Buying An Electric Truck? Here’s What You Need To Know
Whether you’re interested in buying a new electric truck for your business or you’re just curious about the latest innovations in this category, there’s no shortage of options available. From Tesla’s F-150 Lightning to BYD’s Canoo, here are a few of the models you might want to consider.
Tesla’s Cybesrtruck
Earlier this year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced a new electric truck called the Cyber truck. This is a vehicle with a futuristic design. It will be available in three different configurations, each with different powertrains. The cheapest variant will cost $69,000, but you can also get the tri-motor AWD version for $110,000. It will be able to do 0-60 in less than 2.9 seconds.
The vehicle will be able to seat six people. It will have 100 cubic feet of cargo storage in the bed. It will also have an optional solar panel system, which boost range by 15 miles per day. It will have an infotainment screen with a 17-inch display. It will also have a rear-view camera.
Daimler’s eCascadia
Earlier this week, Daimler Trucks North America delivered electric Freightliner eCascadia Class 8 trucks to its customers. These trucks are part of the first phase of a long-term transition to battery-powered trucking. These electric semi-trucks are designed for regional and local distribution operations. They have a maximum gross combination weight of 82,000 pounds.
The eCascadia is powered by an electric axle drive developed by Detroit ePowertrain, a subsidiary of the Daimler group. The E-axle is available with a single or dual motor. The single motor variant can produce up to 145 kW. The twin-motor option produces up to 295 kW. The E-axle can be ordered with a 194-kWh or 240-kWh battery.
BYD
Founded in 1995 by chemist Wang Chuanfu, BYD Electric Motors has grown into the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, with an annual output of more than 8,000 trucks and cars. With offices in California and Shenzhen, China, BYD’s product line includes medium and heavy duty trucks, automobiles, and rail transit systems. It has also recently expanded into battery technology and electronics.
BYD has received a record 130 buses from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation in fall of 2019. The largest single order of battery-electric buses in US history, it’s also the largest outside Asia. In February 2020, BYD will operate 423 electric buses in the US.
Tesla’s F-150 Lightning
Despite being built on a conventional internal combustion engine platform, Ford’s F-150 Lightning combines the best of the old and the new. It’s not just the first electric pickup truck; it’s also the first Ford F-150 to be able to do things like two-way charging.
There are other EV vehicles in the works, including GM’s Silverado EV and a hybrid Explorer. Tesla, however, has yet to debut an EV truck. It’s estimated that the company has a few hundred thousand reservations, but production hasn’t started. Ford isn’t immune to supply chain disruptions. Its F-Series pickups have sold more than 600,000 units per year for more than four decades. But it’s still investing billions of dollars in electrified vehicles.
Canoo
EV startup Canoo is preparing to build its first electric truck. Currently, Canoo is working on a pickup that is designed to offer long range, versatility, and durability. It will be available in 2023.
The Canoo electric truck’s design has hints of a Volkswagen Kombi pick-up from the 1970s. It features a cab-forward design that puts the front wheels as far forward as possible. It also has a fold-down craftsman bar that doubles as a cargo area. It is also equipped with a tool plug-in area at the front. Canoo’s electric pickup truck will be available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Its payload capacity is expected to be 1,800 pounds. It should have a range of around 200 miles.
Final Thought
Until recently, electric trucks have served niche applications. For example, they have been used in short-range work in cities. But newer battery technology has widened their application, allowing them to be used for more heavy-duty work.
