Chevrolet Silverado EV vs. Its Gas Counterpart
There’s a new face for the Chevrolet Silverado at your local Chevrolet dealer. The newest Silverado is a powerful electric setup with a fresh design. The EV Silverado looks a bit sleeker than the gas Silverado, and it makes up to 664 horsepower, which is over 200 more than the most powerful gas Silverado. However, it’s not quite as capable as the gas Silverado when it comes to towing and hauling.
The Silverado EV is Very Different
Compared to its gas counterpart, the Silverado is very different. The design of the truck is the first place you’ll notice it. Instead of a large rectangular grille in the front, the Silverado EV features a blank body panel framed by two small intakes for battery and electronics cooling. Front lights include a thin LED light bar that goes across the entire front end and then two headlights that have been completely redesigned from the regular Silverado.
The Silverado EV is of similar size compared to the gas version, but it features a connected bed and body to give it a longer and sleeker look. Squared-off wheel arches and stylized rear lights finish the unique look. Inside, the Silverado EV is more futuristic and flowing compared to the utilitarian and boxy look of the regular Silverado.
New Electric Powertrain
The Silverado EV is built on the Hummer EV platform with some modifications specific to this pickup. The gas-powered Silverado is built on the GMT T1XX platform that is used with all of the half-ton trucks and full-size SUVs by GM. The gas Silverado comes with a choice of several engines, but the Silverado EV only has one setup with two electric motors and a 200.0-kWh battery.
The highest-powered engine in the gas Silverado is the 6.2-liter V8 that puts out 420 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. However, the electric Silverado tops that by a lot with its 664 horsepower and 780 pound-feet of torque in the premium RST trim.
Despite the sheer force of numbers, the EV Silverado can only tow up to 10,000 pounds, 3,300 less than the gas version. The EV Silverado’s max payload is only 1,300 pounds compared to the gas-powered truck’s top payload of 2,280 pounds.
Trims and Features
The gas Silverado comes in various trims, but the Silverado EV only comes in two trim levels. The base Silverado EV starts at around $40,000, $10,000 more than an equivalent version of the gas Silverado. The top RST trim won’t be available at a Chevrolet dealer until this fall, but it
will cost around $100,000.
The EV Silverado has a few different features, including four-corner air springs that can raise or lower the truck by two inches. It also offers the MultiFlex Midgate, rear-wheel steering, and a weatherproof tonneau cover. Both trucks offer a multifunction tailgate and Super Cruise.
If you’re trying to decide between these two trucks, it’s likely going to depend on what you need it to do. If you need more hauling and towing, the gas Silverado is the obvious choice. If you’re just looking for an everyday driver, the EV might be worth considering.