Like a bolt of lightning, battery electric vehicle (BEV) pickup trucks have struck Keene and the surrounding area. Already a great place for a pickup truck, Keene has been the site of an increasing number of motorists who have seen the benefits of a BEV pickup. These are not only great for doing work around town for contractors and other people in trades, but they also make excellent commuter vehicles. This is because a BEV pickup doesn’t use any gasoline. This means that you are running solely on electric power and saying goodbye to the gas pumps.
Two of the leading models of BEV trucks are the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Chevy Silverado EV. However, when comparing the two, you will see that Ford is of better value, outperforming the more expensive Silverado EV in every conceivable way. The place to go to find a 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning for sale near Keene is Faith’s Ford of Westminster. We are an authorized Ford dealership, which means that you can find the 2024 F-150 Lightning with the features you desire when you buy one here.
Better, and More Affordable, Performance Options
Both of these trucks are true BEVs. This means that they have a pair of motors, one for each axle on the truck, which is powered by a battery pack located in the lower frame. As a result, these trucks are able to have zero emissions from running solely on electrical power supplied by their battery packs. Each of these trucks has all-wheel drive, so you can feel comfortable taking it off-road for some light off-roading adventure.
The two trucks use lithium-ion battery packs; however, the 2024 Silverado EV has a larger 200-kWh battery, while the Ford features either a 96-kWh battery or an extended-range 131-kWh battery. As a result, the Silverado EV has a greater curb weight. While the F-150 Lightning weighs in at around 6855 lbs, the Silverado EV tops out at 8800 lbs. This will have an impact on performance and capabilities, as seen below.
Depending on which model of the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning you choose, you will get better overall output from your powertrain than on all models of the 2024 Silverado EV except for the top RST trim. The base model Lightning will give you 452 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque, while the more advanced trims give you 580 hp, while the torque output remains the same. In comparison, most models of the 2024 Silverado EV deliver only 510 hp, making them more sluggish than the Lightning. You have to opt for the top-level RST trim on the Silverado EV to get 754 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque using the Wide Open Watts feature.
The 2024 Lightning clearly benefits from its lighter weight. As its name implies, this truck is seriously fast. It can get you from 0-60 mph in just 3.8 seconds, which may turn a few heads when you are cruising by Central Square. In contrast, you have to set the Silverado EV RST to Wide Open Watts to get it from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The downside is that this will eat into the range for your BEV truck. At standard settings, it will take the RST 5.8 seconds to get up to 60 mph. The other models of the Silverado EV also don’t fare as well, needing at least 5.4 seconds to get up to speed.
A Closer Look at Towing and Payload Capacities
Whether you plan to use your EV truck for business, pleasure, or a little of both, if you are like most Keene drivers, you are going to want to get the most towing and hauling capabilities out of your truck. This is certainly true of the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning and the Chevy Silverado EV. Depending on which model you choose, the trailering capacity is pretty much the same. While the Lightning with the 96-kWh battery pack can tow up to 7,700 lbs, opting for the larger 131-kWh battery not only increases your range on a full charge but also gives you the ability to tow up to 10,000 lbs. This is the same towing capability as on the Silverado EV.
There is one crucial difference here. No matter which model you choose, you are going to get greater payload capacity on a Ford F-150 Lighting. The one with the smaller battery can carry up to 2,235 lbs in its payload bed, while the larger battery reduces this slightly to 1,952 lbs. In contrast, choosing a Chevy Silverado EV will only allow you to carry up to 1,440 lbs of cargo. If you opt to boost performance in a Silverado EV by choosing the RST model, this goes down even further to only 1,300 lbs of payload capacity. If you do a lot of shopping or want to take advantage of the antique stores in downtown Keene, you will be better served in an F-150 Lightning.
The Lightning Offers a Variety of Trim Options, the Silverado EV Doesn't
Unless you are buying it for a fleet of vehicles, such as a rental agency or a landscaping business, the 2024 Silverado EV is only available in the RST model. This limits you to one trim level to choose from. The 3WT and 4WT trims are less expensive but currently only available for businesses. There will be additional trims available on the Silverado EV, but these will not be introduced until the 2025 model year of this truck.
In contrast, you can choose from four different trims on the 2024 F-150 Lightning. The base model is the XLT, while the Flash adds more interior comfort and convenience features, including a larger screen on the SYNC infotainment system. The LARIAT offers amazing style features, and the top Platinum trim gives you all you can ask for in a luxury BEV pickup truck. No matter which you choose, you get a crew cab that seats up to five passengers comfortably, making the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning a great choice for families who regularly have to run errands and drop the kids off at school.
The Lightning Won’t Give You Sticker Shock Like the Chevy Silverado EV
Of these two trucks, the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning is more affordably priced than the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV. The F-150 Lightning XLT starts with a base MSRP of $54,995, significantly less than $96,495, which is the base MSRP of the Silverado EV RST.[a] In fact, you can get a fully loaded 2024 F-150 Lightning Platinum for less than the Silverado EV RST, as the Platinum starts at $84,995, more than $10,000 less than the Chevy.[a] This savings will definitely come in handy for Keene drivers looking to get the most out of their trucks.
The Future of Truck Driving is Here With the Ford F-150 Lightning
If you want a pickup truck that delivers when it comes to performance, towing, and hauling, then the one name to remember is Ford. This is certainly the case with the brand’s first BEV truck, the F-150 Lightning. This truck will also mean you no longer have to stop for gas, saving you money while you contribute to a cleaner environment. Stop by our dealership today and drive home to Keene in a 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning!
