How the Silverado EV Compares to the Ford F-150 Lightning

The Chevy Silverado and Ford F-150 have been going head-to-head for truck owners’ hearts since the Silverado came out in 1999. Now, they’ve taken that battle to the world of electric trucks. The Silverado EV first put rubber to Texas roads in 2024, ready to duke it out with the F-150 Lightning, which preceded it by two years.

At North Park Chevrolet, we have the Chevy Silverado EV for sale in Castroville, and this truck is ready to conquer any task. But why should you choose it over the F-150 Lightning? It’s a fair question and one we’re ready to answer. When comparing the Silverado EV to the F-150 Lightning, it’s clear that being the first to market doesn’t necessarily mean being the best. From working to exploring, the Chevy Silverado EV will outperform its light-duty electric pickup competition.

More Power So Your Truck Roars

For a truck, everything begins with what’s under the hood, and that doesn’t change with an EV. You need power to haul equipment down Route 90 or flat-foot it on a remote background. Castroville drivers will find the Chevy Silverado EV brings this power in spades. Two powertrains are available to suit different driving styles and budgets. The base Extended Range powertrain in the LT and RST has dual electric motors that combine for 645 hp. The Max Range battery pack (more on this soon) in the RST boosts pilots to a blistering 760 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque to fly over any surface.

The Ford F-150 Lightning also has two powertrain combinations, but each lags considerably. The entry-level combo has 452 hp, and the optional setup generates 580 hp, putting them well behind their Silverado EV counterparts. Even Ford’s torque advantage disappears when you get to the biggest Silverado EV powertrain. Whether you require power for your job or lust after it for adventure, the Silverado EV scores a decisive win.

More Range and Faster Charging

We know one thing holding some people back from buying an electric truck is concerns about how far they can go between charges. The Chevy Silverado EV puts those concerns to rest and blows the doors off of the F-150 Lightning in the process. There are two battery packs to choose from. The standard Extended Range pack (available on the LT and RST) has an estimated range of 408 miles, which will get you from Castroville to Dallas with power to spare. This is 70% more range than the standard battery pack in the F-150 Lighting.

The gap is even bigger for the high-capacity Max Range battery. The Silverado EV RST has an estimated range of 460 miles with this battery. By comparison, the Extended Range F-150 Lightning pack gets 320 miles between stops to recharge. That extra 140 miles of range can make all the difference, especially if you are planning on towing with your electric truck.

But wait, you say: what about recharging time? The Silverado EV scores a roundhouse here, too. The standard battery pack is capable of charging at 300 kW on a compatible Level 3 DC public charger, and the Max Range pack can handle 350 kW. That equates to adding 100 miles of range in only 10 minutes—basically, how long it takes to use the bathroom and buy snacks. The F-150 Lightning musters less than half the speed at 150 kW, and those extra minutes add up fast. Depending on the Silverado EV trim, an 11.5 kW or 19.2 kW Level 2 charging module is included for overnight charging at home.

Premium Towing and Handling

Trucks are made for hauling, and electric trucks are still expected to tow big loads. Even though it has less torque in some configurations, the Silverado EV again reigns. The maximum towing capacity is 10,000 pounds on the RST, but for the LT, it jumps to 12,500 lbs in the right configuration. Meanwhile, the best-case scenario for the Ford F-150 Lightning is 10,000 lbs with its optional powertrain. For the base powertrain, it maxes out at 7,700 lbs—barely more than half of what the lowest-ranked Silverado EV can do.

Chevy’s electric truck also offers silky ride quality from Highway 471 to Demontell Lane. The F-150 Lightning’s independent front and rear suspension, coil-over shocks, rear electronic locking differential, and 8.4 inches of ground clearance look impressive until you compare it to the Silverado EV. The LT has a four-wheel independent suspension with StabiliTrak stability control and 8.9 inches of clearance; the RST ups the ante with a four-corner adaptive air suspension, Adaptive Ride Control, and Active Rear Steering. With a Silverado EV Trail Boss reportedly on the way, which should add features like skid plates, a suspension lift, all-terrain tires, and locking differentials, it’s fixing to be a supreme off-road truck, too.

A Bigger Cab and Bed

How much space do you have for your passengers and equipment? On the Silverado EV, the answer is “more.” It has 44.8 inches of front legroom and 44.3 inches of rear legroom against 43.9 inches and 43.6 inches in the F-150 Lightning. The front headroom is more than three inches higher on the Silverado EV, and the bed offers nearly five cubic feet more volume, which means 57.7 cu.ft. of bed storage—plus there’s a 240V power outlet. The available Multi-Flex Midgate and Multi-Flex Tailgate extend the bed to 130 inches to carry lumber and furniture. Add a 10.7 cubic foot front trunk with a 120V outlet and the Silverado EV is as spacious as trucks come. It’s even more roomy in some ways than the gas-powered Silverado 1500.

Infotainment Tech

You need good tech to get around Castroville, and Chevy is here to deliver. We’ll give Ford a little credit here in that, unlike other categories, the F-150 Lightning infotainment tech at least gives Chevy a run for its money. But when the points are counted, the Silverado EV scores another victory. While the Ford offers either a 12-inch or 15.5-inch center touchscreen, the Chevy offers a massive 17.7-inch screen standard. All Silverado EVs have Google built-in, with apps like Google Maps and voice-activated Google Assistant.

Beyond this, the Silverado EV has a 14-inch head-up display that is optional on the LT and standard on the RST. A similar display is not available on the F-150 Lightning. Chevy owners also get wireless phone charging, a free SiriusXM trial, a Wi-Fi hotspot with an OnStar subscription, and a Bose premium audio system. Ford tries to close the gap with its available Bang & Olufsen sound system and HD Radio, but it can’t catch up.

Do More of What You Love With the Silverado EV

The Silverado EV may have arrived on the scene after the F-150 Lightning, but it’s more than making up for lost time by beating its opponent in every major category. You’ll go faster and farther with great storage, tech, and driving dynamics. We haven’t even gotten into Silverado EV features like the expansive Chevy Safety Assist package, 12-way power driver’s seat, all-LED front lighting, available 22-inch wheels, and optional Super Cruise for hands-free highway driving.

Visit North Park Chevrolet to test-drive the Chevy Silverado EV or learn more about what it can do for you. We are the leading Chevrolet dealer in the Castroville area, with a friendly sales team that is committed to helping you find the best electric truck for how you work and play. We also have a certified service team trained to work on these vehicles, so you get many years of greatness from your new truck.

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