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.

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This electric pickup had so many goodies and features that it felt like an infomercial. Every time the Ram team showed an item, the expectation was they would say, “But wait, there’s more,” before revealing the next item.

Do you want a truck with a long tunnel for cargo? Have you been itching for a truck with three rows of seats? Should a truck have suicide doors, offering a large opening? These are only a few features found in the new electric Ram 1500, but wait, there’s more.

How Much Power Does This New Ram Electric Truck Offer?

The new electric Ram 1500 pickup is expected to hit the market in 2025, which makes it the last of the new half-ton electric trucks from the Detroit Big Three automakers. Power for the new electric Ram pickup comes from two motors, each producing 335 horsepower. The result of these two electric motors working together is 654 horsepower and 620 lb-ft of torque.

An Electric Truck With A Range Extender – Is It Really An EV?

Although details are still scarce, the electric Ram 1500 Revolution XR is expected to be offered with a gas-powered range extender. This feature should be a small gasoline engine that sends power to the electric batteries to increase the driving range of this Ram EV pickup truck.

Electric Towing Challenges

Why would anyone need a range extender in an electric truck? Electric pickups use more driving range while towing a trailer than gas or diesel-powered pickups. The Fast Lane Trucks team performed a test that showed how much range is lost when an electric pickup tows a trailer. Adding a gas-powered range extender to the new Ram electric truck can add power back to the electric system and allow this truck to tow a heavy trailer for longer distances.

Useful Storage Space Or Gimmicky Features

When Ram revealed this new EV pickup at CES, they showed off features in this prototype that might not make it to production. Still, a few items on display could be nothing more than gimmicks, but that’s for consumers to decide.

A Long, Narrow Cargo Tunnel

The first of these is a long cargo tunnel that passes from the front to the rear of the truck through the frunk, firewall, cabin, midgate, and into the bed. The ability to carry cargo up to 18 feet long sounds enticing, but the height and width of only one foot each limits the usefulness of this narrow pass-through.

Third Row Jump Seat

The second unique but questionable feature is the set of third-row seats. These aren’t your traditional seats found in minivans or three-row SUVs. Instead, the new electric Ram pickup features two small jump seats that provide a small space for a couple of kids to ride for short distances. The cabin area of the new Ram EV pickup is only four inches longer than the current gas-powered model.

These jump seats are akin to a pair of folding lawn chairs, which is where they can be more useful. If you love to tailgate at sporting events or go fishing at the lake, these seats can be removed from the cabin and affixed to the bed on top of the tailgate to offer a good place to sit during these activities.

A Unique Rear Suspension Changes The EV Truck Game

Gimmicky features aside, the new Ram electric truck showed items that make it more useful and capable than other electric pickups. One of these impressive new features is an independent rear suspension system with coil springs. This setup creates more space than solid axles and a leaf spring suspension system.

More Space Means Better Driving Range

The added space created by the unique suspension enables the electric Ram pickup to offer a premium on driving range, which is extremely important for truck owners looking for a truck that lasts all day long. This live rear suspension system is preferred for better towing, hauling, and drag racing as well. This new electric Ram 1500 pickup isn’t expected to be at many drag races, but this suspension setup makes it faster than if a traditional suspension was used.

Will the new electric Ram pickup feature the suicide/rear-hinged rear doors of the concept model, or bring a traditional door system? Will two large screens dominate the dashboard, or will there be screens across the entire truck width?

The new electric Ram 1500 pickup is scheduled for the 2025 model year. It will be interesting to see how much of the CES concept model makes it to the production version.

The post Unveiling the Electric Ram 1500 Pickup: A Game Changer in the Truck Market first appeared on Ride4Watts.com.

The post Unveiling the Electric Ram 1500 Pickup: A Game Changer in the Truck Market appeared first on Ride4Watts.com.

Until the infrastructure exists to support EVs in a similar manner to gas-powered vehicles, charging time, charger locations, and driving range will continue to be a serious consideration. Of course, there are other aspects of EVs that you’ve got to think about as well. Because these vehicles are new to the market, many automakers offer incentives, and the federal government also has a tax break for most EVs.

Here are some things you want to consider when you’re ready to buy an electric car.

Where do you go, and what do you take with you?

The early days of EVs offered nothing more than fully-electric hybrid vehicles, with Tesla being the only outlier. Today, EVs come in all shapes and sizes. There are off-road SUVs, pickup trucks, sedans, family-sized SUVs, and hatchbacks. The only thing missing is an all-electric minivan, but that’s probably coming. With this wide array of options, it’s important to know what you need and where you go when selecting the right EV to drive.

Where will you get fuel?

Owners of gas-powered cars don’t typically worry about finding a gas station but rather the price of a gallon of fuel. Unfortunately, electric car owners don’t have this same comfort. The infrastructure supporting EVs is still being created and expanding, which puts you at a disadvantage. Before buying an EV, find the local public chargers that you can use and find out whether or not you can install an at-home Level 2 charger for your overnight charging needs. If you can’t refuel your EV with electricity, it’s not worth buying.

Will your EV qualify for tax incentives?

The first round of the Federal EV Tax Credit was more of a blanket credit for hybrids, PHEVs, and EVs. This early version also had a vehicle limit, which was exceeded by a few automakers. The most recent tax credit opens things up for automakers that previously exceeded the limit while adding several constraints regarding the type of vehicle, where battery materials are mined, and where the vehicles are built. Will your EV qualify for these tax incentives?

How much driving range is required?

Electric cars list the driving range to help owners understand how far they can go between recharges at home. If you spend all of your time driving around town, you might not need more than 200 miles of driving range or an entire week. On the other hand, if you have a long commute or like to take weekend trips, you’ll want EV with at least 300 miles of driving range. Most EVs offer more than 200 miles, and some reach as high as 400 miles of range.

How much fun are you looking for in your EV?

Some EVs are advertised as fun, exciting, and fast. The Tesla Model S Plaid is considered the fastest electric vehicle in the world, but the new Lucid Air Sapphire might take this title away. Some EVs are built with off-road qualities, making adventures into the wilderness possible and fun. Although electric cars drive and feel different from traditional gas-powered vehicles, they can fit your lifestyle and offer the fun and excitement you desire.

Should you buy or lease your electric car?

This might be the second-most important question you’ll answer. Most advice normally points to buying over leasing, but EV technology is advancing so rapidly that leasing could be a much better option. Electric vehicles are new enough that some uncertainty still exists regarding the lifespan of EV batteries. If you want to err on the side of caution, it’s probably best to lease your first or second EV until more is known about the longevity of these new vehicles.

Would a PHEV or hybrid be a better option right now?

The newness of the electric car world could cause us to pause and take a step back. If you’re unsure whether or not you should drive a fully-electric car, you can dip a toe in the proverbial alternative fuel market with a traditional hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicle. A PHEV could be the best option because most offer some of the same tax benefits as EVs and also provide 20 to 40 miles of all-electric driving range. Hybrid vehicles utilize a traditional gas engine for most of the driving, which makes them much more versatile than EVs.

Are you ready to buy an EV? Use these tips to help understand if you, the auto market, or the infrastructure is ready for you to drive a fully-electric vehicle.

The post How to Buy an Electric Car first appeared on Ride4Watts.com.

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2023 Tesla Model 3: The most affordable Tesla

The Tesla Model 3 is the cheapest model from this brand, offering competitive pricing across the range. The Model 3 is a Top Safety Pick+ winner from the IIHS and earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA. This safe and impressive electric car is eligible for the Federal EV Tax Credit, reducing the price by up to $7,500 for qualifying owners. The price range for the Model 3 is $40,240 to $53,240 covering three trims. You’ll find a lean and sparse interior when you step inside the Tesla Model 3. This small Tesla has a large touchscreen in the center of the dashboard to handle most of the controls required in the cheapest Tesla car. The Model 3 is the cheapest Tesla car, and it has up to 358 miles of driving on a full charge in the Long Range model. Both the Long Range and Performance models include AWD to send power to all four wheels for better traction and stability. The Model 3 is where affordability meets practicality in the EV world.

2023 Tesla Model Y: Could this small Tesla EV be right for you?

The Tesla Model Y is second on the list of the longest-range electric SUVs ranked by Kelley Blue Book. The Model 3 and Model Y share a platform, allowing the Model Y to be a small and useful electric SUV. The shared platform ensures that the Model Y achieves the same safety ratings as its sibling, hitting top marks with the IIHS and NHTSA. The Tesla Model starts at $47,490 and goes up to $54,490 across three trim levels. Surprisingly, the Tesla Model Y offers three rows of seats, despite its small footprint. Legroom in the third row is tight, but this area is still useful for small children or short drives across town. The second row brings up to 41.8 inches of legroom, making passengers comfortable. The second and third rows fold flat to open up 72.1 cubic feet of space behind the front seats in the 5-seat models, while 7-seat versions have 67.9 cubic feet of cargo room.

2023 Tesla Model S: Long-range luxury electric car dominance

The 2023 Tesla Model S isn’t the cheapest Tesla car, but the pricing fits in the luxury electric vehicle class. Only the Lucid Air brings a longer driving range than the Model S, which includes a maximum of 405 miles of EV driving on a single full charge. Only two versions of the Model S exist, the Standard, which starts at $88,490, and the high-performance Plaid model, which costs $108,490. When a performance EV is on the menu, the Tesla Model S Plaid is extremely quick, rocketing you to 60 mph in only 2.0 seconds, which is staggeringly fast. The Model S has interesting qualities, including the option of a regular steering wheel over the new Tesla yoke-style system. When you want a luxury EV with the highest level of tech, the Model S is what you’ll want to drive.

2023 Tesla Model X: Fast and futuristic Tesla fun

Although far from the cheapest Tesla model, the Model X is an impressive luxury electric SUV that captures the hearts and minds of those in its presence. The Model X brings luxurious comfort and a minimalistic cabin with three rows of comfortable seats to be a fantastic family SUV. The Tesla Model X, similar to the Model S, has two trims. The Standard trim starts at $98,490, while the Plaid trim costs $108,490. In addition to the luxury qualities, the Tesla Model X is the longest-range electric SUV on the road today, with up to 348 miles of electric driving range on a single charge. This Tesla SUV, along with the other models, can recharge at any of the many Tesla Supercharging stations located throughout the country. Although the price of the Tesla Model X isn’t low, it could be worth every penny you spend on it. Currently, these four Tesla models make up the entire vehicle lineup. The new Tesla Cybertruck is on the way, which will give this electric car brand five great EV models to choose from.

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