“What new trucks will be released in 2023”

Electric pickup trucks have become some of the most popular and sought-after EVs on the market. The demand is high for these powerful and silent machines, and if the all-new and highly-capable Rivian R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning, and GMC Hummer EV are anything to go by, we can expect great things from electric pickups in the future.

 

Electric pickups offer a whole new way to haul around gear and explore the backcountry. These trucks offer massive torque with a near-instantaneous response. Bigger batteries, leaps in charging technology, and improved infrastructure down the line will help make a strong case for these machines to become primary modes of transportation for those that want them. Here are the trucks we anticipate will hit the market in 2023 and beyond.

 

Alpha Motors Wolf

The Irvine, California-based startup Alpha Motor Corporation is capitalising on a demographic that not only enjoys off-roading, but also hankers after the old-school size and style of 1980s compact trucks. The Wolf (regular cab), Wolf + (4-door), and the most off-road-capable Superwolf are all said to come with batteries delivering a driving range of between 250 and 300 miles. The top 4WD dual-motor Superwolf can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and tow a 6,724-pound trailer. It also comes with a full host of racks and innovative cargo storage solutions for backcountry adventure.

 

These trucks are undeniably cool, but Alpha has not yet released many details about the company itself or the source of the batteries. Alpha has said that the Wolf has a base price of $36,000, while a fully dressed Superwolf will cost up to $56,000. These seem like optimistic numbers, but if they prove to be accurate, this could be one of the best bargains in the EV truck market. Reservations for these trucks are open on the company’s website, but no delivery target dates have been announced as yet.

 

Atlis XT

Atlis Motor Vehicles is a startup making great strides. Its new XT truck could be the first heavy-duty EV pickup, due to a chassis that’s adaptable enough to support commercial and recreational vehicles — including those with dual rear axles. The minimum wheelbase here is 144 inches, about the same as a full-size crew cab pickup — and that number can grow to over 170. Atlis says the truck can tow 35,000 pounds and handle 5,000 pounds of payload. The XT pickup has 4-wheel independent suspension with 4-wheel steering and a “load-response” air suspension. Basic models will have 10 inches of wheel travel and a foot of ground clearance, but more off-road focused trucks will have 15 inches of clearance and more than 12 inches of travel.

 

The four traction motors are said to produce a total of 600 horsepower and will use battery packs upwards of 250 kWh for a range that tops out at 500 miles. Atlis says the trucks can recharge their packs from 0-100 percent in just 15 minutes using a 1.5 MW charger. Oh, and there’s a massive 18 cubic-foot frunk (front trunk) too. The trucks will reportedly start at $45,000. These are lofty and impressive numbers, and we hope this one makes it to production soon.

 

Canoo Pickup Truck

Canoo, a small startup, plans to launch this electric truck with a radical cab-over style in 2023. This rig is built on Canoo's Multi-Purpose Platform, which also underpins a fully enclosed van that the company refers to as a "lifestyle vehicle," as well as a delivery truck. The Canoo architecture can support batteries up to 80 kWh.

 

The 500-horsepower truck is designed to offer a full-size payload (1,800 pounds) with a 6-foot bed that can extend to eight feet. The bed also includes modular dividers, storage drawers, steps that slide out from the body, fold-down tables, and a handy front trunk. However, because the cab is located over the front wheels, the short 112-inch wheelbase and overall trim length make it more comparable to a short midsize truck. The Canoo Pickup will be available with rear or all-wheel drive and is expected to have a range of over 200 miles. The truck is anticipated to launch next year.

 

2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV

If you like the GMC Hummer EV's overall performance but not its audacious design, the Chevy Silverado EV might be the right truck for you. It offers much of the same capability as the Hummer, but in a more subdued package. The new Chevy rides on the same dedicated EV platform as the GMC Hummer.

 

Don't be fooled by the Silverado's tamer style—it will have plenty of power. Chevy promises an electric range of 400 miles on top models, a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds, and a torque output of 780 lb-ft. Those are solid numbers. Plus, Chevy says the EV will be able to tow a 10,000-pound trailer. The company will offer the truck in a sporty RST trim, as well as a work-oriented WT model and an off-road capable Trail Boss. GMC has already hinted at a Sierra version of this EV.

 

Ford Ranger EV

 

The 2022 Ford Ranger Tremor Lariat is shown here. Ford is already receiving great reviews and strong demand for its F-150 Lightning electric pickup. Could a smaller version be far behind? Ford has already announced that new EVs are in the works and it seems likely that the company will offer an electric version of the next Ranger — due as an all-new model next year. Ford is sharing its truck architecture with VW, and both companies are bullish on EVs. A small electric pickup could make sense, especially if the development costs are spread over two companies’ offerings. Plus, the Ranger’s globally-used chassis has served as the basis for Ford SUVs, including the Bronco, so even more EVs could proliferate from a midsize EV development.

 

Lordstown Endurance

The road to production has been bumpy for Lordstown Motors. This year, GM sold off its 7.5 million shares of the company. To make up the cash, the company offloaded its Ohio plant to Foxconn for $230 million; Foxconn will build the truck under contract.

 

And what a truck it is. The Endurance is said to deliver 600 horsepower through innovative in-wheel hub electric motors, which can help reduce the number of parts and improve reliability over conventional designs. Although Lordstown has beta production vehicles driving around, the company hasn’t nailed down some key specs yet. The estimated driving range for the Endurance will be around 250 miles at a starting price of around $60,000. The truck is also said to be able to handle a 7,500-pound trailer. That’s a good number but quite a bit below the capability of Rivian’s R1T, GMC Hummer EV Pickup, and many other promising trucks. If Lordstown doesn’t run into any more financial snafus, we should see the Endurance by next year.

 

2024 Ram 1500 EV

Ram is going all-in with electrification. The company is creating a specialised STLA electric vehicle chassis for the upcoming 2024 Ram 1500 EV, with the battery pack situated between the frame rails underneath the cab. Ram states that the truck will be able to travel up to 500 miles on a single charge. It will also have 150 kWh DC fast charge capability. The truck's design has not been revealed yet, but based on some teaser photos, it seems that Ram will follow Chevy's lead — with an entirely new design and sheet metal instead of modifying the existing truck, as Ford has done with the F-150. Ram also has electrified solutions for its larger heavy-duty trucks, but those models are not scheduled to be released until later.

 

Rivian R2

Rivian's R1T electric pickup truck has demonstrated itself as a remarkable feat of engineering. The truck accelerates like a sports car, has the ground clearance and capability of a 4×4, and is able to tow a trailer of up to 10,000 pounds. These trucks are highly sought-after and in short supply. Some lightly used models are being sold for well over six figures on auction websites.

 

There is potential for a smaller, less expensive truck to fill the void beneath this market. Rivian believes so, and is planning to release the R2 range of vehicles (pickup and SUV) which will be smaller in size and have a more affordable price point. These new R2 vehicles could become the volume sellers for the brand once production increases. The company's factory in Normal, Illinois has the capacity to produce around 25,000 trucks this year, but with the ability to expand that number to 200,000.

 

Tesla Cybertruck

Elon Musk's extremely futuristic electric pickup was first shown to the public in 2019, becoming one of the most anticipated launches of any new EV. Production of the Cybertruck was supposed to begin last year but delays have pushed that date back to 2023. Tesla had promised a base price of $39,990, although that figure seems somewhat optimistic in today's economy.

 

Still, this truck should be an absolute powerhouse when it arrives, with its towing capacity of 14,000 pounds and a range of 500 miles. Six people can ride inside with the rig having a useful pickup box that measures nearly 6.5 feet, including a neat loading ramp for transporting ATVs or bikes. Tesla will offer single-, dual-, and tri-motor configurations with pricing that stretches upwards of $70,000. The top model should hit 60 mph in a mind-numbing 2.9 seconds. However, all models are said to offer a generous 16 inches of ground clearance.

 

2024 Electric Toyota Tacoma

 

The Toyota Tacoma is the leading midsize pickup truck in terms of sales numbers. For over a decade, it has been the most popular truck in its class. Toyota is planning to launch an entirely new Tacoma model in 2024, which may possibly be accompanied by an electric version. The probability of this happening was increased with the recent unveiling of an electric concept truck that appears to be roughly the same size as a Tacoma. This provides us with a good idea of what a Toyota electric vehicle would look like in comparison to its gas counterparts, due to the closed-off grille design. The large tires and excellent approach angle and ground clearance indicate that when the EV does come, it will be optimised for off-road driving. If the EV does indeed arrive in 2024, the Tacoma would be the first midsize EV pickup to enter the market, giving it a significant advantage over many of its competitors.

2026 Volkswagen Scout EV

As you read, VW has revived the Scout nameplate, a title previously used for International Harvester’s range of SUVs from the 1960s to 1970s. According to the concept art, the new VW Scout ( set to be released in the ’26 model year) will bring a mix of retro-cool and a powerful electric powertrain. It’s most likely that the chassis and mechanics will be courtesy of a partnership with Ford. And since the Scout will probably be midsize, it should have the same powertrain as the electric Ranger. Although we lack specifics, VW promises a drivable mule will be available next year with, hopefully, more information to follow.

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