This is the new 664bhp Chevrolet Silverado EV

With Ford’s launch of the all-electric F-150 Lightning last year, it was only a matter of time before Chevrolet hit back with a plug-in version of its best-selling truck, the Silverado. And lo! Here it is, handily titled the Chevrolet Silverado EV. No messing. 

The first thing to note is that the Silverado EV doesn’t share a single part with its combustion-engined sibling. Instead it’s based on GM’s electric Ultium platform that also underpins the forthcoming Equinox SUV and the already-here Hummer EV - the latter pair certainly share a similar look even if that is just thanks to their prescribed proportions. 

Chevrolet will launch the Silverado EV in 2023 with two specs that couldn’t be more different from each other. That blue example you see above is the fully-loaded, $105,000 RST First Edition, whereas the below is the more rough and ready Work Truck (WT). That’ll start at an impressive $39,900. Eventually there’ll be a full portfolio of Silverado EVs with prices ranging in between the two. 

Let’s focus on the RST for now. The Ultium platform allows for a massive 200kWh battery pack, and twin electric motors mean 664bhp and 780lb ft of torque is sent to all four wheels in the most ferocious ‘Wide Open Watts’ mode. Chevy reckons on 0-60mph in less than 4.5 seconds and a range of around 400 miles. Not bad at all.

Both the RST and WT get DC fast charging up to 350kW as standard, which GM reckons is enough to add 100 miles in 10 minutes. The fleet-oriented WT gets 510bhp and 615lb ft of torque, by the way, which should be plenty for your company car. If we’re talking payloads, the RST can carry almost 600kg and can tow 4,500kg, whilst the WT maxes out at just under 550kg and 3,650kg respectively. Chevrolet does say that a fleet model with the ability to tow over nine tonnes is in the works. 

Want more details? The Silverado EV will only be offered in crew cab form and that bed is 5ft11 long. Spec something called the ‘Multi-Flex Midgate’ though and you can eat into the cab for almost 10ft of storage space. There’s a lockable frunk too, plus an onboard power supply that could run your home or charge another EV.

The RST comes equipped with four-wheel steering, adaptive air suspension, a glass roof, a ‘Multi-Flex Tailgate’ and a massive 17-inch infotainment screen. That screen is paired with an 11-inch instrument display and a 14-inch head-up display. Oh, and the wheels are huge 24-inch units that somehow manage to look tiny in those arches. 

So this, or a Rivian R1T?