A Duramax owner walked into a car dealership looking for an EV because the cost of diesel was getting to be too much. Towing capacity was another concern, so he wanted to check out a Rivian, a Ford Lightning, and a Tesla Model Y.
Here's what to know
A TikTok from a dealership salesperson captured the discussion, and the Duramax driver said in the video that he was considering "maybe trading in for like, a Rivian or a Lightning," because diesel costs were up around $7 a gallon.
@evautoalex Diesel costs have him looking at EVs! Both Rivians were on the table... Would you leave diesel for electric? #ev #rivianr1t #rivianr1s #electrictruck #duramax ♬ original sound - EV Auto Alex
He said he has a camp trailer and a side-by-side that he needs to tow, so he needed a vehicle with considerable towing capacity. He said his trailer alone was 3,400 pounds.
The Tesla Model Y was checked first, and its rating came back at 3,500 pounds. That figure steered the conversation toward larger electric vehicles.
For heavier-duty options, the salesperson said both the Rivian R1T and R1S were rated at 7,700 pounds and that they shared the same dual-motor configuration and battery size.
Operating costs were also part of the appeal. The shopper said, "The maintenance and everything on the Duramax is ridiculous," and the salesperson responded by pitching EV ownership as requiring less routine service.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
One commenter wrote, "Silverado EV is best truck for range and towing."
More background
Although the salesperson said the Model Y offers "a lot more bang for your buck," its 3,500-pound towing limit placed it outside the same class as the trucks and larger SUVs the customer was weighing.
What was actually available also shaped the discussion. The salesperson said no Ford Lightnings were in inventory, but noted a 2022 Rivian R1T was available at another location. For the R1S, the salesperson said, "I've got two white ones and a yellow one."
The owner made clear that $6-to-$7-per-gallon diesel was driving the search, and the salesperson paired that with a maintenance argument, saying, "You're not going to have any service cost to speak of. The brakes last to a hundred, hundred fifty thousand miles. Tires, windshield wiper fluid, and windshield wipers. That's about it."
To close things out, the salesperson offered a no-pressure test drive of the R1S and explained regenerative braking in simple terms: "When you let off the accelerator, the car automatically slows itself down."
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
