{"id":24779,"date":"2020-02-12T18:06:11","date_gmt":"2020-02-12T22:06:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=24779"},"modified":"2020-02-12T18:06:11","modified_gmt":"2020-02-12T22:06:11","slug":"from-hummer-to-tesla-breaking-down-the-electric-truck-battle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2020\/02\/from-hummer-to-tesla-breaking-down-the-electric-truck-battle","title":{"rendered":"From Hummer to Tesla: Breaking down the electric truck battle"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s a pickup war coming, and it\u2019s going to be electric.<\/p>\n

Inspired by the success of Tesla\u2019s performance brand, an army of American startups \u2014 and one very large legacy automaker\u00a0\u2014 will roll out five\u00a0battery-powered trucks over\u00a0the next two years.<\/p>\n

Although we\u2019ve seen only prototypes, sketches and teaser photos of the five electric\u00a0titans \u2014 the GMC Hummer EV, Tesla Cybertruck, Rivian R1T, Lordstown Endurance and\u00a0Bollinger Motors B2\u00a0\u2014\u00a0they look to be big, powerful and defiantly different. And more truck makers may join the battery-power revolution, including an electric\u00a0F-150\u00a0from Ford.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n<\/div>

The Tesla Cybertruck that debuted in November is one of five electric pickup trucks scheduled to go on sale in the next two years.\u00a0(Photo: Ringo H.W. Chiu, AP)<\/span><\/p>\n

Engineers see\u00a0inherent benefits in battery-powered trucks: Instant torque from batteries makes for strong acceleration and towing ability. And\u00a0thanks to their “skateboard chassis” architecture that stores batteries in the floor,\u00a0buckets of storage space are created.<\/p>\n

At the same time, truck-size performance requires a lot of juice, which will test owners who use their pickups for more than trips to the golf course.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe challenge is going to be towing,\u201d said\u00a0Navigant Research analyst Sam Abuelsamid. \u201cThe Tesla Model X SUV can tow 5,000 pounds, for example, but then range drops off a cliff by 50% or more.”<\/p>\n

Still, there are a lot of applications where an electric pickup\u00a0can be useful, both commercial and personal, he said. \u201cAn operator in a metro area doesn\u2019t need 500 miles of range, and he can use the vehicle to charge their tools.\u201d<\/p>\n

All five pickup EVs\u00a0are expected to be available with four-door crew cabs, four-wheel drive, 100-kWh-plus batteries and at least 200 miles of range. Although one of the trucks\u00a0\u2014 the Lordstown Endurance\u00a0\u2014 is targeted at fleets and tradespeople, others look to be largely toys for the well-off.<\/p>\n

“Pickups aren\u2019t necessarily work trucks anymore, they\u2019re a lifestyle choice,” said veteran auto analyst Rebecca Lindland of RebeccaDrives.com. “There are plenty of people these days willing to pay $65,000 to $70,000 for a pickup truck.”<\/p>\n

But charging infrastructure will be critical before there is widespread adoption. Outside of Tesla\u2019s exclusive supercharger network and owners’ garages, truck makers will be dependent on third-party chargers at gas stations,\u00a0Dunkin\u2019 Donuts\u00a0and parking lots.<\/p>\n

And that could present a problem in itself, Abuelsamid said: \u201cIt may be a challenge getting these pickups into parking lot charging-stalls.”<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what we know about the five players.<\/p>\n

\"Tesla's<\/p>\n<\/div>

Tesla’s electric Cybertruck.\u00a0(Photo: Tesla)<\/span><\/p>\n

Tesla Cybertruck<\/h3>\n

Tesla is the big dog creating excitement here. \u00a0The Cybertruck that debuted in November is\u00a0the latest step in CEO Elon Musk\u2019s plans for world electric domination.<\/p>\n

With more than 200,000 pre-orders in hand, the $39,900 Cybertruck (with Autopilot, naturally) follows in the footsteps of the Model 3 sedan, making it the most affordable of the EV pickup titans \u2014 and the most radical.<\/p>\n

Its exterior is a cross between a sci-fi military vehicle and a doorstop, all right angles and stainless steel. The Cybertruck’s interior is\u00a0simple, its infotainment tablet hanging in the middle of its wide dash.<\/p>\n

But there’s a premium to paid in order to reach maximum Cybertruck\u00a0performance:\u00a0a claimed 2.9-second zero-60 acceleration time, 500-mile range\u00a0and 14,000-pound towing capability. To claim those bragging rights,\u00a0buyers will need to option the tri-motor all-wheel drive version for $69,900.<\/p>\n

Due date: Late 2021<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n<\/div>

A teaser rendering of the upcoming electric GMC Hummer EV truck.\u00a0(Photo: GM)<\/span><\/p>\n

GMC Hummer EV<\/h3>\n

GMC seeks to recast the Hummer\u00a0nameplate \u2014 once synonymous with gas-guzzling excess \u2014 as the “woke” truck of the EV future.<\/p>\n

All we’ve seen of of the GMC Hummer EV is the Hummer name on a grille in a Super Bowl commercial.\u00a0But GM says it will be built in Hamtramck on the same bones as Cadillac\u2019s upcoming electric SUV. It\u00a0will\u00a0offer with one-, two-\u00a0and three-motor configurations like the Cybertruck, suggesting a similarly wide price-range.<\/p>\n

Cigar-chomping Arnold Schwarzenegger was the original Hummer\u2019s biggest fan, and basketball star LeBron James is the pitchman for its rebirth.\u00a0It\u2019s expected to be a big vehicle for big personalities.<\/p>\n

GMC claims the silent beast will accelerate from zero-60 in just 3 seconds.<\/p>\n

Due date: Fall 2020<\/p>\n

\"Rivian<\/p>\n<\/div>

Rivian R1T electric pickup.\u00a0(Photo: Lians Jadan, AP)<\/span><\/p>\n

Rivian R1T<\/h3>\n

For all Tesla\u2019s brand cred, many analysts see Plymouth-based\u00a0Rivian as the surest bet, given its massive investment from Fortune 500 clients like Amazon and Ford. With its chiseled\u00a0iPhone-simple interior and clever tricks like \u201ctank turn” that lets it spin in place, the R1T gives off an upscale, playful vibe.<\/p>\n

\u201cRivian has a lot of buzz,\u201d says Navigant\u2019s Abuelsamid. \u201cIt has really diverse and relevant business partners.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those partners guarantee the brand income for commercial vehicles (Amazon) and contract jobs (Ford\/Lincoln) while Rivian builds its own reputation\u00a0with individual customers.<\/p>\n

The midsize R1T pickup (a similar R1S will be built as an SUV)\u00a0claims impressive numbers like 11,000-pound towing capacity, but is smaller than the full-size Cybertruck. There’s an electric motor for each wheel.<\/p>\n

Starting at $69,000, it’s aimed at outdoors lovers.<\/p>\n

To promote its lifestyle appeal, Rivian has tweeted photos of offroad trips to western locations with the\u00a0R1T’s “frunk” (where the engine normally would be) filled with beverages and a tent pitched in the bed. Rivian promises park-based electric chargers to relieve range anxiety for its wanderlust customers.<\/p>\n

Due date: Fall 2020<\/p>\n

\"Bollinger<\/p>\n<\/div>

Bollinger B2 electric truck.\u00a0(Photo: Bollinger Motors)<\/span><\/p>\n

Bollinger Motors B2<\/h3>\n

If the Rivian and Tesla are aimed at weekend wanderers, then Ferndale-based Bollinger\u2019s B2 is intended for\u00a0hard-core outdoorsmen.<\/p>\n

Its roots are in founder Robert Bollinger\u2019s need for a truck on his farm in New York\u2019s Catskills. \u201cIt had to be electric,\u201d he said on Autoline last year. \u201cWe designed it the way we wanted to make it. Electric (architecture) is so much better for trucks than gasoline and diesel, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Bollinger, pickups are all about utility. With the batteries in the basement, the full length of the B2\u2019s interior can be used for storage. The tailgate and front panels drop so you can run 16-foot plywood boards into the cab.<\/p>\n

The 614-horsepower B2 has Cybertruck-like 15-inch ground clearance, with 10-inch suspension travel for extreme off-roading. Given its battery weight, the B2 will be classified a Class 3 truck, comparable to a Ford F-350. (The Tesla will be Class 2, like a Ford F-250.)<\/p>\n

Compared to the Rivian and Cybertruck, the design of the B2 is utilitarian. Its body\u00a0is constructed of simple aluminum sheets \u2014 a carry-over from Bollinger\u2019s lack of expensive stamping dies when he built his first prototypes by hand. The B2 will start at $125,000.<\/p>\n

Due date:\u00a0Early 2021<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n<\/div>

A artist rendering of the Lordstown Endurance electric pickup.\u00a0(Photo: Lordstown Motors)<\/span><\/p>\n

Lordstown Endurance<\/h3>\n

The least is known about the $52,500 Lordstown Endurance, which will be built at GM\u2019s former Lordstown Assembly plant in northeast Ohio. Like the Rivian, the Endurance will have a motor at each wheel. With on-board electric export to power tools, the Endurance appears to be aimed at fleet customers and claims a 7,500-pound towing capability.<\/p>\n

Due date: Late 2020<\/p>\n

EV pickups: By the numbers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

2021\u00a0Tesla Cybertruck<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Vehicle type: 5-passenger electric pickup<\/p>\n

Price: $39,900-$69,900<\/p>\n

Powerplant: Lithium-ion battery pack;\u00a01-3 electric motors<\/p>\n

Power: NA<\/p>\n

Performance: 0-60 mph, 2.9 seconds (3-motor); towing, 7,500-14,000 pounds<\/p>\n

Range: 250-500 miles<\/p>\n

2021\u00a0Rivian R1T<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Vehicle type: 5-passenger electric pickup<\/p>\n

Price: $69,000-plus<\/p>\n

Powerplant: 105\/135\/180 kWh lithium-ion battery pack;\u00a04 electric motors<\/p>\n

Power: Up to 754 hp, 829 pound-feet torque<\/p>\n

Performance: 0-60 mph, 3.0 seconds; towing, up to 11,000 lbs<\/p>\n

Range: Up to 400 miles<\/p>\n

2021\u00a0Bollinger B2<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Vehicle type: 5-passenger electric pickup<\/p>\n

Price: $125,000<\/p>\n

Powerplant: 120 kWh lithium-ion battery pack;\u00a02 electric motors<\/p>\n

Power: 614 hp, 688 pound-feet torque<\/p>\n

Performance: 0-60 mph, 4.5 seconds; towing, 7,500 pounds<\/p>\n

Range: 200 miles<\/p>\n

2022\u00a0GMC Hummer<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Vehicle type: 5-passenger electric pickup<\/p>\n

Price: $70,000 est.<\/p>\n

Powerplant: Up to 192 kWh lithium-ion battery pack (est.);\u00a01-3 electric motors<\/p>\n

Power: 1,000 hp<\/p>\n

Performance: 0-60 mph, 3.0 seconds; towing, NA<\/p>\n

Range: NA<\/p>\n

2021\u00a0Lordstown Endurance<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Vehicle type: 5-passenger electric pickup<\/p>\n

Price: $52,500<\/p>\n

Powerplant: Lithium-ion battery pack;\u00a04 electric motors<\/p>\n

Power: NA<\/p>\n

Performance: NA<\/p>\n

Range: NA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s a pickup war coming, and it\u2019s going to be electric. Inspired by the success of Tesla\u2019s performance brand, an army of American startups \u2014 and one very large legacy automaker\u00a0\u2014 will roll out five\u00a0battery-powered trucks over\u00a0the next two years. Although we\u2019ve seen only prototypes, sketches and teaser photos of the five electric\u00a0titans \u2014 the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24779"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24779"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24779\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24780,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24779\/revisions\/24780"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24779"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24779"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24779"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}