The electric pickup truck market is heating up, and the competition is fierce. Rivian, the company that launched the first electric pickup with its R1T, has faced challenges in establishing itself as a major player. Ford, too, hasn’t been able to replicate its F-150 dominance in the EV world with the Lightning. Even Tesla, despite the hype surrounding its Cybertruck, has seen relatively weak sales compared to its Model Y and Model 3.
For now, it seems SUVs have a slight edge over pickups in the EV race. The reason? Larger EVs are less efficient. Moving a heavier vehicle requires more energy, leading to the need for larger and more expensive battery packs. Rivian attempted to address this with the R1T’s 420-mile range option, but it comes at the cost of a hefty battery pack.
However, the game is changing. Stellantis, the parent company of Ram trucks, is set to launch its all-electric Ram 1500 REV early next year. The REV is expected to outperform its competitors in terms of range, towing capacity, payload, and charging times. With two battery options offering ranges of 350 miles and up to 500 miles, the Ram 1500 REV will put pressure on Rivian, Ford’s Lightning (with its 320-mile extended range), and even Tesla’s Cybertruck, which boasts an estimated range of 340 miles.
Stellantis is facing its own challenges, battling declining profits and competition from Chinese EV makers. Nonetheless, the company remains committed to its electric ambitions. It has invested $406 million to retool three Michigan plants for EV production and is actively developing hybrid versions of its models.
While Stellantis works to solidify its position in the EV market, another company is making waves with its innovative solar technology. Worksport, a leading developer of clean energy solutions for light trucks, has unveiled its SOLIS solar-powered tonneau cover and COR mobile battery power generator. This duo provides off-grid power on the go and is designed to significantly enhance the range and utility of electric pickups. Worksport’s system is being released in three phases, starting with an initial alpha release that involves rigorous testing of approximately 100 systems. The company has already confirmed that the SOLIS will be compatible with major truck brands like Ford, General Motors, and Hyundai. Furthermore, Worksport’s COR battery system has been successfully tested as a range extender for Tesla’s Model 3 and Cybertruck.
The emergence of solar power and other cutting-edge technologies suggests a bright future for electric pickups. As these technologies continue to evolve and economies of scale are achieved, electric pickups are poised to become even more appealing and practical for consumers.
