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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Tesla’s Story

Tesla began the EV market as we know it today and the company remains the strongest seller of EV models in the world. From China, BYD is close, but nothing in the United States compares. The Tesla Model Y is currently the world’s best-selling vehicle. Alongside the compact SUV, the Model 3 sedan is the second most popular. Higher-end models include the Model S sedan and the Model X SUV. Most recently, the Cybertruck has captured the imaginations of EV buyers.

Rivian’s Story

Several EV startups have tried to take on Tesla and gain success, but only a few have managed to produce a large number of vehicles and get them to customers. Rivian is one of those. The California company began in 2009 and in 2021 it launched its first vehicle, the Rivian R1T pickup truck. It was the first electric pickup of the modern EV era. Rivian followed that with the R1S, a big SUV based on the same platform. Rivian also makes a delivery van for Amazon, one of its original investment backers.

Comparing Rivian and Tesla Vehicles

Tesla’s trademark is mostly medium-sized sedans and SUVs, while Rivian is going after buyers who want larger vehicles with off-road ability. Rivian’s brand description embraces the outdoors. Both Tesla and Rivian vehicles are packed with cutting-edge and thoughtful features.

For example, the R1T has a nifty gear tunnel where you can stash items between the cab and bed. The Rivian truck and SUV have a choice of four motors, an adjustable height suspension, and multiple drive modes for taking on rough terrain.

On the other hand, Tesla’s vehicles are strongly geared toward urban and suburban driving. They’re designed to deliver on-road performance, and that’s especially true if you look at a sporty model like the Model S Plaid. There is some overlap between the two brands, including modern technology and design simplicity.

Both Rivian and Tesla have done away with physical buttons, which is cool on one front, but frustrating when you need to use the touchscreen simply to change the air vent direction.

Buying a Tesla or Rivian

One perk of buying either a Tesla or a Rivian is that you can order easily online. Both companies reject the traditional dealership model and instead sell their models directly to customers via their websites. This easy ordering method makes both companies feel distinctly modern and it may even represent the future of the auto industry.

Which Should You Choose?

It’s difficult to say that one brand is heads and tails better than the other as they both appeal to different consumers. If a truck or a large SUV with impressive off-road chops is your preference, then Rivian beats Tesla easily. However, Rivian doesn’t have an answer for Tesla’s sportier offerings either. So, it largely depends on what you want.

The post Rivian vs. Tesla: How the Startup Compares to the EV Giant first appeared on Ride4Watts.com.

The post Rivian vs. Tesla: How the Startup Compares to the EV Giant appeared first on Ride4Watts.com.