General Motors starts real-world testing of several 2024 Chevy Silverado EV test trucks in public and at their Milford proving grounds in Michigan. The test vehicles do not look very fancy, but that is not the point. The main goal is to get real-world miles and to validate all of the development and design.
The upcoming Silverado electric pickup truck is based on GM’s Ultium platform that also underpins the GMC Hummer EV truck and SUV. In the case of the Silverado EV – it is a bit narrower and longer than its GMC Hummer counterpart. Initially, Chevrolet is planning to release the RST model first. This will be a premium truck with the most luxurious and high-tech features. It will have 664 horsepower, accelerate 0-60 MPH in a claimed 4.5 seconds, have height-adjustable air suspension, and four-wheel steering.
The Silverado EV can be considered an electrified future version of the Chevrolet Avalanche. The new EV is equipped with a long bed, folding midgate that offers up to 9 feet of bed floor length with the tailgate closed.
Chevrolet also shares some additional information about the customers who reserved a Silverado EV truck.
Chevrolet says: “GM Research also recently conducted a survey of Silverado EV reservation holders. We were excited to learn that many (95%) plan for their new Silverado EV to be their daily driver. Respondents indicated that a top reason they decided to reserve a Silverado EV is that they wanted an all-electric vehicle that also meets their truck needs such as towing/trailering (87%) and off-roading (72%).“
Chevrolet is targeting the Silverado EV to have up to 400 miles of driving range – when not towing a trailer. We will have to wait and see how the driving range will be affected by a large trailer. Our recent test of a Ford F-150 Lightning returned approximately 0.75 miles/kWh when towing a large 6,000 lbs camping / toy-hauler trailer. If the Silverado has a 200 kWh battery pack in the most expensive RST version, then it may have around 150 miles of trailer-towing range. However, we will have to wait until we can test it for ourselves.
Chevrolet is also planning a Silverado EV Trail Boss that will come a bit after the first RST and WT models.
GM says the Chevy Silverado EV will go on sale in the Fall of 2023 as a 2024 model. Silverado EV RST prices will start at around $105,000.
