Who says EVs aren’t up to the task? Ford’s electric pickup, the F-150 Lightning, is revolutionizing the truck industry. Lightning owners are challenging the norm, using their EV truck beds for more “truck activities” like home projects, camping, and hauling than gas-powered F-150 owners.
Ford’s electric pickup is changing the game and its players
Ford is no stranger to trucks. The automaker has been building them for over 100 years. Since the release of the Model TT in 1917, Ford has been trailblazing the industry.
This past year, the Ford F-series upheld its position as best-selling truck for 46 consecutive years now.
Using its rich history and expertise in truck-making, Ford revealed its “smartest, most innovative F-150” yet, the F-150 Lightning electric pickup, in 2021. The truck quickly gained the attention of the masses, gathering over 200,000 reservations by the end of the year.
With the first Lightning customers receiving their electric trucks in May 2022, we have learned a lot about its capabilities and how drivers are liking it so far.
As you can tell, Ford Lightning owners use their electric pickups differently than gas-powered truck drivers. New data from the Dearborn automaker confirms the Ford Lightning is attracting new types of buyers, and they are using their trucks for more typical truck activities than ICE drivers.
Ford F-150 Lightning XLT camping (Source: Ford)
Ford Lightning drivers make more use of the truck
According to recently gathered consumer data (anonymized to ensure confidentiality) by Ford and published by The Detroit Free Press, we are learning some interesting information about F-150 Lightning buyers.
Perhaps most important is how they compare to gas-powered Ford F-150 drivers. The automaker has witnessed a drastic shift in client characteristics and how buyers use their trucks.
The data shows F-150 Lightning owners use the truck bed significantly more than the gas-powered model owners. Lightning owners make use of it by doing more home projects, camping, and hauling activities.
Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat tailgate party (Source: Ford)
Ford also collected data on customers who decided to go with another brand to learn precisely what buyers are looking for.
Here are a few of the key insights highlighted in the survey data:
74% of Lightning owners use the truck once a month for home projects like landscaping, renovations, and more, compared to just 51% of ICE owners that reported doing the same.
48% of Lightning owners go camping once a month, including storing bikes, camping equipment, kayaks, etc., compared to 40% of gas-powered truck drivers.
Over 50% of Lightning buyers are coming from a non-truck vehicle, while that number is around 33% for the F-150.
27% of Lightning buyers use the electric truck for home projects versus 14% of ICE buyers.
Jason Mase, cross-vehicle and electrification marketing strategy lead (US) at Ford, told the Detroit Free Press.
People who may have wanted a pickup in the past seem to feel that having an electric option like the Lightning has given them permission to buy one, so now they haul muddy stuff that could have ruined a sport utility vehicle or something without a big truck bed, which can be hosed down.
The Lightning is attracting people who wouldn’t typically buy a truck otherwise, and perhaps, more importantly, 90% of Lightning buyers came from non-electric, non-hybrid, non-PHEV vehicles.
Electrek’s Take
Ford’s new data dispels the idea that electric trucks are less capable than their gas-powered peers. As Lightning drivers are proving, EVs can do just as much and more as their gas-powered peers, and their owners are putting them up to the task.
Now, Ford needs to produce more Lightnings. The automaker has a massive backlog, and demand continues to grow.
Despite an ongoing production halt from early February that will end on March 13, Ford says it plans to triple Lightning sales this year to reach a 150,000 annual run rate.
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Hyundai’s electric fastback is getting a fresh new look. Just a week after unveiling the redesigned IONIQ 6, we are already getting our first look at it out in the real world. Hyundai’s new IONIQ 6 was spotted driving in Korea, and from the looks of it, this could be a major upgrade.
Hyundai’s new IONIQ 6 looks sleek on the road
Launched in 2022, Hyundai’s “Electrified Streamliner” was expected to challenge the Tesla Model 3 as one of the few electric sedans on the market.
Prices start at under $38,000, and with up to 342 miles of driving range (EPA-est), the IONIQ 6 arrived as one of the most efficient EV options. A Boston Consulting Group report last year even found it to be the only EV that met buyers’ price, range, and charging expectations.
Despite the impressive specs and unique new design, Hyundai’s electric car has failed to live up to expectations. Will a redesign spark some life into the EV?
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Hyundai unveiled the new IONIQ 6 at the Seoul Mobility Show last week, with a few noticeable design changes. With a new ducktail spoiler, the profile is smoother and more natural-looking, which was one of the biggest complaints.
The front and rear are redesigned with slim LED DRLs and main headlamps. Hyundai claims it “enhanced every line and detail to make the IONIQ 6 simpler and more progressive.”
After the new model was spotted driving for the first time in Korea, we are already getting a sneak peek at Hyundai’s refreshed IONIQ 6 on the road.
Hyundai’s new IONIQ 6 spotted driving in Korea for the first time (Source: HealerTV)
The new video from HealerTV gives us a good look at the changes from all angles. The rear spoiler has been upgraded to have a sportier overall look. The new, slim DRLs are a good touch, adding to its aggressive face.
Hyundai also updated the interior with a redesigned steering wheel and better materials on the door trim for “a more premium feel.” Other improvements include a more functional center console and a larger climate control display.
A new IONIQ 6 N will finally join the lineup. Hyundai teased the sporty new N model with an even more aggressive design based on the RN22e Rolling Lab concept.
Although more details will be revealed closer to its launch, we expect other improvements pulled from the 2025 IONIQ 5, like an added NACS port and potentially even more driving range.
What do you think of the new IONIQ 6? Do you like the redesign, or is it still not enough? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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The 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EV came in hot – and expensive – when it launched at the end of 2024 with no official rebate. But that’s just changed.
The 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EV starts at $66,990 including the destination fee. But the actual cost of this luxury muscle car is $78,680 including all the required packages.
And as of April 1, it now comes with a $6,500 National Retail Consumer Cash rebate.
Stellantis Financing continues to offer a special financing rate of 1.9% APR for 72 months, but unfortunately, that can’t be combined with the $6,500 rebate, so you have to choose one or the other.
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If you’re interested in leasing a Charger Daytona EV, then you can get $7,500 in lease cash from Stellantis Financial. Stellantis also offers Chrysler employee pricing to the public, but it can’t be stacked with rebates. How employee pricing works is, dealer pricing is 5% below the dealer invoice and a $200 program fee, plus you can’t haggle over pricing.
CarsDirect notes that the 2024 model still has the best deals on a Dodge Charger Daytona EV, with four options on the table:
0% APR financing for 72 months plus $3,000 in bonus cash
$7,500 National Retail Consumer Cash in addition to $3,000 in bonus cash
$2,000 Conquest Bonus Cash deal in select regions like the West Coast
$7,500 in lease cash plus $6,000 in bonus cash for those who want to lease
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Although the EV2 is Kia’s smallest EV, it won’t feel so small when sitting in it. Kia designed the open interior to give you an escape from the city. After sharing new details at Milan Design Week on Thursday, Kia gave us a closer look at the EV2 inside and out. The new interior design could see its way into future Kia EV models.
Kia EV2 interior is small but flexible
At Milan Design Week 2025, Kia held an exclusive exhibition for its upcoming EV models. The Concept EV2 was showcased alongside Kia’s first electric van, the PV5, and a rugged PV5 WKNDR concept.
Kia revealed new details about the EV2’s interior and what we can expect to see when it arrives. Inspired by a “picnic in the city,” the cabin is designed to feel as open and flexible as possible.
Like a balcony or porch, which offers a relaxing retreat from busy city life, Kia wants the EV2 to have a similar feel. Thanks to its flat-floor layout, the interior can open up with flexible seating. The second-row seats can fold up while the front seats slide up to provide an open space—you know, where you might want to have a picnic.
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Kia Concept EV2 interior (Source: Kia)
Kia added a few extras like integrated speakers in the headrest, portable door speakers, detachable seat cushions, extendable seats, and pop-up luggage dividers for your next adventure.
Even with the fun features, Kia focused on sustainability. The interior introduces environmentally conscious materials like Simplifyber Fybron™, AmpliTex, and biodegradable mycelium components.
Kia said the new design elements showcase its vision for future EV interiors. More details will be shared closer to the launch, but the EV2 is expected to include Kia’s new ccNC infotainment system.
As shown in the concept, the system features a curved display with dual 12.3″ driver and infotainment screens. Despite being an entry-level model, the EV2 will have advanced features like vehicle-to-load (VTL) to power up electronics or home appliances. It will also get smarter and more advanced over time with OTA updates.
Last month, we got our first look at Kia’s entry-level electric SUV on the road in Korea with a Soul-like design. Kia will launch the EV2 in Europe and other global markets next year.
Like other Kia electric models based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, the EV2 is expected to arrive with a WLTP range of at least 300 miles (605 km). Although prices will be revealed closer to launch, the EV2 is expected to start at around 30,000 euros ($33,000), but that could change in another year or so.
How do you feel about the Kia EV2? Would you buy one for around 30,000 euros ($33,000)? Let us know in the comments. We should learn more soon. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.
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