Ford F150 Lightning vs Rivian R1T

Ford F-150 Lightning

The Rivian R1T and Ford F150 Lightning are both electric pickups, but they have some notable differences, not least of which is the price. The R1T starts at an eye-watering $73,000 (and goes up rapidly from there as you add the extras that you know you want). The F150 Lightning starts at $55,000 – that’s a whole $18K lower than the R1T – but also rises as you add options, but it starts with less options than the R1T.

While on paper they are very similar in size, the design of the F150 design makes it look bigger. The F150 does have a larger bed (5’6″ vs 4’6″ length), and, depending on the battery specification, has a higher weight limit on the load. The R1T has more power, at least in the four motor configuration, and more torque.

For those doing longer drives, the R1T also has faster charging than the Lightning, but the Lightning has a useful trick with its vehicle-to-load system that can power your campsite when you arrive, delivering up to 9.6kW of power from its battery. That can even power part of your house in a power cut given the right equipment in the house to connect it to.

When it comes to towing, the two trucks have similar capabilities, with the R1T claiming 11,000 lbs and the F150 10,000 lbs (again, depending on the battery configuration – smaller battery models have less towing capacity).

Rivian R1T

Rivian R1T

Specifications

Battery: The R1T is equipped with a 105 kWh or 180 kWh battery pack that provides a range of up to 300 miles.

Motors: The R1T has four electric motors, one for each wheel, that provide instant torque and all-wheel drive capabilities.

Power: The R1T has up to 754 horsepower and 826 lb-ft of torque.

Charging: The R1T can be charged using a Level 2 home charger or a DC fast-charging network, with the ability to go from 10% to 80% in just over 40 minutes. Testing shows it peaks at around 185 kW, though Rivian have claimed an over-the-air update should be able to increase that to over 200kW. InsideEVs has more detailed testing of the R1T charging speeds.

Suspension: The R1T has an air suspension system that can adjust the ride height for better off-road performance or to make it easier to load cargo.

Cargo bed: The R1T has a flexible and spacious cargo bed, with multiple tie-down points and the ability to carry up to 1760 pounds. The bed area also has two 120V power outlets, but the total power it can provide is only 1,500W.

Towing capacity: The R1T has a maximum towing capacity of 11,000 pounds.

Interior: The R1T has a luxurious and well-appointed interior, with features like a large touchscreen display, premium audio system, and heated and ventilated seats.

R1T Camping Options

Lifestyle Options

While the F150 draws on its pedigree as a workhorse truck, Rivian’s ethos is very different. The R1T was not designed as a truck to be used on building sites, but rather as a vehicle enabling outdoor adventures. Early prototypes were used as support vehicles for the Long Way Up series, and all of Rivian’s marketing for both the R1T and R1S (the SUV variant) has been focused on the vehicles contributing to an outdoor adventure lifestyle.

To that end, there are options such as a camp kitchen drawer that can be fitted to the cargo tunnel, and even a tent option that can unfold above the truck’s bed turning it into a basic RV. That even comes with a self-leveling capability to make sure you’re not going to roll out of the tent in the middle of the night.

Ford F150 Lightning

Specifications

Battery: The F150 Lightning is equipped with a standard 78.7 kWh battery pack or an optional 98.8 kWh pack, providing a range of up to 230 miles.

Motors: The F150 Lightning has a single electric motor that drives the rear wheels.

Power: The F150 Lightning has 563 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque.

Charging: The F150 Lightning can be charged using a Level 2 home charger or a DC fast-charger. ON a DC charger, the peak charging power is listed as 155 kW, so less than that of the R1T, but the time for a 5% to 80% charge is just 50 minutes as it maintains a relatively high power level throughout that band. (For more detailed information on the F150 Lightning charging specifications see this InsideEVs article).

Suspension: The F150 Lightning has a traditional truck suspension system, with leaf springs in the rear and a solid-axle design.

Cargo bed: The F150 Lightning has a spacious and versatile cargo bed, with features like a built-in power outlet and the ability to carry up to 2,000 pounds (depending on battery configuration).

Towing capacity: The F150 Lightning has a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds.

Interior: The F150 Lightning has a well-appointed and spacious interior, with features like a large touchscreen display, advanced driver-assist technology, and a premium audio system.

Vehicle To Load

Whereas the R1T’s 120V outlets are limited to relatively low power, the The Ford F150 Lightning electric pickup truck is capable of powering tools and even a whole house, thanks to its built-in vehicle-to-load system.

Pro Power Onboard: The F150 Lightning is equipped with the Pro Power Onboard system, which can deliver up to 9.6 kW of power (split with 2.4kW available in the frunk and 7.2kW available through the cab and bed outlets). This allows you to power tools and equipment at job sites, or whatever you need. Here are some examples from Ford:

Pro Power Onboard infographic

With Ford’s Intelligent Backup Power system, and the correct equipment in your home, the F150 Lightning can deliver that full 9.6 kW to your home, providing backup power in the event of an outage.

Versatile Charging: The F150 Lightning’s Pro Power Onboard system can be used to charge other electric devices and even other electric vehicles, making it a versatile power source for a variety of needs.

Saves Money: Using the Pro Power Onboard system can save you money by reducing your dependence on more expensive power sources, like diesel-powered generators.

Some research for this article by ChatGPT

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