In a couple of months, GM has become a huge player in the electric car market, and this has boosted their stock hugely. It all has to do with the 2024 Silverado EV and its ability to potentially dethrone the Ford F-150 Lightning.
The F-150 has been America’s best-selling vehicle for over 40 years, basically since the era of Disco music. But while the F-150 Lightning just looks like an F-150 that’s been converted, the specs and the design of the Silverado EV are completely bespoke.
As we talked about in a previous story, the proportions are more like those of an electric car. Compared to the normal Silverado, this is more streamlined, with a sporty-looking car, a lot like the Avalanche. To get a better view of the ‘Rado EV in the real world, we need only go to the 2022 Chicago Auto Show. The windy city has just welcomed the real-world debut of this pickup.
Of course, production is nowhere near started, as GM has over a year before it can set up its EV assembly line. So the vehicle TFLnow is checking out is actually a pre-production prototype that’s worth a lot of money. Right off the bat, they’re drawn to the “frunk”. Since this is electric, there’s no engine under the hood, which opens like a clam shell to reveal practical storage and a charging port.
Rolls-Royce sized wheels
With it closed, Roman and Andre are able to show off the light bar. The Silverado EV has an illuminated badge and sequential headlights that most likely indicate the vehicle is charging. Next on the “to look at” list are the wheels. These are 24-inch alloys wrapped in 275/50 R24 tires, but they look completely normal.
Obviously, GM is showing off the most expensive version of the Silverado EV, the one with all the features and the Tesla-rivalling powertrain. But there will also be a work truck. It will have less power, smaller screens and should retail for around $45,000.
The one we’re looking at is the RST First Edition model that costs $105,000, an insane amount of money for a Silverado. But then it’s the first one in history with twin motors producing 664 hp and 780+ lb-ft (1,056+ Nm) of torque. Early numbers indicate this should be enough for 60 in about 4.5 seconds.
The list of bells and whistles continues after you look inside, as the RST gets fancy seats, dual screens, and a dash worthy of a Cadillac. Yet the guys are even more excited about the tow rating, which could be as high as 20,000 lbs.
As for charging, GM won’t give us the details. But it’s believed this platform can house a 200 kWh battery, which is huge, and it can be topped up at a rate o 350 kW with DC fast charging.