According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), pickup truck drivers have the most to gain from transitioning to electric vehicles.
When compared to other vehicle types, pickups are typically larger and consume more energy, making them ripe for substantial savings when energy costs are reduced. This reduction in gasoline or diesel consumption directly correlates to lowering overall energy expenses.
Data from Argonne National Laboratory reflects the potential cost savings obtained by replacing a gasoline vehicle with an electric or plug-in hybrid counterpart at a ZIP code level. Across various ZIP codes, pickups showed the highest potential for savings, with vans and SUVs following closely behind.
Fuel-savings potential when switching to EVs or plug-in hybrids (via DOE)
The DOE suggests that the more electrified a vehicle is, the greater the potential savings. An all-electric vehicle of the same size is projected to bring about higher cost benefits compared to a plug-in hybrid.
Consumer Reports has similarly analyzed the data, highlighting the enhanced cost benefits associated with electric trucks and SUVs. In many instances, transitioning to electric vehicles may not entail significant trade-offs. A study from 2022 revealed that over half of all pickups could be replaced with electric options, resulting in substantial cost savings.
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Flash
Although these findings are promising, it’s important to note certain caveats. A comprehensive DOE study in 2020 emphasized that EV costs can vary significantly based on the charging location and method (e.g., public charger vs. home charger).
Additionally, the upfront prices of new electric trucks tend to be relatively high. Thus far, affordable fleet versions of electric trucks, like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado EV, remain scarce in the market.
