Charging Electric Vehicles: Chevrolet Silverado EV, Ram 1500, Ford F-150 Lightning, Tesla Cybertruck and More Zero Emission Vehicles Coming Soon

The Ford F-150 Lightning is arguably the most compelling all-electric car.

Statement by Prime Minister Scott Morrison that electric vehicles “will not tow your trailer. He is not going to tow your boat. It won't take you to your favorite camping spot with the family" didn't get old during the 2019 election campaign.

Putting aside the fact that it was inaccurate at the time, sitting here in 2021, we are on the cusp of an electric vehicle (EV) revolution led by cars that can tow and hike. In fact, electric motorcycles could make towing and camping even easier, at least from what we've seen so far.

American brands have led this new wave of electric vehicles, with Ford, Chevrolet and Ram all confirming that electric versions of their most popular pickups will be available by mid-decade. Then there will be new players from Tesla and Rivian who promise to offer something different.

Here are some of the electric vehicles that the prime minister and others will soon be able to enjoy – whether for towing or camping.

Ford F-150 Lightning

The world's best-selling ute is now electric and will likely be the first to market, at least in its native US. Ford has reportedly received over 100,000 orders for the new electric car and it's easy to see why it's so popular.

It is equipped with a twin-motor all-wheel drive transmission and is available in two versions: a standard model with 318 kW and a range of 370 km or an extended model with a range of 483 km without recharging and a more powerful transmission of 420 kW/1051 Nm. Ford claims that with this much power and torque, a large pickup truck can hit 0 km/h in the "average four-second range."

Importantly, its towing capacity is a whopping 4536kg (it's a big boat, PM) and its payload is 907kg. It also has 400 liters of storage space under the hood (where the engine would normally be) and multiple outlets that can be used for tools or camping gear.

Unfortunately, Ford Australia hasn't said what it will offer the Lightning here, although it has previously shown interest in the F-150.

Tesla Cybertruck

While the F-150 Lightning is an electric version of an existing and already popular pickup truck, Tesla has taken a radically different approach with its Cybertruck. As the name suggests, this is supposed to be a modern take on the genre with its angular "cyberpunk" look.

The American brand claims that the three-motor all-wheel drive flagship model will be able to accelerate to 0 km / h in 60 seconds, like a supercar. There are also plans for both dual engine/all wheel drive and single engine/rear wheel drive versions.

The Cybertruck was originally supposed to go on sale in the US around now (late 2021), but production was delayed until 2022 at the earliest. Given Tesla's presence in the Australian market, it should only be a matter of time before the Cybertruck goes on sale. Of course, this will have to go through local legislation, but you could probably give a start date for sales somewhere in 2023.

GMC Hummer

General Motors' first major commitment to the electric vehicle market is the resurrection of the Hummer nameplate, albeit as a model of the GMC brand rather than its own standalone brand. That's right, the brand once known for its huge gas-powered SUVs will spearhead GM's electric push.

Announced at the end of 2020, it should go on sale in the US by the end of the year, with a standalone SUV in 2023. It debuts GM's new family of Ultium electric motors and batteries that you can "mix and match". suitable for various models from the portfolio of brands of the American giant.

In Hummer ute, GM will unleash the full power of the Ultium with a three-motor setup that is claimed to deliver a whopping 745kW/1400Nm. It will be all-wheel drive to provide suitable off-road performance, and it will also have some unique features such as four-wheel steering that will allow it to "walk like a cancer" and reduce the turning radius.

It remains to be seen whether GM will ship the Hummer to Australia because, despite being confirmed to only produce left-hand drive vehicles, the creation of General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) to convert select models to right-hand drive vehicles makes it possible. maybe.

Chevrolet Silverado EV

While the GMC Hummer is a big deal for General Motors, the July announcement that the Silverado will introduce an electric variant is arguably the most important electric vehicle for the auto giant. This is because the Silverado is GM's best-selling pickup truck and its closest competitor is the Ford F-150, so by introducing an electric version, it opens up the EV market to a huge potential audience.

The Silverado will use the same Ultium platform, powertrain and batteries as the Hummer, meaning similar performance and capabilities between the pair. Chevrolet has confirmed that the 800-volt battery technology will support 350kW DC fast charging and give the Silverado a range of 644km, ahead of the F-150 Lightning.

As with the Hummer, it remains to be seen if we'll get the left-hand drive Silverado EV in Australia. Given GMSV's focus on the internal combustion-powered Silverado and its mission to sell profitable low-volume cars like the Chevrolet Corvette, it wouldn't be surprising if it will be added to the range as popularity and demand for electric vehicles grows.

Ram Dakota and Ram 1500

Unsurprisingly, both of its closest competitors are committed to the EV pickup, and Ram followed suit. But this confirmed not only one electric car, but also a couple.

Now under the control of Stellantis (a merger of France's PSA Group and Fiat-Chrysler), Ram will introduce an electric 1500 in 2024, as well as an all-new mid-size car with the Dakota badge.

Ram will use the new EV platform developed by Stellantis for frame SUVs and passenger cars to create an electric version of its widely sold 1500. It will feature an 800-volt electrical system for fast charging and theoretical range. up to 800km. Stellantis also confirmed that it will have an electric motor capable of up to 330kW, which means that with three motors fitted, the Ram 1500 can deliver up to 990kW; at least theoretically.

The new Dakota will expand the Ram range and compete with the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger. This will be based on the platform of the large Stellantis car, which suggests it will be a monocoque rather than a more robust body-on-frame. But it will be able to run the same 800 volt electronics and use the same 330 kW motors as the 1500 model.

It's too early to confirm that either will be available in Australia, but given Stellantis' global approach and ute's seemingly endless sales force, it's likely that the Dakota will make its way to the future Ram Australia showroom.

Rivian R1T

Like the Tesla Cybertruck, the Rivian R1T has a different take on trucks/pickups. Instead of being a solid workhorse, the all-new American brand will position its model as a premium offering that can go anywhere in comfort and style.

With billions in support from Amazon and Ford, this fledgling brand has made steady progress since the introduction of the R1T (and its sibling, the R1S SUV) at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. The main reason it takes so long to get to market is because Rivian develops its own electric motors, batteries and platforms.

The company claims the R1T will be able to crawl up 100 percent grade, have 350mm of ground clearance, and traverse 900mm of water. Enough capacity to get you to your favorite camping spot where, if you tick the option, you can pull the Camp Kitchen out of the storage tunnel between tray and bed. This camp kitchen has a couple of induction cookers, a sink, and all the equipment and utensils you'll need for a comfortable camping (or "glamp"), which should be news to the ears of the premier.

While Rivian has been forced to delay its first vehicles for US customers (in large part due to the global semiconductor shortage), first deliveries are still expected by the end of this year. At launch, the R1T will have a range of 480 km, but by 2022 there will be a long-range variant of 640 km. After that, it is planned to release a more affordable model with a power reserve of 400 km.

The good news is that Rivian has repeatedly confirmed that it will produce the right-hand drive R1T and sees car-loving Australia as an important market. Exactly when is unclear, but it probably won't happen until 2023 at the earliest, as it expects to meet U.S. demand in 2022.