Rivian R1T comparison. Ford F-150 Lightning: Top Electric Trucks Compared

The new electric truck segment is dominated by the R1T and the F-150 Lightning, both of which offer incredible capabilities. Here's how they compare.

Despite their electric powertrains, the Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 boast impressive towing and off-road capabilities—here's how they compare. Billed as an electric adventure truck, the R1T is designed for a variety of roads and situations. Meanwhile, the F-150 Lightning is an electric version of America's famous full-size gas truck, the F-150. But that's not all, as real-world testing suggests the Lightning could be the most efficient truck in the world.

In terms of affordability and versatility of options, the F-150 Lightning shines. It comes in four flavors, Pro ($55,974), XLT ($63,474), Lariat ($74,474) and Platinum ($96,874). Although Rivian initially launched three versions of the R1T, supply chain issues have whittled that number down to one: Adventure. It can be purchased with a two-motor or four-motor system for anywhere from $73,000 to $87,000, depending on the battery pack chosen. Buyers of the Rivian R1T and select Ford F-150 Lightning trims can qualify for a clean vehicle tax credit as long as they don't exceed the $80,000 sales cap.

Towing, Range, And Utility Compared

One of the best things a truck can offer is the ability to haul heavy loads. How do the R1T and F-150 Lightning fare in this regard? although While the Ford truck offers a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds to 10,000 pounds, the Rivian can tow a payload of up to 11,000 pounds, which gives it an edge. The R1T also has more timely acceleration (0-60 mph in under 3 seconds) than the Ford (0 to 60 mph in 4.1 to 4 seconds). In terms of range, Rivian can go up to 400 miles with its largest battery pack. Ford's XLT and Lariat variants have a maximum range of 320 miles, while the Pro and Platinum hit 240 miles and 300 miles, respectively.

It's possible to charge two electric cars at home or on the go, but what about the wait time? Rivian provides R1T drivers with access to an internal fast-charging network that can provide up to 140 miles of range in 20 minutes. Alternatively, drivers can take advantage of home charging devices like Rivian Waypoints (25 miles per hour), wall chargers (25 miles per hour), and portable chargers (16 miles per hour on 240V outlets, a few miles per hour on 120V outlets). F-150 Lightning drivers can use the Ford Blue Oval network to access more than 75,000 DC fast chargers and travel 54 miles in 10 minutes. at the same time, Ford Charge Station Pro (8 hours full charge) and power bank (20 hours full charge) can meet the needs of drivers to charge at home.

It's worth noting that both trucks feature two-way charging, ideal for backup power. Perhaps one of the strong points of the R1T is the many storage locations in a quantity of 62 cubic meters. ft. drivers also get six on-board outlets, a camp kitchen and cargo bars for adventure gear like e-bikes. Likewise, the Ford features a large trunk capable of carrying up to 400 pounds of payload. The rear seat can be easily flipped up, allowing the driver to store gear underneath.

While the F-150 Lightning gives buyers more options with its multiple trim levels, Rivian's all-electric truck can travel up to 400 miles and tow heavier loads. Notably, the Ford truck can power the home for up to 10 days as a backup source of energy. However, the R1T's eight different drive modes give this electric adventure truck a strong shot. At heart, both the R1T and the F-150 Lightning are excellent utility trucks, but the former's lineup includes roomy entry and exit, Pet Mode and Snow Mode give Rivian EV extra points.

MORE: 4 Different Ways to Unlock a Rivian EV