HERE’S HOW THE CHEVROLET SILVERADO EV UNLOCKED 50 EXTRA MILES OF RANGE

The Silverado pickup truck has been the second-best-selling vehicle in America for the past decade, and also Chevrolet’s most profitable model. Although it doesn’t have a 75-year rich history as the present segment leader Ford F-150, the Silverado continues to impress with its top-notch performance, capabilities, reliability, and value.

Ford dominates the electric pickup segment with the F-150 Lightning, with the Rivian R1T and GMC Hummer following. But things are about to change because the upcoming Chevrolet Silverado will give Ford and Rivian a run for their money.

Chevrolet introduced the Silverado EV last year with some bold claims and shocking numbers. The electric Silverado will not only be more powerful and affordable than the F-150 Lighting but also be more efficient than the Rivian R1T.

Following the introduction, Chevy claimed the 2024 Silverado EV Work Truck would have an estimated range of 400 miles. However, in EPA's recent testing, the Silverado WT returned a bonkers 450 miles, exceeding the company-claimed range by 50 miles. This is enough to toss the F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T out of the scene.

So, how did Chevrolet achieve this feat? Here’s your answer.

Related: Here's How The EPA Threatens The Future Of Gearheads

EPA Estimages 450 Mile Range For The Silverado EV

When Chevy introduced the fully-electric Silverado last year, claiming the electric pickup truck has a range of 400 miles, it seemed a great number considering what the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Rivian R1T. But that was just a “Chevy-claimed number” until now.

EPA has recently tested the upcoming Silverado EV, and the new estimated range is astonishing! Rory Harvey, President of GM, North America, in a recent media briefing with Detroit Free Press, revealed the Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck had a whopping range of 450 miles in EPA tests, exceeding the company-claimed range by 50 miles.

Rory revealed the Silverado EV surpassed GM’s initial estimates because of the team’s “tenacity and working through all the different solutions”. When asked how did the electric pickup truck added 50 extra miles, he credited the truck’s refinements, aero, calibration, and sophisticated building process.

Only The Fleet-Oriented Silverado EV WT Models Offer 450 Miles Of Range

The good news comes with some limitations. Although both the WT and RST will have the same 200 kW battery, only the commercial WT variant will offer 450 miles for meeting “organizational needs and transportation goals”. The RST model will cost $105,000 and will provide up to 400 miles. Chevrolet will introduce the full lineup following the WT and RST launch. The Silverado EV’s prices will start at $39,900 for the WT trim, which will have a range of 450 miles.

While Chevy is yet to confirm the final price, the fleet-oriented WT should cost around $80,000. The commercial Work Trucks will have a 510-hp dual-motor setup for 8,000 pounds of towing and 1,200 pounds of payload capacity, which is significantly lesser than what the company promises. A towing package will be available promising 20,000 pounds of maximum towing capacity. Since the WT model is designed for commercial use, Chevrolet may skimp on some features and use weight-saving materials for reducing weight and improve the overall range.

Chevrolet claims the Silverado EV has one of the lowest drag coefficients among pickup trucks, and its wireless battery system eliminates 90 percent of wires to make it lighter and more efficient. Both of these further improve the overall range. Considering EPA’s range estimates are based on tests performed in the dyno and ideal conditions, real-world range will depend on the weather, driving patterns, battery health, towing, and payload. Nevertheless, the electric Silverado will still triumph over the Ford F-150 and Rivian R1T.

Electric Silverado Will Have Massive Power And Capabilities

The Silverado EV uses GM’s Ultium platform, and both the WT and RST have two E-motors. The WT’s motors produce 510 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque, offering up to 8,000 pounds (20,000 lbs with towing package) and 1,200 pounds of towing and payload capacity respectively. The costlier RST will be faster and more capable, with 754 horsepower and 785 lb-ft of punch. The RST will take 4.5 seconds for 0-60 mph and offers 10,000 pounds of towing and 1,300 pounds of payload capacity.

Both variants will have an 800-volt architecture juiced by a 200 kW 24-module battery pack. The battery supports 350 kW DC fast charging capabilities and can add 100 miles of range with a 10-minute charge. Chevrolet will sell the Silverado EV WT with GM’s Ultium 360 Fleet Service feature, and the RST will have access to 100,000 charging stations across the US and Canada.

The electric Silverado will arrive with an e4WD system and four-wheel-steering for improving steering response, cornering stability, smaller turning radius, and maneuverability inside the city and while trailing. A set of new adaptive air suspensions will allow buyers to raise and lower the truck by two inches, offering a maximum ground clearance of 10.9 inches.

Additional features like tow/haul mode, integrated trailer brake control, hitch guidance, and Advanced Trailering System will come equipped as well.

Related: 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV Sedan Is The Weirdest Rendering

How Does The Chevrolet Silverado EV Fare Against The Competition?

Clearly, the upcoming electric Chevy Silverado won’t be the quickest in the segment. But as of now, it offers the best range in the segment. There’s the upcoming RAM BEV 1500 with a claimed range of 500 miles, but that isn’t EPA verified yet.

The Chevrolet Silverado EV will fiercely compete with the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Rivian R1T. The F-150 Lightning comes with two electric motors that offer 452 horsepower and an EPA-estimated range of 240 miles with the standard 98 kW battery. Installing the 131 kW Extended-Range battery brings 580 hp and an EPA-estimated range of 320 miles in the XLT, Lariat, and 300 miles in the Platinum.

The Rivian R1T is another strong competitor and is presently the pickup with the best EPA-estimated range in America. The Rivian R1T offers an EPA-estimated range of 328 miles with the 135 kW Large battery pack.

In the Tesla corner, however, things seem to be more efficient than Ford and Rivian. The Tesla Model S stays strong with 405 miles of an EPA-estimated range. The Tesla Model X follows with an EPA-estimated range of 348 miles.

Source: Chevrolet, fueleconomy.gov, GMC, Detroit Free Press.

2023-05-26T19:20:42Z dg43tfdfdgfd