One of the biggest benefits of being an automotive journalist is the ability to drive the latest and greatest vehicles released by different OEMs to the market.
Case in point, recently, General Motors released the Chevrolet Silverado EV as a 2024 model, and MWS was able to drive the First Edition RST model. While it is not the first mainstream brand to the electric vehicle truck party, it is built from the ground up to be an EV model. While it shares the Silverado name with its gas-powered stablemate, that is about all it shares.
“Chevrolet has been building trucks for nearly 100 years and understands what customers want and need in a pickup,” says Scott Bell, vice president, Chevrolet. “Chevy’s truck leadership combined with our expertise in vehicle electrification has given us an advantage to deliver a revolutionary product. The Silverado EV RST has all the performance and capability of a traditional truck, plus all the benefits of electrification. It is an impressive and important addition to the Chevy truck franchise.”
FIRST EDITION
At launch, two trim levels are available for the Silverado EV, the RST First Edition high end trim, and the WT (work truck) trim. More trim levels are expected to be added for the next model year. Only Crew cab models will be available.
The RST First Edition has many unique features that make life easier. First, is four-wheel steer, which allows the vehicle to have a much smaller turning circle (turning radium) at low speed, which has been an issue for pickup trucks for a while. It makes it feel like a much smaller vehicle than it is. At high speeds, it enhances handling. Next, an automatic adaptive air suspension is included, which makes loading and unloading easier, as well as getting in and out of the vehicle.
Other features on the First Edition are the multi-flex midgate and an available multi-flex tailgate with power release. As well as Super Cruise adaptive cruise control system that lets drivers drive hands-free on compatible roads in the U.S. and Canada. The system uses a steering column mounted sensor to make sure the driver is watching the road.
We live in a world of screens, and the Silverado EV follows that trend, as it contains a 17-inch diagonal LCD infotainment screen, an 11-inch diagonal driver instrument display, and a multi-color driver head-up display. All the screens have many setting to craft the look to the driver’s preferences.
“Our design and engineering teams started from the ground up to create a pickup with impressive performance and capability,” says Kathy Gillespie, Silverado EV chief engineer. “The Silverado EV RST is a long-range, fast charging electric truck that does all the ‘truck things’ customers want and more. It can tow, haul, and carry passengers comfortably. With 754 horsepower, it also happens to be the most powerful Silverado we’ve ever built.”
POWER AND RANGE
In terms of range, there are three different levels, the RST has an estimated range of 440 miles, while the 4WT trim offers 450 miles, and the 3WT trim getting by with 393 miles. All three of these numbers are on the higher end of the range spectrum. While driving the vehicle, you never feel like you are low on range; however, the Ultium Cells batteries are on the larger side, and hence charge times follow suit. GM estimates 100 miles per 10 minutes of charge on a level 3 (which can go up to 350kW), and about 34 miles per hour of charging on a Level 2.
Power on the Silverado EV comes from two motors (one front and one rear electric drive unit), WT models offer 510 horsepower and 615 pounds/feet of torque, while RST models offer 754hp and 785 lb/ft of torque. GM offers an eight-year/100,000 miles warranty on the electric components and battery for the Silverado EV.
The 4WT models will offer 10,000 pounds of towing and 1,500lbs payload at launch. However, a max towing package will be added in the future that will allow for max trailering of 20,000lbs.
“GM Canada Fleet has long provided customers with great products and services, an exceptional customer experience, and innovative solutions to meet their unique business needs,” says Dave Watson, director of fleet, GM Canada. “The Silverado EV will check all the boxes that fleet customers have been looking for in an all-electric work-capable truck. We’re excited to launch the Silverado EV to fleet customers in Canada, this truck will help them begin the transition to an all-electric fleet and assist them in achieving their own sustainability goals.”
FEATURES FOR WORK
Work trucks are meant to, well, work, and the Silverado EV has a plethora of features that make work easier. The truck’s Powerbase charging system (when mated to an available accessory power bar) offers up to 11 outlets with a total power output of 10.2kW, so owners can use tools, power a generator, or other worksite needs.
Tow/haul mode, trailer hitch provisions, integrated trailer brake controller, and hitch guidance are also a part of the Silverado EV package, with RST models also offering an Advanced Trailering System. In terms of payload space, the cargo box has a volume of 57.7 cubic/feet, with the front eTrunk offer another 10.7 cu/ft of space.
WT customers can use GM Energy and GM Envolve, which help with EV charging infrastructure planning, site operations, energy management and telematics, and other services for commercial operations.
One often overlooked aspect of a work truck is the amount of space to transport workers from one part of a site to another. In the Silverado EV’s case. It has had its second row is pushed back, allowing for more rear passenger room. Having driven many pick-up trucks in my career, this truck has one of the roomiest rear passenger areas in any truck.
“We had no constraints when it came to designing the Silverado EV with dramatic style and flexible utility because we didn’t need to work around a traditional propulsion system,” says Phil Zak, executive director, Chevrolet Design. “The Ultium Platform allowed us to redefine what it means to offer expansive new storage and utility possibilities.”
PRODUCTION
Silverado EV is assembled at GM’s Factory ZERO Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center in Michigan. The facility was recently repurposed and retooled with a $2.2-billion investment, which was meant to turn the facility into one dedicated to EV production.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mario Cywinski is the editor of Modern WorkTruck Solutions and has worked in the automotive industry for 20 years, both as an automotive journalist and working for a local dealership. He is a member of the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada and has been a judge for the Canadian Truck King Challenge. He can be reached at mario@mwsmag.com.
