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We’re lying in a wild time for pickup trucks. Prices are skyrocketing, everything is going electric, and the Ford F-150 Lightning is losing to a truck that doesn’t even exist. Somehow, the Toyota Tacoma EV is already favored as the best electric truck to buy. 

Why is the Tacoma EV beating the Ford F-150 Lighting? 

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning driving on the road
2023 Ford F-150 Lightning | Ford

People think that the Toyota Tacoma EV will be much better than the Ford F-150 Lightning if and when it comes out. According to a survey by Autolist, the Tacoma EV is the most popular electric truck even though it’s currently hypothetical. 

The Ford F-150 Lightning was the most popular EV truck for the past two years in a row. The Chevy Silverado 1500 EV is in third place and the Tesla Cybertruck landed in fourth. 

Overall, fewer people said they would consider an electric truck than before. Also, more people said they would prefer a vehicle with a traditional internal combustion engine to an EV. 

The interest in electric vehicles is decreasing due to price, the lack of charging infrastructure, and range anxiety. The Tacoma EV isn’t available to disappoint people as the F-150 Lightning faces a weak performance while towing and the Cybertruck didn’t live up to its promises. 

Is the Toyota Tacoma EV coming out? 

Toyota Electric Truck Concept on stage
Toyota Electric Truck Concept | Toyota

The Toyota Tacoma EV might come out eventually as automakers work to comply with rising emission standards. But it could take a while. The refreshed Tacoma just made its debut with class-leading technology. 

Currently, the Tacoma is the only midsize truck that’s available with a hybrid engine. The Ford Ranger Hybrid and Jeep Gladiator 4xe might arrive soon to fight it. But they could also be years away from entering the segment. 

So, why would the Tacoma be in a rush to go electric? It has time to focus on other areas, like overlanding and making the TRD even more capable of off-roading. 

Plus, the electric truck market might be slowing down. The Ford F-150 Lightning became the best-selling electric truck in November after moving 4,939 units. But 53,509 gas-powered models were sold and F-150 Lightning production was cut due to low demand.

Perhaps the Toyota Tacoma EV will be the electric truck that people actually want, but until then, you can settle for the F-150 Lightning, GMC Hummer EV, Cybertruck, or Rivian R1T.