Electric vehicles (EVs) have recently entered a new and interesting realm: the pickup truck. These electric pickup trucks deliver all the capabilities of a traditional truck without needing gasoline to get around, making them great for consumers and corporations looking for new fleet vehicles.
One new model coming to the market is the Chevrolet Silverado EV. Below, we outline what to expect from the electric Silverado and how it stacks up against a growing field of competitors.
Electric Silverado: Exterior
The Chevrolet Silverado EV electric pickup pulls many design cues from its source material, the standard Silverado 1500, but its details set it apart from the standard pickup. The standout differences between the Silverado EV and base pickup truck start up front, where the Silverado EV boasts a modern-looking closed grille with thin, bar-style LED lighting, sleeker fog lights, and a less blocky design overall.
Around back, the Silverado EV has updated taillights with sleeker housings and a pair of angled D-pillars leading to its bed. These D-pillars not only add to the Silverado EV's design but are also likely functional and improve aerodynamics.
In all other exterior aspects, besides its badging, the Silverado EV looks just like its gasoline-fueled counterpart.
Besides its looks, the Silverado EV has plenty of other unique bits, starting with its flexible bed. Looking at it, the electric Silverado’s bed may seem short, and you’d be correct, as it can only carry items up to 1.8 metres — basically a pair of bicycles. However, its 60/40 split-folding rear seats allow for a 2.7-metre item to slide deeper into the bed while retaining some rear seating. Plus, if you have a longer item, you can eliminate the rear seats and use the Multi-Flex Mid-Gate with Pass-Through and Multi-Flex Tailgate and load stop to fit items up to 3 metres long.
On top of its flexible bed, the electric Silverado also has a front trunk where the engine would normally be.
Electric Silverado: Interior
Inside, the electric Silverado sets itself apart from its gasoline-fueled sibling with a modern but not over-the-top interior design. This begins with a sleeker dashboard with thinner, horizontally oriented climate control vents and continues with its massive 17-inch infotainment touchscreen and 11-inch reconfigurable instrument cluster screen. The Silverado EV also features a sleeker steering wheel design.
Unfortunately, Chevrolet has yet to reveal the full details on how roomy the electric Silverado is, so we’ll have to add those details when they’re available. For reference, the Silverado crew cab’s front seats offer 1,093 mm of headroom, 1,131 mm of legroom, 1,639 mm of shoulder room, and 1,544 mm of hip room. Its rear seats offer 1,019 mm of headroom, 1,102 mm of legroom, 1,655 mm of shoulder room, and 1,530 mm of hip room. So, if the electric Silverado shares the Silverado crew cab’s dimensions (or is close), it will be rather roomy.
Chevrolet has also been tight-lipped on the standard and optional features inside the electric full-size pickup — other than its 17-inch infotainment system touchscreen and 11-inch digital gauge cluster.
Electric Silverado: Powertrain
Powertrain details are still emerging about the Chevy Silverado EV, but plenty of details are available now about the all-new Ultium platform it sits atop.
The base Silverado EV, known as the WT (work truck) trim, will come standard with 510 horsepower (hp) and 615 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque. This powertrain will afford a 4,534-kilogram trailering capacity initially, but a 9,071-kg towing capacity WT max towing package will arrive later for the WT model.
There is also an all-electric Silverado EV RST First Edition in the works that’ll deliver over 660 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque with the Wide Open Watts mode. This will also deliver a 0-to-96 km/h sprint time of under 4.5 seconds.
Other powertrain options are likely in the works to pair with other trim levels, and the details will be available later. For now, the only other powertrain information on the Silverado EV is its four-wheel steering to help reduce its turning radius.
Electric Silverado: Driving Range and Charging
Like other details on this electric pickup truck, driving range and charging information remains limited. However, we know the new Silverado EV’s Ultium battery pack will allow up to a General Motors-estimated 640 km on a full charge.
You can charge the Silverado EV on a standard 120-volt outlet, though this will likely take dozens of hours to get a full charge. You can also use an at-home level 2 charger, the GM-recommended at-home charging method. If you’re on the road, the Silverado EV is also compatible with up to 350-kilowatt (kW) DC fast charging stations, which can add up to 160 km of range in just 10 minutes.
Keep in mind that DC fast charging is only for periodic charging. Constantly using these fast chargers can result in shorter battery life and decreased range.
Electric Silverado: Safety and Driver-Assist Features
As a modern electric vehicle (EV), it’s no shock the electric Silverado has all the latest in safety and driver-assist features.
Some of the standard safety technology Chevy will include on this EV pickup includes:
- Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane-departure warning
- Forward collision alert
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Following distance indicator
Buyers can also opt for Super Cruise. This delivers hands-free driving on 320,000 km of divided, compatible highways in the U.S. and Canada.
Electric Silverado: Pricing and Availability
The Chevrolet Silverado EV will not hit showrooms until 2023 as a 2024 model year, so we have some time before seeing it on the used marketplace. As new, the WT trim will kick off the lineup at $55,197 before federal and provincial incentives. The remaining pricing is unclear, but the pre-order books are now open for the RST First Edition model.
Electric Silverado: Competition
The electric Chevrolet Silverado is far from the first EV pickup. Automakers are now rolling out EV trucks and plans for future EV pickups, making this a fast-growing segment. Let’s review some of the electric Silverado’s rivals and their specs.
Ford F-150 Lightning
The Ford F-150 Lightning returns as an electrified pickup truck with up to 515 km of range. This truck also lives up to its performance past with up to 580 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque for great acceleration.
Beyond that, it’s also a good work truck with up to a 4,535-kg towing capacity and the largest front trunk in its class.
Technology is plentiful too with a massive tablet-style infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an optional Bang & Olufsen audio system, and a host of driver-assist features.
The Ford F-150 Lightning starts from $79,000 in the base XLT trim and rises to $90.000 in the Lariat model. The range-topping Platinum trim starts from $121,000.
GMC Hummer EV Pickup
Chevy’s sister brand, GMC, also has an all-electric pickup truck, but it borrows the once defunct Hummer nameplate — albeit as a model instead of a make.
Like the Silverado EV, the Hummer EV Pickup has a host of technology, including a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, an 18-camera surround-view monitor, a 14-speaker Bose audio system, and more.
Plus, the power is outright ridiculous in the Hummer EV Pickup, as it delivers up to 1,000 hp and 11,500 lb-ft of torque. This delivers a 0-to-97 km/h sprint time of about 3 seconds. Like the Silverado EV, the Hummer EV Pickup also has Super Cruise available. The Hummer, however, lives up to its legendary name with outstanding off-road capability that the Silverado EV can’t match.
Rivian R1T
The only all-electric pickup truck that’s currently available for purchase is the Rivian R1T. This pickup delivers 505 km of range and a 0-97 km/h time as low as 3 seconds. Plus, this electric truck can tow up to 11,000 pounds and offers up to 14.9 inches of ground clearance, making it an incredible off-road machine.
Inside, the R1T has a large touchscreen infotainment system, in-truck Wi-Fi connectivity, and all the other tech features expected in today’s vehicles. It also includes a panoramic fixed-glass roof and a Rivian Elevation audio system by Meridian to deliver a great soundtrack.
Like the Hummer and Silverado, the Rivian R1T offers an available autonomous driving system on select highways known as Driver+.
The Rivian R1T starts from $100,925 before incentives.
Save Big on Buying a Used Electric Pickup From Clutch
While used inventory is still scarce for models like the electric Silverado, they will slowly start building as these models hit the market. Then, you can head to Clutch, Canada’s premier online automotive retailer, and purchase a used electric pickup for thousands less than a new one.
Clutch always puts quality first, so we put every car we sell through a 210-point inspection and reconditioning process. To further secure your purchase, we add our 90-Day Protection Plan and nationwide roadside assistance. And if you need more coverage, you can opt for a wide range of Extended Warranties.
If you’re uncomfortable with a 100% online vehicle purchase, Clutch puts your mind at ease with a 10-Day Money-Back Guarantee. If you don’t love your new electric vehicle during those first 10 days, you can exchange it for a new one or return it for a no-questions-asked refund.
Check out our inventory of quality used electric vehicles today and choose a model suitable for you. You can also set up financing and even get your trade-in vehicle appraised online. There’s no need to set foot in a dealership.
