Chevrolet Silverado EV RST Will Be The King Of The Electric Pickup Truck Segment

Unfortunately for all three, Chevrolet is likely to convince more EV enthusiasts than expected to switch to an Ultium-powered world. I also think that an increasing number of Canadians and Americans will abandon gas in favor of a battery-powered train. Why wouldn’t they since charging at home is cheaper and maintenance is easier?

It just makes sense

Soon we may see drivers walking away from their R1T leases or selling the high-end Cybertruck and moving to a Silverado EV RST. I, for one, can’t wait to see the RST trim in action. Chevy needs to start shipping as soon as possible.

The Silverado EV RST was supposed to be available in “late 2023.” That deadline has been moved to “the first half of 2024.” As we write, we have entered the second quarter of the year, and only a few units have been sent to a few media representatives and several dealers. Don’t be upset; Chevy is definitely getting ready to launch this pickup truck in Canada ASAP, but it looks like it doesn’t want to rush things.

A good sign that the bowtie-wearing automaker is taking the introduction of an all-electric pickup truck seriously is brought forward by recent updates: the device now goes farther on a full battery and has a lower MSRP. That’s what we like to see. Improvements!

The Silverado EV RST should go over 440 miles (708 km) on a single charge, have a starting price under $97,000, and make up to 754 hp and 785 lb-ft (1,064 Nm) of torque. It also has a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds and a 1,500 lb payload. Therefore, you will be able to take the whole family and all the luggage with you on a long trip. Don’t worry, though! You’ll still be able to impress your friends (or enemies) because the car can reach 60 mph (97 kph) from a standstill in 4.5 seconds when Launch Control (aka “Wide Open Watts”) is activated.

Photo: Chevrolet

Unlike other EVs, the Silverado EV RST will serve you well on road trips because the high-voltage energy storage unit can charge very quickly: it can go beyond the coveted 350-kW very easily.

In about 15 minutes, the EV should be able to pull around 86 kWh of energy when connected to a capable base. Add three more minutes to that quarter of an hour, and the Silverado EV RST pulls just over 100 kWh from the grid. That’s more than the size of a Tesla Model S battery.

It’s quite interesting

But apart from being able to charge quickly, the truck’s energy storage unit has an impressive charging current: it drops just under 200 kW after reaching a state of charge of 78%. Realistically, you will rarely need to go above the 80% threshold. A 30 minute charge period will be more than enough to reach a high power transmitter that is over 100 miles away without even thinking about range. That 24 ~ 210-kWh module energy storage unit is a really bad thing.

Considering that a car is one of the biggest purchases a person will make in his life, choosing what to buy is important. That’s why any EV enthusiast, business owner, or new car buyer should check out the Silverado EV RST. It’s just better than the competition.

Photo: Chevrolet

Only increased scope will help you avoid EV specific headaches. Just remember that a pickup truck will not be immune to wear and tear. You might be excited to get a Silverado EV RST, but don’t put yourself in a financial bind.

However, note that a 4WT version exists. If you don’t want all the creature comforts and just need the essentials, that version is worth considering.

Let’s hope that GM has prepared its technologies to handle the inevitable customer complaints in a timely manner. We wouldn’t want to see the Chevy name dragged through the mud on social media, would we? That’s another brand’s expertise.

This is your shot, Chevy! Show them that you (really) got it right. Prove to everyone that Tesla and Ford or newcomers like Rivian are not the only ones that can be taken seriously in the “zero” mobility domain. You can do it!