Chevrolet Silverado EV Charge Time and Features

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.

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