EV Silverado vs. Ford F150 Lightning

Photo by Giorgio Trovato licensed under Unsplash

Electric vehicles are rapidly becoming the new face of the auto industry, and even pickup trucks are getting an electric upgrade. The Chevrolet Silverado EV and the Ford F-150 Lightning are two of the first fully electric trucks, making them popular choices for customers looking for the power of a pickup with the savings and sustainability of an EV.

At Cochran Chevrolet, we want to help you find your next truck, and we’ve put together this comparison of the F-150 Lightning and the Silverado EV. We have a clear favorite, and we think you’ll agree once you consider these trucks’ features.

F-150 Lightning vs. Silverado EV Exterior and Build

The Silverado EV and the F-150 Lightning are both on the cutting edge of pickup technology, so naturally, they each need an exterior to meet the challenge. Each truck sports a look that is much different from anything customers have seen from Ford or Chevy before.

The F-150 Lightning’s exterior is more traditional and hearkens back to past Ford trucks. The most notable differences are a restyled false grille, a new wheel design, and a unique headlight configuration. The Chevy EV makes a cleaner break from the past with its exciting new appearance. It features an aerodynamic design, and Chevy’s designers have almost done away with the grille, giving the truck a futuristic look. The Silverado EV is available with 24-inch aluminum wheels and features an expansive sunroof overhead.

With regards to build, both trucks are similar, featuring mid-size beds and crew cabs. A unique feature of both is the addition of a trunk in the front of the vehicle. The dimensions are also similar, with the length being the same and the Chevy being slightly taller.

One of the most significant distinctions between the two vehicles is their chassis. The Ford F-150 Lightning draws its inspiration from the standard F-150 chassis, modified for battery-electric operation. Chevy’s design team opted for a more ground-up approach and utilized the Ultium Platform EV chassis, which can power large electric vehicles, including the new Hummer.

Electric Chevy Silverado vs. EV Ford F-150 Performance

An electric vehicle’s range is possibly its most important factor. We don’t have full testing results for the Silverado EV or F-150 Lightning yet, so we must rely on manufacturer estimates. The Ford F-150 Lightning is available with two different battery packs capable of different ranges. The standard 98-kWh battery pack offers 230 miles, while the extended range 131-kWh pack has a projected range of 320 miles. While both battery packs are respectable, they come up short against the projected 400-mile range of the Chevy’s 200-kWh Ultium pack.

The Silverado EV also has a notable power advantage over its rival. The base model of the Silverado EV offers 510 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque compared to 426 hp for the standard F-150 Lightning. The top-line F-150 Lightning maxes out at 563 hp and 775 pound-feet of torque, while the Silverado RST trim will offer 664 hp and 780 pound-feet of torque.

If you plan to use your truck for road trips, off-road adventures, or work, you might wonder about towing capacity. Both vehicles have a stated maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds, and Chevrolet says that future versions of the Silverado EV may be capable of twice that. The standard F-150 Lightning can tow 7,700 pounds, while the base Silverado EV has the edge at 8,000 pounds. Both vehicles also offer all-wheel drive powered by a dual-motor configuration. A final perk of the Silverado is the option to add air suspension and rear-wheel steering, which can significantly decrease turn radius.

EV Ford F-150 vs. Electric Chevy Silverado Utility

The Silverado EV is in the lead again when dealing with utility. Starting with payload, the Silverado’s rating of 1,800 pounds handily beats the F-150 Lightning’s 1,300 pounds. The Silverado EV also has a bed length advantage, with a 5’11” bed compared to the F-150 Lightning’s 5’5″ bed. The Silverado EV adds to this advantage with its adaptability. It features a foldable mid-gate that expands the length to 9′ and a Multi-Flex Tailgate that can carry items up to 10’10” long.

Both these trucks offer the ability to offload power to several devices, including other cars. In both cases, this includes 10 outlets placed strategically over the vehicle. While the F-150 Lightning can charge up to 9.6 kW, the Silverado EV wins again with its 10.2 kW capability.

Ford F-150 Lightning vs. Silverado Technology

The Silverado EV and Lightning both include a variety of tech innovations that match their groundbreaking electric drivetrains. Ford customers can enjoy features like a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, a 15.5-inch infotainment touch screen, advanced tow technology, onboard scales, and wireless software updates. If you choose the Silverado, you’ll have access to Super Cruise driver assistance technology with hands-free driving and trailering, a 17-inch diagonal infotainment touch screen, Google connectivity, and the Chevrolet Mobile App with Energy Assist.

EV Silverdo vs. Ford F-150 Lightning Safety Features

Safety is a top concern when you’re on the worksite or driving in the wild. Like Ford and Chevy’s other recent vehicles, the Silverado EV and the F-150 Lightning offer enough safety features for your peace of mind.

The F-150 Lightning includes the Ford Co-Pilot360 package, featuring the following:

• BlueCruise Hands-Free Driving.
• Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Coverage.
• Lane-Keeping System.
• Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking.
• Auto High-Beam Headlamps.
• Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control.
• Pro Trailer Backup Assist.
• Rearview Camera.
• Active Park Assist 2.0.
• Evasive Steering Assist.
• Hill Descent Control.

The Silverado EV features Chevy’s standard Safety Assist, which includes the following:

• Automatic Emergency Braking.
• Front Pedestrian Braking.
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning.
• Forward Collision Alert
• Intellibeam High-Beam Assist.
• Following Distance Indicator.

The Silverado also features parking assist.

That’s our comparison of the new Silverado EV and the F-150 Lightning. We think you’ll agree that the Silverado pulls ahead in a few notable ways. If you’re interested in getting your hands on one of these trucks, we hope you’ll consider #1 Cochran Chevrolet in Youngstown, OH. You can contact us today to ask about availability, and our #1 Cochran staff will be happy to answer any questions you have. If you want to see what we have on the lot, you can swing by our dealership soon, and we’ll be happy to see you.