Explained
How a electric pickup works.
A skateboard with a truck on top
Most electric vehicles, including electric pickups, are built around a skateboard: a flat, sealed battery pack that fills the floor between the axles, with the motors, suspension and wheels attached around it. The cab, body and cargo bed sit on top. This layout puts the heaviest part of the vehicle as low as possible, which lowers the centre of gravity and helps the truck feel stable in corners. This model is a generic design, not any particular brand.
The battery is made of many lithium-ion cells grouped into modules, with a cooling system and electronics that monitor every cell's temperature and charge. It stores energy as direct current. An inverter converts that into the alternating current the motors need, and controls how much power flows to them depending on how far you press the accelerator.
Motors instead of an engine
This pickup has one drive unit on each axle, giving all-wheel drive. Each unit contains an electric motor, a reduction gear and a differential. Electric motors produce strong torque from zero speed and run happily across a wide speed range, so most electric vehicles need only a single fixed gear rather than a multi-speed gearbox. There's no clutch, no idling and very little to service.
Electric motors can also run backwards as generators. When the driver lifts off or brakes gently, the motors slow the wheels and send energy back into the battery. This regenerative braking recovers energy that a combustion vehicle would lose as heat in its brakes, and it means the friction brakes wear more slowly.
Chassis and handling
The frame rails and cross-members link everything together and carry the extra loads of towing and hauling. Independent suspension at each corner uses control arms, springs and dampers so each wheel can follow the road on its own. Open play mode and choose Drive to take the truck round a test track, with keyboard keys on a computer or an on-screen joystick on a phone, and try to beat your best lap.
Parts glossary
- Body and cab
- The cab and body panels form a stiff, crash-protected shell for the passengers. With no engine up front, the space under the bonnet can be used for storage.
- Cargo bed
- The open bed at the back carries loads. Its floor sits above the rear drive unit and suspension.
- Battery pack
- Lithium-ion cells are grouped into modules inside a flat, sealed pack between the axles, often called a skateboard. Its weight sits very low, which helps stability.
- Electric motors
- A drive unit on each axle combines a motor, a reduction gear and a differential. Electric motors make strong torque from a standstill, so a single fixed gear is usually enough. Fun fact: When you lift off the accelerator, the motors can work as generators and put energy back into the battery; this is regenerative braking.
- Wheels and tyres
- The tyres are the only contact with the road, so they handle every bit of grip for accelerating, braking and steering.
- Suspension
- Control arms, springs and dampers let each wheel follow bumps while keeping the body steady.
- Frame
- Steel rails and cross-members tie the suspension, battery and body together and carry the loads from towing and hauling.
