Latest Electric Pickup Truck Now Available
Some of the most exciting new EVs hitting the market are electric pickup trucks. Long a favorite segment for Americans, pickups combine plenty of interior space for families with versatility and off-road capability; they’re good for everything life can throw at them. Until now, the Rivian R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Tesla Cybertruck have hogged the headlines. But Chevrolet, one of the most popular brands in the U.S., is now delivering the first Silverado EVs to customers, and it is sure to be a big seller when production ramps up.
Chevy Silverado EV: Pricing and Features
The first Silverado EVs to hit American roads are actually targeted at business owners. At launch, the Silverado EV 4WT has a starting MSRP of $78,900, but is only available for fleets, not individual customers. The 4WT has an impressive spec sheet, with an EPA estimate of 450 miles of range on a full charge, as well as 510 horsepower and 615 lb-ft of torque from its all-wheel drive and twin electric motors. The work-focused 4WT also offers 10,000 pounds of towing capability (equivalent to the F-150 Lightning) as well as 1,400 pounds of payload.
Arriving this fall will be the first Silverado EV available to private customers. The Silverado RST First Edition model comes with a hefty price tag of $105,000 starting MSRP, and an EPA range estimate of 400 miles. It is a fully-loaded luxury model packed with useful technology, including:
- Four-wheel steering for a tighter turning circle
- Adaptive air suspension for a smoother ride and automatic load-levelling
- A 17-inch LCD infotainment screen and 11-inch driver instrument display
- A color driver heads-up display
- SuperCruise driver-assistance technology that allows drivers to travel hands-free on certain stretches of roads in the U.S. and Canada
The Silverado EV RST also sports a “multi-flex midgate” that allows drivers to expand the truck’s cargo capability when needed by folding down the wall between the pickup bed and the rear seats, and a power multi-flex tailgate.
Chevy Silverado EV: Design
Looking like a cross between the current gasoline Silverado and the Chevy Avalanche from a few years ago, the Silverado EV has been developed from the ground up as a fully-electric truck on GM’s advanced Ultium EV Platform. So while it shares a family look with its gasoline brethren, it is engineered completely differently, offering a boundary-breaking combination of capability, performance and versatility – and a bevy of high-tech gadgets.
The Silverado EV is only available in four-door crew cab configuration. Thanks to its platform being designed for electric power, it has a longer wheelbase and a large front trunk. A shorter front overhang that gives the truck a more aggressive stance as well as increasing interior space; passengers over 6 feet tall will be comfortable no matter where they sit.
From a technical perspective, the Silverado EV takes full advantage of GM’s Ultium platform, which is the foundation of the company’s EV strategy and all its new electric vehicles. Ultra-fast 350-kW DC fast charging is among the best in the industry, enabling drivers to add 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes on the right chargers. Vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability offers up to 10 electric outlets on the truck that can be used to power work tools, recreational devices, or even your home in an emergency. The PowerBase charging system also allows you to plug in up to 10 electrical devices for all your work-site or recreational needs.
Electric Pickup Truck: Future Models and Prices
More models will follow behind the Silverado EV 4WT and RST, at many different price points. A heavier-duty fleet model is coming, with up to 20,000 pounds of trailer towing capacity when equipped with the “max tow package,” and there is also a lower-priced 3WT work truck coming. Chevrolet promises starting MSRPs ranging from $50,000 to $80,000 and more, offering customers the choice of a truck that meets their budget and price needs.
Assembled in Detroit, the Silverado EV, at least in its less-expensive forms, should be eligible for federal EV incentives, which will help offset its higher purchase cost.
