Compact Electric Trucks to Watch
The Future of EV Utility Vehicles
EV truck designers have been late to the game in introducing electric vehicles, but they’re starting to catch up. Find out what’s got buyers most excited now and what to look out for when it comes to compact electric trucks.
So far, most automakers who have tried their hands at creating EV pickups have tasked their most creative minds with finding ways to electrify current models. The Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevy Silverado EV are great examples.
All that is poised to change. Automakers are beginning to embrace the idea of designing smaller, compact electric trucks with greater utility to city drivers. Let’s take a look at what’s already available and what’s in the works.
Currently Available Electric Trucks
The Rivian R1T is one of the smallest EV pickups available, though technically, it’s a midsize light-duty truck. With an estimated range of 420 mi, it’s got a payload capacity of 1,764 lbs and can tow up to 11,000 lbs.
Other larger alternatives include the Tesla Cybertruck, GMC Sierra EV, and GMC Hummer EV Pickup. So far, no compact EV pickups are currently for sale in the US.
Legacy Automakers Toy With Smaller Electric Trucks
Several mainstream automakers are considering the idea of releasing smaller EV pickups within the next few years. GMC and Chevrolet are working on a future compact EV pickup based on an AEV platform.
Some experts are also pining for a compact GMC Hummer EV, though the automaker has yet to indicate that it’s got anything in the works. On the other hand, the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon EVs should be available for the 2027 model year.
Some sources say the Ford Maverick may also be getting an EV variant as soon as 2028, and Ram plans to release a Dakota EV midsize pickup based on its STLA large platform for the 2027 model year.
Newcomers to the Game
There’s plenty of room for innovation in the EV truck market, as US startup Rivian has already proven. The Rivian R1T is one of the most popular electric pickups available. Soon, other aspiring US automakers, including Canoo and TELO, will join the startup.
Canoo, an EV automotive startup based in California, plans to release a compact pickup slightly smaller than the Ford Ranger. The tiny truck should have a range of 200 mi and charge in 28 minutes on a DC fast-charger. There’s no official release date yet, but Canoo is taking preorders.
Perhaps even more exciting, another startup called TELO Trucks is working on a compact electric pickup small enough to fit in the footprint of a MINI Cooper with a 60-inch bed and seating for five. It will have a 350 mi range and put out 500 hp of power.
Most experts believe these compact pickups represent a general market shift toward smaller EV utility vehicles. They combine capability with a footprint that makes them more appropriate for city driving, which could be the ideal pickup for the future.