When you head to a Chevy Silverado 1500 dealer in the near future, you may be surprised to see the upcoming Chevy Silverado EV. While Chevy has yet to confirm many details, this model is set to release in the coming years, and it’s definitely not lacking in power. One confirmation we do have is that this new Silverado EV will be built in the same factory as the new GMC Hummer EV, meaning it may share the same muscular electric drivetrain. Thanks to modern technology, power and electricity are now harmonious in the automotive world.
Everything We Know About the Silverado EV
Honestly, there isn’t a lot of information available for the Chevy EV. What we do know is that it’s set to have a 400-mile driving range, and it may be capable of producing up to 1,000 horses. Since it’s likely sharing a platform with the Hummer EV, we can confirm that it’s following GM’s plan to use Ultium batteries. So, the Chevrolet Silverado EV’s battery platform will not only provide long range, but it also will make the Silverado EV’s acceleration speed exceedingly quick. It’s assumed that this model will be able to go from 0 to 60 in as little as 3 seconds. Finally, we know that Chevy’s EV truck platform is set to use 800-volt fast-charge batteries.
Now, the unknowns lie in design and trim level options. However, we do expect the new Silverado EV to have the same or at least a similar trim system to what we already get with the traditional gas and diesel Silverado. If that’s the case, that means that the lowest trim will likely be less expensive than you’d think, especially with Chevy’s commitment to affordability.
We also know that its looks aren’t going to change drastically, but it does have just enough of its own unique styling to stand apart. The photos that we’ve seen so far show that the Chevrolet Silverado EV has a shorter roof and two grille designs. The second design shows a much meaner-looking front grille. So far, the Silverado EV has only been shown in red and blue, with two different wheel options. Both wheel options are painted black with silver and chrome accents. Overall, it’s easy to see that Chevy wants their electric models to be stylish. The Chevy Silverado EV’s style is traditional enough to fit the Silverado title but modern enough to match its electric engine.
How This Model Made Its Way to Electricity
Back in the day, from 1960 to 1998, to be exact, the Chevrolet C/K series dominated Chevy’s lineup. Interestingly enough, the Silverado was originally a trim of the C/K trim before it became a model in its own right. The C/K Silverado performed so well that in 1999 Chevy decided to retire the C/K name and name its new full-size truck the Silverado. Since then, the Silverado has maintained Chevy’s truck title, offering half-ton and heavy-duty options.
After years of both V6 and V8 engines and a recent max towing capacity of up to 13,300 pounds, Chevy decided to create the Chevy Silverado EV as part of their attempt to produce a zero-emission lineup. Factory ZERO was created to help complete this initiative as GM invests $27 billion in EV production. While the project started with compact cars such as the Bolt EV, trucks and SUVs have now entered the picture, which is even more important because of their larger engines and higher emissions.
However, in the past, it’s been difficult to go green when there’s work to be done. This is especially true for farmers and people who need high-powered trucks to make a living. GM saw this need, and they’re going to prove that the Chevy Silverado EV is not only just as capable but potentially even more capable than its diesel and gas-powered counterparts. GM is also finding ways to create safer batteries and to make charging more efficient.
GM Batteries and Charging Options
While the EV world is a step up from the fossil fuel era, scientists are still trying to find ways to make electric energy even more eco-friendly. GM is succeeding in this area, too. For example, GM projects that their upcoming batteries will cost 60% less than current EV batteries. Further, these Ultium batteries have 70% less cobalt content, saving more money and reducing public safety hazards. Cobalt isn’t as common as other minerals, making it more expensive to produce and use. Plus, it’s a high fire hazard, so the less of it there is, the better.
Battery charging is also a common concern for new EV drivers. If you’re a classic Chevy Silverado driver who’s hesitant about this shift from gasoline to electricity, we’re here to reassure you. First off, for those who prefer having in-home charging stations, GM has you covered. Thanks to their partnership with Qmerit, GM brings you all the resources you need to get a good quote on charger installation. In addition to this, GM is adding 3,500 new EV charging plugs and 2,700 Fast Charging Stations across North America.
Back to the whole “making electric cars even more eco-friendly” thing, GM is also working with EVgo chargers to use 100% renewable energy charging options. Additionally, GM recycles every battery that’s given back to the company. Those who are really into saving the planet can turn in their old batteries and count on them being reused rather than thrown away to pollute the earth.
Another big perk of these Ultium batteries is that they can be stacked vertically. Why does this matter? It makes it easier to pack in more batteries when needed, and it also provides more cargo and passenger space. This is because the battery isn’t taking up nearly as much additional space as it has on previous models. Overall, GM’s Ultium batteries are even more energy-efficient than previous battery options, they’re not nearly as bulky, yet somehow, they’re also more powerful. There are no cons here, only pros.
Why Electric Trucks Are Better
After driving gasoline and diesel trucks for years, it’s probably going to be hard to convince most truckers that electric engines are not only capable, but even better. However, it’s impossible to deny the facts and the specs.
First off, electric vehicles are actually more affordable to operate than their fuel-powered counterparts. This is due to the much lower cost of electricity and the minimal maintenance required by electric vehicles. Plus, while brands like Tesla and Rivian only offer high-cost electric vehicles, Chevy’s commitment to affordability ensures us that these new electric trucks are not going to have a starting MSRP of over $100,000.
Second, electricity is not weak like we’ve been led to believe. While you picture a small hatchback car when we say “EV,” the truth is that these trucks will be more capable of towing. Yes, even more capable than the heavy-duty Silverado’s current max towing capacity of 36,000 pounds. In fact, the Ford F-150 electric truck (a direct competitor of the Silverado EV) was shown towing over a million pounds worth of Ford F-150 trucks. While we’ve still got some time before these electric trucks release, the proof is already shown through testing. The Chevy Silverado EV is going to be far more powerful than you could ever dream of.
