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Here, we take a look at the top eight confirmed future hybrid and electric pickup truck models worth waiting for.
Ford F-150 Electric
For several years now, Ford has indicated that a pure-electric version of its best-selling F-150 pickup might be on the horizon. The automaker finally, officially confirmed its F-150 Electric plans at the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, following up months later with a video showing an F-150 with a prototype electric powertrain towing a million pounds of train cars. You read that right; that’s 1,000,000 pounds. With six zeros.
It’s unknown exactly when the Ford F-150 Electric will arrive, what sort of range it will offer, or how much it will sticker for, but to that last question, it’s worth noting Ford’s light-duty F-Series is slated for a 2021 redesign. We suspect the battery-electric version will launch somewhere around a year later—shortly after the Mustang Mach-E.
Ford F-150 Hybrid
Ford’s approach to marketing the truck is a clever one; the automaker will focus less on hybrid power as a means of boosting fuel efficiency, and more on bolstering versatility and practicality. Having a rechargeable lithium-ion battery onboard means that in theory, the F-150 Hybrid will be able to power 110-volt tools at the job site for extended periods, and its torquey electric motor(s) ought to lend the truck more towing and hauling power than a gas-only equivalent.
Bollinger B2
The Bollinger B2 will have locking differentials, disconnecting front and rear sway bars, and a hydropneumatic suspension lending it up to 20 inches of ground clearance, all of which should grace the Bollinger with commendable overlanding abilities. Expect it to launch sometime in the second half of 2020.
Rivian R1T
Like the Bollinger B2, Rivian’s electric pickup truck will be capable off-road, with 14 inches of ground clearance and the ability to ascend 45-degree inclines. The top-performing model will be capable of hitting 60 mph in something like three seconds, and all Rivian R1Ts will be capable of Level 3 autonomous operation.
Tesla Cybertruck
To wit, the most capable variant of Tesla’s Cybertruck is targeting up to 14,000 pounds of towing capacity, 500 miles of battery range, and a 0-to-60 time of under three seconds—all tremendous figures. What’s more, the Cybertruck will feature an adjustable air suspension capable of extending ground clearance up to 16 inches. But its “dent-proof” body is its real pièce de résistance, and the reason for its absurd styling: according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the 30X cold-rolled stainless that makes up the Cybertruck’s body can’t be stamped. Rather, it has to be scored and then bent into shape, hence the Cybertruck’s simple, angular appearance.
Tesla Cybertruck pricing will start at $39,900, growing to $69,900 for the top-performing three-motor version, and production will start in late-2021.
LMC Endurance
The LMC Endurance is a bit different from the other models listed here in that its primary target is work fleets, not individual consumers. Moreover, it will pack a total of four electric motors—one for each wheel—and its battery pack will provide some real endurance, with a targeted 250 miles of range on a full charge. Pricing is planned to start at $52,500.
General Motors Unnamed Electric Pickup
General Motors has officially thrown its hat into the ring, announcing that it will put an electric pickup truck model on sale by the fall of 2021. According to Car and Driver, the American automaker has invested some $3 billion into its electric truck program already, and the resulting products will be built at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant. Rumor has it that GM might even revive the “Hummer” brand name to apply to its new electric truck models.
What we know: it will be a battery-electric vehicle with a unique platform dubbed “B1T”, designed with the rigors of typical truck use in mind. Expect a driving range within the same neighborhood as Rivian’s targeted 400 miles.
Karma Automotive’s Unnamed Pickup
Karma appears to be betting that its business would be more viable were it to design and license vehicle platforms to other automakers, rather than relying solely on its own new vehicle sales. As such, there’s some question as to just how serious Karma is about building the pickup truck it teased, not to mention how far the truck is from production. The image depicts a showy, futuristic-looking truck from about the beltline up, and the vehicle appears to have a very long cabin and a short bed.
If the truck does arrive—and that’s rather a big “if”—expect plug-in charging capability, a comparatively small battery pack, all-wheel drive, and an onboard gasoline engine providing hundreds of miles of extra range. We’ll get a likely taste of what it could look like when the similar Ocean all-electric crossover breaks cover in January 2020.
[Source: AutoGuide.com]