
When it comes to straight-line acceleration, these electric pickups are shockingly quick in top trims, hitting 60 mph in under 4.5 seconds. The Silverado EV edges out the Lightning in peak horsepower and torque figures, but by a very slim margin.
However, noticeable differences emerge when examining max towing capabilities and payload capacities. The Silverado EV is rated to tow significantly larger loads, up to 20,000 pounds once the Work Truck model debuts. That doubles the Lightning‘s max conventional towing limit of 10,000 pounds.
Yet the Lightning fights back by offering heavier payload capacity in its truck bed. With up to 2,000 pound capacity, you can haul 700 extra pounds of stuff compared to the Silverado EV‘s 1,300 pound max payload.
So if your trailer towing needs are really demanding, the brawny Silverado EV easily pulls ahead (pun intended). But the Lightning is your better choice if hauling heavier cargo payloads in the bed is more important.
Battery and Charging Technology Detailed
Let‘s go in-depth and explore the battery packs and electrical architectures that influence charging speeds, range and performance.
The Silverado EV uses GM‘s new cutting-edge Ultium battery packs, consisting of wireless networked modules called NCMAs. These modular units eliminate nearly all redundant wiring compared to conventional packs:
[Silverado EV battery diagram]Slim profile NCMAs can be stacked vertically or horizontally, optimizing storage space within the battery enclosure. This flexible design contributes to lighter overall weight and greater interior room.
The Silverado EV further leverages 800-volt electrical architecture. This allows for lightning-quick charging by reducing heat and resistance compared to lower voltage systems.
By comparison, the F-150 Lightning adopted an existing battery pack design from the Mustang Mach-E. This battery couldn‘t be easily adapted for 800-volt charging due to its wiring setup:
[F150 Lightning battery diagram]As you can see, the Silverado EV‘s clean-sheet battery and electrical design enables significant charging speed and range capabilities that exceed the Lightning. However, Ford engineers are working on a next-gen F-150 battery rumored to launch by 2025-2026. So the charging speed gap could narrow with future upgrades.
Styling and Design Distinctions
Beyond just capabilities, style and design details also distinguish these advanced electric pickups.
Exterior Styling
- Lightning: Instantly recognizable as an F-Series, the Lightning sports classic squared-off, vented hood and tall front end styling. Familiar looks adapted for a battery-powered F-150.
- Silverado EV: More radical departure from gas Silverado look with very rounded, streamlined front fascia design enabled by EV powertrain packaging freedom. Love it or hate it, the styling is certainly unique.
Cabin Design
- Lightning: Oriented vertically like a giant tablet computer, the Lightning‘s 15-inch center touchscreen dominates the dashboard. Buttons scattered around screen. Funky yet functional overall interior layout.
- Silverado EV: Airy, ultra-modern cabin design centered around a sweeping 17-inch LCD touchscreen integrated cleanly into the dash. Minimalist vibe aided by electronic gear selectors.
Which interior and exterior design you prefer ultimately comes down to personal taste. The Lightning sticks closer to conventional F-150 styling themes while the Silverado EV experiments with a more radical concept-car aesthetic inside and out.
Verdict: Which Electric Truck Comes Out On Top?
When all factors are weighed, there‘s no unambiguous winner between the F-150 Lightning and Chevy Silverado EV. Each pickup has definite strengths over the other:
If you prioritize:
- Raw towing muscle: Silverado EV
- Hauling heavier payloads: F-150 Lightning
- Charging speed and range: Silverado EV
- Familiar style and aftermarket support: F-150 Lightning
- Advanced interior design: Debatable split
The Silverado EV clearly beats the Lightning when it comes maximum range and charging rate. But it lags behind in payload capacity.
Given one truck can‘t perfectly excel at everything, choosing the best electric pickup depends on your specific towing, hauling and ownership needs. So carefully analyze your pickup priorities.
For me, the Lightning narrowly wins out due to its balanced capabilities, familiar style, and access to existing F-150 aftermarket support. But early adopters excited by the Silverado EV‘s sci-fi vibe and crazy 400+ mile range may happily wait until 2023 for their revolutionary Chevy truck.
Either way, with two fully-electric choices offering this level of performance, capability and cutting-edge technology, truck lovers have an electrifying future to look forward to!
I hope breaking down the pros and cons gives you a helpful overview of the key considerations around the Lightning and Silverado EV pickups. Let me know if you need any other analysis or have additional questions!
