With the EV market growing by the day it was to be expected that we’d see more and more electric trucks too. Ford might have been the first one to the party, with the launch of the F-150 Lightning, but Chevrolet is following closely with the Silverado EV, and Ram will have its own 1500 REV starting 2025. While there’s no telling when the Cybertruck will actually launch, it looks like Chevrolet did the right thing by waiting to launch its electric truck, as it found many ways to make it so much better than the F-150 Lightning. Once the entry-level Silverado EV will be launched, Chevy’s truck will be the cheapest option you have in terms of electric trucks, the range is considerably better, and, when going for the right trim, you will also be able to enjoy a lot of power. The Silverado EV can tow just as much as its gas-powered counterpart and has been designed to carry very long items. These, plus many other cool features make it one of the best electric trucks out there.
10 The Silverado EV’s Impressive Powertrain
The 2023 Silverado EV will be offered initially in two versions: the Work Truck and the fully loaded RST First Edition. The electric truck is built on GM’s advanced Ultium EV Platform - the same one used for the GMC Hummer EV – which allows for phenomenal performance and great range. The Silverado EV will be offered with the same electric powertrain as the Hummer EV which means you can choose between various two and three-motor configurations, and multiple range options. The initial Silverado Work Truck will deliver a combined output of 510 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque, while in the RST First Edition, those figures go up to 754 horsepower and more than 785 pound-feet of torque, with Wide Open Watts Mode activated. This should be enough to sprint Chevrolet's electric truck from 0 to 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds. And, while this may not be enough to beat the Rivian R1T’s 3.0 seconds, it is enough to make the Silverado EV faster than just about any traditional ICE pickup out there.
9 The Second Best Electric Truck Range
The Silverado EV does not only deliver great performance numbers, but it also promises a range of 400 miles - about 70 miles more than the Hummer EV. By comparison, the Ford F-150 Lightning can go up to 320 miles and the future Ram 1500 REV will run to about 500 miles. Both the RST and WT models will benefit from DC fast charging capabilities at speeds up to 350kW. This means the truck will be capable of adding about 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes. You will have access to over 100,000 public chargers in the U.S. and Canada, but thanks to the 24-module Ultium battery, you will also be able to charge your new electric truck at home overnight.
8 Bi-Directional Charging Should Be A Standard Feature On Electric Trucks
This feature is not a new development in the industry, but it makes the truck even more interesting. The Silverado EV can be had with the available Ultium Home accessory charging unit that offers up to 10 outlets for a total of 10.2kW of all-electric power. It will allow you to use the truck's power for recreational needs, including powering your home. Chevrolet states that the Silverado EV can keep the lights on in your house for up to 21 days. There is also an available accessory charge cord that will allow you to use the electric Silverado to charge another EV. And pretty soon, Chevy promises its customers will be able to store extra energy to save on electric bills or sell your extra power back to the grid.
7 Chevy’s Multi-Flex Midgate
The Silverado EV RST First Edition comes with a feature Chevy calls the "Multi-Flex Midgate." Basically, this means you can open a piece of the midgate to make room for something long and skinny, or even the entire thing when you plan to accommodate larger items. With this feature, the truck's cargo capability expands while maintaining seating for a rear-row passenger. With the midgate open, the truck provides just over 9 feet of storage between the cab and the tailgate. A similar feature was offered in the now-discontinued Avalanche pickup truck from the early 2000s. And, just like the gas-powered Silverado, the electric truck is also offered with the Multi-Flex Tailgate which makes the bed even more functional and can also act as a step for easier access in and out of the bed. With the tailgate open, the Silverado EV RST enables up to 10 feet, 10 inches of load floor and storage capability. Chevrolet is also offering a tonneau cover that will keep the things to store in the bed safe from rain and sun.
6 Four-wheel Steering To Be Trickled Down To The Lower Models As Well
Four-wheel steering is a feature initially offered with the 2024 Silverado RST First Edition, but it will most likely be carried over to all the other models. The system is identical to the one offered in the Hummer EV and will make all four wheels work together for a smaller turning radius at lower speeds. This way you will benefit from greater maneuverability in narrow parking space or when parallel parking. The feature also enhances handling and stability at higher speeds, particularly when trailering. The electric truck also benefits from a new E-4WD system that delivers nearly instantaneous torque to all four wheels for extra traction. The Silverado EV rides on 24-inch wheels and is offered as standard with air suspension that can adjust ride height up to two inches. Chevrolet is offering as an option the Four-Corner Air Ride Suspensions that will automatically adjust the suspension to the road conditions for a smoother ride.
5 What Is Chevy’s eTrunk?
Pretty much every other electric vehicle has it, but no one else is calling it the "frunk." Chevrolet wanted to be different and decided to call the area that used to store the gas engine an "eTrunk." Unlike the usual frunks you know, the Silverado's EV "eTrunk" is a little bit bigger and offers enough space to fit a large hardside suitcase and a multitude of other accessory options. In fact, as an option, Chevrolet will offer various slide-out drawers and toolboxes. The "eTrunk" is also lockable and weatherproof, so the items stored there will be permanently safe.
4 GM's Super Cruise Will Eventually Become Ultra Cruise For All Electric Models
GM is currently working on an updated hands-free driver-assist system called the Ultra Cruise. It will be offered in the 2024 Celestiq, but since the technology is still under development, the Silverado EV will be offered with the current Super Cruise For Now. Thanks to this driver assistance technology the driver can enjoy hand-free driving, including when towing a trailer across 200,000 miles on compatible roads in the U.S. and Canada. Super Cruise works with Adaptive Cruise Control - a feature that controls acceleration and braking. When the Adaptive Cruise Control is on and Super Cruise detects you are on a compatible road, the Super Cruise symbol will illuminate in white on the instrument cluster and you can engage it by pressing a button on the steering wheel. To disengage Super Cruise you will have to press the button again or press the brake pedal. Chevrolet advizes you to always pay attention when driving using Super Cruise and never use a hand-held device.
3 14 Camera-Assisted Towing Views And Up To 10,000 Of Max Towing
The Silverado EV will have towing capabilities that are just as impressive as the gas-powered model. The Silverado EV WT will offer 8,000 pounds of towing and 1,200 pounds of payload capacity, while in the RST First Editions, these numbers will go up to 10,000 pounds and 1,300 pounds, respectively. Chevrolet also promises a fleet model with up to 20,000 pounds max trailering with the max tow package. In comparison, the F-150 Lightning's towing capacity ranges from 5,000 pounds to 10,000 pounds, while the future Ram 1500 REV promises a towing capacity of more than 10,000 pounds. The Silverado EV will offer up to 14 available camera views that will help you see what's around him and assist him when hitching up a trailer.
2 Modern, Ultra-Luxurious Interior
The 2024 Silverado EV will be offered only as a Crew Cab truck, with the front seating positioned forward and the rear seat being moved rearward in order to improve legroom and offer enough space for adults over six feet tall. When compared to the gas-powered model, the Silverado EV features its own unique interior with a dramatic sloping dash and a pair of oversized screens. The RST trim is offered with a massive 11-inch gauge cluster and 17-inch infotainment display, plus a 14-inch heads-up display. In the WT models, the screens will be a bit smaller. There is also a fixed glass roof, plus a modular center console with a seven-gallon capacity. And, going with the trend, traditional leather will be replaced by sustainable materials.
1 The Most Affordable Electric Truck
Chevrolet announced that when the Silverado EV will go on sale it will have a starting price of $39,990. However, there are no details on this entry-level model, but it will most likely offer a smaller range and less power. The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST First Edition, on the other hand, is priced at $105,000. To compare things, prices for the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning range between $55,974 and $96,874. When the Ram 1500 REV will go on sale it is rumored to have a starting price of around $60,000, and the Rivian R1T is priced from $74,800. This means that when the entry-level Silverado EV will go on sale it will be the cheapest electric truck you can get.