Electric vehicles have made leaps and bounds since their more mainstream introduction. Electric trucks, in particular, have become very much on par with their gasoline and diesel-driven counterparts. CES 2023 saw the introduction of the Ram 1500 Revolution, a high-performance electric truck promising to be the next level of performance.
Ford has been in the electric vehicle market for a little while now, ever since the introduction of the Ford F-150 Lightning. The Ford F-150 Lightning does away with some of the trappings of previous generations of electric vehicles.
It introduced a truck that can actually do some work while being more ecologically friendly. Both trucks have some enticing features, but which one is actually worth the investment?
Ram 1500 Revolution vs Ford F-150 Lightning: What’s the Difference?
The Ram 1500 Revolution was newly announced at CES 2023 and has the potential to be one of the top electric trucks on the market. It charges at a faster rate than any of its competitors, and if Ram delivers on the hype, it should prove to outclass any electric truck.
Of particular note with the Ram 1500 Revolution is the faster charging rate compared to the Ford model. 350 kW is the figure quoted by Ram’s representative at CES, and it is higher than any truck available for purchase. The Ram Revolution is still new to the general public, so details are sparse for the vehicle’s specifications and performance.
The Ford F-150 Lightning was a bit of a landmark achievement for electric vehicles. It looks like any regular gasoline-powered Ford truck, but has a battery capable of acting as a generator for three days straight if needed.
The Ford F-150 Lightning is middle of the road in terms of range. Testing has given the Ford truck 250 miles of range on a full charge in the standard package. Battery capacity can be upped with the extended package, but it is highly costly for some extra range.
Ford’s real advantage is having the first truly viable electric truck on the market. It is a worthy purchase if the range for towing isn’t an active consideration. Ford is, of course, a reputable auto manufacturer, and one can only imagine future models of the F-150 Lightning improving upon the range while still maintaining the fit and finish of the truck.
Ram 1500 Revolution vs Ford F-150 Lightning: 8 Must-Know Facts
Ram 1500 Revolution
- The first electric truck from Ram.Fastest charging rate for any electric truck on the market.Can fit objects up to 18 feet long in the rear bed.Features specialized autonomous driving modes for worksites.
Ford F-150 Lightning
- Tows up to 7,700 pounds with the base package.Has additional 400 pounds of additional cargo in the front trunk area.The standard package has the equivalent of 452 horsepower.Has the equivalent of 76 miles per gallon in the city.
Ram 1500 Revolution vs Ford F-150 Lightning: Which One Should You Choose?
Ram 1500 Revolution
Representatives from Ram have made it clear that the 1500 Revolution is intended to be anything but a gimmick. The new concept vehicle is supposed to marry the power of a muscle car with the utility of a pickup truck. Ram’s first electric truck is something of a maverick and a departure from their typical conventional trucks.
A full glass roof adorns the stylishly designed truck and it can tint on command. One of the more beloved features of pickup trucks, a passthrough midgate, is present in the concept. Ram has thrown everything at the wall to create the ultimate electric truck and the potential seems absolutely limitless.
Ram is poised to revolutionize the nascent electric truck market, one which is only a few years old at this point. Whether the concept can deliver on the lofty promises of their CES presentation remains to be seen. However, if they deliver even a fraction of the features previewed, it will be the penultimate electric truck on the market.
Ford F-150 Lightning
Ford was quick to get a viable electric truck on the market, and it is certainly a capable vehicle. Where the Ford F-150 Lightning falters is in its range. The base package of the truck is one of the most affordable on the market, but is hindered by a paltry 250 miles range of operation.
Towing capacity on the Lightning is admirable in the base configuration, as it can expertly handle 7700 pounds on the stock trailer hitch. Much like Rivian’s R1T, it saps the range of the vehicle massively, going from the optimal 250 miles to 70 to 100 miles. If you’re looking to haul something, keep it short-range.
Charging is likewise speedy at 155 kilowatts. Ford further hampered the vehicle by including a reduced capacity in the battery. The extended package alleviates this, and owners of the base package can further upgrade. Upgrading to the extended battery is a rather expensive affair as well, with Ford quoting a reported $10,000 to get some extra range.
Which One to Buy?
The only electric truck on the market out of these two is the Ford F-150 Lightning. If you’re willing to wait for more details and pricing to come around, it is definitely worth waiting for the Ram 1500 Revolution. Ram has made sure to pack the vehicle with an exceptionally plush user experience.
Ford has locked a good bit of extended functionality away behind extended packages, and the performance is rather lacking when towing. You can’t fully expect an analogous experience to a gasoline-powered truck this early in the technological lifecycle, but it is a far cry from its gas-guzzling siblings.
Hopefully, with the wait, there come some drops in the prices of electric vehicles. Current electric vehicle prices are high, and the extended Ford F-150 Lighting package is close to luxury car territory. Good things come to those who wait, so wait for the Ram.