Silverado EV vs. F-150 Lightning: Battle of the 2026 Electric Trucks
Join us as our article takes a closer look at what differentiates these two fully electric pickup trucks, the 2026 Chevy Silverado EV and the 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning.
Traditionally, American pick-ups have been all about brawny, large capacity engines combined with the prerequisite rugged looks, so do these two full-size pick-up trucks with electric drivetrains still offer the goods?
Read on as we compare some all-important purchasing criteria like cargo loading, towing ability, off-road readiness, and, of course, the necessary creature comforts.
What’s new for 2026?
The 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV is now in its third year, with few changes seen.
The big news, however, is the introduction of the Trail Boss, first teased in 2022. Buyers can look forward to items like a factory-installed lift, trim-specific 18-inch wheels and 35-inch all-terrain tires, standout red tow hooks, a redesigned front bumper, plus a dedicated Terrain mode further enhancing off-road prowess.
The 2026 lineup offers three trims: WT, LT, and range-topping Trail Boss.
The Blue Ovals F-150 Lightning receives subtle yet purposeful upgrades for 2026 that serve to distinguish it from the current 2025 iteration.
The 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning is set to hit showroom floors in late 2025, featuring an expected new TE1 battery platform that marks the Lightning’s departure from regular gasoline-powered models.
How does the exterior of the 2026 Chevy Silverado EV differ from that of the 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning?
The 2026 Chevy Silverado EV is an undoubtedly handsome truck with its large proportions coupled with sleek body panels that feature both sharp lines and smoothed-over corners.
The Chevy is approximately 233.1 inches long with its standard 5’11” truck bed. It measures 85.27 inches wide without mirrors, and stands 78.05 inches high in WT and LT trim levels and 79.91.7 inches in Trail Boss guise.
The lineup rides on a wheelbase measuring 145.68 inches. Ground clearance is 8.06 inches, with the Trail Boss trim offering an impressive 10.05 inches.
The modern and smooth lines of the Chevy extend to a front fascia that features a slim combined horizontal light bar with LED headlamps with IntelliBeam, along with integrated Daytime Running Lamps.
Buyers can expect standard items like:
- Solar-absorbing glass
- Body color door handles
- Outside heated power-adjustable mirrors
- Painted mirror caps
- Upper and lower active aero shutters
- Cargo bed LED lighting
- Locking tailgate
Buyers of the Silverado can choose from a palette of seven exterior colors, and depending on trim level, 18-inch steel or alloy wheels are fitted.
The new updated 2026 F-150 Lightning should retain the current model’s bold and functional lines that offer a distinctively large silhouette, along with its unmistakable illuminated grille that is not really a grille.
The F-150 is expected to continue with its fully high-strength steel chassis construction. With no confirmed details available at the time of writing our article, the 2026 F-150 is expected to offer similar dimensions as the current model, which means a body measuring 232.7 inches long, 80 inches wide excluding mirrors, and 78.3 inches high, riding on a 145.5-inch wheelbase and offering 8.4 inches of ground clearance.
The F-150 offers practical solutions like the front Mega Power Frunk that transforms the hood into a spacious, sealed, and illuminated storage compartment that includes handy electrical outlets for tools or leisure devices.
Some standard features of this Ford include:
- Unique R-shaped headlamps
- Body color power outside mirrors
The Ford should be available with various wheel sizes, including 18-inch, 20-inch, and 22-inch options.
What benefits does the 2026 Chevy Silverado EV offer in the way of interior comfort and infotainment over the 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning?
The Chevy’s interior impresses with its modern, generously sized cabin that seats up to five passengers.
In line with its workhorse position in the trims lineup, the WT models are a bit more spartan and feature easy-to-clean materials.
All trims offer niceties like:
- Remote Start
- 11-inch diagonal color Driver Information Center
- Front bucket seats
- LED Reflective Windshield Collision Alert
- Remote Power windows
- Cabin humidity sensor
- Rear air vents
- Rear Seat Reminder
- eTrunk
Infotainment equipment includes a 17.7-inch diagonal advanced color LCD display with Google built-in compatibility, Charge / Data USB ports, and standard six speakers.
The Ford is expected to have a refined cabin finished in premium materials that also seats up to five passengers. Comfort items include heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, plus multiple ambient lighting configurations, especially in the upper-tier Lariat and Platinum trim levels.
A large 15.5-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen is expected in higher trims, along with a 12-inch digital instrument cluster.
Beyond the large screen, infotainment and connectivity should include over-the-air updates, connected navigation, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
How does the performance of the 2026 Chevy Silverado EV compare to the 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning?
The latest Silverado EV is powered by dual electric motors, with the base WT trim offering 510 horsepower, the new Trail Boss with up to 725 horsepower, and the LT offering up to 760 horsepower.
The 2026 Silverado EV is available with three battery options: Standard, Extended, and Max, and the drive goes to all four wheels as standard. StabiliTrak, an electronic stability control system with traction control, is also standard equipment.
The 2026 Silverado EV can tow up to a maximum of 12,500 pounds and offers a maximum payload capacity of 1,800 pounds.
The 2026 F-150 Lightning should feature a standard dual-motor setup with AWD and either a standard or extended-range battery.
Power outputs for 2026 should mirror those of the 2025 model, which offers up to 580 horsepower and 775 pound-feet of torque.
Depending on battery configuration, the Ford should offer an expected towing capacity of up to 7,700 pounds as standard, and up to 10,000 pounds when fitted with the Max Tow package.
The Ford’s maximum payload capacity is 2,235 pounds, with the aforementioned optional Mega Power Frunk adding 400 pounds of capacity.
Find the latest 2026 Chevy Silverado EV at Betley Chevrolet.
Test drive and learn more about the 2026 Chevy Silverado EV lineup at Betley Chevrolet.
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