Buy an Electric Pickup—Just Not the Cybertruck
When it was first revealed back in 2019, the Tesla Cybertruck was just a ridiculously angular truck that few people thought would ever make it to production. Once it finally went on sale in December 2023, it had become an emblem of everything wrong with Tesla boss Elon Musk. Over the past year, things have only gotten worse for the controversial truck.
Things have gotten so bad for Cybertruck owners that they’re reportedly having things like poop and eggs thrown at their stainless steel trucks. Some owners are resorting to novelty bumper stickers to declare their displeasure with Musk. If you’re a Cybertruck owner experiencing this abuse, or if you’re just shopping for a decent electric pickup, there are several other options available that might be a better choice.
The Alternatives
Here are some of the electric pickup trucks that might be worthy of your consideration:
Ford F-150 Lightning
Starting price: $65,090
If you’re looking for a pickup truck that just happens to be electric, the F-150 Lightning from Ford is a great option. It looks and drives like a regular F-150, and despite its weight, it’s still rated to tow around 8,500 pounds. The F-150 Lightning blends in with the crowd, and it’s less likely to attract negative attention. It’s also cheaper than the Cybertruck, but it doesn’t charge as quickly. It can also share its power in an emergency through bidirectional charging.
Rivian R1T
Price: $71,900
The R1T electric pickup from Rivian is a stylish alternative to the Cybertruck. The American startup’s flagship boasts distinctive style without looking like a child designed it, a practical range, and innovative design features. The R1T produces up to 1,025 hp, more than the Cybertruck. It has an 11,000-pound tow capacity, exceeding the F-150 and also has a gear tunnel to add in extra storage space not offered by its rivals. The R1T also starts at a lower price than the Tesla offering.
Chevrolet Silverado EV
Starting price: $75,195
If you prefer an electric pickup from a well-established automaker, the Silverado EV might be for you. It has design elements setting it apart from the gas-powered truck, as well as greater range than the Ford and Rivian options, though at a premium. While the Silverado EV is impressive, testing has shown it doesn’t quite match the F-150 Lightning and the Rivian R1T.
GMC Sierra EV
Starting price: $91,995
If you’re looking for more than 500 miles of range in your electric truck, the GMC Sierra EV is a good option to replace your Cybertruck. It is based on the same platform as the Silverado EV. It has more range and a touch of luxury that you might miss in the Chevy EV. However, some might find the truck less than attractive, but at least you are less likely to get egged. You can still utilize its 10,000-pound towing capacity and charging speeds of up to 350 kW.
GMC Hummer EV
Starting price: $98,845
For those who don’t want to lose the attention the Cybertruck brings, get a Hummer EV instead. Based on the same platform as Chevy’s Silverado and GMC’s Sierra trucks, the Hummer EV is powerful, almost as attention-grabbing as the Cybertruck. For about the same price, GM will sell you a Hummer with an extra 1,000 pounds of towing capacity, the ability to drive sideways (crabwalk), and the largest battery of any EV in America.
RAM 1500 REV
Starting price: Unknown
If you are not in a rush to abandon your Cybertruck, you could soon swap it for Stellantis’ electric truck offering: the Ram 1500 REV. This all-electric pickup from Ram is slated to launch once the hybrid Ramcharger model hits the market. When it launches in 2026, the 1500 REV will offer the greatest towing capacity of the trucks listed here, at around 14,000 pounds, a range of roughly 350 miles on a single charge, and a payload capacity of more than 2,600 pounds, which is over 100 more than the Cybertruck can manage.
Scout Terra
Starting price: Under $60,000
Another electric truck that may be worth waiting for is the Terra from the relaunched Scout brand. Revived by VW last year, the Scout Terra is an all-electric truck that offers 350 miles of range, a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds, and it will be sold direct to consumers
If you’re considering an EV pickup, these are some of the best alternatives to the Cybertruck.