Brands are continuing to push the EV agenda, and for consumers, this push has led to some pretty amazing things in the way of vehicle technology. Chevrolet has announced the introduction of the fully electric version of the wildly popular Silverado 1500. As with traditional Silverado models, the electric version boasts a mix of performance, safety, and capability. That said, the 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 EV is sure to impress skeptics who aren’t all on board the EV bandwagon.
Chevy obviously thought it needed to move quickly and get an electric version of its popular truck model out to compete with the Ford F-150 Lightning. Well, this model is definitely going to be a hard option to pass up, thanks to all of the excellent features available in this new truck. It is a shining example of the advanced and forward-thinking technology that Chevy is capable of producing. For example, the highlights of the Silverado EV include a powerful motor that offers up to 664 horsepower, an estimated range of 400 miles, and the ability to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than 4.5 seconds.
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Unlike the Ford F-150 Lightning, the Silverado EV isn’t just pieced together from what Chevy had available. In fact, the Silverado EV is built from the ground up, so to speak. Much of the F-150 Lightning is based on Ford’s gas-powered version of the F-150. That is, they simply took a traditional F-150, removed the combustion engine, and replaced it with an electric motor. About the only thing shared between the 1500 and EV is the Silverado name. In a nutshell, the Silverado EV is a brand new model.
Chevy made the decision to opt for a unibody construction and totally disregarded the conventional frame. Chevy claims that the structural design of the Silverado EV makes it far more durable as well as more comfortable. That said, it’s hard to argue that a chassis designed with independent front and rear suspensions riding on 24-inch wheels won’t offer the comfort you desire. And for those who are a little intimidated driving a truck, the four-wheel steer capability will have you whipping through parking lots with confidence. The four-wheel steer capability results in a tighter turning radius which provides drivers with greater maneuverability, just like you would get with a traditional four-wheel drive. This feature also comes in handy when towing.
Speaking of towing, as you might expect, the Silverado EV boasts some pretty impressive numbers. The WT can haul a very healthy maximum of 8,000 pounds, plenty of pull for work and recreational applications. The RST can tow loads up to 10,000 pounds, which matches the Lighting. Payload measures out at 1,200 and 1,300 pounds for the WT and RST, respectively. While those aren’t the best numbers in the segment, keep in mind that you have extra storage space in the front truck, thanks to a lack of a traditional gas engine.
Just as impressive as the 400-mile range is the power you get under the proverbial hood of the Silverado, so to speak. The 200 kWh two-motor EV setup in the WT boasts 510 horsepower, which gives you whiplash just thinking about it. As you would expect, the RST cranks out even more horsepower, 664, to be exact. Just as impressive as the horsepower is the torque, which comes in at 615 lb-ft for the WT and 780 lb-ft for the RST. The high torque numbers are what give the Silverado its impressive towing capacities.
The Silverado EV comes standard with Chevy’s Safety Assist package, which includes a long list of safety and convenience features. It’s nice not having to pay extra for the features that keep you safe on the road and make your drive comfortable and peaceful. For example, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning provides gentle steering wheel turns to help keep you from drifting out of your lane. If necessary, an alarm will sound, notifying you that you are drifting. This is a safety feature that has no doubt saved many drivers from an accident.
Forward Collision Alert and Following Distance Indicator are other safety features found standard on the Silverado EV. The latter is an active safety feature that helps drivers keep a safe following distance from vehicles in front of them. Not only does this help prevent tailgating and rear-end collisions, but it will also keep you from getting a ticket as well by alerting you when you are following a vehicle too closely. In addition, Chevy utilizes high-resolution cameras to scan the road ahead and alerts drivers when there is a potential crash risk. Other safety features include Front Pedestrian Braking, Automatic Emergency Braking, and High Beam Assist.
We mentioned earlier that the Silverado EV is fitted with a 17-inch infotainment system. That alone is a lot of screen, but it is even more impressive when you add the digital cluster and overhead display. When you first sit behind the wheel of the Silverado EV, you will no doubt be mesmerized by the large screen, so take the time to learn how it works before taking it for a drive.
One feature sure to pique the interest of drivers who take long rides is Super Cruise. Super Cruise utilizes the latest technology to provide the convenience and ease of hands-free driving. This feature works with Adaptive Cruise Control and GMC Connected Services to help make those long drives a breeze. This feature does not mean you should take your eyes off of the road; you need to always be aware of your surroundings when using Super Cruise.
Let’s get this out of the way; the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV does not look like your typical Silverado model. Since the Silverado EV was built from the ground up, it is totally unique in structure. Nobody is going to argue that the structure and design were for functionality, but it does have a modern look to it. Additionally, it has been noted that the Silverado EV looks somewhat similar to the Chevy Avalanche, which could have been a conscious move on Chevy’s part. Either way, the Silverado is a mix of traditional and futuristic styles.
While the Silverado EV looks futuristic and you can see the aerodynamic design, it still offers the aggressive look that suits so many enthusiasts. The 24-inch wheels go a long way in giving the Silverado that aggressive look. One thing for sure, the first time you lay eyes on the 2024 Chevy Silverado, you definitely know you are looking at something very unique and quite remarkable.
In addition to an ample truck bed and a trunk under the hood for storage, the Silverado offers plenty of other intelligent storage solutions. For example, the center console provides enough space for a large lunch cooler. In addition, the RST boasts back seats that can fold down, and the rear glass can be removed and stored in the seats for added space. This feature is called the Multi-Flex Midgate, and utilizing it will allow you to fit items up to 9-feet long in the bed. If you have the Multi-Flex Tailgate, you can utilize one of its functions to get up to 10-feet 10-inches of storage length. And thanks to the unibody design, which eliminates the front wall of the truck bed and the gap between the cab and the back of the truck, the bed stretches out to nearly six feet with the tailgate closed.
For the time being, Chevrolet is offering the Silverado EV in two models. The WT is the basic Work Truck, and GM has confirmed that the starting price will be just under $40,000. The RST model is the cream of the crop and fully loaded. You can expect to pay six figures for this model. The RST model features four-wheel steering and a 17-inch diagonal LCD infotainment system (yes, you read that correctly) paired with an 11-inch instrumental display for the driver to enjoy. There is even a heads-up display that enjoys a field of view over 14 inches. Still, it’s going to be difficult to top that 17-inch mammoth of a screen.