Chevrolet is about to jump into the electric truck market with the first all electric Chevy Silverado. Despite electrified competition from Ford with the F-150 Lightning, and up-and-coming Rivian with their R1T pickup truck. Chevrolet is banking on experience and a much more diverse offering that includes base model work trucks all the way up to sportier options like the 664hp RST.
2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV
- 400-mile range
- All-new EV specific platform
- Wide variety of models
- Independent suspension at front and rear
- Trim: 3WT / 4WT / RST First Edition
- Make: Array
- Model: Silverado EV
- Segment: Array
- Engine/Motor: Dual electric motor
- Horsepower: 510 - 664 HP
- Torque: 615 - 780 LB-FT
- Drivetrain: Dual motor, e4wd system
- Transmission: n/a
- Range: 450 mi
- MSRP: $74,800 - $106,895
- 0-60 MPH: 5.4 seconds
- Max towing capacity: 10,000 pounds
- Max payload capacity: 1,440 pounds
- Power starting at 510 hp
- 350 kW DC fast charging capability
- Four-wheel steer capability
- WT model starts at $39,000
- RST First Edition starts over $100k
- Only available as crew cab configuration
- Small payload capacity
2024 Silverado EV: An Overview
Chevy is promising a lot with the release of the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV. They're starting small, with only the RST First Edition being released at Chevrolet dealerships. You'll also be able to buy the Silverado WT, only you'll need to visit a GM Fleet dealer to get one of these trucks at the initial release. Once the two initial releases are out of the way, Chevrolet says that they will be offering Silverado EV's at a variety of price points, going from $39,000 to $50,000, $70,000, $80,000 and up to about $105,000 for a fully loaded truck. Considering that these trucks are all based on GM's new Ultium Platform, it will be interesting to see just how diverse they decide to make this product line.
There are definitely some things that Chevrolet will keep consistent throughout the offering. They're set on keeping the truck in a crew cab configuration, for example. It also appears that the dual motor system is standard at this point, although a switch to single motor would probably be easy to make for future, lower cost models. Chevrolet is also using a new Linux-based software program in the Silverado EV. Called Ultifi and developed in house at GM, the software promises quick information exchange throughout the vehicle, as well as over the air updates to help keep the technology evolving.
Silverado EV: Powertrain and Drivetrain
As previously mentioned, the Silverado EV will come with dual electric motors for an output of up to 664 hp and 780 lb.-ft. of torque. Power transfers through all four wheels thanks to Chevrolet's e4WD system. Available automatic adaptive air suspension gives the Silverado EV RST up to two inches of adjustment in either direction. There's also four-wheel steering capability to increase maneuverability in tight spaces.
The Silverado EV shares its Ultium Platform with the GMC Hummer EV, although it's not the same 1000 hp monster that the Hummer is, the bullet points on the drivetrain show just how similar the two can be underneath the body work. Chevrolet is claiming up to 400 mi of range on the Silverado EV thanks to the available 24-module Ultium battery pack. These truck can also take advantage of the Ultium Charge 360 network, which features access to over 100,000 publicly available chargers across the US and Canada. When attached to a 350 kW DC fast charger, the Silverado EV can reach 100 mi of range in as little as 10 minutes.
2024 Silverado EV: Comfort And Quality
Inside the Silverado EV, you'll find a healthy mix of high-tech gadgetry and smart design. The interior has clever uses of space, like the center console on the RST model. Which, thanks to the flat floor design of the truck, has enough storage space (7 gallons) to fit a variety of things you may need, including a large lunch box. The design of the cab also means that the rear seats are spacious enough to be comfortable for passengers up to 6 feet tall, a surprising benefit of not having a traditional gas engine up front. Speaking of the front, the Silverado EV also has a large frunk, a feature we're getting more and more accustomed to on new electric vehicles.
Another new age feature that the Silverado EV has is the ability to use your smartphone as a key for the vehicle. Once you've set this feature up, you simply walk up to the truck, open it up (it knows that you've arrived) and go. No need to turn a key, or even press a start button to get the Silverado EV going. Once you're off and running, the Silverado comes equipped with GM's Super Cruise, offering advanced hands-free driving capability. The service is geo-fenced for safety, and is currently available on over 200,000 miles of highway. It also appears that Super Cruise on the Silverado EV will be trailer compatible, a feature that we're eager to learn more about as the release of these trucks gets closer.
2024 Chevrolet Silverado: Pricing And Availability
With Silverado EV release scheduled in early 2023, the days of the domestic pickup truck EV competitions are quickly closing in. Soon, you'll be able to get electric trucks from at least three US auto manufacturers. Ram will not be far behind, and one day, we may actually see a Tesla Cybertruck. It's shaping up to be a good time to be looking for an efficient light duty truck.
Chevrolet is promising many price points of the Silverado EV, which plays well to their current competition. The Rivian R1T is potentially more of an upscale feel, at a much more upscale price than the median Silverado EV. The F-150 Lightning has the most comparable margin, with models starting in the same $39,000 range, while the top tier models are a bit lower priced than the Silverado.