Summary

• GM aims to gain a competitive edge in the electric vehicle market by offering a small electric truck at a compelling price point, positioning it as an affordable and appealing choice.
• To establish dominance over the Toyota Stout EV, GM must prioritize developing a small electric truck with a driving range that rivals or surpasses the anticipated 250-mile benchmark.
• GM’s compact electric trucks must embrace advanced technology and superior features, ensuring seamless integration and a superior user experience to outpace the Toyota Stout EV.

In the swiftly evolving realm of electric vehicles, car manufacturers are diligently working to offer inventive and competitive options that cater to a wide array of consumer tastes. General Motors is on the brink of unveiling its compact electric truck, initiating potential competition from Toyota’s Stout EV. With a growing emphasis on eco-friendliness and effectiveness, the pursuit of outshining rivals becomes a pivotal catalyst for advancement.

Here’s an in-depth look at 10 essential characteristics that the GM small electric truck must possess to establish its dominance over the Toyota Stout EV. By addressing critical aspects such as performance, driving range, design, and technological ingenuity, GM aims to chart a new course in the electric truck market and establish a heightened benchmark for distinction.

Related: Why The Rumored Toyota Stout Compact Pickup Is Worth The Wait

1 A Competitive Price That Undercuts The Stout EV’s MSRP

The Toyota Stout EV is not yet officially released, so the exact price (or for that matter, even its existence) is not known. However, some experts in the industry have speculated that the Toyota Stout EV’s price could start around $25,000 or $30,000. General Motors (GM) aims to gain a competitive edge in the electric vehicle market, particularly against the Toyota Stout EV, by strategically offering a small electric truck at a compelling price point.

This pricing strategy, underpinned by efficient production processes, optimized supply chains, and economies of scale, seeks to position GM’s electric truck as an affordable and appealing choice. Transparent marketing highlighting long-term savings, coupled with government incentives, can further enhance its allure. By focusing on both cost-effectiveness and quality, GM endeavors to capture a broader consumer base and accelerate the adoption of eco-friendly transportation solutions, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable mobility.

2 Range Higher Than 250 Miles

The eagerly anticipated Toyota Stout EV has ignited intriguing speculation regarding its potential driving range, which has been tentatively pegged at around 250 miles per charge. This projection is rooted in the vehicle’s dual-motor all-wheel drive configuration, reminiscent of the Toyota BZ4X—a fellow member of Toyota’s expanding electric fleet, which is said to be mimic the powertrain of the Toyota Stout EV in more ways than one. To assert its prominence and viability in the competitive electric vehicle market, General Motors (GM) must prioritize the development of a small electric truck with an extended driving range that rivals or surpasses the anticipated 250-mile benchmark set by the Toyota Stout EV.

Toyota’s Only EV’s EPA-Estimated Range

A robust and extensive driving range is a vital element that resonates deeply with consumers, addressing concerns about the limitations of electric vehicles. By engineering advanced battery technologies, optimizing powertrain efficiency, and fine-tuning aerodynamics, GM can create a compelling proposition for potential buyers, instilling confidence in the vehicle’s ability to accommodate both daily commutes and longer journeys.

Related: 10 Reasons Why An Electric Toyota Stout Compact Pickup Is Necessary

3 A Seamless Integration Of Entertainment Features

It seems that Toyota with its Toyota Stout EV is drawing heavy inspiration from its already existing electrified lineup. The Stout EV has the potential to rival or even surpass the technological trajectory of the Tacoma. Anticipated tech features include the Toyota Audio Multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a possible JBL sound system, and digital instrumentation.

The interior may harmoniously blend playful and rugged aesthetics, employing durable, colorful materials. In the context of this evolving landscape, General Motors (GM) faces a critical challenge. To outpace the Toyota Stout EV, GM’s compact electric trucks must embrace advanced technology and superior features. This entails a strategic focus on enhancing the technological arsenal, ensuring seamless integration and a superior user experience.

4 A Much More Captivating Exterior

Whether Toyota embraces a hybrid or all-electric trajectory, the impending design of the Toyota Stout arouses curiosity. Drawing insights from the Toyota Compact Cruiser EV Concept displayed among the 2021 EV prototypes, the future Stout could harmoniously blend cues from this concept with the recently unveiled Tacoma. This amalgamation might yield an upright, rugged silhouette marked by flared wheel arches, robust shoulders, and a distinctive boxy form. Contemporary elements like LED exterior lighting could punctuate the design.

Practical features such as a spacious bed with power outlets or even a detachable portable speaker, akin to Tacoma’s optional JBL sound system, could enhance the Stout’s utility. General Motors (GM) aspire to outshine Toyota, the onus lies in crafting a design that not only surpasses but captivates. Through an innovative and aesthetically appealing approach, GM can assert a competitive edge, ensuring prominence in the dynamic automotive realm.

Related: Stout TRD Off-Road: Dreaming Up The Perfect Ford Maverick Tremor Rival

5 More Cabin Space Means Better Practicality

In the realm of burgeoning electric vehicle competition, General Motors (GM) is poised to fortify its position by amplifying the dimensions of comfort and spaciousness in its small electric vehicle lineup. By recognizing the imperative nature of headroom, legroom, and overall cabin space, GM could embark on an approach to be committed to exceeding consumer expectations.

Comparison Specs

GM, for its small electric truck, could take inspiration from choices like the Rivian R1T. These diverse options cater to various preferences and needs within the electric truck market. By augmenting its cabin space, GM would stand as a testament to its unwavering pursuit of excellence, setting the stage for head-to-head competition with contenders such as the Toyota Stout EV, and solidifying its stance as a trailblazer in the realm of electric mobility.

6 Aftermarket Support With OTA Software Updates

In order to excel beyond the Toyota Stout EV, GM can leverage a robust aftermarket ecosystem for its compact electric truck range, offering an array of customizable parts and accessories to align with individual preferences. Employing modular design principles streamlines manufacturing, repair, and upgrades while enabling the integration of third-party add-ons and accessories.

Simultaneously, GM’s go-to-market strategy can be revitalized by merging online platforms, enhanced offline interactions, and network restructuring to cater effectively to EV customers. By using over-the-air (OTA) software updates, GM can keep its trucks updated and improved over time, adding new features and functionalities that enhance the driving experience.

Related: 10 Ways A Toyota Stout EV Could Beat The F-150 Lightning And Silverado EV

7 Leverage Toyota’s Use Of Solid-State Batteries

The 2023 Toyota Stout EV could have a limited battery range due to Toyota’s focus on hybrid and hydrogen tech, impacting its competition with other EVs. The EV market has two main battery types: Ultium (lithium-ion with liquid electrolytes) and solid-state (solid electrolytes). Ultium has a wireless monitoring system for cell health, unlike solid-state. When it comes to range, the Ultium battery tech will offer much lower than the solid-state batteries’ potential to deliver over 900 miles of range.

Ultium is versatile for various EV layouts, used by GM, while Toyota’s solid-state battery tech is expected in 2023. This shows the evolving EV landscape with different technologies for sustainable transport. GM might need to adopt a solid-state for the better range to outcompete the Toyota Stout EV.

8 Better Performance With A High Power Output

To build the Stout EV, Toyota might go for the same platform that they have been using for their other vehicles. In this context, the adaptable TNGA-K platform emerges as a strong candidate for underpinning the Stout. The Stout could integrate a hybrid powertrain, potentially leveraging the newly introduced 2.4-liter turbo hybrid arrangement from the TNGA-K-based Crown crossover.

In the U.S., The Rivian R1T offers a quad motor setup that can produce 835 horsepower with a torque of 908 pound-feet. Taking inspiration from the Rivian electric truck, GM’s small electric truck, too, could offer an AWD quad-motor trim, which would catapult its performance much farther than what the Toyota Stout EV could offer.

Related: 10 Features We Want To See On The Rumored Toyota Stout Compact Pickup

9 Better Towing Capabilities

Toyota boasts of robust towing strength, one that if GM is able to surpass could allow it to change the game. As both Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Stout EV will be built on the same architecture, their towing capabilities will be similar. It is anticipatable that an approximate towing capacity of 6,800 pounds will be a reasonable projection for the Toyota Stout EV.

On the other hand, for General Motors (GM) to surpass Toyota’s position, it necessitates a proposition exceeding the prevailing Toyota offerings in order to command a competitive edge in the market landscape. GM can increase the engine power and optimize the cooling system for improved towing efficiency and overall performance. Simultaneously, suspension advancements involving the incorporation of air springs, helper springs, or sway bars aim to bolster stability and handling, particularly during heavy load towing scenarios, enhancing the vehicle’s overall towing capability.

10 Fast Charging Time

In the realm of small electric trucks in the U.S., charging times exhibit a notable dependency on factors such as charger type, power, battery size, and desired charge level. As per various sources, the employment of an AC on-board charger boasting 43 kW capacity can necessitate approximately ten hours for a full battery recharge from empty – a duration that significantly dwindles to a mere two hours when utilizing a potent DC charger reaching up to 250 kW. It’s crucial to note that these estimations might fluctuate based on the specific model and prevailing conditions of the electric truck.

Comparison Specs

Illustrative instances of prominent small electric trucks in the US encompass the 2023 Rivian R1T, showcasing a battery capacity of 135 kWh and offering a swift DC rapid charging span of 20 minutes for a range extension of 140 miles. Similarly, the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning, equipped with a 115 kWh battery, demonstrates a DC fast charging interval of 41 minutes to augment its range by 300 miles. To compete in the market, GM’s small electric truck needs to meet industry standards in order to beat the Stout EV.