2024 Chevy Silverado EV 4WT Gets to Work

Issues are heating up within the electrical pickup phase. Rivian’s R1T makes for a daring preliminary exhibiting from the startup producer, whereas Ford’s F-150 Lightning is a powerful counteroffensive aimed toward warming up prospects to the concept of a conventional full-size truck powered by electrons. Common Motors, alternatively, went full ship with the outrageous GMC Hummer EV SUT, which kinds the idea for the newest participant on the sphere, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV. Though the bow-tie model has solely allow us to drive a fleet-specific 4WT model so far, this comparatively humble work truck serves as a primer for what we are able to count on when the primary buyer fashions go on sale later this yr.

Casting the silhouette of a born-again Chevy Avalanche, the Silverado EV is a clean-sheet design that shares just about nothing in widespread with present internal-combustion Silverados. Consider it as a extra palatable model of the bonkers Hummer, with the simplified 4WT model outfitted for the roughly 350 fleet prospects who’ve raised their fingers for extremely succesful, long-range electrical vans they’ll combine into their job websites. For Chevrolet, the advantages of this method embrace a single preliminary construct configuration, plus precious suggestions on how its new rig handles rigorous responsibility cycles, or so the considering goes.

A Compelling Basis

The 4WT is a no-frills various to the Silverado EV RST First Version that Chevy will launch to the general public this fall. That truck’s dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain will produce as much as 754 horsepower and no less than 785 pound-feet of torque, and it’ll characteristic normal air springs, rear-wheel steering, a detachable mid-gate mattress extender behind the passenger compartment, and upscale inside furnishings that higher replicate its $106,895 beginning value. In distinction, the dual-motor 4WT is spartan inside, rides on typical coil springs, and does with out the mid-gate and rear-steering {hardware}. Output is available in at a tamer 510 horses and 615 pound-feet.

Nonetheless, each preliminary Silverado EV fashions characteristic the identical Ultium battery pack—a 24-module, 2923-pound behemoth—shared with the Hummer EV pickup. Primarily based on Chevy’s declare that it has barely improved upon the estimated 205.0 kilowatt-hours of usable capability within the GMC’s pack, we estimate the 4WT’s battery at 215.0 kilowatt-hours—sufficient to earn it a 450-mile vary determine from the EPA (the RST is rated for 400 miles, and a 3WT with a lesser pack and a 350-mile vary launches later). It is also sufficient juice to help the truck’s seven energy shops, together with an array of hookups within the mattress, which collectively present as much as 7.2 kilowatts of energy to run a set of instruments and home equipment—even your own home for restricted durations. Including an adjunct inverter will increase these figures to 10 shops and a heady 10.2 kilowatts. Not like GMC with the Hummer, Chevy will print the Silverado’s not-great MPGe effectivity numbers (63 mixed/67 metropolis/59 freeway) on its window sticker regardless that its weight is way above the 8500-pound GVW threshold the place the corporate would not need to.

The Silverado EV employs a 400-volt structure, however a neat trick that permits the 2 layers of its battery pack to modify from a parallel to collection connection for fast-charging permits it to cost at 800 volts and gobble electrons at up 350 kilowatts. Chevy claims that 100 miles of vary could be added in round 10 minutes. GM’s built-in charging community at the moment encompasses greater than 130,000 areas. Extra will probably be added within the coming years as its EVs are tailored for compatibility with Tesla’s 12,000-unit community of U.S. quick chargers, with the eventual aim being GM’s full-scale swap to Tesla’s North American Charging Customary (NACS) plug. Maybe simply as essential for these working in distant areas, the Silverado EV additionally can be utilized to dump energy to different EVs.

The Silverado EV 4WT’s vary, mixed with an estimated 60-mph time of 5.4 seconds, is respectable contemplating the truck weighs round 8500 kilos—about half a ton lower than the final Hummer EV pickup we examined but nonetheless heavy sufficient to crush our scales, to not point out nearly something that will get in its means. However Chevy has made good use of the Silverado EV’s basis: The 4WT is now rated to tow as much as 10,000 kilos (up from Chevy’s early 8000-pound estimate) and is sweet to haul 1440 kilos (up from 1200) in its five-foot-11-inch cargo mattress. It can also swallow a number of carry-on baggage in its 11-cubic-foot frunk. For a tough comparability, Ford’s considerably lighter F-150 Lightning (by greater than 1600 kilos) tops out at 320 miles of vary, whereas its towing and hauling maximums stand at 10,000 and 2235 kilos, respectively.

Type and Operate

As a full-size truck, the 4WT EV is just marginally extra large than a traditional half-ton, crew-cab, short-bed Silverado. At 81.6 inches vast, it is 5.1 inches narrower than the Hummer EV pickup, but its 233.1-inch size stretches 16.3 inches longer. Whereas the RST First Version will sit on flashy 24-inch wheels, the 4WT vans we drove had 18-inchers wrapped with LT265/70R-18 Bridgestone Alenza A/S 02 all-season tires. The EV’s futuristic design contributes to a slippery drag coefficient of 0.33, making it probably the most aerodynamic GM truck extant, however there is not any mistaking this rig for something however a Silverado.

Step contained in the 4WT with its low door sills and flat, rubber-covered ground, and also you’re greeted by a sea of darkish, grained plastic that is relatively miserable contemplating this model’s $79,800 beginning value (excluding the out there $7500 tax credit score). However sturdiness and ease of cleansing are the targets right here, as no work truck leads a glamorous life. An easy-to-read 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster is normal, as is an 11.0-inch middle touchscreen that frustratingly incorporates the headlight controls and the settings for the truck’s regenerative braking, which vary from a bit of to full one-pedal operation. Fortunately, a row of straightforward climate-control buttons and dials sit beneath it. The column-mounted shifter frees up house within the middle console for spacious storage cubbies, together with a seven-gallon most important compartment.

It is the rear of the Silverado EV’s cabin that advantages probably the most from the truck’s cab-forward design and Chevy’s ensuing resolution to scoot the entrance seats ahead. Stretch-out house in again is limousine-like, with the EV’s 44.3 inches of legroom extending about an inch farther than an everyday Silverado crew cab’s. The rear seatbacks fold as much as reveal extra storage. If this have been a fancier model with the mid-gate characteristic, the rear bench could possibly be folded down into the ground, successfully lengthening the cargo maintain to a bit of over 9 ft.

A Refined Workhorse

Present GM truck homeowners will shortly acclimate to piloting the electrified Silverado. The 4WT strikes together with the quiet refinement anticipated of an EV, with a synthesized hum enjoying by its stereo audio system solely below exhausting acceleration. It feels as fast as any Silverado we have pushed, with a responsiveness that makes quick work of passing maneuvers on nation roads. Even when hooked to a 9000-pound building trailer, the truck shrugs off the additional weight like a diesel-powered heavy-duty pickup. Activating Tow/Haul mode revises the programming of the EV’s powertrain for max efficiency, whereas the power of its regenerative-braking system meant we barely wanted to make use of its friction brakes when bringing the just about absolutely loaded truck to a cease on flat floor.

Aided by impartial entrance and rear suspensions, plus a decrease middle of gravity in comparison with an internal-combustion Silverado, the 4WT’s driving expertise is outlined by its sorted composure. Say goodbye to the common Silverado’s bump-induced wheel chatter from a primitive strong rear axle, and basic maneuverability is sort of good even with out the assistance of rear-wheel steering. Although its comfortable suspension tuning and appreciable physique roll in corners hold you conscious of its sheer dimension and mass, the Silverado’s steering is fairly exact for an enormous truck, and its brake pedal is reassuringly agency. Add within the smoothness of the electrical powertrain, and we frequently discovered ourselves touring at increased speeds than we meant.

After all, the Silverado EV does have just a few caveats: Working it exhausting will drastically cut back its vary, and absolutely replenishing such a large battery would require prolonged pit stops even at fast-chargers. For Degree 2 charging, the Silverado can handle solely 11.5 kilowatts relatively than the 19.2 kilowatts out there on the Hummer, which suggests a full cost will take greater than 20 hours versus simply over 12. Additionally, Joe shopper cannot purchase one but. However the 4WT model is a formidable workhorse for fleet operators keen to pay the value for early adoption—and it is an thrilling teaser for what’s to return. Together with the RST, extra Silverado EV variants will be part of the lineup over the following 18 months, together with an off-road-oriented Path Boss trim with a lifted suspension, in addition to shorter-range fashions with extra approachable costs. Ram’s electrical 1500 REV pickup additionally ought to hit the streets in that timeframe, at which level this bourgeoning phase will probably be ripe for its first correct comparability check.

Technical Editor

Mike Sutton is an editor, author, check driver, and basic automobile nerd who has contributed to Automobile and Driver‘s reverent and irreverent ardour for the car since 2008. A local Michigander from suburban Detroit, he enjoys the outside and complaining concerning the climate, has an affection for off-road autos, and believes in federal safety for naturally aspirated engines.