EVCostIQ

The EV cost intelligence platform

Ford F-150 Lightning Pro vs Rivian R1T Dual-Motor: 5-year cost to own in the U.S.

As of August 6, 2026, over 5 years (U.S. average, 12,000 mi/yr), the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro is cheaper from day one — about $67,218 over 5 years vs $79,543 for the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor, a $12,325 difference. The expired federal $7,500 EV credit is not applied to either total.

Cheaper to own over 5 yearsFord F-150 Lightning Pro · $67,218 total · $12,325 less than the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor

Ford F-150 Lightning Pro vs Rivian R1T Dual-Motor — where the money goes

5-year total cost of ownership by component, by vehicle (USD). Estimates; sources dated in the methodology.
Cost componentElectric · Ford F-150 Lightning ProElectric · Rivian R1T Dual-Motor
Depreciation (estimated)$31,225 (46%)$40,542 (51%)
Charging / fuel$7,845 (12%)$8,009 (10%)
↳ of which charging loss12% (~$941)12% (~$961)
Maintenance$3,660 (5%)$3,660 (5%)
Insurance$13,750 (20%)$13,750 (17%)
Financing interest$9,738 (14%)$12,582 (16%)
Registration & fees$1,000 (1%)$1,000 (1%)
Total cost of ownership$67,218$79,543

The charging-loss row is the ~10–15% of electricity lost to AC charging that you pay for but never reaches the battery — we include it; most calculators don't.

When does the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro win?

At 12,000 mi/yr the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro is already the cheaper car — drive more or keep it longer and its lead only grows.

Over 5 years the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro undercuts the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor by $12,325 — about 15% of the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor's total. That margin is a verdict, not a rounding artifact.

What decides the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro vs Rivian R1T Dual-Motor verdict

The single biggest mover is depreciation: $31,225 on the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro against $40,542 on the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor, a $9,317 gap in the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro's favor — the largest slice of the $12,325 verdict. On the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro, depreciation alone is 46% of its $67,218 total; on the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor it is 51% of $79,543.

  • Financing interest: Ford F-150 Lightning Pro $9,738, Rivian R1T Dual-Motor $12,582 — $2,844 more in the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro's favor.
  • Energy: $7,845 of charging for the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro vs $8,009 of charging for the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor — $164 more in the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro's favor.

Not one major line falls the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor's way — every row of the table above the $159 noise floor lands in the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro's favor. At the dealer the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor starts $15,120 behind the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro; running costs claw back $2,795 of that, but the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro still ends $12,325 ahead. The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro is ahead from the first year — $4,766 after year 1 — and finishes year 5 with the full $12,325 lead; the cumulative lines never cross.

Ford F-150 Lightning Pro vs Rivian R1T Dual-Motor, side by side

Electric Lower 5-yr cost

Ford F-150 Lightning Pro

5-yr total cost
$67,218
Cost / month
$1,120
Cost / mile
$1.12
MSRP
$54,780
Powertrain
Electric
Efficiency
48 kWh/100mi
Electric

Rivian R1T Dual-Motor

5-yr total cost
$79,543
Cost / month
$1,326
Cost / mile
$1.33
MSRP
$69,900
Powertrain
Electric
Efficiency
49 kWh/100mi
Electricity (US avg)
18.4¢/kWh EIA
Gas price (US avg)
$3.85/gal AAA

Change the miles, your state & either car

Full cost breakdowns

Ford F-150 Lightning Pro vs Rivian R1T Dual-Motor by state

No state's electricity or gas prices flip this verdict at default assumptions — the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro is the cheaper car in all 51 states we track.

FAQ

Is the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro or the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor cheaper to own over 5 years?

The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro is cheaper from day one — about $67,218 over 5 years vs $79,543 for the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor, a $12,325 difference.

When does the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro become cheaper than the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor?

At 12,000 mi/yr the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro is already the cheaper car — drive more or keep it longer and its lead only grows.

How much more does the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro cost to buy than the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor?

The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro starts at $54,780 — $15,120 less than the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor ($69,900). Over 5 years the ownership gap is $12,325 in favor of the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro.

Which costs less per mile — the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro or the Rivian R1T Dual-Motor?

The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro: $1.12 vs $1.33 per mile all-in ($1,120 vs $1,326 per month).