2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV: Two Years Later
| Strong points |
|
|---|---|
| Weak points |
|
Looking at the specs for the new 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV, some will say that it was worth the wait. But considering all the electrification efforts deployed by General Motors, it’s pretty hard to believe it took two years to follow Ford’s lead. True fact: our first-drive review of the F-150 Lightning was originally posted on May 11, 2022.
Sure, units have been roaming U.S. streets for a while, but those are WT (Work Truck) models designed for fleets and commercial customers. The first retail units of the Silverado EV are arriving just now with an RST First Edition limited at 500 trucks in Canada. For the 2025 model year, the lineup will expand with LT, Trailboss, RST and most likely High Country models.
- Also: GM Delays Electric Pickup Production to Align With Demand
- Also: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning vs. 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV: The Numbers
Ironically, the Silverado EV is not even Chevy’s first electric pickup. Back in 1997-1998, the company sold a few hundred units of the compact S-10 in California. They were experimental vehicles offering a mere 116 km of range and using components from the ill-fated GM EV1, which General Motors killed and literally destroyed before the end of the century.
Packing a Heavy Punch
Much like the GMC Hummer EV First Edition, this Chevrolet Silverado EV is a real powerhouse, producing 754 horsepower and 708 lb-ft of torque while drawing energy from a massive 205kWh battery that enables a range of 708 km. That’s 193 km farther than the longest-range F-150 Lightning even though the big Chevy rides on 24-inch wheels. For the record, the similarly equipped 4WT model makes do with 18-inch alloys and manages to cover 724 km, a gain of just 16 km.
Chevrolet claims a towing capacity of 10,000 lbs and a payload of 1,500 lbs with the RST First Edition. The 510-horsepower 3WT model, meanwhile, is rated at 12,000 lbs and 1,750 lbs, respectively, and uses a 170kWh battery that provides a range of 632 km—again, better than Ford.
The downside is weight: the 4WT tips the scales at 8,532 lbs, while the RST First Edition is even heavier at more than 8,700 lbs. By comparison, the F-150 Lightning weighs anywhere between 6,200-7,000 lbs.
Why is that a problem? Well, we might laugh at the ridiculously ponderous GMC Hummer EV, which is more like a toy than a real truck, but the Silverado EV will be used for daily chores and multiple purposes. Expect components such as the brakes, suspension and steering to wear out faster. And the Michelin tires, too, of course. The latter will cost you over $3,000 to replace.
Nimble and Powerful, But…
Dressed in either black or white, the Silverado RST First Edition is remarkably potent and quick. With WOW (Wide Open Watts) activated, 0-100 km/h sprints can be achieved in 4.5 seconds, which is sure to blow away your brother-in-law. That being said, you’re likely to stop using this particular mode and forget about it after a short while. In any case, throttle response is impressive and highly rewarding. Ditto for four-wheel steering, which allows exceptional manoeuverability including a turning radius shorter than that of a small car.
Another interesting feature on the Silverado EV is Super Cruise—a direct answer to Ford’s Blue Cruise or Tesla’s Autopilot. As hands-free driving systems go, this one proves quite effective and capable, including automatic lane changes, and it even works with a trailer attached to the truck.
F-150 Lightning drivers will complain about a lack of comfort and disappointing build quality. You see, despite being blessed with an adaptive air suspension, the new Silverado EV suffers from a stiff ride on bad pavement, mainly due to its hefty weight and 24-inch wheels. We heard plenty of undesirable noises from inside the cabin during our test drive, with questionable material selection also deserving some of the blame.
That is frankly unacceptable from an ultra-high-end, outrageously priced pickup. On the other hand, technology is nothing short of wonderful, starting with the 11-inch digital instrument cluster combined with a 17.7-inch touchscreen that features Google built-in. Apple CarPlay is missing inside the Silverado EV, which will definitely upset some customers, but if you’re an Android user, you’re in for a real treat.
The seats are comfortable but not quite as much as those in the F-150 Lightning. We also love the Silverado EV’s superb ergonomics and multiple storage solutions, including a seriously well-designed modular centre console. On the RST First Edition, a full glass panoramic roof floods the all-black cabin with sunlight.
An Avalanche of Possibilities
The Silverado EV’s front trunk, while not as large as Ford’s, can still fit 300 litres of gear. The difference maker, afforded by the unibody construction and GM’s Ultium platform, lies in the rear with a 5’11” cargo bed accommodating 1,634 litres and a folding midgate inspired by the old Chevrolet Avalanche that expands the bed floor to 10’10”. Not only that, but there’s a Multiflex tailgate with an integrated folding step.
Using a 350kW DC fast charger, the Silverado EV will give you back 160 km of range in 10 minutes and go from a 10-80 percent charge in just 40 minutes. The only problem is that such powerful chargers are extremely few and far between at the moment.
With a more common 100kW charger, the same 10-80 percent charging operation requires more than two hours. It’s best to plan your route accordingly, stopping by the available chargers offering the fastest speeds, such as Tesla’s Superchargers (remember, GM has signed a deal with Tesla).
No EV Rebates
Ever since Ford slashed prices on the F-150 Lightning, models featuring the smaller 98kWh battery have become eligible to a $5,000 rebate courtesy of the Canadian government’s iZEV program. Silverado EV customers have no such luck, as the cheapest model at the moment (3WT) carries an all-inclusive price of $78,070. Meanwhile, the 4WT model equipped with a larger pack starts at $83,870.
What about the top-of-the-line RST First Edition? This one commands a premium of $37,000—the equivalent of a loaded Trailblazer—and retails for an insane $120,870. Granted, power and range are unbeatable, but we fear that this particular product will age prematurely and come with high maintenance costs.
Is a Silverado EV LT or RST with a 170kWh battery a more sensible purchase? Probably. Range is bound to exceed 600 km, and chances are that engineers will have had time to fix some early bugs and issues when those 2025 models hit the market. Right now, we can’t help but feel that the electric pickup from Chevrolet is an unfinished project.
