Chevrolet Silverado EV! I knew it was just a matter of time before Chevy brought us an all-electric pick-up truck. And the news was dropped today but with few details.
So, General Motors (GM) is announcing that Chevrolet will offer its iconic Silverado pickup in electrified form. And, this news is no big surprise as GM has previously hinted about a Chevrolet Silverado EV.
In a statement, GM President Mark Reuss states that the Silverado EV will offer a range exceeding 400 miles per charge and rely on its Ultium Platform. Reuss adds that the Silverado EV would come in retail and commercial varieties.
Silverado EV Will Use Ultium Platform Technology
GM’s Ultium technology first made headlines with the GMC Hummer lineup. And it provides a two or three motor configuration that uses either rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive. In addition, the combined output for the Hummer EVs ranges from 625 to 1,000 horsepower.
Chevy Silverado EV Faces A Competitive EV Pickup Market
Joining the EV pickup contest is a necessity for truck-dependent Chevy. Because EV pickups are set to hit the market in 2022 from EV pioneer Tesla and upstart Rivian.
At the same time, archrival Ford has been gradually revealing details on its electrified F-150. Plus, electric pickups are also on the horizon from Lordstown Motors and Bollinger Motors.
Here’s What We Know
General Motors is tight-lipped about much of the electrified Silverado’s details. But, knowing that much of the hardware will be similar to GMC Hummer EV tech, we can guesstimate:
- With a late 2021 rollout of the Hummer EV Pickup, GM will prioritize EV production towards these trucks: some of the most expensive vehicles the company has ever sold. If Ford’s electrified F-150 becomes a reality next year, expect the Silverado EV to hit the road in the later part of 2022. Otherwise, Chevy’s EV pickup will release in 2023 or 2024.
- Given the $80,000 starting price for the Hummer EV pickup, GM will slot the Silverado EV in around $50,000. Options will take this number much higher, likely approaching the $80,000 price of the ICE-powered Silverado HD. In other words, shoppers can buy a “basic” Hummer EV Pickup or a loaded Silverado (in either EV or ICE configuration) for about the same amount.
- Following the massive success of the Edition 1 launch models of the Hummer EV, expect Chevy to market its own launch edition of the Silverado EV.
- Horsepower and torque output will be slightly detuned from the extreme levels offered in the Hummer EVs. This approach will help differentiate the high-end Hummer EVs from the mainstream Silverado EV.
