Electric vehicles have seen blistering growth, but trucks have lagged behind cars…until now! There‘s an exciting new crop of EV pickups shattering expectations about what electric motors can deliver in terms of acceleration, torque and towing.
This guide will dive deep on the 6 fastest electric trucks available today – from monster Hummers to freaky Cybertrucks. I‘ll compare all the essential specs and showcase why EVs make these trucks outrageously quick while still hugely practical.
Let‘s kick the tires on these shockingly fast trucks!
GMC Hummer EV: The Supertruck Sets New Records
The audacious GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 claims the crown as the quickest full size production truck ever with rocketship acceleration. How does 0-60 mph in 3 seconds flat for a 9,000 lb vehicle grab you? 😲 This electric beast is laughing in the face of physics!
Responsible for this are three motors powered by the industry‘s first 800 volt battery system. Together they churn out a lunatic 1000 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft torque instantly on demand. That allows pulse-quickening moves like:
- 0-60 mph: 3.0s
- 40-60 mph: 1.99s
- Top speed: 106 mph
- Max power: 1000hp / 74 kW per motor
- Range: 329 miles (Watts to Freedom off road mode)
- DC Fast charge rate: 350 kW – 100 miles in 12 minutes
Helping transmit that neo-fighter jet power to the ground effectively is a brilliant 4-wheel steering system enabling crablike diagonal movement. This makes navigating tight spaces and obstacles for this hulk a breeze.
(GMC Hummer EV utilizing 4-wheel steering and crab mode)
GMC has stuffed the Hummer EV with cool modern features too:
- Removable transparent roof panels
- Large 13.4 inch infotainment display
- Driver assistance with trail mapping
- MultiPro tailgate with integrated speakers
- Underbody armor and steel plates
Priced at $108,700+, this 21st century sci-fi truck redefines extremes. Sure you can get a Cybertruck someday that edges it in straight line speed. But the Hummer EV delivers a thrill unmatched by any vehicle today courtesy instant access to gigawatt power.
Rivian R1T: Electric Adventure Pickup Debuts
Rivian has electrified trucks too with their clever R1T – one of the first EV pickups brought to market. As a clean sheet design, Rivian integrated batteries and quad motors into the chassis for a structural advantage.
Let‘s break down the impressive performance and storage stats:
- 0-60 mph: 3.0 seconds
- Top speed: 125 mph
- Horsepower: 805 / 195 hp per motor
- Torque: 900 lb-ft
- Range: 314 miles
- Max towing: 11,000 pounds
- Payload: 1700 pounds
- DC Fast charge rate: 160 miles/30 minutes
- Battery capacity: 135 kWh
- Bed length: 54.3 inches
To deliver precision control at crossover-like speeds, Rivian developed a sophisticated torque vectoring system managing each wheel‘s output optimally. This allows the R1T to handle far better than any 5,886 lb truck has a right to.
(Rivian R1T climbing rocks with ease thanks to its quad motor control system)
Some other awesome aspects that make the $73,000 Rivian R1T feel like an electric explorer rather than mere work truck:
- Gear tunnel cargo area behind cabin
- Removable Bluetooth speaker in bed
- Wading depth over 3 feet
- Fast charging network access included
- Driver+ advanced safety features
Rivian is just ramping up production after initial deliveries in late 2021. While not quite matching the Hummer EV‘s brute force, the R1T brings important innovation to frame, motors and controls advancing electric pickup capabilities.
Tesla Cybertruck: Radical Speed Meets Armor
No lineup would be complete without discussing Tesla‘s apex predator pickup – the Cybertruck! Love or hate the origami angular metal exoskeleton design, Elon Musk claims it will set new performance benchmarks.
The range-topping Tri Motor AWD Cybertruck supposedly can warp to 60 mph in a physics-taunting 2.9 seconds – handily beating both the Hummer EV, R1T and any other production bakkie. This sci-fi acceleration comes courtesy a three motor setup generating over 800 hp.
Let‘s ogle some other drool-worthy spec claims for this steel-bodied beast:
- Range: Over 500 miles
- Towing capacity: 14,000+ pounds
- 100 kWh+ battery
- DC fast charging: Over 1000 miles per hour
- Exoskeleton made of Ultra Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless steel skin
Batteries and chassis details remain unconfirmed however until Tesla shows actual production intent vehicles. But clearly the tri-motor Cybertruck aims to deliver supercar speed mated to extreme durability.
The origins of its funky trapezoid-on-trapezoid design actually tie directly into function – enabling cargo, mounting points and crumple zones tailored specifically to electric vehicles. Love it or hate it, one thing is clear from user excitement and reservations: the Cybertruck promises a dramatically different experience from normal fossil-era trucks when it finally reaches customers hands in 2023.
Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat: Workhorse Turned Thoroughbred
Transitioning from the radically futuristic to the comfortably familiar, we land on the F-150 Lightning. As America‘s best selling truck for decades, Ford electrified their crown jewel pickup to create the F-150 Lightning.
Offering a more evolutionary take than the preceding disruptors, the Lightning aims for an optimal blend of eco-friendly performance and practical work capability. There‘s still a dual motor setup good for 563 hp allowing this all-electric F-150 to gallop to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.
Let‘s dig into the full spread of specs packed into this truck best suited for fleets and contractors needing to balance productivity with lightduty speed:
- 0-60 mph: 4.5 seconds
- Horsepower: 563
- Torque: 775 lb-ft
- Top speed: 110 mph
- Range: 320 miles w/ extended battery
- DC Fast charging: 54 miles in 10 minutes
- Max towing: 10,000 pounds
- Payload: 2000 pounds
- Frunk capacity: 14 cubic feet
Its fairly wide spread of practical capabilities plus futuristic features like the enormous frunk for storage make the F-150 Lightning compelling. Ford also offers BlueCruise hands-free driving on certain trims. Despite less neck-straining performance than other entries here, abundant torque and smart cabin design ensure the Lightning satisfies both worksite and family duties.
EdisonFuture EF1-T: Does Mystery Competitor Have the Right Stuff?
A Chinese EV startup named EdisonFuture turned heads in early 2022 revealing plans to produce an all-electric pickup called the EF1-T. Renders showcase an aggressively styled truck seemingly positioned to challenge the Tesla Cybertruck.
EdisonFuture claims they‘re shooting for sports car rivaling specs including 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds courtesy a 130 kWh battery feeding four motors churning out a total of 620 kW / 835 HP.
Some other rumored capabilities seem almost too good to be true from an unproven newcomer:
- Range: 450 miles
- Towing capacity: 8000+ pounds
- Removable storage compartments mounted inside doors
- Solar panel power tonneau cover
- Retractable LiDAR pods when parking/driving assist engaged
- Level 4 full autonomous driving features
Clearly with claimed acceleration on par with the Rivian R1T and adaptive cruise capabilities surpassing even the Cadillac Super Cruise system, EdisonFuture is making some bold claims about the EF1-T‘s capabilities.
However, they have not publicly demonstrated working prototypes yet. The company will need to secure substantial financing and partnerships to engineer such an advanced electric truck to production. But if EdisonFuture manages to manifest even a portion of their promises in the sheet metal, the EF1-T could become an intriguing high-tech offering. For now though, it remains firmly in the category of mystery competitor.
Chevy Silverado EV – Classic Workhorse Reborn
Rounding out our guide is the electric reinvention of an American favorite – the Chevy Silverado full-size pickup. While favoring a more conservative take on electrification than the Cybertruck‘s radical vision, Chevy still infuses the Silverado EV with solid performance.
The initial RST First Edition model set to launch starting in early 2023 will feature a 664 hp dual-motor powertrain chewing through 0-60 mph in 4.5 brisk seconds.
Here‘s a full rundown of the vital stats based on Chevrolet‘s announcements:
- Range: 400+ miles
- Horsepower: 664
- 0-60 mph: 4.5 seconds
- Torque: 780 lb-ft
- Max Towing: 10,000 pounds
- Payload: 1,300 pounds
- DC Fast Charge Rate: 100 miles in 10 minutes
- Available hands-free Super Cruise driver assist
For all-day driving and working ease, the Silverado EV also promises features like:
- Massive 17 inch infotainment display
- Multi-Flex tailgate with storage cubbies
- Power through-the-wall to enable interior accessories and tools
With muscular torque and near instant response courtesy its Ultium battery platform, the Silverado EV RST should feel right at home hauling heavy loads and blasting up to highway speeds with ease. It may emphasize capability over flash, but with sub-5 second 0-60 acceleration, nobody will call this electrified pickup slow.
EV Pickups: Choose Your Level of Lightning ⚡️
| Truck | Drive | HP | Torque | 0-60 | Range | Towing | Storage | DC Charge | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hummer EV | AWD | 1000 | 11500 | 3.0s | 329mi | 7,500lb | 5‘ bed | 350kW | $109k |
| Rivian R1T | AWD | 805 | 900lb | 3.0s | 314mi | 11,000lb | Gear tunnel | 160kW | $73k |
| Tesla Cybertruck | AWD | 800+ | unk | 2.9s* | 500mi* | 14,000lb* | 100cf | 250kW* | TBD |
| F-150 Lightning | AWD | 563 | 775lb | 4.5s | 320mi | 10,000lb | 14cf frunk | 150kW | $53k |
| EF1-T | AWD | 835* | unk* | 3.9s* | 450mi* | 8,000lb* | Door mounts* | unk | unk |
| Silverado EV | AWD | 664 | 780lb | 4.5s | 400mi | 10,000lb | Multi-Flex | 350kW | $105k |
* claimed/unverified figures
This comparison table summarizes key performance, capability and storage metrics allowing easy evaluation of whether these electric pickups meet your pickup needs.
There are clear tradeoffs – the Hummer EV and R1T prioritizing maximum acceleration while the Silverado and Lightning focus more on sustainable work readiness. The Cybertruck and EF1-T remains more unknown for now. But each pushes the envelope of electric vehicle possibility beyond what gasoline can offer.
The point is: no matter your preference for flamboyant or conservative styling, outrunning sports cars or out-hauling oil burners, the growing range of EV trucks ensures electrification doesn‘t mean sacrificing excitement. These computational sprinting machines revolutionize the pickup experience for both work and play.
So if you hear thunder on the horizon, it may just be the coming stampede of lightning quick electric trucks jockeying for position as kings of a new road.
The Electric Pickup Revolution Has Arrived!
After reviewing this lineup of shockingly quick electric pickups, one thing is clear – EVs make trucks demonstrably faster both off the line and at highway speeds without sacrificing productivity through towing and hauling capabilities.
Combining instant access torque from advanced motors with low centers of gravity from battery packs below the floors allows trucks like the GMC Hummer EV and Rivian R1T to outrun even Corvettes to 60 mph. The Cybertruck seems set to stretch performance even further into supercar territory based on claims.
Meanwhile the F-150 Lightning and Silverado EV may not break track records, but still handily outpace their fossil-fueled counterparts thanks to effortlessly accessible electric power. And all these trucks retain or improve hauling, storage and charging capabilities critical for practical use.
So whether you have need for neck-straining acceleration or just want eco-friendly torque on tap for working, this new breed of EV pickups prove trucking can still be quick business.
The electric pickup revolution brings a whole new meaning to fast company on roads where lumbering trucks once ruled at a more leisurely pace. But now with access to instant, silent motivation, the era of high performance workhorses has arrived.
Rivian, Tesla, Ford and startups still working feverishly show no sign of lifting off the accelerator pedal in advancing EV truck speeds and capabilities. The next few years promise even more blinding launches from electric pickups. So buckle those safety belts and get ready for increasing excitement from one of America‘s iconic staples reimagined.
