The Chevrolet Silverado EV is GM’s entry into the full-size electric pickups segment with a model set to combine the utility of a truck with the advantages of an electric powertrain, including the instant torque of an EV powertrain. Rather than electrifying the existing gasoline Silverados, Chevrolet created a vehicle based upon the requirements of the full-size electric truck buyer, including the battery, dual-motor powertrain, advanced driving features, and the ability to tow and haul.
Chevrolet offers the Silverado EV in multiple configurations, including Work Truck, LT, RST, and Trail Boss. The variations ensure there is a balance between the requirement of the truck buyer who is focused on work and the enthusiast looking for more performance. All these variations point towards the Silverado EV being more than a gas-saving replacement for the internal combustion pickup buyer.
1. Battery Options Include Extreme Range Variants
The Silverado EV’s battery options ensure that there is an option that fits the range requirements of any buyer. Chevrolet’s standard, extended, and max range battery packs provide ample power for towing and hauling duties while also offering exceptional driving ranges, including 493 miles for the Work Truck.
Silverado EV Battery Range Options:
- Standard battery offers 119 kWh
- Extended battery provides 170 kWh
- LT reaches 408 miles maximum
- Max Range battery reaches 205-kWh capacity
- Work Truck reaches 493 miles
The standard battery provides enough power for the everyday driver looking to commute in the Silverado EV and also offer enough power for occasional towing and hauling duties. The extended battery provides a 170 kWh battery with an EPA range of up to 408 miles for the LT, which should be enough for buyers looking to use the Silverado EV for work and longer road trips.
For the buyers looking for the most range in the Chevrolet Silverado EV, the Max Range variation offers a 205 kWh battery and a 493-mile range for the Work Truck. No other electric full-size pickup offers such an extreme range variation for the buyer looking to make long road trips possible in their Silverado EV.
2. Dual-Motor Powertrains Deliver Excellent Power Figures
Every variation of the Chevrolet Silverado EV utilizes a dual-motor powertrain rated at various power figures depending on the variation. All Silverado EVs are all-wheel drive with electric power-assist to each axle. The power figures are excellent for the type of buyers considering each variation, including those looking to tow and haul or buyers looking to utilize the performance-oriented variation, including the RST.
Key Electric Powertrain Performance:
- Dual motors power all four wheels
- Work Truck produces 510 horsepower
- LT delivers up to 645 horsepower
- RST reaches 760 horsepower maximum
- RST accelerates to 60 mph quickly
The Work Truck variation offers 510 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque, which is excellent power for an entry-level electric truck, while the next variation, the LT, offers more power and torque. With 645 horsepower and 695 pound-feet of torque, the LT has enough power to provide ample overtaking performance on the highway.
With a max of 760 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque, the RST Max Range variation is the performance-oriented variation of the Silverado EV, with the ability to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds when utilizing the Wide Open Watts feature.
3. Trail Boss Offers Off-Road Specific Equipment
For buyers looking for an electric truck to utilize for off-highway use, the Trail Boss variation offers the necessary equipment to ensure that the pickup is ready for the trails. The Trail Boss has a factory-installation suspension lift, 18-inch wheels specific to the variation, and 35-inch all-terrain tires as standard equipment. The variation also has red tow hooks and a revised front bumper for improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, which allow the Trail Boss to maneuver over more challenging terrain.
Trail Boss Off-Road Equipment:
- Factory-installed suspension lift
- Model-specific 18-inch wheels
- 35-inch all-terrain tyres
- Dedicated Terrain driving mode
- Underbody skid plate protection
The off-road specific equipment on the Trail Boss includes a Terrain mode which utilizes a one-pedal-driving function to offer the driver more control at the lower speeds found while utilizing low-range gearing to traverse more technical terrain. The one-pedal driving function also allows the driver to utilize regenerative braking to slow the truck down instead of utilizing the friction brakes, which is excellent for controlling momentum on technical trails. The approach, breakover, and departure angles of 31.6, 19.2, and 25.1 degrees, respectively, along with the underbody skid plate protect the underbody of the Trail Boss as it traverses more technical terrain.
4. Excellent Towing And Payload Capacities For An Electric Truck
The towing and payload capacities of the Chevrolet Silverado EV are excellent for an electric truck, including a towing capacity up to 12,500 pounds, depending on the variation. The payload capacity allows the owners to carry the equipment needed for their jobs in the bed of the pickup while also having the ability to tow large trailers or fifth-wheel campers that are popular with recreational vehicle buyers.
Silverado EV Towing And Payload:
- Maximum towing reaches 12,500 pounds
- Payload reaches 1,800 pounds
- Capability varies by selected configuration
- Work Truck carries 1,440 pounds
- Work Truck tows 10,000 pounds
The towing capacities for each variation of the Chevrolet Silverado EV range from 10,000 to 12,500, depending on the variation and battery chosen. The payload capacities for the various variations range from 1,440 (Work Truck) to 1,800 pounds, depending on the variation and battery chosen. While 1,800 may seem light at first glance, the payload capacity allows the owner to carry numerous items in the bed of the pickup while still having the comfort and control of an electric powertrain.
5. 800-Volt Architecture Allows For Rapid Charging
As with any electric vehicle, the charging performance of the Chevrolet Silverado EV is vital to the buyer looking to use the truck for their work and hobbies. The Silverado EV features an 800-volt architecture that allows it to utilize DC fast-charging at 350 kW to add up to 100 miles of range in just ten minutes.
Silverado EV Charging Capabilities:
- 800-volt electrical architecture
- DC fast charging reaches 350 kW
- Adds 100 miles in ten minutes
- Standard 11.5-kW onboard charging module
- Available 19.2-kW charging module
The ability to utilize DC fast-charging ensures that the Silverado EV owners can spend less time at the charging station while continuing to have the ability to utilize the large battery for their work and hobbies. Silverado EV owners can choose from an 11.5 kW onboard charger for the Work Truck and LT or a 19.2 kW onboard charger as standard equipment for the RST, ensuring that owners can charge their vehicles at a rapid rate from a home or commercial charging station. During testing, the Chevrolet Silverado EV was able to record an average of 198 kW while charging from 10 to 90 percent, which showcases the ability of the 800-volt architecture to utilize ultra-fast charging stations.
6. Spacious Interior And Technology Features
The Chevrolet Silverado EV offers a spacious interior for both the driver and front-seat passenger compared to a similar gas-powered Silverado 1500 crew cab. The front and second-row legroom measurements allow both the driver and front-seat passenger to stretch their legs comfortably while also offering the second-row passengers the same amount of legroom as the front-seat passengers.
Interior Space And Technology:
- Comfortable seating for five adults
- 44.8-inch front legroom
- 44.3-inch rear passenger legroom
- Large 17.7-inch infotainment display
- 11.0-inch digital instrument cluster
The driver and front-seat passenger have 44.8 inches of front legroom, while the second-row passengers have 44.3 inches of legroom. The technology features are found on the large 17.7-inch infotainment display and the 11.0-inch digital instrument cluster for the LT and RST variations.
The infotainment system runs on Google’s native software and offers Google Maps, Google Assistant, Google Play apps, and SiriusXM as standard equipment, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available. A head-up display provides the driver with information about the vehicle’s performance and speed so they can continue to concentrate on the road rather than the vehicles’ instrument cluster.
7. Semi-Autonomous Super Cruise Driver Assistance
General Motors brings its Super Cruise hands-free driving technology to the Silverado EV, adding another layer of convenience for highway travel. The system is available on the LT and comes standard on the Trail Boss. When operating on compatible mapped highways, Super Cruise can maintain the selected speed while managing acceleration and braking as traffic conditions change.
Super Cruise And Safety Features:
- Hands-free highway driving assistance
- Automatic speed and braking management
- Automated lane-change functionality
- Standard Chevy Safety Assist package
- Driver attention monitoring technology
Super Cruise is available on the LT variation and is standard equipment on the Trail Boss. The Super Cruise system allows the Silverado EV to manage the speed on the highway and manage the acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle, which reduces the amount of driver input required to maintain a steady speed on the highway.
Super Cruise also allows for automatic lane changes when there is a slow-moving vehicle ahead. The lane-change function can allow the driver to relax while the Silverado EV manages the traffic on the highways. Super Cruise is part of the standard Chevy Safety Assist package that includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, driver attention technology, and forward-collision warning.
8. Versatile Cargo Space In The Bed Of The Pickup
The absence of a conventional internal-combustion engine creates additional storage possibilities beneath the Silverado EV’s front hood. Chevrolet uses this space for a lockable front trunk, or frunk, providing between 10.7 and 11 cubic feet of enclosed cargo capacity depending on the configuration.
Flexible Silverado EV Cargo Space:
- Standard bed measures 5 feet 11 inches
- Rear seats can fold down
- Midgate creates extended load floor
- Continuous load floor exceeds nine feet
- Tailgate extends floor to 10 feet
The Silverado EV owners can utilize the 5 feet 11 inches of bed space and the two available folding rear seats to carry more gear than in a comparable gas-powered Silverado 1500 pickup. The folding rear seats provide additional storage space for the owner, including the ability to create a continuous load floor for over nine feet when combined with the midgate located at the rear of the cab.
The tailgate can also extend the continuous load floor to 10 feet, which allows the owners to carry long items that would not fit in their gas-powered Silverado 1500 pickup bed. The flexible storage options for the Chevrolet Silverado EV include rubber gaskets, plastic trim, and self-closing hinges to help create a watertight seal around the pass-through area for the continuous load floor.
9. Additional Storage Space Found In The Front Trunk
With the removal of the gas tank and engine from the front of the pickup, owners can utilize the additional storage space provided by the front trunk of the Chevrolet Silverado EV. The front trunk, or frunk, can offer up to 10.7 to 11 cubic feet of storage space, depending on the variation.
Silverado EV Frunk Storage Benefits:
- Lockable front trunk compartment
- 10.7 to 11 cubic feet
- Enclosed protection from weather
- Useful storage for everyday items
- Separate space from pickup bed
The lockable front trunk allows owners to secure items that cannot withstand the elements that damage the interior of the pickup bed. Items such as groceries, luggage, tools, camping gear, and more can be stored in the secure front trunk of the Silverado EV. The front trunk also provides access to the bed of the pickup without having to climb over the tailgate or use the center-opening midgate. The front trunk can also provide an additional storage option in addition to the bed space behind the rear seat when owners utilize the fold-down rear seats.
10. Extraordinary Power Supply From The Silverado EV
The Silverado EV can also function as a mobile power source, giving owners access to substantial electrical output directly from the truck. Integrated outlets in the cargo bed can provide up to 10.2 kW of power, allowing the pickup to operate heavy-duty tools and equipment without requiring a separate portable generator.
Silverado EV Power Supply Features:
- Cargo outlets provide 10.2 kW
- Supports heavy-duty worksite tools
- Useful for outdoor recreational equipment
- Large battery provides additional energy
- Bidirectional charging supports another EV
The power outlets ensure that the owner can power the tools necessary for their worksite without having to rely on a separate gas-powered generator. This same feature can also help provide power to camping equipment at the owner’s recreational vehicle or campsite.
The large battery pack, offered in multiple sizes for the Chevrolet Silverado EV, can also be utilized to help power another electric vehicle at the jobsite or on the weekend if the owner’s Silverado EV has been utilized to provide the necessary power to operate the equipment.
