Locking Diff Or No? Cybertruck, F-150 Lightning, Silverado, Rivian R1T Drivetrains Compared

Pickup trucks, including battery-powered ones, are expected to do everything, including the occasional off-road course.

Tesla Cybertruck, Rivian R1T, Chevrolet Silverado EV, Ford F-150 Lightning drivetrain systems explained

Photo by: YouTube

Iulian Dnistran

By: Iulian Dnistran

Apr 3, 2024 at 1:00pm ET

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Off-roading enthusiasts know that having a locking differential on your car when going off the beaten track can make life a lot easier when the trail gets sketchy. Some cars come equipped from the factory with locking diffs, usually on the rear axle, but more hardcore models like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class can be specced with up to three locking diffs.

Pickup trucks are no different. However, electric pickup trucks can be different because of their ability to incorporate multiple motors on a single axle which can simulate a locking diff. But a virtual diff relies on software which can be fiddly, while a physical unit locks the two wheels of an axle together, making them rotate at the same speed. So how do four of America’s electric pickup trucks compare when it comes to delivering power to the ground?

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Four electric pickups, four approaches

Each of the four pickup trucks shown in the video embedded at the top of this video uses a different approach to put the power down on the road when things get slippery. The Ford F-150 Lightning is the only car in the group to have a working physical locking diff, while the others rely on software to keep going when the going gets tough.

The video embedded above, published by our friends at Out of Spec Reviews, highlights the differences between the drivetrains of the Tesla Cybertruck, Chevrolet Silverado EV, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Rivian R1T.