How Capable are New Hybrid Trucks?

Are hybrid trucks more capable than gas-powered models? Can you get more done with a hybrid or EV pickup truck? Let’s find out.

There aren’t very many hybrid pickups in the market, but that doesn’t stop us from discussing their comparative capability. Some companies are turning toward hybrid powertrains as an excellent stopping point between gas and electric models, which makes for an interesting conversation. Are these hybrids capable enough to replace gas-powered models? Will they be the trucks chosen more often than EV pickups?

Only five to choose from…for now

Currently, there are only five pickup trucks that offer a hybrid powertrain somewhere in the lineup. Among these, the Ram 1500 is a bit of an outlier with a mild-hybrid system that uses a 48-volt system to aid in acceleration and towing. The others are the Toyota Tundra, Ford F-150, Toyota Tacoma, and Ford Maverick. Are you sensing a theme here? These five trucks provide impressive power and performance compared with their gas-powered counterparts.

Should you choose a hybrid over EV?

The pickup truck world is where work gets done. If you’re torn between one of the hybrid trucks and an EV pickup, you should probably choose the hybrid. The Ford F-150 provides us with a direct comparison between the Lightning and PowerBoost models.

The hybrid has a lower starting price than the EV, with the difference being nearly $7,000. Of course, the Lightning qualifies for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, which means the price could quicky drop to below the hybrid pickup.
When it comes to towing, the EV pickup can pull 7,700 pounds, while the hybrid F-150 can pull up to 12,700 pounds. This is a huge difference, but the bigger towing advantage is the hybrid’s ability to continue to drive with a five-minute gas fill-up. The driving range and convenience put the hybrid F-150 ahead of the electric version.

Are gas trucks better?

It’s not a secret that gas-powered trucks are more plentiful than hybrid models. This means these trucks are built to handle the job, regardless of what that job happens to be. Gas-powered Ford F-150 trucks can tow up to 13,500 pounds and carry as much as 3,325 pounds in the bed when equipped with the 5.0-liter V8 engine. This is much more than the hybrid version can handle. When it comes to getting things done, gas trucks are better, for now.

What are the pros of hybrid trucks?

When compared to an EV truck, hybrid pickups have some positive aspects. These are:

• Price – Most hybrid vehicles are much more affordable than their electric counterparts, and we expect that to continue with trucks.
• Range – Driving range isn’t a factor for a hybrid vehicle, but it is for EVs
• Lack of charging – The presence of a gas engine means hybrid trucks don’t have to be charged, but EVs do.
• Capability – Currently, towing and payload capacities are greater for hybrid pickups compared to EVs

If we look at the pros that hybrids have over gas-powered trucks, we find:

• Lower emissions – Hybrid vehicles produce up to 50% fewer tailpipe emissions compared to traditional gas-powered vehicles.
• Lower fuel costs – The hybrid electric motor helps save fuel, which makes hybrid trucks more efficient than gas-powered models.

What are some of the cons of hybrid trucks?

If we look at the cons the same way we covered the pros, we find that hybrid pickups, compared to EV models, have the following negative factors.

• Power delive ry– Hybrids require much more time to reach the maximum torque figures compared to EVs.
• Higher fuel costs – EVs are much more affordable in terms of fuel costs. Gas prices are much higher than electricity
• Higher emissions – The presence of a gas engine means hybrid pickups produce more emissions than an EV pickup, which has zero emissions expelled.
• Maintenance costs – It’s well established that EVs cost less than gas and hybrid vehicles due to fewer moving parts

What about comparing gas and hybrid trucks? Are there any negative items for the hybrid models:

• Fewer options – Currently, only five hybrid trucks exist in the market, and one is barely a hybrid. This means you don’t have a lot of options, but you do when shopping for a gas-powered truck.
• Price – Hybrid trucks, like other hybrid vehicles, should be a little more expensive than their gas counterparts.

Should you drive one of the hybrid trucks? If you want to enjoy some impressive performance and save money on fuel, going hybrid might be the right way to go.