Full Size Pick Ups are electrifying the USA
The big buzzers hum
Ford F-150 Lightning
© press-inform – the press office
In the USA, from an electrical point of view, everything revolved around Tesla for many years. But now the competition is launching a gigantic counterattack – with huge pick-ups – of course electrically powered. Because Tesla just messed up with its Cybertruck.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk once again had to postpone his electric pick-up, which he had presented more than two years ago, last fall. The car manufacturer from California, which recently moved to Austin / Texas, doesn’t quite keep up with its futuristically styled cybertruck. The national competition takes note of this with a lot of goodwill, because the so-called full-size pick-ups could become an electric game changer in the USA; means the tide could turn. Turning towards electromobility, because the Model S, Model X, but especially Model Y and Model 3 have hitherto arrived in the innovative high-income coastal regions, this could change with the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV and Dodge Ram.
The US market is a pick-up Mecca, because for four decades the Ford F-Series with the volume model F-150 has been the best-selling car in the whole wide country. More than a million of these mass-produced pick-ups are sold every year, and with a length of at least 5.30 meters they impress tradesmen just as much as leisure-crazy sports fans. The Chevrolet Silverado and the Ram 1500 from Dodge took second and third place in the registration statistics. It took a while, but now all three bestsellers are also available as electric versions and the American mass market could turn – switch towards electromobility.
Before the middle of the year, the first model will be the Ford F-150 Lightning, followed by the Chevrolet Silverado EV presented at the Consumer Electronics Show at the beginning of 2023, and even Dodge, previously a refusal to buy electric, should only be available until 2024 with its electric RAM wait so as not to fall behind completely, because Tesla’s main competitor will hardly be endlessly delayed, even if Elon Musk recently had to push it from 2021 to the end of the year – not for the first time. The electric pope is currently unable to keep up with the Tesla Pick Up called Cybertruck, which has been announced for a long time. This was presented at the end of 2019 and should reach its first customers last year at the latest. Nothing came of that. Most recently, the Tesla CEO had to concede that the electric pick-up with design references to a set square would be further delayed. Before the end of 2022, hardly any model is likely to be buzzing on the streets and after the numerous delays of the other Tesla models, some fear that it will be 2023 before the electric pick-up rolls out in significant numbers to customers who buy it for US$ 100 dollars can be pre-ordered.
The flagship of America’s most popular vehicle segment, the Ford F-150 is making its debut as an electric model this year. “With nearly 200,000 reservations, our teams are working hard and creatively to break through production constraints to get more F-150 Lightning trucks into the hands of our customers,” said Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford’s The Americas & International Markets Group. “The reality is clear: people are ready for an all-electric F-150 and Ford is pulling out all the stops to scale our operations and increase production capacity.” The F-150 has been selling so successfully for four decades not least because it not only appeals to private customers but also to traders. So it’s no surprise that the F-150 Lightning is also offered as a so-called “work horse” under the title Lightning Pro. The base price for the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro with a standard battery, electric four-wheel drive, 426 hp and a maximum range of 370 kilometers on one battery charge is just under 40,000 US dollars. For $10,000 more, you get 563 hp, a range of 480 kilometers and improved equipment.
The electric F-150 Lightning is a powerhouse on the go for both private customers and the commercial Pro version with external power plugs for camping or crafts. In the basic version, the mains plug offers 2.3 kilowatts, in the top models Lariat and Platinum 9.6 kilowatts for the supply of tools, cooling units or the caravan. Ford attaches great importance to the fact that the rustic pick-up retains its well-known robustness and off-road mobility, which has made it so popular with customers all over the world and especially in the USA for decades, despite the electric drive. As with the normal F-150, there is an aluminum body and independent wheel suspension as well as the four driving programs Normal, Sport, Offroad and Towing, with the special underbody protection securing the powerful battery pack. Most pre-orders were received across states for the regular F-150 Lightning versions, which also start at 426 hp. However, many customers are currently interested in the more powerful 563 hp variant with 1,050 Nm of torque, which can cover up to 500 kilometers without recharging. In order for this tremendous power to get to the ground, the Ford F-150 is obligatory with all-wheel drive and can tow trailers weighing over 4.5 tons. Well-appointed consumer models cost less than $53,000 as the F-150 XLT. In addition to the large loading area, the electric Ford F-150 for the first time has a loading space of 400 liters for luggage under the front hood, because there is no combustion engine here.
In the spring of 2023 it will be followed by the Chevrolet Silverado EV, the second best-selling pick-up in the USA, also as an electric version. “In addition to the First Edition, we will be presenting our Work Truck in the spring of 2023,” says GM CEO Mary Barra. “The electric Silverado RST will follow in the fall.” The basic technical data makes private individuals and traders want more, because while the basic model of the 510 hp work truck as a commercial vehicle is to start at just under 40,000 US dollars, there will be carefully orchestrated different performance levels and battery sizes. The RST top model offers up to 664 hp, 1050 Nm and thanks to the new Ultium platform, on which the Hummer EV will also be on the road, ranges of up to 400 miles – the equivalent of 650 kilometers – are possible. On board there is a 10.2 kW charger for the electric pick-up on the new Ultium platform and the battery pack in the underbody is boosted with up to 350 kW at the fast charging station. The North American should be able to refuel for a further 160 kilometers within ten minutes. In addition to the ample space in the passenger compartment, the Chevrolet Silverado EV also offers a fixed glass roof and the rear of the cabin can be opened towards the loading area, so that longer objects can be loaded through to the front from here. Air suspension and optional all-wheel steering ensure comfort and agility.
The third in the group – Dodge with his Ram – looks a little different. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares does not rely solely on electric drive and has repeatedly criticized the one-sided focus on electricity. This also explains why Dodge does not want to bring its electric Ram to customers until 2024. Visually, the Ram 1500-E should differ more clearly than its competitors from the corresponding combustion brothers. The technical basis is the new STLA platform, which is designed to protect the battery packs in the underbody and enable a range of 700 kilometers. In terms of performance, everyday utility and off-road capability, it will hardly be behind the domestic competition.