The Most Versatile and Functional Electric Pickup?
First announced in 2022, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST is now available at Chevrolet dealerships across North America. The slow roll-out for eager consumers follows the Silverado EV WT work truck version that went on-sale in September 2023.
The Silverado gets electric motivation
Clean Fleet Report had the opportunity recently to drive the Silverado EV RST at an automotive media event in Detroit, Michigan. Chevrolet engineers, designers and the brand marketing team members were on-hand to answer questions about Chevrolet’s first full-size electric pickup truck.
To get started, here are the key elements of the Silverado EV RST
Developed from the ground-up as a pure electric truck on the General Motors Ultium platform
Dedicated platform not shared with a gasoline engine
Built at Factory Zero, the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center
All-wheel drive
Four-wheel steering
Two Silverado EV trims: RST and Work Truck (WT)
Towing capacity: 10,000 pounds for the RST; 8,000 pounds for the WT
1,500 pounds of payload
Available only as a Crew Cab
Power and Range
Lights say “hi” as you approach
Dual electric motors
Horsepower: RST: 754; WT: 510
Torque: RST: 785; WT: 615
212 kWh Ultium lithium-ion battery
19.2 kW onboard charger
350 kW, 800-volt DC charging capability
Curb Weight: RST: 8,953 pounds
Driving Range: RST: 440 miles; WT: 450
Charging
Level 1 (120V) – Long and slow
Level 2 (240V) – 34 miles per hour or about 13 hours
DC Fast Charging – 100 miles can be added in 10 minutes, when charging with 350 kW
Features
A big frunk
Seating for five adults
Power, heated and cooled seats
Instrument display – 11.0-inch driver configurable
LCD infotainment screen – 17.0-inch
Wireless phone charging
Wi-Fi hotspot
Google built-in (No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto)
Head-up display – 14 inches, multi-color
Super Cruise – Hands-free driving that, among other features, can automatically change lanes
Automatic adaptive air suspension with a 2-inch range for raising or lowering the ride height: 4-inches total spread
Large and deep center console storage area that can hold a lunch cooler
Rear under-seat storage
eTrunk – A lockable front trunk (frunk) with 10.7 cubic feet of storage
Fixed glass roof over the front and rear passengers; no sunshade
Rear bumper steps
Multi-flex tailgate
Mid-gate that opens the back of the cab into the interior. With the rear seat folded flat, there is 10 feet of additional storage length, enough to handle a kayak, surfboard or SUP
Walk-up and walk-away lighting sequences on the front and rear
10.2 kW of external charging capability, with up-to 10 outlets, designed to power a worksite, campsite or home
Ready for the long haul
Driving the Silverado EV RST
The GMC Hummer EV and the Chevrolet Silverado EV are built on the same Ultium battery platform. When Clean Fleet Report reviewed the Hummer EV we found it to be a marvel of technology in many ways, while being a bit over-the-top in some. The Silverado EV has culled the useful Hummer EV bits and pieces, which for us makes it a better option if looking for an electric pickup.
The Silverado EV drove smooth, but there was noticeable wind noise from the outside mirrors to the point we checked if all the windows were up. The massive tires filled to 65 psi also produced some road noise. Those sizable standard 24-inch wheels, mounted with 275/50 Michelin Primacy tires could raise a few eyebrows regarding ride comfort, but the automatic air suspension, adaptive dampers, and front and rear independent suspension set-up would be fine for long-range, comfortable freeway cruising. It isn’t a plush ride, so maybe going with smaller wheels would help the ride.
Freeway time can be much more enjoyable, and relaxing, by activating Super Cruise that allows the driver to travel more than 400,000 miles on compatible roads. We tested it (see video below), including when towing, and it worked very well. This technology is a feature you will want on your Silverado EV if taking to the highway is in your plans. And since you can travel 440 miles without recharging, why wouldn’t you take a Silverado EV on that family road trip?
Look ma, no hands!
While the Silverado EV comes standard with all-wheel drive, it is not designed for going off-road. The Hummer EV is built for that use and from our experience, is very good at it. One thing both have is rear-wheel steering that makes parking in tight places easy, and taking city or freeway corners with little effort.
The Silverado EV feels like a heavy SUV and not a heavy truck, which can cut both ways with consumers. Those coming from a SUV will feel right at home quickly, while truck owners may need some time to acclimate.
Wide Open Watts
The 2024 Silverado EV RST is the most powerful and fastest Silverado to come off the assembly line. For a bit of fun or just to show-off, take your friends out for a demonstration of Wide Open Watts (see video below). This temporary blast of electrons pushes the 2+ ton mass 0-60 mph in about 4.5 seconds. When launching from a stop, the front end lifts a bit, the steering gets light and you get pushed back in the seat. As noted, fun, but not too useful in everyday driving as all that extra electricity cuts into the overall driving range.
Watts in motion
Versatility and Functionality
Chevy made sure we weren’t bored
Cabin storage is plentiful, whether it be under seat in the rear or the 7-gallon space in the padded center console. But the real eye-popper is the multi-flex tail gate. When fully optimized, it bumps the 5-foot-11-inch bed to 10-feet-10-inches of load floor, providing enough space for long items like a kayak, surfboard, paddle board or lumber. Check-out this how-to video here.
Occupant head, leg and shoulder space is good, with three adults easily sitting in the 60:40 folding rear seat. Rear passengers get heated seats, air vents and power outlets.
V2H
V2H stands for Vehicle-2-Home, which allows Silverado EV owners to power their home for several days in an emergency. Through the GM Energy V2H Bundle, once installed, the bi-directional power flow can charge the Silverado EV and also take power from the Silverado into a home or other EV. For anyone who lives in an area where weather can knock out the power, and is considering installing a diesel back-up generator, the GM system will be worth investigating as an alternative. Here is how it works.
Lots of storage inside the cabin
Safety
The Silverado EV comes standard with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), branded as Chevrolet Safety Assist, which includes automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist, departure warning and forward collision alert.
As with all General Motors vehicles, the Silverado EV will be equipped with OnStar. A simple push of a button connects to a friendly representative to handle emergencies, directions, and general assistance to make your driving experience safer and more enjoyable.
Pricing and Availability
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST hits dealers this month (May 2024) and comes in one trim level, the Launch Edition, so all you need to do is pick a color. The price is $96,495, which is about the price of the GMC Hummer, a bit above a comparable Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning pickups, but below the Tesla CyberTruck Cyberbeast edition.
Chevrolet says as early as late 2024 there will be lower priced Silverado EVs, but expect them to have a shorter driving range. Chevrolet wants its customers to choose a Silverado EV that meets their budget.
The first of several Silverado EVs
General Motors is on a roll, announcing several battery electric vehicles being built on the all-new, dedicated Ultium EV Platform. So far the GMC Hummer, Chevrolet Blazer and Equinox, and Cadillac Lyriq are on the road, and the Chevrolet Silverado hits dealers in mid-2024. Next up are the GMC Sierra EV Denali. Expect there to be more battery electric Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC vehicles announced in the coming months.
Our take. After seeing it up close and driving it, Chevrolet-loyal truck owners and first-time electric truck buyers will be intrigued. The size, driving range, charging speed, cargo versatility and storage options make the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV appealing. Chevrolet is hoping it is the start of something big.
The Silverado EV is an important step for Chevrolet as they enter the nascent but growing field of all-electric pickup trucks. They understand the challenges of converting current diesel and gasoline-powered truck owners to buy an electric pickup. But as more electric trucks are on the market, the Chevrolet Silverado joining the Rivian R1T, GMC Hummer, Tesla Cybertruck and Ford Lightning, consumers will become more comfortable with the idea that burning fossil fuels and spewing emissions into the atmosphere is no longer necessary when hauling people and goods. The most recent numbers show the EV pickup tribe growing as almost 7,000 Lightning (the best-seller), R1T, Hummer and Cybertruck pickups were registered by customers in April 2024.
Make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all new stories and vehicle reviews, including when we get the chance to drive the Silverado EV for a longer time to do a full report on its performance, charging speed, and driving range.
Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Chevrolet.
[See image gallery at cleanfleetreport.com]The post Flash Drive: 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST first appeared on Clean Fleet Report.
