The most interesting trucks in America right now aren’t diesel monsters or six-figure EV science projects. They’re hybrids — the rigs that tow, haul, and then quietly power your tailgate party without burning through a whole paycheck in fuel.
Power, Range, and Plugs in the Bed
Take the Ford F-150 PowerBoost. Its twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 and electric motor team up for about 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque, more twist than any other F-150 engine, according to Ford dealer specs. That same setup gives you “Pro Power Onboard” — outlets in the bed that can run tools at a job site or keep lights and fridges going during an outage.
Photo by Haberdoedas on Unsplash
Move down a size class and the Ford Maverick hybrid has quietly become America’s favorite small truck. In early 2025, Ford moved more than 21,000 Maverick hybrids in a single quarter, and the company calls it the best-selling hybrid pickup in the country. It sips fuel like a compact SUV but still hauls mulch, bikes, or a Home Depot haul without drama.
On the horizon, trucks like the Ram 1500 Ramcharger push the idea even further. Ram claims up to 145 miles of pure electric range and roughly 690 miles of total range when the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is acting as a generator — the engine never directly drives the wheels; it just feeds the battery and motor. That’s commuter-friendly EV smoothness during the week, with road-trip and towing range that still feels familiar to truck guys.
My Verdict
If you actually use your truck and actually pay for your fuel, a hybrid pickup is the sweet spot in 2025. You get big-engine shove, way better mileage, and a rolling generator baked in — all without gambling on today’s patchy fast-charging network for heavy rigs. Until public charging for trucks feels as easy as filling a diesel, a hybrid or range-extended pickup gives you the muscle you want and the sanity you need.
