Chevy Silverado receives 350 kW of charging capacity

Chevrolet has unveiled the Silverado EV. The all-electric pickup truck offers up to 495 kW of drive power, up to 400 miles (640 kilometres) of range and enables DC charging of up to 350 kW. Market launch is in 2023, with prices later expected to start at under $40,000.

The Silverado EV of the 2024 model year is based on the Ultium platform from General Motors, on which a large pickup model, the GMC Hummer EV, is already based – both vehicles are built at the Detroit Hamtramck plant. Initially, two variants are planned: the RST First Edition and a fleet-oriented model called Work Truck (WT).

The 495 kW version is the RST First Edition, the WT comes with 375 kW. Electric all-wheel drive is standard, but Chevrolet does not specify the number of engines in the press release. The RST First Edition has a maximum torque of 1,179 Nm, the WT 833 Nm.

Regarding the battery of the Silverado EV, GM only states that it has 24 modules. This means the maximum configuration of 200 kWh: In the Ultium battery kit, 6, 8, 10 or 12 modules are to be able to be combined into a pack. For the large pickups – i.e. also for the GMC Hummer EV – two 100 kWh packs consisting of twelve modules are stacked on top of each other. Given this battery size, a range of 640 kilometres is hardly surprising for such a large vehicle.

The 200 kWh energy content also puts the maximum charging power of 350 kW into perspective: This corresponds to a C-rate of only 1.75. Chevrolet does not provide information on the charging time from 10 to 80 per cent; according to GM estimates, electricity for around 160 kilometres can be recharged in ten minutes. Like other electric pickups, the Silverado EV has the option of supplying power to external devices. A maximum of 10.2 kW can be drawn from the battery for this purpose.

The cargo area is 1.70 metres long, and the WT model’s payload is 1,200 pounds or 544 kilograms. The WT model can tow 8,000 pounds or 3,628 kilograms at its debut, with a fleet model with up to 20,000 pounds or nine tonnes towing capacity to follow later. The RST comes with a payload of 598 kilograms and a towing capacity of 4.5 tonnes.

Both versions have air suspension and all-wheel steering. The interior features a touchscreen up to 17 inches in size and an eleven-inch driver’s display. There is also a multi-colour head-up display. The Silverado EV also gets the “Super Cruise” driving assistance system, which enables semi-autonomous driving – in the case of the pickups also with a trailer.

The Silverado EV WT goes on sale in spring 2023, the RST First Edition for $105,000 in autumn 2023. After production ramps up at Factory Zero in Detroit-Hamtramck, other versions are planned, including a WT at a base price of $39,900. As usual in the USA, the prices do not include taxes.

Chevrolet also provides a preview of the Equinox EV. The fully electric compact SUV is scheduled to be launched in autumn 2023 at prices starting at around 30,000 US dollars. With the Blazer EV, Chevrolet is also planning a larger E-SUV as early as spring 2023. However, the company does not yet provide performance data for the two electric SUVs.

chevrolet.com (Silverado EV), chevrolet.com (Equinox EV)