It’s no secret that electric vehicles (EVs) are here to stay. And with several car brands introducing electric pickup trucks over the next few years, EV trucks are the next big thing. But which electric pickup truck offers the best value in 2022? Fortunately, Edmunds has the answer.

There are three electric pickup truck models available in 2022. Legendary truck brands like Ford and GMC, along with new names like Rivian, entered the EV pickup truck race with deliveries this year. 

However, it’s the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning that made Edmunds’ list of “Best Pickup Trucks Under $60,000” in the “the best value electric pickup trucks” category. Although, as the only entrant under the price cap, it’s no surprise the Ford F-150 Lightning dominated the category. 

“It’s true that a fully electric pickup won’t work for everyone, so consider your range needs and charging infrastructure before getting serious. But for some folks, an EV truck that tows and hauls — and can provide power to tools and other equipment on a worksite and has a front trunk for extra storage space — is just the thing.”

Ford offers two versions of the 2022 F-150 Lightning; the Lightning Pro and the Lightning XLT. While both versions carry MSRPs below Edmunds’ $60,000 cap, the Lightning Pro blows it away at $41,769. Even the upgraded Lightning XLT’s $54,769 starting price, and there’s a possible federal tax credit up to $7,500 and other incentives on the horizon for either version you choose. But can either F-150 Lightening fill their predecessor’s work boots?

In a review from May 2021 (updated May 2022), Edmunds described the F-150 Lightning as a typical F-150 SuperCrew with a 5.5-foot bed except with an electric drivetrain instead of the gasoline or diesel power we’ve come to expect in a pickup truck. The F-150 Lightning uses two electric motors to power all four wheels in an all-wheel drive system instead of the old-school on-demand 4×4 available in “regular F-150s.” 

In addition, the Lightning features a “fully independent rear suspension” that replaces the traditional solid rear axle setup found on most F-150s for improved traction in rugged terrain and a more comfortable ride on the street. 

Ford offers two battery pack options for the 2022 F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck. The standard battery provides up to 452 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque from the twin electric motors. That’s more torque than any other 2022 F-150, including the Ford Raptor. With an EPA-estimated 230-mile range, the standard battery will likely get you through your daily commute and run a few errands on a full charge.

The larger battery pack offers an extended range of up to 320 miles and increases the truck’s performance. Horsepower climbs to 580, and torque stays at 775 lb-ft with the larger battery allowing the truck to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in “the mid-4-second range.” Those performance and available range values indicate the F-150 Lightning is as capable as any other F-150.

Battery range begins to suffer when towing or hauling heavy loads. The Pro and XLT versions can tow up to 10,000 pounds when equipped with the Max Trailer Tow package and the extended-range battery pack. In Edmunds’ testing, the F-150 Lightening towed an 8,300-pound boat easily, but the actual driving range fell by half requiring stops to recharge at just over 100 miles. 

In addition, Edmunds notes that finding a charging station every 100 miles along your chosen route is a problem in the U.S. For towing campers and boats long distances, only having 100 miles between charges is a problem. Still, for local outings and work trucks that carry lighter loads shorter daily distances, the F-150 Lightening could be the way of the future.

Almost making the price cap with an MSRP of $67,500, the 2022 Rivian R1T electric pickup truck boasts up to a 400-mile range. The R1 T’s most powerful drivetrain uses two “dual-motor drive units” to drive the front and rear wheels independently. Up front is a 415-horsepower unit with 413 lb-ft of torque and a 420 horsepower unit drives the rear wheels with 495 lb-ft of torque for a combined total of 835 horsepower and 908 lb-ft of torque. With 14.9 inches of ground clearance, over three feet of water fording capability, and an 11,000-pound tow rating, the Rivian R1T is ready for almost any adventure.

GMC describes the 2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup as “a supertruck [sic] built for off-road dominance.” Its $108,700 MSRP hints at a vehicle with super-truck potential. In a tight spot off-road or a parking lot? Engage “Crabwalk” to steer all four tires up to 10 degrees in either direction. 

There’s also “Extract Mode” that increases ground clearance by six inches using Hummer’s air ride suspension when you need a little more height. If that’s not enough, GM estimates the GMC Hummer EV Pickup’s horsepower at up to 1,000 and torque values up to 11,500 lb-ft. The Hummer EV Pickup goes a GM-estimated 350+ miles on a charge and gains “up to nearly 100 miles in 10 minutes” from public charging stations.

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