Best EV Trucks for Towing

Although EVs initially gained ground in car and crossover form, they have recently expanded to the popular full-size pickup truck segment. Electrifying trucks has given automakers the freedom to introduce new technology and convenience features such as the Rivian R1T’s Gear Tunnel and the Ford F-150 Lightning’s Mega Power Frunk. While electrification has expanded the mindset on how trucks can be used, it has also called into question whether EV trucks can deliver the traditional truck duties of towing and hauling. This article focuses on the towing and hauling capabilities of electric trucks. 

GMC Hummer EV Pickup Truck – Towing Capacity: 8,500 – 12,000 Pounds

General Motors has reintroduced Hummer as an EV-only model sitting at the top of the GMC lineup. Offered in both SUV and pickup form, the pickup truck features 2 different variants, the 2X and 3X. The 2X is powered by two motors with 570 hp and 7,400 lb-ft of torque while the 3X adds a third motor and increases power to 1,000 hp and 11,500 lb-ft of torque. Payload capacity is 1,300 pounds for the 3X and increases to 1,485 pounds for the 2X. Towing capacity is also higher on the 2X with a rating of 12,000 pounds and 8,500 pounds for the 3X. With a 12,000-pound tow rating, the GMC Hummer EV Pickup 2X attains one of the highest towing capacities of an EV. 

Historically, the more powerful option with the higher torque rating would be accompanied by a higher tow rating. However, with increased motors, comes increased weight which appears to impact the tow rating for the Hummer. 

GMC offers a number of different tow hitch ball options for buyers to customize their Hummer EV truck based on their trailering needs. 

GMC Sierra EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV – Towing Capacity: 9,500 – 12,500 Pounds

The upcoming Chevy Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV will share their underpinnings with the Hummer EV Truck. All three BEVs ride on GM’s modular Ultium battery-electric vehicle platform. The Silverado EV will launch in RST First Edition trim while the GMC Sierra EV will debut in the Denali Edition 1 trim level this summer. Both EVs are powered by a two-motor setup that provides 754 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque. The towing capacity for the GMC is 9,500 lbs and 10,000 pounds for the Silverado. 

Chevy will also launch a WT or “Work Truck” lineup of Silverado EVs designed for fleet purposes. The 3WT and 3WT-1FL versions will have an estimated 510 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. GM estimates that the towing capacity for the 3WT and 3WT-1FL trims to be 12,500 pounds with a payload capacity of 1,750 pounds.

Both the RST and WT come with an integrated trailer-brake controller, tow/haul mode, and hitch guidance while the RST’s 4-wheel-steering system was intentionally designed to increase the vehicle’s handling capability when pulling a trailer. 

Rivian R1T – Towing Capacity: up to 11,000 Pounds

Unlike the GM offerings, the Rivian R1T doesn’t share a platform with any other trucks. The R1T gives buyers the choice of 3 different drive systems starting with the entry-level Dual Motor AWD which delivers 533 hp and 610 lb-ft of torque. The Performance Dual-Motor AWD increases horsepower to 665 and torque to 829 lb-ft while the most powerful option is the Quad-Motor AWD which offers 835 hp and 908 lb-ft of torque. 

Depending on the configuration, the R1T can tow up to 11,000 pounds and has a payload capacity of 1,764 pounds. Rivian estimates that towing 11,000 pounds may reduce the EV range by approximately 50%. 

Ford F-150 Lightning – Towing Capacity: 5,000 – 10,000 Pounds

Like the Rivian, Ford’s F-150 Lightning has been on the road for a few years now. The Lightning offers a dual motor powertrain that includes either standard range (462 hp) or extended range (580 hp) batteries which both deliver 775 lb-ft of torque. The standard range can tow up to 5,000 pounds while the extended range can tow up to 7,700 pounds. However, when equipped with the “Max Trailer Tow Package”, the Extended range’s capacity increases to 10,000 pounds. The “Max Trailer Tow Package” increases the cooling hardware on the electric motors and battery enabling a higher tow rating. Meanwhile, the Platinum trim includes this package as standard equipment and can tow up to 8,600 pounds. 

Although the Extended Range F-150 Lightning has a higher towing capacity, the standard range actually has the highest payload capacity of the lineup with 2,235 pounds. The Extended Range payload is 1,952 pounds and the Platinum trim payload is 1,656 pounds. 

Tesla Cyber Truck – Towing Capacity: 11,000 Pounds

One of the longest-anticipated and newest entries in the EV truck segment is Tesla’s Cybertruck. Initially available are the all-wheel drive and Cyberbeast variants. The former equips 600 hp and 7,435 lb-ft of torque, while the latter offers 845 hp and 10,296 lb-ft of torque. Both yield a towing capacity of 11,000 pounds. Depending on the configuration, the payload is 2,500 pounds. 

Summary

The gasoline-powered versions of full-size regular-duty trucks have towing and payload capacities of approximately 13,000 and 2,300 pounds respectively. Although the current crop of EV trucks does not surpass these numbers, they come impressively close while improving acceleration, redefining how trucks can be used, and presenting owners with access to innovative features they may have never known they needed.

Matt Yantakosol is a lifelong automotive enthusiast and former consultant focused on the consumer aspect of the industry. He has traveled to New York, Detroit, Chicago, L.A., Paris, Geneva, Frankfurt, and Tokyo Auto Shows to track and observe the newest industry innovations. In addition to JDPower.com, Matt's writing has appeared on Pcarmarket.com.

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