How do the Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150 Lightning stack up against each other in the electric truck market? The market for electric trucks is gaining traction. The Tesla Cybertruck remains the automaker's primary priority, despite its current 2023 delay. The F-150 Lightning, Ford's entry into the electric truck market, has only recently begun to travel the roads.
So, how do these two trucks compare?
Design
The F-150 Lightning's key selling point is how similar it is to both its gasoline-powered and hybrid siblings. Although the front ends of the F-150s vary slightly, there is no doubt that they are all connected.
There are no other vehicles on which to model the Tesla Cybertruck because it is the first of its type. The Cybertruck has been designed to resemble a sci-fi game. People are noticing it because of its odd angular design, which is eye-catching.
The F-150 Lightning will fit in as well as any Ford pickup can because it is designed to resemble the F-150 of 2021. The Tesla Cybertruck stands out in contrast because it is unlike any other vehicle you will see on the road.
Interior
A 15.5-inch infotainment screen is just one of the many things Ford packed into the F-150 Lightning that you'd expect from a contemporary EV. Ford is still using the actual buttons and dials, in contrast to the Tesla Cybertruck, which has a nearly entirely touchscreen-based experience.
There is no avoiding the angular roof on the Tesla Cybertruck, and other interior elements like the seats and dash have been given a straight-edged, Cyberpunk-inspired design. However, the glass roof, yoke-shaped steering wheel, and 17-inch touchscreen are all standard characteristics of a Tesla.
Performance
Tesla has boasted about the capabilities of the Cybertruck, claiming that the tri-motor version can tow 14,000 lbs. and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds. The 0-60 time drops to 4.5 seconds and 6.5 seconds, respectively, for the dual-motor and single-motor variants, which is to be expected. 10,000 lbs. for the dual motor and 7,500 lbs. for the single motor are the maximum towing capacities.
The Ford F-150 Lighting can go from 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds. The extended-range F-150 Lightning can tow up to 10,000 lbs., compared to the ordinary model's 7,700 lbs.
Battery and range
Range estimates for the base F-150 Lightning are 230 miles, while those for the extended-range variant range from 280 to 320 miles, depending on trim. Range for the base model of the Tesla Cybertruck is 250 miles, for the dual-motor model it is up to 300 miles, and for the three-motor model it is over 500 miles.
Since the Cybertruck can withstand the 250-kW charging rates from the company's supercharging network, Tesla also benefits in terms of charging. This allows the Cybertruck to recharge in just 44 minutes, going from 10% to 80% battery capacity. The battery of the F-150 Lightning charges at a maximum rate of 150 kW and climbs from 15 to 80 percent in around 45 minutes.
Autonomous driving
Standard features of the Cybertruck include basic autopilot, and for an extra $10,000, FSD autopilot is also an option. The fundamental Autopilot system is a Level 2 autonomy technology that includes automatic steering inside of clearly visible lanes, intelligent cruise control, lane-change suggestions, and blind-spot detection. With the FSD add-on, the vehicle can drive itself, change lanes automatically, stop at stop signs and traffic lights, park itself, and answer to calls.
Ford's BlueCruise, which can handle steering and acceleration without requiring the driver to maintain their hands on the wheel, is standard on the F-150 Lightning. Additionally, it has an infrared camera that checks to see if the driver is paying attention to the road.
Pricing and availability
Production of Cybertruck has been delayed twice and is now not expected to start until 2023. Ford's electric truck began to be delivered earlier this year, but because it has been so well received, bookings have had to be suspended for the time being. Starting at $39,974, the base model F-150 Lightning has two motors and all-wheel drive. The cost of a Cybertruck with a single motor is $39,900.
Ford also offers three other F-150 Lightning models: the XLT, priced at $52,974, the Lariat, priced at $67,474, and the Platinum, priced at $90,874. The $69,900 tri-motor model, which was previously the top-tier Cybertruck, does have more hardware and features, including a third motor for improved performance and a lot greater range (500+ vs. Ford's 300).
