by Debunking the Electric Pickup Myth
Many are convinced that owners of electric pickups like the Rivian R1T or Tesla Cybertruck are predominantly from the IT sector who buy them for image rather than real use. The perception of such vehicles as clean, without scratches or traces of dirt, is quite common. However, as recent research shows, this stereotype has nothing to do with reality.
Real-World Pickup Usage Data
Strategic Vision, a company that annually surveys about 250,000 people about how they use their vehicles, provided information that clearly demonstrates: electric pickup owners behave almost identically to owners of standard gasoline models.
Off-Roading: Who Really Takes the Risk?
About one-third of all pickup owners occasionally drive off-road. Specifically, 31% of electric and hybrid model owners venture onto dirt or rocky roads at least once a month. This figure is practically identical for standard pickups (29%) and full-size models (32%).
Off-Roading Activity by Truck Type
When it comes to serious off-roading—such as over rocks, mud, or streams—the difference is also minimal. 11% of electric pickup owners tackle such obstacles at least once a month, compared to 13% and 15% for standard and full-size pickups, respectively.
Hauling and Driver Habits
Further evidence that electric pickups are used for their intended purpose comes from data on cargo hauling. 64% of such model owners use the truck bed for hauling at least once a month. This is more than owners of standard (58%) or full-size pickups (61%), though, of course, less than owners of heavy-duty models (74%).
Truck Bed Utility and Driving Behavior
Furthermore, driving for pleasure is common across all categories: from 89% to 90% of owners do so regularly. The only exception is drivers of heavy-duty pickups, among whom this figure is 82%.
Towing: The Only Significant Difference
The only area where electric pickups fall short compared to gasoline ones is towing. Limited range, insufficient charging stations, and their charging speed make long trips with a trailer more challenging for EV owners. However, in everyday tasks, electric pickups demonstrate full capability.
Electric, But a Real Pickup
The obtained data debunks one of the most common cultural divides in the pickup world. For years, electric vehicle drivers have been portrayed as outsiders who buy vehicles for image rather than real capability. But the numbers tell a different story.
Whether it’s a Ford Lightning hauling mulch, a Rivian R1T navigating forest roads, or a Cybertruck heading to a campsite—electric pickup owners prove that real capability is determined not by what’s under the hood, but by how the vehicle is used.
Truck Owner Usage Summary
While stereotypes may persist in the comments, the facts remain unchanged: electric pickup owners are not replacing real trucks with toys. They are simply redefining what it means to ‘be a pickup owner’.
These findings are particularly relevant in the context of the rapidly developing electric pickup market. Manufacturers continue to improve models, increasing their range and payload capacity, which will likely further narrow the gap between electric and traditional pickups. Furthermore, public perception is gradually changing, and such research plays an important role in forming an objective picture of the real-world use of these vehicles.
