Up until a few years ago, if you wanted an electric pickup truck, you pretty much had zero options. The pickup truck was one of the last vehicles to get electrified due to its size and weight. A vehicle this large is less efficient; therefore, getting a usable range out of it is difficult. However, in the past couple of years, many electric pickups have hit the market. In fact, there are so many of them out there that it is now difficult to decide which one to go for. Recently, the market received one more option, and that is the new Chevy Silverado EV, and here's why it could be a masterstroke.
The Silverado EV Is A Step In The Right Direction
Just like all cars, pickup trucks have been slowly improving over the past few years. Increases in power and suspension brought more refined driving, better towing, and more payload. The truck design has also improved since many models have now become symbol status. However, there haven’t been any major breakthroughs in the last few decades. Trucks have been getting better in incremental steps. With EVs, this is about to change. The new Chevy Silverado EV is a great example of why that is the case. The base model of the vehicle will offer a rather impressive 510 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque. That is on a truck with steel wheels, meant to be sold to fleets. The top-of-the-line RST model will offer 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque. So, it is safe to say that even the cheapest Chevy Silverado may be faster than a Ford F-150 Raptor in a drag race. The world has gone insane.
To satisfy people who love off-roading, Chevrolet will also offer a TrailBoss model which will have the necessary off-road upgrades. However, we still do not have information regarding what those upgrades will be. The all-important electric range for this vehicle will be roughly 400 miles. Allegedly, 100 miles of range can be gained in just 10 minutes of charging.
The Silverado EV's Interior Is Luxurious And Tech-Laden
Aside from mechanical improvements, electric trucks have also undergone many changes inside and the Chevy Silverado is no different. The top-of-the-line RST trim feels more like a luxurious sedan or SUV rather than a pickup truck. A panoramic glass roof is available, leather seats, two huge screens with good graphics (one for the gauge cluster and one for the center console), and many more accessories that add comfort and refinement. Best of all, the climate controls and volume settings are on a physical screen rather than being buried in a screen menu. This is always a plus. We should mention that there is not much information regarding screen functions and options available yet. Aside from being luxurious and comfortable, the interior also has a lot of storage space thanks to a huge glovebox, center console, many storage pockets, and even a hidden compartment under the rear seats. Worth noting is the front “trunk” which can also be opened to reveal plenty of additional storage space. This is a great feature of EVs as it enables owners to store items in a weatherproof and lockable area of the vehicle.
The electric Chevy Silverado will also have Supercruise. Supercruise is Chevrolet’s autonomous technology and it will be able to control steering, braking, and acceleration. The best part is that it even works while towing. We have no information regarding which trim levels of the truck will get Supercruise, but we suspect it is only going to be offered on the higher-spec vehicles.
The Silverado EV's Truck Bed Is Also Multifunctional
Pickup truck beds aren’t that interesting; however, the one in the Chevy offers so many features that it is worth dedicating a whole section to it. First, we get a collapsible mid-gate. This enables owners to carry larger items by utilizing the full length of the bed and rear seats as the item can protrude into the interior. A potential issue here is safety during an accident while carrying a large item in the interior, but there don’t seem to be any regulations against such a thing. Aside from the mid-gate, Chevy will offer accessory kits that will provide the bed of the Silverado with up to 10 power outlets. These are going to be very useful in case you want to power tools at a job site. Finally, the tailgate can fold down to become a step or its top part can be raised to act as a stopper when hauling items with the gate down. These are little details that just elevate the experience of owning a truck as they drastically improve usability.
The Silverado EV Is A Threat To All Other Electric Trucks
We believe that the Chevy Silverado EV is one of the most interesting pickup trucks we have seen to date. It will offer options for all types of customers while providing a huge step forward in terms of technology. It may not have as many features as the Hummer EV but it is still mechanically impressive thanks to big power numbers, air suspension, and even rear-wheel steering (no Crabwalk is available here). More information regarding the vehicle will be available later this year, but so far we know that it will only be available as a crew cab and the top of the line RST trim level will set you back roughly $107,000. However, don’t let that put you off. Remember that the top-of-the-line model has a lot of luxuries and power. The base model vehicle will certainly sell for much cheaper. It is safe to say that the F-150 Lighting will now have to deal with a proper rival.