Lordstown
Motors has published preliminary specifications for the all-electric Endurance
pickup truck it will build at GM’s former Ohio plant. In stark contrast to most other electric
vehicles on the market, the Lordstown Endurance will feature in-hub electric
motors, one at each wheel. This should result in roughly 600 hp and a very
healthy dose of torque. Acceleration off the line should be brisk to say the
least. Lordstown
hasn’t said how large the pickup’s battery pack will be but says it will have a
minimum EPA-rated range of 320 km. InsideEVs estimates that
capacity will likely sit between 70 and 80 kWh.
In
terms of towing, the Endurance should be good for 2,721 kg, a
figure at the lower end of similarly-sized ICE pickup trucks. However, the
presence of independent electric motors should help make up for this in part by
ensuring the truck puts its power to the ground effectively no matter the road
conditions. Many
of the parts used by the vehicle will be shared with the Workhorse Group,
itself an electric vehicle startup with big plans of its own.
Earlier
this month it was revealed that General Motors made a US$ 40 million loan
available to Lordstown Motors Corp to help it buy the car manufacturer’s Lordstown
Complex and start building the Endurance. GM also has the option to repurchase
the facility and all transferred assets if it chooses. Lordstown wants to kick start production
of the Endurance by the end of 2020. Prices are expected to start at US$ 52,500.
