2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV

2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV First Look Review: Ford's Worst Nightmare

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV impressed with some nifty features and options when it launched. Back when we were first introduced to it, the all-electric GM truck debuted with a 400-mile range; the latest info sees an improvement in range and a lower starting price for the RST First Edition trim. The first two models will now be able to travel between 440 and 450 miles on a full charge, and the RST First Edition has as much as 754 horsepower available. With innovative storage solutions that include the return of the Midgate, the Silverado EV looks to be a segment leader right out of the gate. Let's unpack the promises that Chevy has made with the Ultium-powered EV and see if it's worth the money and if it really is as good as or better than the gas-powered Chevrolet Silverado 1500.

When Is The Chevrolet Silverado EV Coming Out?

The fleet-spec WT Silverado EV was originally anticipated for arrival in spring 2023, but there have been some delays. Chevrolet's latest press releases say that the release date for the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV has been moved to the first half of 2024, when the RST First Edition models will be arriving at dealerships in the USA.

2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV Price and Competition

While a full lineup is still in the pipeline, the first two models to go on sale have been announced. The price of the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV starts at $39,900 for the base WT, while the RST First Edition's MSRP is $94,500. These prices exclude the cost of freight and destination, which Chevrolet says is $1,995.

As for rivals, the Ford F-150 Lightning is the most obvious. The Blue Oval's electric truck starts at $49,995 with the most expensive Platinum going for $91,995. The Rivian R1T is also comparable, but won't be as cheap when it does arrive. There's also the Tesla Cybertruck. Essentially, GM's biggest rival is the one it has always fought, but more affordable electric pickups will undoubtedly arrive soon enough.

New Chevrolet Silverado EV Exterior and Colors

While Ford has opted to style its electric pickup in a similar manner to its regular F-150 trucks, General Motors took a different approach with a design that looks futuristic yet nostalgic. Many have noted the truck's similarity to the long-dead Chevy Avalanche, and that full-width LED light bar that meets a black bowtie in a blanked-off grille certainly gives us a slightly retro vibe too.

Black cladding and squared arches combine with a sharkfin C-pillar while the taillights extend forward along the sides. The side steps and Multiflex Tailgate add some functionality to the aerodynamic design, but the option of 24-inch wheels and a fixed glass roof on the top RST trim suggests that GM may have focused more on style than practicality. However, some clever storage solutions will prove that the electric Silverado is more than just a fancy new toy.

Chevrolet Silverado EV Dimensions

The dimensions for the new Chevrolet Silverado EV pickup truck are much simpler to understand since it's only available in one configuration, whereas the regular Silverado 1500 has various wheelbase lengths, cab sizes, and bed lengths. Curb weight hasn't been announced yet, but given it's electronic components, it'll likely be quite a bit heavier than the regular Silverado 1500, which ranges from 4,740 pounds to over 5,500 lbs.

Wheelbase	145.7 inches
Height	78 inches WT \| 78.7 inches RST FE
Width	93.9 inches WT \| 94.3 inches RST FE
Length	233.1 inches
Curb Weight	TBC

Chevrolet Silverado EV Powertrain and Performance

Two trims have been announced at launch, with the entry-level WT (Work Truck) offering 510 horsepower and 615 lb-ft of torque - enough to allow for a towing capacity of 8,000 pounds and a payload rating of 1,200 pounds. If you opt for the RST trim, you get "up to" 754 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque in Wide Open Watts Model, allowing a 0-60 sprint time of under 4.5 seconds. This model can also tow 10,000 lbs and carry 1,300 lbs. For those who need even more capability, Chevy will eventually launch another fleet model beyond the first WT trim that can do up to 20,000 lbs of towing with the max tow package. The RST First Edition models come standard with four-wheel steering and automatic adaptive air suspension.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

The latest press release from GM shows an updated range of 450 miles on the WT and 440 miles for the RST. Original estimates maxed out at 400 miles. Both models offer DC fast charging of up to 350 kilowatts. This means that you can regain 100 miles of range after just 10 minutes of charging, and the Energy Assist feature of the myChevrolet app can help you find the most efficient route to a charger. This feature is seriously clever in that it can adjust the route if you're towing something, thus maximizing efficiency. Like some rivals, the Silverado EV has the ability to power other EVs with an optional cord too, and when your needs are less energy-intensive, the PowerBase charging dock can be paired with an optional accessory bar to charge appliances, tools, or other electronic items.

Chevrolet Silverado EV Interior and Cargo

GM is yet to release all the details on the Silverado EV's capabilities and tech, but we can look forward to keyless entry and ignition through a smart device. This system can automatically start the truck when a paired device is detected, and when you open the door, a 3D animation appears on the RST trim's 17-inch LCD freeform infotainment display. Looking ahead, the driver finds an 11-inch reconfigurable digital instrument cluster. Wireless charging, Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving, and all the usual smartphone connectivity solutions are also offered but that's not it for interior tech.

A head-up display offers a field of view of over 14 inches (it's standard on the RST First Edition), while those in the back have something to look forward to in terms of space. With the heated (in the RST) second row placed as far back as possible, Chevy claims that six-footers will have more than enough space to be comfortable.

Under the hood, a configurable front trunk called the eTrunk offers lockable, weatherproof storage while the modular console of the Crew Cab (the only body style to be offered) has enough space for a lunch cooler - total cargo volume here is 10.7 cubic feet. In the back, the RST trim's bed measures five feet and 11 inches, but the Multi-Flex Midgate allows a massive passthrough to be opened between the cabin and the bed: nine cubes of space is available between the cab and tailgate. Add in the optional Multiflex Tailgate, fold the 40/60 second row, and you'll have 10 feet and 10 inches of load floor space, which is big enough for a kayak. If you're worried about someone pinching your plastic boat, a weatherproof tonneau cover can be locked.