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GM designed the Chevrolet Silverado EV from a clean sheet.
General Motors just dropped the brand new 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV. If you were looking to get yourself a Ford F-150 Lightning, chances are you might need to hold off on that purchase. Not only does the Silverado EV share nothing with its combustion-engine powered brother, but bears no similarity to even the GMC Hummer EV. GM designed the Silverado EV from scratch using the GM Ultium platform, and that has allowed for greater innovation. It will be offered in two crew-cab-only configurations: the RST First Edition and the WT Work Truck for fleet use. Here is why the new upcoming Silverado EV could now be the coolest electric truck on the market.
Let's get the technical specs out of the way first. The Silverado EV will share the same 24-module 200-kWh battery pack with the new Hummer EV. General Motors claims that the Silverado EV would be good for 400 miles of driving range on a single charge. In the “Wide Open Watts” mode, max power is rated at 664hp and 780 lb-ft of peak torque. It would take the Silverado EV just 4.5 seconds to accelerate from 0-60 mph.
GM claims that both configurations of the truck will support a theoretical 350kW DC fast charging, which could add 100 miles of range in 10 minutes. Additionally, the truck would be able to power work tools through the 10 outlets in the truck bed. They will draw power from the battery of the truck at up to 10.2kW. The towing capacity of the Silverado EV RST is said to be up to 10,000 lbs and has a 1,300 lbs payload capacity.
Related: Check Out These Insane 2022 Chevy Silverado Special Editions
The RST First Edition model is said to feature the Crawlwalk four-wheel-steering, which could be similar to what we have seen with the Hummer EV. To help drive off-road with improved ground clearance, the Silverado EV comes with an auto adjustable lift kit. The automatic air suspension would help raise and lower the truck up to 2 inches.
But the coolest feature on the Silverado is the foldable mid-gate. The multi-flex mid-gate has a 60-40 split, which would come in handy to carry longer cargo in the bed. It can be folded down entirely to increase the size of the bed for larger and more cargo. The bed by default is just under 6-feet, fold the mid-gate down, and you open up to a total of 9 feet to the closed tailgate. This design is similar to what we first saw on the 2002-2013 Suburban-based Chevrolet Avalanche. The Silverado EV also has a multi-flex tailgate with a power release. Using that, the cargo space becomes a total of 10-foot-10 inches.
Sure, the absence of an engine up front free’s up space, and the Silverado EV does have a frunk. Chevy won't say how big it is, but it will be smaller than the F-150 Lightning’s 14.1 cubic-feet frunk. The Silverado EV’s frunk would most probably be similar to the Hummer EV's 9.0 cubic feet. But it will feature a 120-volt power outlet and tie-down hooks.
Relaed: These Are The Pros And Cons Of The 2022 GMC Hummer EV
GM decided to give the electric Silverado a brand-new interior design. The cabin bears no resemblance to its combustion-powered namesake or even the Hummer EV. Like every modern vehicle, the Silverado EV features some large screens, as expected. The RST model gets an 11.0-inch reconfigurable driver’s instrument cluster. The driver will be able to choose from five different theme options. Alongside, in the center of the dash, is the large 17-inch "free-form" touchscreen infotainment system. It even features a physical volume control knob positioned at the top left. It is similar to what we have seen from Ford and Land Rover.
GM claims the interior is entirely vegan and the upholstery will be draped in high-contrast charcoal and light gray PVC pleather.
The Silverado EV RST First Edition models are confirmed to feature a laminated fixed panoramic glass roof. The key thing to note, the glass roof comes with no weight penalty to a steel roof, as claimed by GM. The glass gets no sunshade, however, it will have a deep tint to keep the interior from turning into a solar-powered oven.
The Silverado EV will be sold to commercial-fleet operators at first. However, from January 5, private customers can begin to put down a deposit for the Silverado EV First Edition RST. They will cost a staggering $105,000. Additionally, deliveries will only start in late 2023.
Should you wish to wait a little longer, other variants will be introduced in the market with the most affordable model retailing for around $41,600 (with destination charges). That is interesting because prices for the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning start from around $41,700. Coincidence?
If your heart is now set on the Silverado EV, we suggest you wait it out.
Rahull's passion for the automobile started very early at his cousin's garage that restores vintage Ford Model As, Cadillacs and more. He then stumbled upon Formula 1 at the age of 6 and his father's cameras soon after. Life is about passions and he intends to share his through his writing and photography.