The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST First Edition retails for $107K in the U.S. and $122K in Canada, destination freight charge included.
The RST First Edition will serve up 664 horsepower and more than 780 pound-feet of torque.
The Silverado EV WT is available with a towing package allowing a 20,000-pound rating.
General Motors is betting all its chips on a full-on electric vehicle strategy, and announced it would introduce 30 new BEVs worldwide by 2025, two-thirds of which would appear on the North American market. One of those is the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.
The fully electric full-size pickup is also one of three new Chevy brand vehicles unveiled so far that use the company’s new Ultium battery and drive motor technology. The two other Chevrolet electric vehicles already introduced are the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV and the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV. All three were presented at the recent Detroit Auto Show.
What Does it Have in Common with the Silverado Models?
Almost nothing. Unlike the current Ford F-150 Lightning, which incorporates a fully electric powertrain in the same architecture as the internal-combustion-engine F-150 variants, the Silverado EV has nothing to do with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 or Silverado HD currently on sale. The electric pickup is based on GM’s dedicated electric truck platform internally known as BT1. The latter also underpins the GMC Hummer EV and the upcoming GMC Sierra EV.
In addition, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV will be assembled in GM’s Factory Zero plant in Michigan, formerly known as the Detroit-Hamtramck plant where the Chevrolet Volt used to be built, among other ICE vehicles. It will be manufactured alongside the Hummer EV and the Sierra EV, and is offered in Crew Cab configuration only.
Will it be as Capable as a Conventional Pickup Truck?
Yes and no. Since battery packs are heavy in any EV, and very heavy in trucks in order to provide decent driving range, we can’t expect amazing payload capacities—yet. At the moment, Chevrolet announced a 1,300-pound or 590-kilogram payload capacity for the RST trim level. That isn’t much compared to the Silverado 1500 Crew Cab’s 2,080-pound or 943-kg max payload, and the Silverado Regular Cab’s 2,270-pound or 1,030-kg payload.
As for the RST’s towing capacity, it’s pegged at 10,000-pound or 4,536-kg rating, which is low compared to the Silverado Crew Cab’s 13,200-pound or 5,987-kg max tow capacity.
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV WT boasts a tow capacity of 8,000 pounds or 3,629 kg in addition to a payload capacity of 1,200 pounds or 544 kg. Interestingly, GM also announced that a fleet variant of the WT with a max trailering package can tow up to 20,000 pounds or 9,072 kg—placing it between the capabilities of the Silverado 1500 and the Silverado HD.
How About Power and Driving Range?
The Silverado EV is available with at least two battery pack sizes along with various powertrain setups. The most potent Ultium Drive configuration turns up in the introductory 2024 Chevrolet Silverado RST First Edition, boasting two motors that produce a combined 664 horsepower and more than 780 pound-feet of torque—when the Wide Open Watts mode is activated. GM says the truck can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 96 km/h) in less than 4.5 seconds. The Silverado WT is tamer with a total output of 510 horsepower and 615 pound-feet. More powertrain choices should be available after the initial launch.
With the biggest available battery pack, both the Silverado EV RST and the WT will offer more than 400 miles or 644 km of driving range, promises GM. We figure smaller battery packs should yield ranges varying between 250 and 300 miles (402 and 483 km), but nothing has been confirmed in that regard yet.
The RST and WT also get DC fast charging speeds of up to 350 kW, allowing owners to add about 100 miles or 161 km of range in 10 minutes. If said owners can find a 350 kW charging station of course.
Another nifty feature is the optional 10.2 kW offboard power station, like an integrated bed-mounted generator that feeds on the Silverado EV’s battery pack and provides power for tools, a cooler or whatever you need plugging in. It’s similar to the one offered on the current Ford F-150.
What Other Cool Features Are Available?
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV has a front trunk, or what GM calls the eTrunk, and its lid is power-operated. It’s a weatherproof and lockable cargo hold that can carry a carry-on suitcase, while accessories can be added for custom-fitting objects. An adaptive air suspension allows the truck to be raised or lowered by two inches each way, and what is likely a first for a production vehicle is the availability of huge 24-inch alloy wheels and tires. There’s also rear-wheel steering to facilitate parking manoeuvres.
The Silverado EV also boasts what’s called the Multi-Flex Midgate, similar to what was offered on the old Chevrolet Avalanche pickup. The cab’s rear wall can be opened up to increase the bed length—from 5 foot 11 to more than 9 feet. A Multi-Flex tailgate is also available, which works pretty much like the one on the current ICE Silverado. By opening up the Midgate and folding down the tailgate, the pickup truck offers a load floor 10 feet and 10 inches in overall length.
Inside, the Silverado EV features an 11-inch digital driver instrument cluster, a 17-inch infotainment system touchscreen and 14-inch head-up display. Over-the-air updates are possible, and owners can use GM’s Ultium Charge 360 app to pinpoint charging stations and plan their routes. The company’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system is available as well.
How Much Will All This Cost?
The first Silverado EVs out of the gates in the spring of 2023 are the fleet-only Work Truck units, which are not priced yet, but are equipped with the bigger battery pack.
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST First Edition is arriving in the fall of 2023, and it starts at $106,695 for the U.S. market, including the destination freight charge. In Canada, the RST First Edition will start at $119,948 before DFC which should be in the vicinity of $2K.
The entry-level Silverado EV WT with the smaller battery pack starts at $41,595 including DFC in the U.S. and at $52,448 in Canada before the destination freight charge. Other trim levels, including a Silverado EV Trail Boss, arrive shortly thereafter.
