America Wants Small Electric Trucks—But Where Are They?
Despite booming interest in electric vehicles, one segment remains strangely empty: small electric pickups and vans. Drivers want them. The tech is ready. So why don’t we have them on the road yet?
The Demand Is Real
Compact trucks like the Ford Maverick and vans like the Kia Carnival already have strong followings. Making them electric seems like the logical next step. They’re perfect for city driving, light hauling, and everyday use. And unlike oversized pickups, they don’t dominate parking lots or drain massive battery packs just to move around town.
Startups Step In
While legacy automakers move slowly, startups like Slate and Telo are aiming to fill the gap. Both promise compact, fully electric vehicles that are practical, affordable, and purpose-built for urban and fleet use. Their early designs focus on repairability, affordability, and minimalist features to keep costs down. However, whether they reach production is still uncertain.
Big Players, Bigger Delays
Ford has teased an electric Ranger, but so far, nothing smaller than the F-150 Lightning is available. Kia has an EV van (the PB5), but not in the U.S. Chevrolet could adapt its successful Silverado EV architecture into something smaller, but hasn’t confirmed anything yet. Many automakers cite low margins and limited demand as reasons to delay, but interest appears to be growing steadily.
Aerodynamics, Cost—and Hope
Compact vans aren’t aerodynamic, and that means bigger batteries or shorter range—both costly compromises. Yet companies have solved tougher problems. With better incentives and smarter design, compact EVs don’t have to stay out of reach.
Meanwhile, used EVs and plug-in hybrids like the BYD Shark and BrightDrop vans offer a temporary solution—but they’re still larger than what many are hoping for.
Room to Lead
There’s a huge opportunity for the first automaker to crack this space. A compact, efficient, and affordable EV truck or van could be the next big hit—if someone builds it.
