All-electric pickups go mainstream

In 2022 Bollinger Motors will offer the B2, an all-electric chassis platform primarily targeting the medium-duty fleet truck market with a high-performance, all-wheel-drive model that is well-suited for mining fleets and firefighting applications. Priced around $100,000, the class 3 (GVWR of 10,001-14,000 pounds) B2 is distinct from Ford’s F150 Lightning and Rivian’s R1T trucks (both class 2A, 6,001-8,500 pounds) that have lower weight carrying capacity and less power and torque. The company also has plans to offer the B1 SUV. 

The B2 truck and B1 SUV feature hydropneumatic suspension, geared axle hubs, and up to 20-inches of ground clearance. Batteries offer a range of up to more 200+ miles under a light load and 70-100 miles under any load or road conditions. According to company CEO Robert Bollinger, “Our battery packs are built more for power than for range. What's needed in commercial trucks is the power to accommodate the stopping and acceleration needed to move heavyweights." While a 70 to 100-mile range isn’t much, it’s ideal for delivery trucks that return to the same location at the end of each day. Electric power for the B2 is rated at 614 horsepower and 668 pound-feet of torque. With no load, the estimated time from zero-to-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. 

Bollinger has no plans to build or acquire its factory but instead will work through contracted manufacturing operations for vehicle production. The company has letters of intent to purchase from fleet owners and pre-orders with deposits from consumers. Bollinger Motors plans to begin producing its first vehicle offerings in late 2022. 

F-150 Lightning 

Even though Ford was upstaged by Rivian when it became the first EV pickup for sale, the F-150 Lightning made a splash in June of 2021 with 100,000 pre-orders. Ford will build 15,000 in the spring of 2022 and is scheduled to build 80,000 by 2024. Ford anticipates that demand for the Lightning will be high, as it was designed to appeal to traditional truck buyers instead of the typical well-to-do, “save-the-Earth EV” marketplace.  

Some preliminary specs for Lightnings with the standard battery are 426 hp and 775 lb-ft. of torque and an estimated 230-mile driving range. A large battery option increases the horsepower to 563 (775 lb-ft. of torque) and a 300-mile range. The towing rating for the Lightning is 10,000-pounds and the payload capacity is 2,000-pounds.  

Ford is developing technology for the Lightning including an automated trailer hitch alignment feature that uses a weight-scale measuring system to help the operator load the trailer for optimal tongue weight, and even provides instructions to move the trailer load forward or backward for a safe towing experience. In addition, to improve handling, the Lightning has independent rear suspension, replacing the F-150’s live rear axle. Another innovative feature is Pro Trailer Backup Assist that uses the twist of a knob to indicate what direction the trailer should go when reversing, reducing the mental effort of steering in the “wrong” direction to get the trailer to end up in the desired position.  

One of the most amazing things about the F-150 Lightning is the price. The base price for the entry-level model (before any federal EV tax credit) is $39,974, with the Lightning XLT model costing around $52,974. The EV tax credit of $7,500 is an incentive to buy, however, the specific amount is a moving target and depends on the purchaser's tax status.  

The Ford F-Series pickup truck has been the best-selling truck in the U.S. for 44 years, and Ford’s gamble that the Lightning will continue to boost sales showcases the company's commitment to the future of electric vehicles. Ford is investing $30 billion up through 2025 in new plants, research and development, and worker training in the belief that 40% of U.S. automobiles will be all-electric by 2030.  

Rivian R1T Pickup Truck

The last pickup in this article is the first to be available to the U.S. EV truck market. On September 14, 2021, the first Rivian R1T pickup truck completed assembly at Rivian’s plant in Normal, Illinois. Rivian is also working on the R1S, an electric SUV. For sales in all 50 states, the R1T still has to receive certifications from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the California Air Resources Board.  

Rivian hopes to take a chunk of the EV market away from Tesla and other manufacturers. Backed by Amazon, the company has raised more money than any other private EV startup, and the 100,000 orders of custom delivery vehicles from Amazon will surely help.  

With a base price of $73,000, the Launch Edition of the R1T will travel 314 miles on a full charge from its 135-kWh battery. A larger battery pack in the works will deliver about 400 miles of driving. Powered by a quad-motor drive (one motor per wheel), the motors deliver instant power and offer substantially better torque control than locking differentials, as they are independently adjustable for any condition. The front axle's total horsepower is 415 (413 lb-ft. of torque) and in the rear’s is 420 horsepower, with 495 lb-ft. of torque. Towing capacity is 11,000 pounds, but expect around a 50 percent reduction in driving range towing a large trailer. 

Plenty is going on in the the 1,760-pound-payload-capacity truck bed that can fit 4 x 8 sheets of plywood. The bed is wear- and corrosion-resistant; features two 120-volt outlets; has a lockable weatherproof, powered tonneau cover; built-in cooler; under-the-bed storage for a full-size spare, and a tailgate that is controlled through a phone app. The R1T even has an onboard air compressor to inflate tires after lowering pressure for off-road driving. 

Like Tesla, Rivian is working on company charging stations. The Rivian Adventure Network is being developed and is the company's exclusive DC fast-charging system for use by Rivian vehicles. Additional charging will be provided by the Rivian Waypoints Network (level 2, AC chargers) that will be universally available to other EVs.