Ultimate electric vs diesel towing test has diesel Ram competing with electric F-150 Lightning in Southern California, and one performs a lot better
- This four-way towing competition had two stand-out results
- The diesel Ram and electric F-150 Lightning led the way
- But there was one clear winner
Published on Feb 14, 2025 at 10:55 AM (UTC+4)
by Jack Marsh
Last updated on Feb 14, 2025 at 12:07 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
In what can only be described as the ultimate electric vs diesel towing test, the iconic Ram has gone head-to-head with the Ford F-150 Lightning in Southern California.
Oh, how we love to flex our muscles. As people, it is all about status, humor, wealth, or strength.
As for cars though, that inner gearhead in all of us relishes the opportunity for two icons to go all out in a flex of power.
That’s exactly what was in store for this Southern California group who released two caged beasts into an arm wrestle.
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Ram versus F-150 Lightning, which is more powerful?
In an intense four-way towing challenge throughout Southern California, the YouTube personalities over at Edmunds Cars have put forward the ultimate quartet.
The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning (electric), 2022 Ram 1500 (diesel), 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (gas), and 2021 Ford F-150 (hybrid) all went up against each other in a trial that saw them tow a Tesla Model 3 around California.
The test was designed to be fair on all accounts. The variables were even. The towed weight was all equal, each car had to drive at a strict speed of 55mph, have the climate set at 72 degrees, and refuel at 50 miles range left.
So, which would perform best in this 200-mile plus round trip?
Well, straight off the bat you could rule out the Silverado.
It was the worst-performing pickup in the group in terms of cost efficiency and mileage, by quite some distance.
Maybe they should stick to offroad terrain.
Then there’s the Hybrid. While the truck was efficient in certain areas, it wasn’t quite powerful enough with the towed weight over long distances.
That left the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Ram.
Ram defeats Ford in South Carolina towing test
Undoubtedly the best-performing truck in the test was the Ram.
The Diesel car, while not quite the greenest, was the quickest car around the route, averaged the best fuel efficiency, and only cost 10 percent more than the electric F-150.
The F-150 also came home much later than the rest of the group, having faffed around with supercharging units for four hours.
Despite being $35,000 more expensive, the towing challenge crippled the electric F-150.
“If you’re going to tow a boat to a local lake and charge at home, then at least take a look. But if you’re going to tow a U-haul across the country to pick your kid up from college, then it’s going to drive you nuts,” Edmunds Cars said.
As for the Ram, well, the pickup has proven to be incredibly powerful, even up against the Cybertruck, making it quite the beast.
The results have come in just as the F-150 was dethroned as North America’s best-selling vehicle.
