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Chevrolet Silverado EV: Long-range Ford F-150 Lightning, but still far from the start of sales

By Lukas Müller On Sep 17, 2022

Chevrolet's electric pickup already has four-wheel drive “in the base”, the brand promises that the model will be able to travel more than 640 km on a single charge.

General Motors already has a “green” truck in its range: the GMC Hummer EV, its mass production began in December 2021. But this model is aimed mainly at wealthy private clients, and again, only high-end cars of the end of the “welcome” version remain on the assembly line (the first batch, by the way, is completely sold out). Now on display at CES in Las Vegas is the imposing Chevrolet Silverado EV electric pickup truck, intended for the company's fleets, among other things. At the same time, pre-orders with a down payment of $100 are open, but such a Silverado will enter the market only in 2023. In the meantime, full-fledged production of the green Ford F-150 Lighting pickup truck is expected to arrive in the spring of 2022, Chevy's new archrival. Note that the “lightning”, which debuted in May last year,

Chevrolet Silverado EV RST

The F-150 Lighting was based on the standard F-150, but the Chevrolet Silverado EV has nothing to do with a conventional truck: in fact, we have a simplified Hummer – both GM models are based on the Ultium platform. The Chevy electric pickup truck has a fully independent suspension, an air suspension and a fully controlled chassis are available for an extra charge, but the Crab Walk (that is, the ability to drive diagonally) and Extract Mode (the ground clearance can be increased by 404 mm) will remain the prerogative of the Hammer.

Chevrolet Silverado EV WT

Chevrolet Silverado EV will be available only with a two-row cab, at the first stage, buyers will be offered two versions: the base WT (Work Truck) and the “long-awaited” RST First Edition with richer equipment. Subsequently, the line will be expanded, in particular, the “regular” version of the RST and the “off-road” Trail Boss will go on sale (this modification is still covered in a single photo).

Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss

Characteristics of the “working” WT pickup truck: unpainted plastic in front (including a cap instead of a radiator grill) and “cheap” finishes, but even such a pickup truck has a virtual order (11 inches) and a multimedia system with a large screen (diagonal is not specified, but it is known that RST display is even larger – 17 inches). And the Chevrolet Silverado EV is already all-wheel drive “in the base”: the WT version is equipped with two electric motors with a total power of 517 hp and 1057 Nm, with the Wide Open Watts Mode package, such a pickup truck can accelerate to 97 km/h in less than 4.5 seconds.

Interior of base Chevrolet Silverado EV WT and top of the range RST (with red accents)

Both modifications are capable of driving approximately 644 km on a single charge with an Ultium battery. This is still a preliminary figure, but it still surpasses the Ford F-150 Lighting. The autonomy of the latter with an improved battery is 483 km.

Chevrolet Silverado EV WT

All versions of the Silverado EV have a fairly spacious eTrunk front rack and a 1.8 m long cargo platform. The RST has a Multi-Flex Midgate feature: this is a partition between the passenger compartment and the cargo compartment that folds, allowing the cargo compartment to be extended to 2.7 m. There is also a Multi-Flex tailgate, i.e. a tailgate with a folding section and an electric drive.

Chevrolet Silverado EV RST

The pickup truck has a load capacity of about 600 kg, but the permissible trailer weight is 4.5 tons, in addition, the model will have a Max Tow package, with which the truck can tow a trailer weighing 9 tons. Other options include a glass roof, a 14-inch head-up display, Super Cruise autopilot (with which you can drive hands-free on approved routes), and a Power Base system (up to 10 outlets for connecting household appliances, and also charges from a Chevy pickup truck).).

Full orders for the Chevrolet Silverado EV WT are expected to begin in spring 2023, starting at $39,900. The RST First Edition will be available in the fall for just $105,000. By comparison, the base Ford F-150 Lighting electric pickup today starts at $39,974, while the GMC Hummer EV sibling starts at $79,995. All prices are exclusive of taxes and shipping.