EV trucks are challenging gas-powered vehicles head-to-head in off-roading, and are winning. Could they become the new face of off-reading? With several automotive companies taking steps forward and installing charging stations at popular off-road sites, EV trucks are a prime candidates for future off-roading adventures.
Advantages Off-Roading in EV Trucks
Off-roading requires torque, rapid acceleration, and ground clearance. EV trucks not only meet these requirements, but surpass them. They also provide another bonus: water fording.
- Torque. High torque at low speed is essential to getting you through tough and challenging terrains like sand and mud. EV trucks can provide instant torque at any speed.
- Rapid Acceleration. The majority of electric vehicles can accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph in under 8 seconds.
- Ground Clearance. Electric motors are more compact than gasoline engines. As a result, they take up considerably less pace, thus providing higher ground clearance.
- Water fording. Electric motors are very well-encased. The protected motor plus additional ground clearance makes the impassable stream passable.
Top EV Trucks for Off-Roading
Rivian R1T
Rivian and its R1T could be considered the leader in pushing EV trucks into off-roaring. The Rivian R1T has been well-tested in a cross-country off-roading journey. With a 133 kWh battery pack, you can travel up to 317 miles. It boasts 835 horsepower and 908lb-ft of torque. The R1T has a 1,700lb payload and can tow an astounding 11,000 pounds. It's maximum ground clearance is clocking in at 14.9-inches. It's approach angle is 34-degrees, departure is 29.3-degrees, and it's breakover angle is 25.7. These are very impressive off-roading stats. Charging is a concern for many EV drivers and the EV-curious, so Rivian added a feature that allows the R1T to self-charge while flat-towed.
Bollinger Motors
Bollinger's B1 SUV comes with one of two battery packs. The 60kWh battery pack gives a range of 120 miles, while the 100kWh battery pack has a 200-mile range. The B1 can go from zero to 60 in only 4.5 seconds. This vehicle's speed tops out at 127mph, delivers 360 horsepower and 472 foot-pounds of torque, with ground clearance ranging from 10 to 20 inches. There is no need to worry about carrying cargo as the B1 has a 6100-pound payload and 6,000-pound tow capacity. This thing is tough.
Jeep Wrangler 4xe
The Wrangler 4xe utilizes either electric power or gas power, equipped with the 2.0 turbocharged engine and a 17.3 kWh battery powered motor. Fully charged, the Wrangler 4xe makes it from zero to 60mph in 6.8 seconds. You can expect about 370 miles with a full battery and a full tank of gas. This Wrangler delivers 134 horsepower on the electric engine only, fully charged. Our Wrangler JL Bumpers & Accessories are compatible with the Jeep Wrangler 4Xe.
Charging Stations
Again, Rivian paves the way. The company plans to add 3,500 quick charge stations across North America. Many of Rivian's quick charge stations will be along scenic highways and other frequently traveled adventure locations.
Rivian doesn't stop there. The company also plans to add level 2 chargers in state parks and popular trailheads. For instance, Rivian partnered with Tennessee and Colorado state parks and agreed to install chargers in nearly 100 parks between the two states with the promise to maintain them for ten years.
Jeep paired with the nonprofit organization, Electrify America, to add Rubicon chargers. From there, Jeep will add charging sites to Moab, Utah, and Big Bear, California. Jeep's ultimate goal is to have charging stations at or near all of its Badge of Honor trails.
BMW also plays a role in making chargers available to EV drivers. BMW donated in 2010 to the National Park Service to install some of the 140 chargers now available. To date, there are negotiations between the National Park Service and the California Energy Commission to add 20 new chargers across California state parks.
The Future Of Off-Roading?
EV trucks could potentially outnumber gas-powered trucks in off-road, however that's still quite a ways down the road (or trail) in the future. They have all the right criteria to handle all that off-reading entails. With ongoing efforts to add more chargers, there will be little holding back EV trucks on the trails.
At this point, it seems the matter is when, not if, EV trucks will become the ultimate future of off-roading, water-fording, and all things outdoors. Gas-powered trucks will become a classic collector vehicle that not everyone can afford. Should ADD Offroad consider making off-road bumpers and accessories for EV trucks? If we do, should they be made from steel or something like carbon fiber? This is something we're keeping our eye on.
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