It’s an exciting and pivotal time in the world of trucks as electric vehicles prove they have plenty of power and can-do capability. Many folks are concerned about the price of gasoline going up as well as fears about the potential lack of access to it in the future. These concerns are causing many forward thinkers to look into all-electric vehicles now.
Even if you’re not someone prepping for the worst-case scenario, an electric truck will save you money in the long run, not to mention significantly reduce your environmental footprint and emission rate. The top electric trucks on the market right now are from Ford and Tesla, brands that are pioneering the way for electric trucks to become more mainstream. We’re going to take a look at the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning and the Tesla Cybertruck to see what some of the most significant differences are.
Overall Target Market
Before we dive into the performance specs and features, it’s important to set the stage. The electric pickup truck market is still very new, and as such, the Cybertruck and the F-150 Lightning are going after very different target markets. There just aren’t enough entrants into this category yet for too much direct competition.
Overall, the Ford F-150 Lightning was manufactured to perform and act quite similarly to the much-loved traditional F-150. Essentially, it takes the F-150 and replaces the gas engine with a battery and electric powertrain to power it without losing capabilities. This gives Ford’s regular target market, who are usually folks who have big tasks to complete at home or the job site, an electric option. The Lightning is built to get jobs done in a powerful and efficient manner. It’s a workhorse like the rest of the F-150 lineup and has utilitarian toughness to satisfy hardworking Americans across the nation.
The Tesla Cybertruck was designed to push boundaries and cater to folks who are looking to stand out with a status symbol that’s worthy of a double take. It’s more of a lifestyle truck, giving the cult of Tesla enthusiasts an electric vehicle that can be taken off the beaten path. Its unique exterior is meant to wow anyone who sees it and turn heads. Lots of its buyers are concerned about a future economic collapse and want an apocalypse-worthy vehicle. It can do all the chores associated with regular pickup trucks, but we expect many of these trucks will never see a splash of mud, at least until the end of the world.
Design
As mentioned, the exterior of the Cybertruck really is unique. The cab and bed are made from a single unified steel piece, which is unusual in trucks. There are flat planes and sharp angles that add to its overall futuristic look, but are unlikely to be very aerodynamic. It’s quite geometric and wouldn’t look out of place driving along the surface of Mars. In fact, Elon Musk said the steel used is the same as on SpaceX’s Starship rocket. All the Cybertruck’s windows are made from Tesla’s patented Armor Glass, which can take a beating. There has been discussion about whether they’re actually bulletproof, as Musk once alluded to. It doesn’t appear that they are, but it’s possible that drivers may be able to choose properly bulletproof windows. The side panels, however, have been tested and confirmed to stop several categories of small-arms fire. If you’re looking for something truly unique and out of this world that will turn heads and maybe help you survive the apocalypse, this design will do the trick.
Folks searching for a more traditional truck design with all the utility and robustness they’ve come to rely on will do better with an F-150 Lightning. It looks quite similar to the standard F-150, with bold lines and a classic, streamlined silhouette that’s ready to take on any job. The main difference in design between the electric model of the F-150 and the standard one is the charging port instead of a gas filler door. There are also special Lightning badges that differentiate it from the pack. You won’t look out of place wherever you take the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning. Your fuel type just happens to be electric instead of gasoline.
Engine Specs
The F-150 Lightning comes in a choice of two powerful motors. The standard powertrain is a 98 kWh Dual Motor that creates 452 horsepower and an amazing 775 lb-ft of torque. That’s about the same horsepower as one of the most popular engine options on the standard F-150, a 3.5L High-Output EcoBoost V6. It’s way more torque than any engine option available on the gas-powered F-150s. If that’s not enough for you, though, you can go with the optional 131 kWh Dual Motor. It delivers drivers 580 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque, more than enough to work at the job site or haul your equipment around with ease.
The Tesla Cybertruck technically has three motor options, but one of them hasn’t hit the market yet, so we don’t know whether production will happen. There have been numerous delays and production setbacks where the Cybertruck is concerned. The most basic option is a single motor. We don’t know much about it since it hasn’t become available yet. Next is a dual motor that delivers a substantial 600 horsepower and an unexpected 7,435 lb-ft of torque. We’re not really sure why this much torque is necessary, since the Lightning and F-150 have similar towing capacities. It’s undoubtedly a flashy stat, though. The most powerful Cybertruck is the Tri-Motor available on the CyberBeast, which makes 845 horsepower and 10,296 lb-ft of torque.
Range
The range of any electric vehicle is always scrutinized. This is the most important spec when estimating how long you can go before you need to pull over and charge up for a while. Fortunately, the days of short-range electric vehicles are over. Both of these models provide a comparable range to the fossil fuel vehicles we’re used to driving.
On the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning, you can travel up to 320 miles on certain trims. The Cybertruck can travel the same 320 range. However, if you add an additional accessory to the Cybertruck, you can get even further on a single charge. Drop about $16,000 more for a maximum driving range of 440 miles.
Towing and Hauling
Both the Cybertruck and the F-150 Lightning can tow significant payloads. It’s important to note that towing significantly decreases the overall range in any electric vehicle, so be careful on long journeys when you have a trailer attached. The F-150 Lightning can tow between 7,700 and 10,000 lbs, depending on the motor chosen. The Cybertruck can tow 7,500 and 11,000 lbs. If you’re getting either base model, the F-150 can tow slightly more than the Cybertruck.
As for the cargo area, the Cybertruck has slightly more carrying room. The 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning has a 5.6-foot bed, while the Cybertruck’s bed is six feet. Unsurprisingly, the Cybertruck is built for payloads slightly larger than the F-150 Lightning, capable of hauling 2,500 lbs. The Lightning can haul up to 2,235 lbs.
Pricing
One of the biggest differences between the Cybertruck and the Ford F-150 Lightning, besides their different target audiences, is the price. Since continual manufacturing issues exist and demand is high, the Cybertruck’s lowest MSRP is debatable. Some sources estimate the lowest you’ll pay is $60,990.[a] However, given the high demand for the CyberTruck, you’ll likely pay between $79,990 and $99,990 before adding accessories.[a]
Ford has worked to keep the price of its all-electric F-150 low to be accessible to a broader audience of future owners. In fact, you’ll pay a base price comparable to the standard F-150 despite the improved mileage and extra horsepower. The base MSRP on the Lightning is only $36,570.[a]
The 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning at Future Ford of Sacramento
Are you ready to check out an electric truck for yourself? We wish you luck finding a Cybertruck to test drive, but getting behind the wheel of a new 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning is easy when you stop by our dealership. Come on down to Future Ford of Sacramento to see one for yourself today.
