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Workhorse W-15 electric pickup truck comes to CES 2018

We'll see the truck with 80 miles of all-electric range by 2019.

The pickup truck is the best-selling vehicle platform in America, but no EV options have existed, until now. At CES , the Workhorse Group showed off an almost-production version of the W-15, its electric pickup truck.

Watch this: Workhorse shows off W-15 electric pickup at CES

The W-15 can drive the first 80 miles just on electricity, but there is a gasoline generator to continuously charge the battery for an additional 310 miles of range. The W-15 should scoot to 60 miles per hour in 5.5 seconds, thanks to the 480 horsepower.

For now, it's based off a Chevrolet Silverado, but the chassis is straight from Workhorse, featuring an independent rear suspension and all-wheel drive. There are a few driver's aids like emergency braking and lane departure warning, but blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control are not in the queue for the moment.

Check out the aggressive W-15 electric pickup truck at CES 2018

See all photos

There is a 7.2-kilowatt power exporter that can power tools without the truck running. Payload is decent at 2,200 pounds and the W-15 can tow 5,000 pounds, the same as the Honda Ridgeline.

Workhorse CEO Steve Burns says the W-15 is "designed to do anything a Ford F-150 can do." That's quite a bold statement considering most F-150 models can tow more, many have more payload capacity and the F-150 is available with adaptive cruise control and a swanky trailer backup assist technology.

workhorse-group-w-15-3.jpg

Bulky from every angle.

Workhorse Group

Workhorse will deliver a fleet order of 5,300 units at the end of 2018, with consumer orders coming in the first half of 2019. The W-15 will start at $52,500 but there's a $7,500 tax credit as well as local incentives. 

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Emme Hall Former editor for CNET Cars
I love two-seater, RWD convertibles and own a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata for pavement fun and a lifted 2001 Miata for pre-running. I race air-cooled Volkswagens in desert races like the Mint 400 and the Baja 1000. I have won the Rebelle Rally, seven-day navigational challenge, twice and I am the only driver to compete in an EV, the Rivian R1T.
Emme Hall
I love two-seater, RWD convertibles and own a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata for pavement fun and a lifted 2001 Miata for pre-running. I race air-cooled Volkswagens in desert races like the Mint 400 and the Baja 1000. I have won the Rebelle Rally, seven-day navigational challenge, twice and I am the only driver to compete in an EV, the Rivian R1T.

Article updated on January 9, 2018 at 5:46 PM PST

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Emme Hall
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Emme Hall Former editor for CNET Cars
I love two-seater, RWD convertibles and own a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata for pavement fun and a lifted 2001 Miata for pre-running. I race air-cooled Volkswagens in desert races like the Mint 400 and the Baja 1000. I have won the Rebelle Rally, seven-day navigational challenge, twice and I am the only driver to compete in an EV, the Rivian R1T.
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