Chevrolet Silverado EV Review Electric Power for Tough Tasks

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Automakers are stumbling all over themselves to introduce all-electric pickup trucks. Witness the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T, the latter of which has already found its way into the hands of some customers, not to mention the will-it-really-look-like-that Tesla Cybertruck and the GMC Hummer EV.

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Chevrolet has been making noise about its own effort in this arena, and chose the annual CES soire in Las Vegas to debut its all-electric Silverado. Out of the gate, GM says certain trims will be capable of driving 640 kilometres on a single charge, pack up to 660 horses and 780 lb-ft of torque in its electric motors, and offer the likes of four-wheel steering.

It also seems its hoping the world is ready for a $120,000 Chevy truck.

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Thatll be the sticker price for its top-flight 2024 Silverado EV RST First Edition when it launches in the autumn of 2023, when the truck (silently) rolls into dealerships wearing a Monroney of $119,948. GM describes it as an exclusive, fully loaded EV pickup that will be offered exclusively in Crew Cab form. Itll have four-wheel steering, adaptive air suspension, jumbo infotainment screens, and GMs dandy Super Cruise driving aid technology which will surely make hauling the family camper less of a white-knuckle experience.

Its chassis is designed with independent suspenders front and rear, with power sent to available 24-inch wheels on the RST via front- and rear-drive motors which comprise the e4WD system. Performance? Chevy claims an acceleration time of roughly 4.5 seconds to highway speeds from a dead stop, aided by a feature called Wide Open Watts (WOW) which is very likely extremely similar to the Watts to Freedom (WTF) launch control gubbins in the GMC Hummer pickup truck. The dad jokes at GM apparently know no bounds. Fast charging, at an appropriately robust charging station, should add about 160km of range to the battery in about 10 minutes, according to GM.

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But that will not be the first Silverado EV unleashed on the world. Six months earlier, in Spring 2023, the company will launch a Work Truck variant, a fleet-focused truck which will have equal advertised range as the RST First Edition but have its electric motors detuned to 510 horses and 615 lb-ft of twist. At launch, itll be able to tow 8,000 pounds and have a maximum payload capacity of 1,200 pounds. GM seems to know these arent huge numbers, promising that more robust versions including a variant capable of towing a mighty 20,000 pounds will come later.

In particular, that payload figure is concerning to anyone wanting to use this Work Truck for, yknow, work, since a quartet of well-fed good ol boys will nearly eclipse that sum all on their own. Maxing out its trailer towing capacity would put about 800 pounds of tongue weight on this truck, leaving just 400 pounds for passengers and their stuff. But well leave that analysis for another article, along with the acknowledgement that the GMC Hummer EV is likely to have about, oh, 780 lb-ft of torque and not the 11,500 lb-ft of twist its been hard-headedly pushing for the last umpteen months. Pricing for the launch Work Truck is unclear but GM did say that lower mileage (read: smaller battery) options starting at $52,448 will be available later in the model year. Draw yer own conclusions from that number.

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If the flying buttresses on this Silverado EV remind customers of the Chevy Avalanche, the available so-called Midgate will cement its impression as such. Photos show a variety of configurations, including a 60/40 split with the rear window in place plus a drop-it-all option which opens the entire area to the outside world. This feature will be an option on certain trims. Given that wide swaths of pickup owners use their truck beds for simply hauling sailboat fuel, it is a slick way to increase a trucks versatility while maintaining some semblance of driveability in terms of overall length. When the Midgate is closed, the truck box area is just shy of 6 feet long, expanding to just over 9 feet when the tailgate is closed. Opt for the clever Multiflex tailgate (an origami delight already offered on existing GM trucks) and that figure jumps to two inches shy of 11 feet.

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Other storage delights? There is indeed a frunk under that hood where the oily bits of a traditional engine would normally reside, except GM is calling it an eTrunk. Like similar outfits in competing trucks, it is a lockable and weatherproof compartment big enough to fit a large hardside suitcase and a multitude of accessory options which GM would be more than happy to sell you. When combined with an accessory power bar, the Silverado EVs PowerBase charging system is said to offer up to 10 outlets, providing a total of 10.2kW of all-electric power. the cabin is also a quantum leap over existing GM trucks, and well note the gearshift lever has been moved to a stalk on the steering column.

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Speaking of dimensions, this truck will measure 233 inches in length and stand 76 inches tall. For comparison, a gasoline-powered 2022 Silverado Crew Cab with the short 5.5-ft box is 231.7 inches long and 75.5 inches high. In other words, while the Silverado EV might look markedly different from its cousin, itll cast roughly the same shadow.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV will be available in WT trim next Spring and RST trim next Autumn. Reservations can be made online where interested customers can swap a hundred of their hard-earned dollars in exchange for a place in line. The Silverado EV will be built at GMs Factory Zero in Detroit.

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Matthew Guy

Matthew Guy is a lifelong gearhead who writes automotive content for Canadian and American outlets. He is alternately described as a freelance author, podcast host, road test magnate, and legend in his own mind. As a member of AJAC, he enjoys sharing his excitement about cars and is very pleased to contribute at Driving.

EXPERIENCE

Matthews goal is to put readers in the drivers seat for a unique and entertaining look at the automotive industry whether penning vehicle reviews with a creative bent, travelling to manufacturer events for first drives of new models, or speaking with industry stakeholders to gain extra insight for an article During the past decade, he has enjoyed creating unique and creative long-distance adventure drives, sating his (and the readers) appetite for driving accomplishments like traversing the spartan wilds of Labrador. Timed challenges in speedy machines also spin his crank. For a spell, he was also behind the microphone for this sites Truck Guy podcast, interviewing guests ranging from knowledgeable local technicians to world-famous television stars. Find out what its like to jump behind the wheel of a pickup truck and successfully tackle gnarly off-road courses. Ride along whilst tackling twisty roads along the Pacific Coast in a droptop convertible. Bundle up as he explores the frigid expanses of Canada from his home on the East Coast to venturing north of the Arctic Circle.

EDUCATION

Memorial University of Newfoundland, School of Business B.Comm (Hons.)

AWARDS

2021 Castrol-Wakefield Automotive Writing Award, runner-up

Runner Up - 2023 AJAC Adventure and Travel Journalism Award presented by Genesis Canada

Winner - 2023 AJAC Road Safety Journalism Award presented by Volvo Canada

CONTACT

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthewkguy

Instagram: @DudeDrivesCars