The Future of the Chevy Silverado

Chevy has been gradually dropping tidbits of news about its upcoming production of the future of the Silverado, scheduled to be built at Factory Zero in Michigan for 2023. GM retooled its old Detroit-Hamtramck plant in 2020 to serve as one of its new manufacturing plants for electric vehicles, starting with the exciting release of the GM Hummer EV this year. Soon buyers will be able to search “Chevy dealer near me” to find a Silverado EV built in the same plant, potentially on the same platform as the Hummer EV.

Though electric vehicles currently only make up about three percent of the vehicles on the road today, sales are beginning to pick up as EVs become more common and more affordable. In fact, EV sales have risen at a rate of five times that of gas-powered vehicles, according to reports in the second quarter of 2021, with fully electric vehicles also outstripping sales of hybrids in the US. Car manufacturers like GM are getting competitive about delivering affordable EVs with better driving range, powerful capability, and faster charging times. What news has been leaked about the future Silverado EV seems to confirm this will be true of Chevy’s upcoming fully electric truck.

Affordable Pricing With Corporations Going Electric

Trucks are often purchased as fleet vehicles, and truck manufacturers like Chevy expect to produce basic work truck trim levels to keep pricing low. This could mean entry-level pricing could start as low as $40,000 to $50,000, and Chevy will be directly competing with the Ford Lighting, which is priced around $40,000. As sales increase for EVs and demand goes up, pricing should become more affordable for everyone who wants to own a fully electric vehicle built using more sustainable manufacturing.

GM CEO Mary Barra has commented in the past about the intention to provide affordable EVs across a wide range of pricing to make purchasing more attainable for all buyers. Barra stated in a recent interview with Green Car Reports that “the initial interest has been overwhelming, especially from commercial and government customers,” when asked about the Silverado EV. Several large companies such as Amazon, Ikea, and FedEx are joining the ranks of corporations switching their fleets to using fully electric vehicles for transport as part of a global initiative to reduce carbon emissions, a change that will only help sustain EV production and lower pricing for individual buyers.

Projected Features and Styling

Chevy recently released a video of a Silverado EV prototype that featured what Chevy calls “four-wheel steering,” a feature similar to the crab-walking capability of the new 2021 Hummer EV. The rear axle will have a turning capability like the front axle, which will tighten the turning radius and make parking and maneuvering in tight spaces much easier. Chevy states on their website that this feature should also improve handling and stability, and the new Silverado EV is expected to ride on large 24-inch wheels, which should also improve capability.

Because the Silverado EV will be sharing a platform and production facility with the Hummer EV, the expectation is that the future truck will be produced with several electric motor options for a range of capability and power. Up to 1,000 horsepower could be produced by a combination of motors in a future Silverado EV, which would make it far more powerful than any gas-powered truck available today. Having dual motors, one for each axle, is likely to be an option to power all-wheel drive and to offer the available four-wheel steering. Triple motors could be a possibility for more power to assist off-road and trailering set-ups, but a single motor powertrain might make the Silverado EV more affordable for buyers willing to drive a light-duty version.

Sneak peeks of the Silverado EV were revealed in 2020 during a press release about the prototype being developed, and critics agreed that echoes of the Chevy Avalanche were seen in the new truck design. The grille of the prototype was visible in photo footage, showing the blocked chrome backing that no longer needs to allow airflow to the engine, creating a more aerodynamic front end that will make the battery life last longer with less wind drag. Other features buyers can expect are likely to be drawn from the Hummer EV in terms of tech and capability, though the Silverado EV will be less futuristic and more like the familiar truck we already know and love.

Driving Range and Battery Platform

Built with the new Ultium batteries developed by GM, the new Silverado EV can be expected to have a driving range as high as 400 miles when it comes with its largest battery pack of up to 200 kWh. GM is continuing to work on improving the Ultium battery to make it more powerful and offer longer driving ranges, and costs are projected to be lowered by having the batteries manufactured in the US with lower-cost materials that are more sustainable.

When the Silverado EV is built, Ultium batteries will serve as part of the vehicle’s stability. Weight from the battery packs will be placed low in the truck’s frame, which will give the Silverado EV a low center of gravity. This will lend itself to excellent capability for off-roading with increased stability from the weight being low; a choice also made in the Hummer EV. In line with battery placement, the Silverado EV will share the “skateboard” platform used in the Hummer EV, which will support the body-on-frame build.

Unlike the gas-powered Silverado, the Silverado EV won’t have a rumbling engine; instead, it will be virtually silent thanks to the quiet nature of the electric motors that will power the truck. Though enthusiasts of diesel and gas-powered trucks may miss that satisfying bass note when hitting the accelerator, the almost silent functioning of the electric motor means your truck can now be stealthy. Such a feature will be attractive for buyers who use their trucks for hunting or who want to off-road and capture sights of animals while trail riding. Without the noise of a traditional gas-powered engine, animals are less likely to hear you coming while you creep through the backcountry.

Charging Into the Future

The future Silverado EV is part of GM’s plan to build vehicles that lend themselves to a future with “zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion.” Technology that takes the Silverado into a space that improves trailering, performance off the road, and makes driving safer is part of the future of electric vehicles. With the electric power, connectivity and function are part of the full package of what comes with driving a zero-emissions vehicle.

At this time, Chevy is making every effort to bring EVs to as many buyers as possible, including paying for the installation of Level 2 chargers at home. A Level 2 charging station lessens the time it takes to charge your battery fully, and those who purchase an EV will also have access to a nationwide charging network that offers Level 3 rapid charging that cuts the time down from hours to minutes.

Of course, GM continues to innovate along with the rest of the EV manufacturers to consistently improve the experience of owning a fully electric vehicle. By the time the Silverado EV is released, any number of innovations could emerge to completely change the game for EV ownership to make it more attainable, convenient, and powerful than ever. Mary Barra said in a recent interview that a sneak peek of the Silverado EV exceeded expectations for “pickup capability, innovative storage, and strong value.” This is the future of the Chevy Silverado.