The Ultimate Guide to Atlis XT Electric Pickup Trucks
An electric pickup truck that charges up in the time it takes to have a coffee cup might seem ambitious at the very least.
And that’s just one of the claims from Atlis Motor Company that some say are just too good to be true.
Only time (and actual production) will tell, though.
If the Arizona upstart can put its money where its mouth is, so to speak, their Atlis XT Pickup Trucks will revolutionize the hungry and lucrative market for fully electric pickups.
Concept to Production
At this point, though, Atlis XT Electric Pickup Trucks are still a concept that exists only in computer-generated renderings.
But, on paper, the Atlis XT blows away its competition in terms of performance. And that goes for not just the other electric trucks on various drawing boards but also the conventional fuel-burning trucks on the roads today like Ford’s F-Series, Chevy’s Silverado and Dodge’s Ram.
Atlis is among a handful of companies trying to be the first to make a fully electric pickup truck a reality, something that’s now expected in 2021 at the earliest.
Other players include General Motors, Ford, Rivian, Tesla, Bollinger, and Lordstown Motors.
About Atlis Motor Company
Hanchett started his company in his garage in Mesa, Arizona, in 2016, after wondering why automakers were concentrating their experiments with the emerging EV technology on cars and not trucks.
People will always need trucks, he reasoned, so he got to work. He wanted to build one that would suit those who use a truck to make a living, not just for weekend adventurers.
And he knew a successful one couldn’t just be “as good as” conventional trucks, it had to be better. And he wanted it to be rugged but also comfortable with plenty of amenities.
Besides developing its Atlis XT Electric Pickup Truck, the company also plans to offer its XP Platform chassis as a standalone product. It could be used by others such as manufacturers of RVs, step vans and box trucks, or even builders wanting to electrify a classic vehicle.
The Atlis XT Electric Pickup Truck
If it becomes a reality, the American-made (and assembled) Atlis XT Electric Pickup Truck has a starting price of $45,000 (lower than most if not all its competitors’).
Though sleek and modern, it doesn’t stray too far stylistically from today’s American pickups, with softer angles more in line with the Rivian R1T and Lordstown Endurance proto-models than the boxier Bollinger B2 or the triangular Tesla Cybertruck.
The Atlis XT Pickup Truck’s head-turning specs range from 300 miles to 500 miles, depending on which battery package you have. The company promises a charging time of just 15 minutes and hints that even faster charging times are possible.
The truck’s top speed is said to be 120 mph, including 0 to 60 in five seconds, which is pretty swift for a truck. The company also says it would be able to reach 60 mph in 18 seconds even with a full load (a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 35,000 pounds) or on a grade up of up to 6 percent (with the dually package).
Towing capacities are eye-dropping, too.
With a trailer hitch, the Atlis XT Pickup Truck would haul a range from 6,000 up to 17,000 pounds (depending on the package) while the fifth wheel and goosenecks would move from 20,000 to 35,000 pounds.
That’s a lot of weight.
Other features include four-wheel drive with independent traction motors at each wheel, four-wheel independent suspension, a single-speed gearbox per axle, and an advanced regenerative braking system.
Different styles would be available, including a two-plus-two extended cab or a four-door crew cab.
Ground clearance on the base model is 12 inches but with an optional 15-inch model giving even more clearance and opening the door for off-road possibilities.
Because it’s designed as a work truck, there are optional features like an on-board air compressor and either 120-volt or 240-volt power outlets, which you could use to plug in your power tools. In contrast, while you’re camping, plug-in appliances or other devices to make your camping easier.
The trucks are spacious and roomy in more ways than one – the standard bed is 6 ½ feet long, but there is an 8-feet option.
In the front, instead of an engine under the hood, there’s a big compartment for storage – these are sometimes called a “frunk.” There’s even a handy “front gate,” which is a smaller version of the traditional tailgate but attached to the other end.
There’s no question that America loves its pickup trucks – there were more than three million of them sold here in 2018 alone. There’s a potentially profitable market out there eagerly awaiting all-electric workhorse, and the Atlis XT Pickup Truck, if it can live up to its impressive claims, just may be the one.
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