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First look: 2024 all-electric Chevrolet Silverado pickup aims for 400 miles per charge and a lot of utility

Chevrolet's first all-electric pickup will wear the nameplate of its popular, full-size Silverado light-duty model -- a direct competitor to Ford's new 563-hp Lightning F-150 EV that will be hitting dealerships this spring. Details are scarce, but here is what we know so far ...

The Silverado EV will come in two variants, WT (Work Truck) and RST and eventually offer a slew of options, including up to 664 hp with more than 780 lb-ft of torque, four-wheel drive, and 400+ miles of range on a single charge.

The first trucks off the line in spring 2023 will be the fleet-oriented WT models with a starting price of $39,900 plus destination freight charges (DFC). The initial WT will boast 510 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque. It will offer 8,000 lb of towing and 1,200 lb of payload. After first launch, Chevrolet says it will introduce a fleet model with up to 20,000 lb max trailering with the max tow package.

In fall 2023, a fully loaded RST First Edition model, also delivering a 400-mile range, will debut with an MSRP of $105,000 + DFC. RST will offer up to 664 hp with more than 780 lb-ft of torque in available max power Wide Open Watts Mode, enabling a GM-estimated 0- to 60-mph time of less than 4.5 sec. RST will also provide up to 10,000 lb of maximum trailering with up to 1,300 lb of payload initially.

Trail Boss and other badges/trims are to follow. Chevy says, "Customers will have the ability to content the truck across various price ranges, with MSRPs around $50,000, $60,000, $70,000, $80,000 and more."

The Silverado EV is built on GM's Ultium Platform, which uses a 24-module Ultium battery pack as a part of the fundamental structure. Chevy says, "This structural design integrates the capability Silverado customers have come to expect from a full-size pickup in terms of strength, durability, and performance, while also providing a more comfortable, confident ride both on- and off-road."

The chassis is designed with independent front and rear suspensions, with power transferred to the available 24-in. wheels on RST via front- and rear-drive motors that compose the e4WD system. Automatic Adaptive Air Suspension enables the vehicle to be raised or lowered up to 2 in. Four-wheel steer capability reduces the turning radius at lower speeds for greater maneuverability in parking lots, and enhances handling and stability at higher speeds, particularly when trailering.

The RST and WT models also come with Tow/Haul mode, trailer hitch provisions, and an integrated trailer brake controller and Hitch Guidance. The RST also includes Chevy's Advanced Trailering System.

The RST and WT feature public DC fast charging capabilities of up to 350 kW, enabling approximately 100 miles of range to be added in 10 minutes based on GM estimates. When combined with the available accessory power bar, the Silverado EV's PowerBase charging system offers up to 10 outlets to provide a total of 10.2 kW of all-electric power for countless worksite or recreational needs, including powering your home, with the required equipment.

Drivers can create energy-efficient route planning using the Energy Assist feature in the myChevrolet Mobile App. The Silverado EV is also capable of charging another EV using the available accessory charge cord, sharing its power in times of need.

RST owners also have access to Ultium Charge 360, GM's holistic approach to EV charging, which is designed to simplify the overall charging experience, including access to more than 100,000 publicly available charging points in the U.S. and Canada.

WT customers have access to Ultium Charge 360 Fleet Service, which offers one of the industry's most comprehensive charging solutions for businesses, whether drivers take their vehicles home or return to a central depot.

The Silverado EV will be offered exclusively in Crew Cab models, with a shorter front overhang that gives the truck a more aggressive stance, more spaciousness, and enhances forward downvision. Exterior proportions and surfacing convey the truck's capability and athletic performance. The front-end design has been sculpted to efficiently direct air down the body side, significantly reducing drag and turbulence. As a result, the Silverado EV WT is estimated to have one of the lowest drag coefficients of any available production full-size pickup truck, which helps enable the impressive range.

The second row is pushed rearward, meaning passengers over 6 ft tall will be comfortable no matter where they sit. Customizable first row storage on both RST and WT models makes the most of the interior space and provides functional solutions for a variety of customer needs.

The eTrunk up front (Ford calls this a "frunk") is a lockable, weatherproof compartment that provides enough space to fit a large hardside suitcase and a multitude of accessory options for both fleet and retail customers to load gear.

The RST features a fixed-glass roof (sweet!), which offers expansive visibility, increased headroom, and an enhanced experience for both front and rear passengers. A 40/60 second row seat offers four configurations that allow users to haul gear or equipment while still accommodating a passenger in the second row.

The storage capacity for the RST's 5-ft 11-in. bed is maximized thanks to the innovative available Multi-Flex Midgate, which provides just over 9 ft of storage between the cab and the tailgate when the Midgate is open. With the addition of the available Multi-Flex Tailgate, the Silverado EV RST enables up to 10 ft, 10 in. of load floor and storage capability. An available tonneau cover allows items such as lumber or a kayak to be loaded into a fully lockable, weatherproof storage compartment.

With the new, hands-free start, the vehicle turns on automatically after the driver enters with an enabled device, leaving hands free to buckle up and get on the road. Inside, the Silverado EV is packed with the latest technology, including an advanced software system that enables vehicle technologies to evolve over time. The RST sports a large, 17-in.-diagonal LCD freeform infotainment screen that is paired with a neighboring 11-in.-diagonal driver instrument display. A driver head-up display with a field of view over 14 in. is also included.

The Silverado EV will be assembled with domestically and globally-sourced parts at GM's Factory ZERO, Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center -- a facility repurposed and retooled with a $2.2-billion investment devoted to EV production.

New details will trickle out in the next few months, so check the following Chevy site if you are interested: chevrolet.com/electric/silverado-ev/reservation. You can also reserve a truck there for only a hundred bucks.

Source: Chevrolet

Published January 2022

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