Skip to main content

Although trucks with internal combustion engines remain the king of the segment, electric trucks are here to stay. There’s the Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, and upcoming EV trucks from Ram and Chevy. But how long does it take to charge an electric truck? The answer depends. 

How long does it take to fully charge an electric pickup truck?

Charging speed for an electric truck depends on the method of charging. Generally speaking, there is Level 1 charging, Level 2 charging, and DC fast charging, with DC fast charging being the fastest. With a 150kW+ DC fast charging, a truck like the Ford F-150 Lightning can go from a 15% charge to an 80% charge in about 40 minutes. 

A Ford F-150 Lightning EV tows a trailer.
2023 Ford F-150 Lightning | Ford

It is important to note that you might not always have access to a DC fast charger, so in some instances, it can take much longer to charge an electric truck. With a level 2 charger, with a 7kW to 19kW power output, charging can take up to 10 hours. And that it was folks will typically have in their home. 

The slowest method of charging is using a level 1 charger. Level 1 equipment provides charging through a 120-volt AC outlet. Depending on the conditions, it can take up to 50 hours to fully charge an electric truck. And that is why people with EVs typically upgrade the charging situation that they have in their homes. 

How much range do electric trucks have? 

Range of electric trucks varies, but as it stands, the truck with the longest electric range is the 2023 Rivian R1T, with 328 miles. According to InsideEVs, the R1T truck does not come standard with that range. You must step up to the Quad-Motor configuration and the Large battery pack. 

A 2023 Rivian R1T shows off as an electric truck with the longest range.
Rivian R1T | Rivian

Rivian’s achievement could soon be overshadowed, though. The 2025 Ram 1500 REV electric truck is coming. Apparently, Ram is going to build an electric pickup with up to 500 miles of driving range. And that is much more than what is currently on the market. 

That kind of electric range should help to reduce range anxiety. Range anxiety is essentially being nervous about how far you can drive on a single charge. And with the current public charging infrastructure, I don’t blame folks for having it. Gas stations are a common site in many parts of the country. Finding a place to charge can take a bit more planning. 

Electric trucks are here to stay

The Rivian R1T has been around for some time now. But only in recent years have mainstream manufacturers like Ford, Chevy, and Ram started to build electric trucks of their own. The Ford Lightning and Ram 1500 REV are indicators that brands are taking electrification seriously. At the same time, those pickups greatly resemble their ICE counterparts. 

As charging infrastructure is improved and the technology that powers EVs gets better, I’m sure more folks will be open to these trucks. Seemingly there is already enough interest in electric truck models; getting something like an F-150 Lightning feels nearly impossible right now.

Related Cheapest New Electric Truck Is Predator That Stalks F-150 Lightning, Ram 1500 REV, and Rivian R1T

Cheapest New Electric Truck Is Predator That Stalks F-150 Lightning, Ram 1500 REV, and Rivian R1T