Pickup Showdown: 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning vs Chevy Silverado EV

September 13th, 2024 by

A red 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning is shown driving on a highway after viewing trucks for sale.

Drivers browsing new trucks for sale have more choices than ever before. From compact and midsize pickups to full-size models and their heavy-duty counterparts, today’s trucks truly run the gamut when it comes to size, capability, and power. While these are all important factors to consider, drivers now have an even more crucial decision to make: gas or electric. The advent of the electric pickup has revolutionized the class since the first all-electric pickup rolled off the assembly line in late 2021.

While the market was initially dominated by a spunky startup, the established pickup big boys have since entered the fray with the debut of exciting new EV models like the Ford F-150 Lightning. Combining a long-standing reputation for quality and performance with a new all-electric approach that offers a number of advantages in terms of power, efficiency, and fun, the F-150 Lightning has quickly become one of the segment’s best-selling models on the market. So, which truck comes out on top in the battle between the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning and competitors like the Chevy Silverado EV? We’ll see how the two pickups compare when it comes to the pickup properties that drivers value most. From performance and towing capacity to comfort, cargo room, efficiency, and more, buckle in as we put these two all-electric trucks through their paces and see why the F-150 Lightning is so hard to beat.

Performance

So, how much power do the F-150 Lightning and Silverado EV offer? The short answer is more than you probably need. Ford’s EV pickup offers 452 horsepower when paired with the Standard-Range battery and up to 580 with the Extended-Range battery on board, giving drivers all the automotive muscle they could possibly want for all but the most demanding applications. The Silverado EV does pack a little more of a punch with 510 horsepower on the base WT trims and 754 horsepower on the top-tier RST trim, but the two trucks are virtually neck-and-neck in terms of torque. The Silverado EV bests the F-150 Lightning by a scant ten lb-ft of torque, but somehow, both models deliver the same 10,000-pound towing capacity when equipped with their max towing packages.

But pure horsepower isn’t everything when it comes to comparing the two pickups. Despite having less horsepower and slightly less torque, the F-150 Lightning actually manages to outpace the Silverado EV in a zero-to-60-mph sprint. Ford’s pickup can get up to speed in just four seconds, while even the range-topping RST version of the Silverado EV takes 4.1 seconds to achieve the same pace––and that’s only when drivers opt to engage the truck’s Wide Open Watts (WOW) mode. Without this launch control feature activated, the Silverado EV RST takes 5.8 seconds to hit 60 mph. That’s certainly a historically quick time for the pickup segment, but today’s EVs have raised the bar to make anything over five seconds seem like a snail’s pace. The difference is even more compelling when you start comparing the pickup’s base models. The F-150 Lightning Pro boasts a zero-to-60-mph time of 4.2 seconds as opposed to 5.7 seconds for the Silverado EV’s 3WT trim.

The gray interior in a 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning is shown.

Cargo and Passenger Space

A good cargo bed is one of the unique advantages of the pickup approach. The Silverado EV is working with a cargo bed that measures in at 5’11”, which, while good for the EV pickup segment, lags behind traditional gas-powered pickups. The F-150 Lightning’s bed maxes out at 5’5″, but Ford has made up for this lack of real estate by leveraging one of the most unique attributes of the EV class: the frunk. The area that traditionally houses the F-150’s engine has been converted into a little extra storage space, giving drivers 14.1 cu.ft. of cargo room that’s perfect for coolers, camping gear, or even a full set of golf clubs. The frunk even features two 120-volt outlets that’ll allow you to charge all your electronics on the go, whether you’re planning a little backwoods adventure or simply charging up your tools for a long day on the job. The Silverado EV’s frunk also offers a single 120-volt outlet but measures 30 percent smaller than the Lightning’s at 10.7 cu.ft.

Cargo space is a compelling metric for any pickup, but that doesn’t mean the passengers should be treated as an afterthought. The F-150 Lightning is a standout when it comes to passenger volume, treating riders to a roomy cabin that measures in at 124 cu.ft. There’s not much of a difference in terms of front and rear headroom and legroom, but the Silverado EV’s cabin is slightly more cramped, with a total passenger volume of 120 cu.ft. It might not make that much of a difference on shorter jaunts around town, but if there’s a road trip or some long-haul trucking in your future, those few cubic feet could make all the difference in terms of comfort. This is especially true for those riding in the backseat. While the rear row is often treated as an afterthought in much of the pickup segment, Ford has prioritized backseat passengers with comfortable seats and almost 44 inches of rear legroom. The Silverado offers a similarly spacious second row, but the seats are a little less plush and could lead to a little discomfort for any adults who find themselves stuffed into the back.

Price

While performance, range, comfort, and convenience features are all important factors to consider when choosing between the Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevy Silverado EV, the most compelling difference might just be the price. The 2024 F-150 Lightning’s entry-level Pro trim rings in at $57,090 as compared to $74,800 for the Silverado EV’s 3WT.[a] Both come with two electric motors and all-wheel drive and while the Silverado EV does have the edge when it comes to range and pure brawn, the 58-horsepower discrepancy doesn’t exactly justify such wildly different starting prices. The difference in price isn’t so noticeable as you climb the trim ladder, with the Ford and Chevy’s top models both coming in between $95,000 and $96,000, but for those looking to embrace the EV pickup lifestyle on a budget, the F-150 Lightning is the clear winner.[a]

Part of this price disparity can be attributed to the fact that the Silverado EV is a more recent addition to the EV market. Chevy’s EV has only been on the market since the 2024 model year, while the F-150 Lightning first hit the streets in 2022. The novelty and relatively limited supply of Silverado EV models allows Chevy to charge a premium for the all-electric truck, but that doesn’t mean it’s a better option. Do the Silverado EV’s performance, tech, and safety features justify the extra $17,000-plus gulf between the 3WT trim and the F-150 Lightning’s own base model? That’s up for drivers to decide, but it’s certainly something to consider.

A red 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning is shown driving off-road.

Fuel Economy

There are a lot of new terms that are unique to the new generation of EVs, including MPGe. Short for miles per gallon equivalent, MPGe is a simple measurement of an EV’s fuel economy. So, how do the F-150 Lightning and Silverado compare in terms of MPGe? Again, the F-150 holds the advantage with an EPA-estimated 78 MPGe in the city and 63 MPGe on the highway for the Extended-Range battery pack and 76 MPGe in the city and 61 MPGe on the highway for the Standard-Range version. The Silverado is a little more power-hungry, achieving an estimated fuel economy rating of 67 MPGe in the city and 59 MPGe on the highway. It’s not a massive difference, but it does mean that Silverado EV drivers might spend a little more time looking for public charging stations than their F-150 Lightning-driving counterparts.

The Ford F-150 Lightning Strikes the Right Chord

While we’ve touched on some of the major areas of concern for drivers who are considering the F-150 Lightning and Silverado EV, these aren’t the only factors to consider when choosing between the two EV pickups. The F-150 Lightning is as modern as its cutting-edge EV powertrain, offering drivers an expansive 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s upgraded to 15.5 inches in the Lariat and Platinum trims. The Lightning is also notable for its long list of standard tech, from a Wi-Fi hotspot and voice recognition to an auto-dimming rearview mirror, navigation, two premium Bang & Olufsen stereo systems, and more. The Silverado EV holds its own with an 11-inch infotainment screen and available 17.7-inch touchscreen available at an extra cost, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot and all the expected connectivity features, but again, it all comes down to a matter of value.

For the extra cost, the Silverado EV should be able to offer a clear advantage over the F-150 Lightning, especially when it comes to interior tech. That’s simply not the case, and drivers will surely wonder why they should invest in the pricey pickup when Ford’s own EV offering is both affordable and time-tested. Ultimately, it’s up to drivers to decide what sort of qualities they value when browning EV pickups for sale, but it’s hard to argue against the F-150 Lightning. Only time will tell if Ford’s all-electric pickup will achieve the same best-seller status as its gas-powered predecessor, but it’s certainly on the right track when compared to some of the segment’s other offerings.


[a] MSRP may change without notice. See dealer for complete details.
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