Chevrolet Silverado EV will challenge the F-150 Lightning in 2022

When it comes out in 2022 in the United States, the Chevrolet Silverado EV would be a relative to the GMC Hummer EV and a conventional take on an electric pickup truck positioned for the mass market. While costing a great deal lower than the Hummer, but like the donor vehicle, GM could sell it in three electric motor options. In fact, GM has already revealed that there will be a commercial variant and another model that will appeal to personal buyers. 

Part of the 30 new EVs that General Motors has promised by 2025, here’s what we know of the Chevrolet Silverado Electric –

Design

General Motors teased its Silverado electric truck (the Chevrolet BET Truck) at the Barclays 2020 Global Automotive Conference in November 2020. Based on the golden bowtie’s visuals, the media quickly drew references to the Chevrolet Avalanche.

The Chevrolet Silverado Electric will be manufactured alongside the GMC Hummer EV at the carmaker’s Hamtramck plant in Michigan (Factory Zero). It’s likely to follow the “structural sandwich” approach for its design. This will allow a skateboard-style battery positioned on a platform that will be a hybrid of body-on-frame and monocoque design.

Chevrolet Silverado Electric teaser side
The Chevrolet Silverado electric features split headlamps like the Blazer & Trailblazer models but looks smoother and rounded for better aero. Image: General Motors/Barclays 2020 Global Automotive Conference

It looks like the front-end of the EV is lower and more rounded than the gas-powered model for better aerodynamics. It will feature a grille-like insert that will act as a 3D element for the front façade. The front-end sports sleek LED headlamps and a Bowtie emblem insignia on a strip of trim. The side profile features pronounced wheel arches and sharply designed pillars that clearly sets it apart from the conventional Silverado truck.  

Chevrolet Silverado EV Interior & Features

Details of the interior are thin at the moment. Given the mass-market positioning, it doesn’t look like Chevrolet would follow GMC’s approach of hiring people who worked with Marvel Studios to execute a spaceship-like interior. That said, like the Hummer EV, it could feature a huge 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen along with the 12.3-inch all-digital instrument console, set in a spartan surrounding. It should offer enough storage space and foldable seats for a modular interior.

Most of the features of the cabin could be carried over from the ICE sibling, such as the remote start, sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bose audio system, HD Radio, wireless charger, Wi-Fi hot spot, Head-up Display (HUD), adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, GM’s Super Cruise driving system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Chevrolet Silverado electric on Ultium Platform
General Motors says the Chevrolet Silverado electric will have a range of over 400 miles and come in commercial and lifestyle trims. Image: General Motors/Barclays 2020 Global Automotive Conference

Specifications

Chevrolet is yet to release the specs of its electric pickup, but expect the same 800V architecture from the Hummer with 350 kW charging and 10 minutes charging for a 100-mile range. The Silverado EV will use GM’s Ultium battery technology that offers up to 200 kWh output. The carmaker has claimed that its battery will be sufficient to give the Silverado EV a driving range of up to 400 miles on a full charge.

Chevrolet Silverado EV FAQs

What is the release date of the Chevrolet Silverado EV?

It is expected that the Chevrolet Silverado EV will debut in the coming months & go on sale in the second half of 2022.

Which are the core competitors to the Chevrolet Silverado EV?

The Silverado EV will be seen rivalling the Ford F-150 Electric, Rivian R1T & the Tesla Cybertruck.

What is the expected price of the Chevrolet Silverado EV?

The Silverado EV is expected to start at $50,000 for the Work Truck version. The family-oriented versions could range between $55k – $70k.

Featured image: General Motors