Chevrolet is busy validating the Silverado 1500 EV Work Truck before production commences and has been putting the electric pickup through its paces by towing 7,700-pound trailers and more in preparation for its working duties.
"It's so important for full-size truck customers to be able to tow, haul, and do everything that they can do in a traditional pickup truck," Silverado EV's chief engineer, Nichole Kraatz said following the towing validation test. "We've set the bar and are validating an incredible product."
Towing is one of the biggest concerns for buyers of electric trucks, as the additional weight typically impacts driving range in a big way. That's been the biggest criticism leveled against the Ford F-150 Lightning, the Silverado EVs main rival.
The WT (Work Truck) trim is an entry-level model aimed at fleet customers. Like the rest of the Silverado EV models, the WT runs on General Motor's Ultium platform with a 24-module battery pack. It'll have the same estimated 400 miles of range and ten outlets to run tools and accessories from. It's only available in a crew cab configuration with an all-black work truck-appropriate interior.
Being a work truck, expect it to get used for hard work, which includes towing. Chevrolet claims that 87% of the 170,000 reservation holders - up from approximately 150,000 in July this year - indicated that they'd be using the truck for its towing capability, which is why such a heavy focus has been placed on testing this trait. For reference, the Silverado EV has a maximum tow rating of 8,000 lbs for WT models, compared to the 10,000-lb capacity on range-topping models.
On top of the 8,000-pound towing capacity, Chevy has also released additional specifications for the WT and RST (Rally Sport Truck) trims. They include a useful 21.7-inch approach angle and 22.9-inch departure angle for when the trucks venture off-road. Both trucks have a ground clearance of 8.9 inches and a total length of 233.1 inches, making the Silverado EV a little longer than the current standard Silverado's 229.5 inches.
Both models have a 68.9-inch track and an overall width of 81.6 inches without mirrors and 93.9 with them. Chevy doesn't give us the turning circle of regular trucks, but the RST with four-wheel-steering is measured at 42.16 feet.
Chevrolet says the starting price of the WT is $39,900, and reservations for the truck can be made now.