The electric truck market is booming, and here's a guide to the top picks from Tesla, GM, Rivian, and Ford.

• Electric pickup trucks worth $100,000 have been introduced in the U.S. automotive industry by Tesla, GM, Rivian, and Ford.
• The U.S. market currently offers the Tesla Cybertruck, Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, General Motors' GMC Hummer EV, GMC Sierra Denali, and Chevrolet Silverado as electric trucks.
• Nearly 58,000 vehicles, including SUV variants, were sold in the electric "truck" market during the first half of this year, according to estimates from Motor Intelligence.

In the U.S. automotive industry, a new market has been created by Detroit, , and , featuring expensive, powerful, and risky electric pickup trucks priced at $100,000 or more.

In recent years, the notion of a customer spending six figures on a pickup truck, which was previously viewed as a work vehicle primarily used for hauling and towing, has garnered significant media attention. However, this has now become commonplace as automakers strive to boost profits from conventional trucks and also generate profits from electric models.

"Pickup trucks are becoming more equipped, feature-rich, and made of better materials because consumers want more, according to Stephanie Brinley, principal automotive analyst at S&P Global Mobility."

Electric trucks are more expensive than traditional pickup trucks with internal combustion engines due to their advanced technology, such as the expensive batteries required to power them.

"According to Stephanie Valdez Streaty, Cox Automotive director of industry insights, the demographic of individuals purchasing new EVs is different for automakers, as these vehicles are expensive and niche."

Several electric trucks are available for purchase in the U.S. market, including the Tesla Cybertruck, Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, and GMC Hummer EV, GMC Sierra Denali, and Chevrolet Silverado. The GMC Hummer and Rivian also offer SUV versions with similar functions to their pickup counterparts but in different forms.

Both the Tesla Cyberbeast and the limited-edition GMC Hummer can easily top $100,000, with the Cyberbeast priced at around $120,000 and the Hummer costing more than $150,000. According to Kelley Blue Book, both vehicles transacted for over $100,000 last month, with the Tesla Cybertruck becoming the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. priced at six figures or more.

According to Kelley Blue Book, the average price paid for a traditional full-size pickup, including average discount incentives of 7%, is $65,713.

Nearly 58,000 electric trucks, including SUVs, were sold in the first half of the year, accounting for less than 1% of the 7.9 million light-duty new vehicles sold in the U.S. However, this represents a 35% quarterly increase from the first to the second quarter, according to Motor Intelligence's estimates.

Although the market is predicted to continue expanding, I have driven each of the $100,000 vehicles for varying periods. Despite their similarities, they handle and perform differently. Here are my thoughts on each.

Tesla Cybertruck

The Tesla Cybertruck stands out in terms of design, functionality, polarization, and features.

The vehicle is more "cyber" than "truck," although it possesses some utilitarian features such as a pickup bed, it does not fit the traditional definition of a truck.

The Cybertruck boasts a tight steering system with a yoke and "steer-by-wire" feature, a rigid chassis similar to a sports car, and a design that prioritizes form over function, which is a common reason for pickup truck buyers.

The Cybertruck, like its GM counterparts, includes "four-wheel steer," which allows all wheels to aid in turning, making it easier to maneuver larger vehicles compared to traditional vehicles with two wheels turning.

The Tesla Cybertruck compensates for its lack of traditional truck features with advanced technology and a cutting-edge human-machine interface.

The company's vehicle is viewed as an experiment in terms of its technology.

• The design, technology, software, and weight (lowest in segment) of the four-wheel steer make it a standout in the market.
• Cons: Design, bed access, interior space and quality

GMC Hummer EVs

The Cybertuck is most similar to the GMC Hummer EV in terms of performance, cost, and extravagance.

Whether it's on or off the road, driving a vehicle is an experience. The SUV version of the vehicle is smaller and more manageable to drive than the pickup truck version. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has labeled the vehicle as the least efficient consumer EV on sale today.

The Hummer variants are heavy, estimated at nearly 9,200 pounds for the pickup, compared to every other consumer vehicle on the market, including their all-electric truck counterparts.

The Hummer EVs are capable of achieving 0-60 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds or less with their performance parts, but their weight can be easily felt while driving them.

The Hummer's interior can feel bulky, much like the vehicles themselves, despite GM's designers doing a nice job of modernizing the exterior design for the new EVs, including the ability to remove roof panels.

• The vehicle boasts a sleek design, impressive capability, robust durability, four-wheel steer, and a hands-free Super Cruise advanced driver-assistance system.
• Cons: Design, efficiency, bulky interior, range

Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra

The latest all-electric pickup trucks from GM are the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Debali, which come with high-end models that are nearly $100,000.

Although the GM design team excelled in differentiating the appearance of the vehicles to cater to their respective brands, the parts and features of the vehicles are mostly identical.

Both vehicles have an EPA-rated range of 440 miles and offer up to 754 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque. They also tow up to 10,000 pounds and can charge for 100 miles in roughly 10 minutes with a DC Fast Charger, provided you can find a compatible charger.

The Hummer shares the "crab mode" with the GMC, which has larger total screens and open pore wood, making it more refined and luxurious than its Chevrolet counterpart.

The Silverado and Sierra EVs have a distinctive feature that sets them apart from others: a "midgate" that allows the back seats to fold down and the back glass to be removed, resulting in a nearly 11-foot-long truck bed and a leading cargo area in its segment.

Both the Silverado and Sierra EVs are excellent trucks that feel like a "truck," but they are significantly heavier than their non-GM counterparts.

• The car's capability, charging speed, range, Super Cruise, midgate, and four-wheel steer are all impressive features.
• Cons: Efficiency, interior (mainly Silverado), weight

Rivian R1T and R1S

Rivian's R1T pickup and R1S SUV are exceptional electric trucks for outdoor adventures and lifestyle vehicles, similar to Jeep.

The second generation of vehicles released this year enhanced the ride and quality of the trucks, resulting in a smoother driving experience, particularly with the R1S model.

Rivian's second-generation vehicles have the same exterior designs as the first generation, but the company claims they have 10 times more computing power. Additionally, Rivian has replaced more than half of the hardware components.

The interior designs of R1T and R1S are what truly set them apart. They are minimalistic, similar to Tesla products, but still offer enough controls to satisfy traditional buyers. The functionality and HMI are also noteworthy.

• Pros: Design, software, interior
• Cons: Charging speed capability, no four-wheel steer, advanced driver-assistance system

Ford F-150 Lightning

The F-150 Lightning is the most accessible all-electric truck available, with a starting price of approximately $63,000, driving dynamics, and functionality that are similar to a traditional F-150. However, it is an electric vehicle. This is because it shares many parts with its internal combustion engine counterparts.

The F-150 Lightning was the first "mainstream" electric truck to hit the market, following the Hummer "supertruck" and Rivian R1T. It represented the first true test of an all-electric vehicle for traditional truck owners.

Although the vehicle stood out at launch, it has been surpassed or matched by competitors in terms of range, driving dynamics, and overall performance, particularly when compared to high-end trucks priced at $100,000.

The F-150 Lightning, priced at over $90,000, is a reliable vehicle, but for buyers looking to spend $100,000 or more, the competition is much more intense than when the truck first came out in 2022.

• The BlueCruise hands-free driver-assistance system, reliability, durability, and large front trunk (frunk) are all features of the car, along with its pricing.
• Cons: Range, fast charging speed, commoditized design