- Hybrid and electric trucks were once seen as futuristic, but the invention of more powerful electric motors has started a race for automakers to produce hybrid and electric trucks.
- If you’re looking for a hybrid or electric truck, you still have a rather limited selection in 2022.
- Chevrolet, GMC and Toyota are planning the release of their own hybrid trucks for 2023, 2024 and 2025, so stay tuned.
It wasn’t too long ago that people couldn’t imagine the possibility of a hybrid or electric pickup truck. Times have certainly changed though, and automakers are in a sprint to release hybrid versions of their top-selling trucks. At this time, it might be a little difficult to find a purely hybrid truck, there will be more options in the near future.
If you’re looking to tow or haul while still saving a lot of money on gas, this guide reviews the different types of hybrid trucks currently available and which ones are worthy of your consideration.
What Is a Hybrid Pickup Truck?
Traditional trucks burn gasoline or diesel. For a long time, it wasn’t realistic to run a pickup truck with an electric motor because the motors couldn’t possibly provide enough power to meet the towing and hauling demands of people who need a pickup for work or personal use. But automakers have been tackling this problem over the last 10 years and creating electric motors that are more powerful than ever before.
The way that hybrids work is through two different motors. One is still powered with gas or diesel, and the other is an electric motor that draws power from a large battery in the vehicle. When the battery is depleted, the main motor takes over. The braking system uses energy whenever you slow down, and the alternator recharges the battery while you drive.
Source: FordHybrid Truck Availability
Some trucks that show up in the “hybrid” category are actually electric vehicles. They don’t rely on gas at all because their electric motors are powerful enough to meet your hauling and towing needs. The problem with electric vehicles is that they have a maximum range they can travel before they need to be recharged. If you’re unable to get to a charging station, you could be stuck in the middle of nowhere.
While automakers are currently racing to bring hybrid trucks to the market, you might be hard-pressed to find one at the moment. There’s only a handful of hybrid and electric trucks that are for sale right now. Toyota, Chevrolet, GMC and Ram all intend to produce hybrid and electric truck models that are still in development. They’re going to be available beginning next year through 2025.
ShutterstockThe Best Hybrid and Electric Trucks for 2022
If you’re in the market for a pickup truck right now, you may want to explore hybrid and electric options due to the sharp spike in gas prices recently. Here are the hybrid and electric trucks that are available this year.
Best for City Drivers: Ford Maverick
The Ford Maverick is making a lot of waves right now. It has a starting price of only $19,995, and the hybrid powertrain comes standard. There are many cars on the market that cost more, so it’s super affordable while providing plenty of utility. You can fit five people inside and haul up to 1,500 pounds. Need to tow a boat or trailer? Not a problem, with max towing of 4,000 pounds when you upgrade the powertrain.
When properly equipped, it can get up to 42 mpg in the city, making this a perfect truck for navigating the concrete jungle. This has been previously unheard of and is a big deal. The Maverick also comes with a spacious, comfortable interior and an infotainment system that connects with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Add the premium sound system and it feels like a luxury vehicle.
Source: FordBest for Off-Road Capability: GMC Hummer EV Pickup
The GMC Hummer EV Pickup is on the other end of the price spectrum with an MSRP of $99,995, but it’s a technological marvel. It can generate up to 11,500 ft.-lb. of torque, and for those of you who don’t know much about torque, it’s what helps a pickup accelerate, tow and haul. This truck moves with ease and speed, with acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in three seconds.
Hummer used to be synonymous with poor fuel economy, but the Hummer EV Pickup can travel up to 350 miles without a single drop of gasoline. It’s a plug-in electric, so you need to consider this when planning your trips. When you do take it off the beaten path, it offers an off road package that allows you to steer diagonally, lift the wheels up to 6 inches higher off the ground and use cameras to locate obstacles underneath the vehicle.
When you’re driving on the highway, you can turn Super Cruise on. The truck will drive hands-free under safe conditions and alert you when you need to take the helm.
ShutterstockBest for Towing: Rivian R1T
The Rivian R1T is a fully-electric pickup truck that has a maximum tow rating of 11,000 pounds. It’s fast as well and can go from 0 to 60 in just over 3 seconds. It has a range of 314 miles, and Rivian has dedicated a lot of resources toward expanding the current network of charging stations across the United States. If you need to do a lot of towing or hauling in an area that supports electric vehicles, this is a great workhorse.
At an MSRP of $67,500, it competes well with its non-hybrid counterparts. The driving experience is tailored to your specific needs with the ability to change drive modes from city roads to inclines or off road driving. The R1T is also loaded with tech. It offers an infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, USB charging and in-truck Wi-Fi.
The safety package includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, a blind spot detection system and 12 radar sensors to alert you when you’re parking, changing lanes or getting too close to the vehicle ahead of you.
Source: RivianBest for Traditional Fuel Usage: Ram 1500 TRX Hybrid
While you have to specifically request a hybrid system when buying the Ram 1500 TRX, you can get a power and efficiency boost when you do. It comes in with a starting price of $75,680 and is loaded with technology that lets you monitor key performance metrics in real time. For example, you can see how hard your engine is working and what your fuel economy is while shifting through different drive modes.
If you don’t need maximum power, you can limit the RPM, which is how fast the pistons inside the engine operate. This can greatly reduce fuel consumption when you’re cruising on the highway without anything hitched to the vehicle. The technology package includes an infotainment system with connectivity to Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, touchscreen navigation, shifters located on the steering wheel and center console and an impressive safety package.
Source: RamBest for Versatility: Ford F-150 Lightning
The Ford F-150 has ruled the pickup truck market for the past 44 years, and the F-150 Lightning is paving the road toward the future of electric pickup trucks. It starts at an affordable $39,074, but if you add a ton of optional equipment, you could easily spend close to $100,000. The upgrades are certainly worth it, whether you use your truck for work or need the versatility for personal reasons.
For example, the F-150 Lightning doesn’t just run on electricity but can become a source of power during an emergency. It will power an entire house for three days with normal power usage and up to 10 days if you’re conserving power. If you’re planning a long-distance trip, the infotainment system will help plan your route by taking your range and the location of known charging stations into account. You can now update the software in the vehicle wirelessly so that you always have access to the most current features.
The F-150 Lightning remains capable and versatile as an electric truck, with a maximum tow rating of 10,000 pounds. It also comes with a driver assistance package that helps you maintain control of your trailer, detects vehicles in your blind spot, performs seamless parking maneuvers and even drives on the highway hands-free.
Source: FordHow to Choose the Right Truck
When you’re looking for a pickup truck, you need to assess each truck’s capabilities and decide if you actually need extra power and equipment. For some people, 10,000 pounds of towing is overkill, so you can save money by looking at a truck that addresses your unique requirements. On the other side, if you need the truck for specific work functions, the upgrades could be justified and provide a lot of value.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, head to your local dealerships to speak with a salesperson and test drive some trucks.
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