The 2022 Bolt EV Is Finally Here: How Does It Compare?

As electric vehicles, otherwise known as EVs, continue to gain market share, it isn't any surprise that Chevrolet plans to build an EV truck. Chevrolet recently announced the impending arrival of their new Silverado EV, an electric pickup with the legendary capability of Silverado and the power of electricity. At Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick of Paris, we know new technology needs some explanation.  So, to help those seeking to learn, we analyzed the Silverado EV and reported our results here. We'll look at the electric powertrain, charging capabilities, driving range, and other popular features on the Silverado EV and see how they measure up against the competition. Chevrolet Silverado EV Trim Levels and Release Date Chevrolet plans to manufacture only the work truck or WT in the initial production set to begin in the first quarter of 2023. The WT offers basic truck features wanted by fleet owners and drivers. You can reserve your Silverado EV WT now at a manufacturer's suggested retail price or MSRP starting at $39,900 before destination charges and options. In the Fall of 2023, Chevy will start producing the top-tier RST trim. We expect the RST to come with Chevrolet's best comfort and convenience features, as well as some tweaks to the powertrain. In addition, the infotainment system and driver-assist technology will be top-notch in the segment. You can reserve your Silverado EV RST now at an MSRP we believe will land around $105,000 before fees and options. Stylistically, the Silverado EV will look very similar to the non-electric version. In addition, the architecture allows Chevy to install an independent front and rear suspension system in the Silverado EV. The WT model will come with 18-inch wheels standard, while the RST will have much larger 24-inch alloy wheels. Electric Powertrain, Driving Range and Charging Capability Chevrolet won't use the non-electric Silverado platform to manufacture the Silverado EV. Instead, they plan on using the GMC Hummer EV underpinnings. While the Hummer EV has up to three electric motors, Chevy only intends to use two motors in the Silverado EV, one for each axle. With this Hummer EV platform and two-motor configuration, Chevrolet plans to use a 200-kWh battery pack, likely in a pack of four 50-kWh batteries. As a result, Chevy estimates the Silverado EV will have a driving range of up to 400 miles on a full charge. In addition, this electric powertrain can use 800-volt and 350 kW charging. These high-capacity figures enable you to add 100 miles of driving range in only 10 minutes. Chevrolet estimates the Silverado EV WT puts out 510 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque. On the RST trim, Chevy tells us you'll have a "Wide Open Watts" (WOW) drive mode. With WOW mode engaged, the Silverado EV RST produces an outstanding 664 horsepower and 780 pound-feet of torque. Chevrolet hasn't divulged the power numbers of the RST in regular drive mode, but we expect them to be at or above the WT power numbers. All that power results in a zero to 60 mph time of under 4.5 seconds. In addition, the WT can tow up to 8,000 pounds and haul up to 1,200 pounds in the bed. The RST model has a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds and a payload rating of 1,300 pounds. Chevy has already stated that future iterations will have tow ratings up to 20,000 pounds. Additional Features of the Silverado EV One exciting benefit of using the GMC Hummer EV platform enables Chevy to incorporate the Hummer EVs four-wheel steering into the Silverado EV design. With four-wheel steering, you get superior control. This steering system helps you navigate off-road obstacles better than standard two-wheel steering systems at low speeds. It also improves control when towing at higher speeds. The RST trim also comes with adjustable air springs, enabling you to lift the Silverado EV an additional two inches. Chevy incorporated a new Multiflex Midgate in the Silverado EV. The 60/40 split-folding Multiflex Midgate extends the bed length forward into the cab's rear seating area. Fold either side down, and you still have room for a rear passenger. If you fold both sides down, you lose the back seat passenger space but can fit wider items. In addition, the rear window comes out and stores within the seat fold, providing room for taller items. The Silverado EV comes with Chevrolet's Multiflex Tailgate. This tailgate design offers various configurations to create a workspace, extend your bed length back over the rear bumper, and act as a step for easy access to the bed. Your Silverado EV has a standard bed length of 5-feet, 9 inches. However, after deploying the Multiflex Tailgate's bed extension and folding down the Multiflex Midgate, your bed length almost doubles to 10-feet, 10 inches. Chevrolet Silverado EV Charge Time vs. the Competition You currently have two existing EV trucks on the road today, the Ford Lightning and the Rivian R1T. In addition, Tesla has announced their plans to produce an EV pickup, but with no production date in sight, we left them off our comparison list. Let's see how the two compare to the Silverado EV. The Ford Lightning comes in at a slightly lower 563 horsepower and 775 pound-feet of torque. Ford estimates the Lightning pickup can travel up to 250 miles on a full charge. You have an Extended Range option that boosts your distance to 300 miles. Either way, the Lightning comes in far below the Silverado EV range of 400 miles. In addition, the LIghting can recharge up to 80% capacity in 41 minutes. Compare that with the Silverado EV that adds 100 miles in 10 minutes, and the Silverado EV gets to 80% in just over 30 minutes. The Rivian R1T produced by the small, Florida-based manufacturer performs admirably in the horsepower and torque departments. However, the Rivian's driving range is between 230 and 400 miles, based on optional battery and motor selections. The Rivian adds 140 miles in 20 minutes using a DC fast charging outlet. Even using Rivian's highest driving range rating of 400 miles, it only achieves an 80% charge in 40 minutes, well over the Silverado EVs time. At Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick of Paris, we eagerly await the arrival of the Chevrolet Silverado EV. If you're interested in learning more about this exceptional EV pickup, we invite you to contact us. One of our friendly, professional team members will answer any questions and help you reserve your Silverado EV today.

When you think of electric vehicles (EVs), you might not think of power. But with the upcoming 2024 Silverado EV, Chevrolet combines the fuel efficiency and environmentally conscious aspects of going electric with the towing performance of a Silverado pickup. For your toughest work, you want to choose a vehicle that won't let you down when you need it most. If you're considering transitioning to an electric vehicle but you're worried about sacrificing the performance you require, read more about the towing capacity of the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV. Towing Capacity in Electric Vehicles Electric vehicles are often very heavy. With the enhanced battery packs needed to carry a pickup truck up to 400 miles on a charge, these vehicles can rack up much heavier weights than non-electric options. The weight only increases with passengers and cargo. To manage this, electric vehicle manufacturers often need to determine how they can enhance vehicle suspension to safely transport the Silverado EV's weight. The good news, though, is that heavier vehicles tend to offer higher towing capacities. The new electric pickup maybe even stronger and more capable than some of the gas-powered engines you're used to. 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV Standard Towing Capacity First edition models of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado EV are expected to have a standard towing capacity of 10,000 pounds, while a commercial work truck version of the vehicle is rated to tow 8,000 pounds. That's more than other electric trucks like the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, which is rated to tow 7,700 pounds with a standard-range battery and 10,000 pounds in the extended trim. The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV's towing capacity also represents comparable towing to the regular cab version of a non-electric Silverado 1500 pickup, which provides a maximum of 10,000 pounds of towing capacity. While this number can increase to a maximum of 13,300 pounds towing with a double cab, it's clear that the electric version of this popular truck holds its own against its non-electric counterpart. You can visit our website to learn more about all the available Silverado options at your local Kentucky Chevrolet dealer. Payload Capacity Although the heavier weight of the Chevrolet Silverado EV can increase towing capacity, it can also limit the vehicle in terms of payload capacity. Since this metric determines how much cargo a truck can carry in its bed, a larger weighted truck may be limited to how much additional weight it can safely add to the structure. Currently, the Silverado EV is rated to carry 1,300 pounds of payload. The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 comes with a standard payload capacity of 2,280 pounds. If you expect to hold heavy loads in your truck bed, this may be a consideration. While Chevrolet hasn't yet released the weight of the Silverado EV, similar electric models have weighed around 9,000 pounds. Some features, like a simpler roof and a two-engine structure, rather than a three-engine structure, should limit weight, but it can depend on the trim and any enhancements added. For example, a Silverado EV work truck might be 1,000 pounds lighter without options like a multi-flex tailgate or glass roof. As Chevrolet approaches production on its Silverado EV, it will likely announce trims with smaller batteries and fewer features that are much lighter, resulting in a larger payload rating. Will the Silverado EV's Towing Capacity Increase in the Future? The 10,000-pound towing capacity of the standard Silverado EV might not be the only offering in the future. Chevrolet currently has plans to offer an enhanced EV trim that can tow up to 20,000 pounds. This massive feat of towing would put Chevrolet at the top of the electric vehicle towing capability list by a wide margin. It would also offer more towing capability than most non-electric trucks, including the standard Silverado trims. However, the expanded towing version of the model likely won't be available for at least a few years. Chevrolet hasn't yet released much information on how they plan to create a truck with that much towing power, but it could stand to reason that a truck with this large of a towing capacity may have an even higher curb weight than the already heavy Silverado EV standard version. Features like eight-lug wheels may help increase towing ability, but it's unclear how well a truck of this size could handle the 400 miles per charge promised with the Silverado EV. It may be that the average consumer isn't intended to purchase the Silverado EV with 20,000 pounds towing, and it may instead be offered as a fleet model for work purposes. But even 10,000 pounds of towing is likely to help you accomplish your toughest projects. If you need massive amounts of towing but would like to reap the benefits of an electric vehicle, Chevrolet's upcoming EVs may offer you a solution. Features To Support Towing Increased weight can add more power to your vehicle to handle all your towing needs, but other features within the Silverado EV trims can also let you confidently pull your important cargo. Four-wheel steering should ease trailer maneuverability, letting you move more with ease. Additionally, the Silverado EV's standard Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system should support trailer towing, providing drivers with an enhanced, worry-free experience as they tow even the largest loads. As more vehicle brands transition into the EV field, you can count on your local Paris, Kentucky Chevrolet dealer to help you make the best, most informed auto decisions. Chevrolet's Silverado EV trims should provide you with a luxurious electric vehicle experience that also doesn't limit any of the power you might need. You can always follow our blog to keep up with any updates on Chevrolet's Silverado EV as it gets closer to production. We hope you consider the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV for all your towing needs. If you have any other questions, you can also contact us at any time. We love serving our customers, and we look forward to helping you find your perfect ride!