Latest news with #electrictrucks
The Drive
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
Electric Truck Battery Demand Increased More Than 70% Last Year, Future Is Uncertain
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Electric trucks aren't all that green, aren't that practical, and aren't cheap. Still, a market exists for pickups like the Ford F-150 Lightning, and it grew big time last year. The International Energy Agency reports that in 2024, the demand for electric truck batteries grew by more than 70% compared to 2023. That trend might not continue. IEA data shows that in 2023, electric truck battery demand sat at 14 gigawatt-hours; it was up to 24 gigawatt-hours in 2024. That data mostly tracks with the sales figures of top EV pickups like the aforementioned F-150 Lightning, which leapt from 24,165 units sold in 2023 to 33,510 last year—a roughly 39% increase. The Blue Oval alone doesn't make up the difference, but you also have to factor in new vehicles that either went on sale late in 2023 or early in 2024. Undeniably, the biggest influence was is the Tesla Cybertruck, with approximately 39,000 registrations in its first full sales year. Vehicle sales are a key factor in overall battery demand, though they aren't all that matters. Battery capacity is crucial, and it also varies greatly across the board. While a Tesla Cybertruck can be had with a 123-kilowatt-hour battery pack, the Chevy Silverado EV can be packaged with a 200-kWh pack. It doesn't take as many Silverado EVs to equal the same battery demand as a parking lot full of Cybertrucks. Electric pickup sales are already sliding in 2025. The Cybertruck is pacing for fewer than 30,000 sales this year based on first-quarter figures, and while the F-150 Lightning leads it slightly, it doesn't look likely to exceed last year's performance. The Silverado EV and its GMC Sierra EV twins are climbing, though not at a great enough pace to offset the fall of other models. Other categories of EV battery demand were on the rise in 2024, too, including a big leap for light-duty vehicles. That alone isn't surprising, considering smaller passenger EVs are the biggest relevant market by far, but the jump from 713 gWh in 2023 to 884 gWh last year represents a 24% increase. It's a reminder that electric trucks are but a small piece of the larger EV pie, and that seems likely to be the case again in 2025. Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Electric Trucks Are The Latest Threat to Oil Demand in China
More and more Chinese trucks are being powered by batteries, another sign that oil-based fuels are getting shoved to the sidelines in an increasingly electrified economy. Government incentives are boosting sales of electric trucks in a sector that has traditionally run on diesel, a fuel that makes up over a quarter of Chinese oil demand. Gasoline, which accounts for more than a fifth, is already in long-term decline because of the rapid adoption of battery-powered cars.
E&E News
5 days ago
- Business
- E&E News
Electric trucks to hit cost parity with diesel rigs by 2030 — report
By the end of the decade, the cost of buying and operating electric trucks could equal — or even beat — the price of comparable diesel vehicles, new research shows. But to help make that happen state and federal officials need to keep in place policies that are designed to foster the electric transition, says Energy Innovation and the International Council on Clean Transportation, the two groups that wrote the report. At the moment, the U.S. electric truck market is an anomaly compared with the rest of the world. Advertisement Companies are investing more in battery manufacturing in the United States than in China or Europe — and battery costs are declining. Yet the cost of electric trucks remains higher in the U.S. than abroad, in part because few companies make those vehicles.
Car and Driver
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Hydrogen Trucks from Bankrupt Startup Nikola Come up for Auction
Nikola, a startup that built electric and hydrogen fuel-cell semi-trucks, filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, and now its assets are up for grabs. The auction listing from Gordon Brothers includes 103 hydrogen fuel-cell trucks and plenty of spare parts. Lucid, the startup that builds the electric Air sedan, already purchased Nikola's offices and factory in Arizona last month. After several rocky years, electric-truck startup Nikola filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February. Founded in 2014, Nikola's vision for electric and hydrogen fuel-cell trucks became mired in controversy after founder Trevor Milton was found guilty of defrauding investors. (Milton was pardoned by President Trump in March.) Now, the company's assets are going up for auction, giving intrepid tinkerers the chance to scoop up 103 completed hydrogen fuel-cell trucks. The auction, being conducted by Gordon Brothers, includes a vast array of industrial equipment. But the highlight of the listing is 103 Nikola Tre FCEV semi-trucks, which Gordon Brothers lists as "fully operational." Gordon Brothers The Tre, a Class 8 truck, was first shown in 2018 with a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain. In 2019, the company revealed a version of the Tre with a pure battery-electric setup. Nikola managed to get the Tre into production, delivering the first units in 2022. A few hundred trucks, both EVs and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, were built over the next two years, although 209 units had to be recalled in late 2023 after a battery issue caused a fire at Nikola's headquarters in Phoenix. In its financial report for the third quarter of 2024, Nikola said that 78 of those trucks were back on the road. It's unclear how many Nikola trucks remain in private hands. Still, the 103 units listed in the auction represent a sizable portion of overall Nikola production and a unique opportunity to own an unusual piece of automotive history. According to Nikola's website, which is still up at the time of publishing, the Tre FCEV features a 164-kWh battery and a hydrogen fuel-cell system that provides a range of up to 500 miles. The Tre pushes out 536 continuous horsepower with an instantaneous peak of 773 hp, but the truck is limited to 70 mph. Gordon Brothers While Gordon Brothers lists these trucks as operational, we have a feeling that they likely aren't ready for heavy use. We also imagine trucks from such a troubled startup could be rife with issues, and the hydrogen fuel-cell infrastructure in the United States is incredibly limited. The listing, however, provides potential solutions to those problems, including a wide array of equipment such as batteries, completed fuel-cell stack modules, steering and brake parts, tires, and axles. There's also enough to try setting up your own refueling network, with hydrogen storage systems and refueling pumps included. We wouldn't be shocked to see these assets snapped up by another startup automaker, since some of Nikola's other properties have already been acquired by a leading EV company. In April, electric-vehicle startup Lucid bought Nikola's former headquarters in Phoenix and manufacturing facility in Coolidge, Arizona. Lucid also said it would offer jobs to over 300 former Nikola workers. Lucid has an existing factory in Casa Grande, Arizona, where it builds the Air sedan and Gravity SUV. Caleb Miller Associate News Editor Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
Motor Trend
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Review: Expert Insights, Pricing, and Trims
Reviewed by Matt Taylor The fully electric Silverado EV impressed us with its range and standard features when it made its debut for 2024, and Chevy has only refined its approach to full-size EV trucking since then. Meaningful updates keep the 2026 Silverado EV competitive against segment rivals like the Rivian R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Tesla Cybertruck. What's New Basics With the deletion of the RST trim and the addition of the new Trail Boss, there are now three trims and multiple levels of equipment to choose from. Joining the existing Extended and Max Range Work Trucks, and Extended Range LT-trim trucks for 2026 are: Standard-range Work Truck trim Standard and Max Range LT trims Extended and Max Range Trail Boss trims New equipment packages include: Custom package, available on Standard Range Work Trucks. It includes 22-inch gloss-black wheels, black exterior trim, and black carpeting. Plus package, available on LT Extended Range and Trail Boss Extended Range. This adds the Comfort and Convenience package, Multi-Flex tailgate, offboarding power, and a manual tailgate function with an EZ Lift feature. Premium package, available on LT and Trail Boss with Extended Range and standard on LT and Trail Boss with Max Range. Features include Super Cruise, a Comfort and Convenience package, Tech package, head-up display, Multi-Flex tailgate, spray-on bedliner, Multi-Flex midgate, and fast Level 2 charging up to 19.2 kW. On Trail Boss-trim trucks, an off-road-oriented Terrain driving mode joins Sidewinder and off-road modes taken from the exiting RST trim package. Terrain mode sharpens the Silverado EV's 4-Wheel Steer to better control traction and torque during low-speed maneuvers on uneven ground. Exterior Three new paint colors are also available for 2026: White Sands Polar White Tricoat Magnus Gray Matte Metallic A package with Bronze 22-inch wheels is available on the LT-trim Silverado EVs. For LT and Trail Boss Silverado EVs, a new roof sunshade is also available. Unique to the new Trail Boss trim trucks are standard 18-inch wheels shod in trail-appropriate 285/75 all-terrain tires. To accommodate that extra beef, a specially tuned High Stance suspension and a 2-inch chassis lift are specced, as well, along with a front skidplate, front recovery hooks. Interior Inside, all LT and Trail Boss Silverado EVs gain Chevrolet Digital Key for 2026, allowing vehicle entry and power operation via smartphone. Front bucket seats covered in black Evotex material are standard on Work Truck and LT-trim trucks, while Trail Boss trucks receive front buckets with special black and Artemis yellow upholstery. What We Think We like the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV, but its sweet spot is well below the $90,000-plus prices that get you into a well-equipped GMC Sierra EVs. The Silverado EV is available in just one configuration: dual motor, four-wheel drive, short bed, crew cab. But with numerous trims encompassing a huge range of standard and optional equipment, it's a thoroughly customizable truck with great driving range—if you're willing to pony up the dough. Last year, the least expensive Silverado EV available outside of a fleet was $73,100, and even with a standard-range Work Truck model, it'll still be a pricey pickup. You should get a lot for your money, however. The 2026 Silverado EV drops the RST trim, positioning the LT trim trucks squarely in the middle of the range, and adds two new off-road-ready Trail Boss trims with revised front fascia for better approach angle, 35-inch all-terrain tires, high-stance suspension, lifted chassis, skidplates, red front recovery hooks, and Chevy's premium tech suite. We haven't been impressed by the Silverado EV's off-roading abilities in the past, but the new Trail Boss could change that. Top-Ranked Competitors: MotorTrend Tested For 2026, all trims will again be equipped with Chevrolet's Performance Torque Vectoring Dual Motor Electronic 4WD system. Power levels remain about the same, with most new equipment upgrades focused on improving tech, off-road capability, and range. The top-performing RST Max Range model from 2025 has been dropped, but the new Trail Boss trim's drivetrain will offer comparable output—up to 725 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque when equipped with the Max Range battery. We've tested the Silverado EV in RST form hitting 60 mph in only 4.0 seconds. That time may grow slightly for the Trail Boss trim with its raised suspension, larger tires and wheels, and other extras. Past Work Truck trims have returned a 0–60-mph time of 5.8 seconds, and that should stay about the same this year for Extended Range models. The rare Standard Range Work Truck will be a bit slower but still plenty quick enough for everyday use. 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Power and Torque Standard Range models: Work Truck: 510 hp, 490 lb-ft LT: 510 hp, 580 lb-ft Extended Range models: Work Truck: 510 hp, 580 lb-ft LT: 645 hp, 765 lb-ft Trail Boss: 625 hp, 775 lb-ft Max Range models: Work Truck: 510 hp, 580 lb-ft LT: 760 hp, 765 lb-ft Trail Boss: 725 hp, 775 lb-ft EV Range and Charging Outside of fleet-spec trucks, three batteries are available in the 2026 Silverado EV: Standard Range, Extended Range, and Max Range. For 2025, depending on equipment, manufacturer-rated range for the Silverado EV starts at 283 miles and tops out at 493 miles. In a change from last year, the Work Truck Max Range is now the top of the heap. Charge speed is quick, whether you're Level-2 charging at home or Level-3 fast-charging in public. Every 2026 Silverado EV charges at 11.5 kW, and some can go as high as 19.2 kW. Fast charging for non-fleet models starts at 220 kW on Standard Range models, upgrades to 300 kW on Extended Range models, and tops out at 350 kW for Max Range models. With recharge rates as fast at 350 kW, Max Range 2025 Silverado EVs could add 100 miles in 10 minutes Safety Features Standard across the Silverado EV range is Chevrolet's Assisted Driving package, which includes: Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking Reverse Automatic Braking Rear Cross Traffic Braking Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking Rear Pedestrian Alert Safety Alert Seat Side Bicyclist Alert Traffic Sign Recognition A 360-degree camera Adaptive cruise control In addition, Chevrolet equips Silverado EVs with these features as standard: Forward Collision Alert Following Distance Indicator Automatic high-beams LATCH system child restraints Buckle to Drive seat-belt safety system Teen Driver configurability OnStar Capability Cargo Space and Interior Room At 5 feet, 11 inches, the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV's bed is longer than average—the 2025 Cybertruck can claim just 1 inch greater length, and the F-150 Lightning falls short of the Chevy by 4 inches. When equipped with the Multi-Flex Midgate with pass-through, LT and Trail Boss trims can accommodate cargo up to 9 feet in length, and nearly 12 feet with the tailgate down. The Silverado EV's frunk is larger than most competitors as well, adding 10.7 cubic feet of cargo space to complement its roomy cabin. Technology Infotainment For 2026, an 11.0-inch digital driver display and 17.7-inch digital infotainment screen are standard across the board, upgrading the smaller screens previously featured in Work Truck trims. Google built-in functionality is included, with navigation, connected apps, personalized settings, and Natural Voice Recognition. Charging needs are addressed with two USB-C ports up front and two more in the rear, standard across all trims, and stepping up the LT trim or better gains a fifth port in the center console. In addition, the Silverado EV provides 12-volt and 120-volt outlets inside and a 110-volt outlet in the frunk as standard equipment. Opting for an Extended Range Work Truck trim or better adds one 240-volt and four 120-volt outlets to the bed of the Silverado EV. Sound System A six-speaker audio system is standard on all but the LT Max Range and Trail Boss Max Range trims, which get a seven-speaker Bose system. This system is also on the LT Extended Range and Trail Boss Extended Range trims when properly equipped. Value Standard Features The Silverado EV boasts an impressive list of standard features. Along with dual motors and four-wheel drive across the lineup, all Silverado EVs are equipped with: Variable Regen and one-pedal driving capability Adaptive Cruise Control with automatic speed-limit matching Super Cruise hands-free driving capability Wi-Fi hot spot capability Remote start preconditioning LED cargo lighting Locking tailgate Hitch View, Hitch Guidance, and Trailer Brake Controller Also standard for 2026 is Vehicle-to-home, which allows the Silverado EV to provide electrical power to your home in a blackout when properly equipped. Recommended Trim All things considered, we just might spring for the 2026 Silverado EV in Trail Boss trim with the Extended Range battery pack. This package gets you a comprehensive list of equipment and off-road swagger for relatively little money—its $72,095 starting price is just $1,000 more than an Extended Range LT-trim truck and many thousands cheaper than both LT and Trail Boss Max Range trucks—and retains excellent driving range.
