Best Overall EV Of 2024 : Ford F-150 Lightning

Summary

• The Ford F-150 Lightning is the best overall electric vehicle of 2024 due to its powerful performance, spacious interior, and cutting-edge technology.
• The Lightning’s familiar design inside and out, along with its towing capacity and off-the-line acceleration, make it a top choice for truck buyers.
• While the Lightning faces competition from other electric trucks, such as the Rivian R1T and Chevy Silverado EV, it stands out as a dependable and capable option in the EV truck market.

Several carmakers have announced the arrival of an electric truck, but very few have so far actually delivered on their promises. Sure, Rivian put some electric rigs on the road this year, while GM finally started building its Silverado EV. There’s also the Tesla Cybertruck, which seems to have taken an eternity to build.

But since way back in 2022, there’s been one electric pickup truck that’s been leaving dealer lots and doing actual truck work. That truck is the Ford F-150 Lightning; a pioneer in the EV truck world and one that we believe is the best overall electric vehicle (EV) of 2024. Here’s why.

In order to determine the best vehicle in this category for 2024, our in-house experts have voted on a number of factors, including but not limited to value for the money, performance, and expected reliability and safety. The aggregate review score you see in the display card below is indicative of the average score (rated 1-10) between these factors and is based on real-world experience. Further information regarding our methodology of rating vehicles can be found on the TopSpeed’s methodology page.

Why The 2024 Ford F-150 Is The Best Overall EV Of 2024

There’s a reason why the Ford F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in North America. Because, let’s face it, a full-size pickup truck is the perfect car. It’s spacious and comfortable enough to be a family car, it’s capable enough to drive through a tough trail or plow through a nasty snowbank, and it’s strong enough to haul a trailer, a boat or a camper. That bed also becomes awfully handy when your best friend calls for your help to move his stuff after a divorce.

Now, what if you could combine all of these qualities with an electric vehicle? Indeed, you’d end up with an even more perfect vehicle for the daily grind. I’m well aware that the Lightning is not for all truck buyers. But I’m also aware that several truck buyers don’t exploit all the capabilities of their full-size truck. For many, then, the Lightning is perfectly suitable, all while allowing you, the owner, to enjoy a truck when you need one the most. Let’s face it, this big guy will still tow up to 10,000 pounds. I’m sure that’s way more than you need.

That’s the beauty of the F-150 Lightning. It’s a good-old Ford. It drives like a good-old Ford, and looks like a good-old Ford. There are therefore very few compromises to opting for electric propulsion versus gasoline.

Its cabin is as familiar as a McDonald’s cheeseburger, while the entire ride is as smooth as a baby’s butt and as quiet as a library. Electric propulsion simply gives this big guy more off-the-line acceleration.

Performance Specifications

The 2024 model year brought significant changes to the Ford F-150 Lightning’s lineup, so it can be more affordable and offer more trim levels. Across the board, Ford has managed to significantly drop prices – in some cases up to $10,000 – in order to attract more people towards its zero-emission rig. There’s also a standard heat pump now, which should help the Lightning perform even better in cold weather. A new Flash model slots between the XLT and Lariat trims, offering some of the Lariat’s equipment at a more affordable price point.

The Lightning is still offered with two battery capacities; 98 and 131 kWh. All versions come standard with dual-motor all-wheel drive, with range figures varying between 240 and 320 miles depending on the battery chosen and wheel sizes. In its most potent form, the Ford F-150 Lightning pumps out an impressive 580 combined horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque. When connected to a level 3 fast charger, this electrified F-150 will pull its electrons at the rate of 150 kW in ideal conditions. This allows the truck to recover anywhere between 41 and 54 miles of range within 10 minutes, as per Ford (depending on battery capacity and ambient temperatures). What’s more, bidirectional charging allows the Ford F-150 Lightning to power a house during power grid failures, acting as an energy generator thanks to a special home charger offered as optional equipment.

Best Features of the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning

• Looks and drives like any other Ford F-150
• Impressive towing rating
• Quick off the line
• Competitive range
• Now more affordable with more trim levels to choose from

The Lightning is a workman’s truck in the sense that it still offers the sort of capability you should expect from a Ford F-150. The front storage compartment (frunk) increases the regular truck’s available cargo space, while an in-bed generator provides enough energy to power everything, from power tools to a BBQ during a tailgate party. It’s independent rear suspension also allows it to handle like no other body on frame truck currently on sale.

The Runners Up

Of course, one could argue that the Rivian R1T is a solid contender to the Lightning, but it’s a more compact, more adventure-focused machine. We therefore don’t see these two trucks as being direct rivals. Chevrolet’s Silverado EV is a more serious rival, but deployment of production models has been slow. Meanwhile, the Lightning is quickly leaving dealer lots as I write this. Ram has announced the 1500 REV, but that’s only scheduled to arrive next year. As for the Tesla Cybertruck, since it was only unveiled in production form in November, we’ll need to wait a little longer before we can properly evaluate it.

Final Thoughts And Predictions For 2024

That all being said, while the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning is still sort of alone on its rock, it will soon face a full plethora of contenders from American brands. GM will eventually sort out its supply chain issues and fully deploy the Silverado EV as well as its twin, the GMC Sierra EV. Ram is set to offer a range extender in its 1500 REV which should give the Lightning a run for its money. And if Elon Musk is saying the truth about his Cybertruck, it could soon flood American streets. Indeed, Ford will have a lot of competition in 2024. It’ll be interesting to see how the pickup truck war will play out in an electrified world.