The Chevrolet Silverado EV is an all-electric pickup truck that promised to redefine the American truck market. With a real-world range of over 400 miles, a cavernous front trunk, and GM's hands-free Super Cruise system, it seemed like the perfect vehicle for truck lovers ready to go electric. Yet sales tell a different story: GM sold only about 14,000 units last year in the U.S. and Canada, while the gasoline-powered Silverado sells ten times that in a single quarter. Why is such a capable truck struggling to find buyers?
The Silverado EV combines massive space with car-like driving dynamics
Climbing into the Silverado EV requires a big step, but once inside, the cabin feels spacious and quiet. The flat floor and the ability to extend the cargo bed into the cab echo the old Chevrolet Avalanche. The central touchscreen is crisp and responsive, powered by a Google-based infotainment system that integrates navigation seamlessly. Physical knobs for volume and climate remain, a touch appreciated by many drivers. The large 205 kWh battery pack sits midship, acting as ballast and contributing to a surprisingly smooth ride for a vehicle nearly 20 feet long. Rear-wheel steering helps maneuver in tight parking lots, making it feel smaller than it is.
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Super Cruise is helpful but not flawless
GM's Level 2 driver assistance system, called Super Cruise, allows hands-free driving on mapped highways. During a test in Detroit traffic, it handled lane changes and merges well, but showed hesitation when a car cut in from the right. In one instance, the Silverado EV nearly rear-ended a dirty paint mixer trailer, possibly because the paint-splattered taillights confused the sensors. Despite such moments, Super Cruise reduces stress on long trips. The system integrates with the Google navigation to suggest routes that maximize hands-free time, a neat feature that partially justifies GM's decision to drop Apple CarPlay.
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Efficiency from a massive battery and real-world range
The 205 kWh pack delivers about 2.1 miles per kWh, impressive for a truck of this size. The Silverado EV can power a house during outages and tow up to 10,000 pounds, though towing range drops by 60%. According to Strategic Vision, 75% of full-size truck owners tow no more than once a year, so this limitation may be overblown. The LT Extended Range starts at around $66,000, on par with the average price paid for a gasoline full-size pickup. Yet buyers hesitate, citing range anxiety, charging infrastructure, and loyalty to internal combustion.
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Price parity and future battery chemistry may boost Chevrolet Silverado EV sales
GM has hinted at introducing a new lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) battery chemistry later this decade, which could cut costs by about $6,000 while preserving range. If those savings reach consumers, the Silverado EV could achieve price parity with its gasoline counterpart. Still, inertia in the truck market remains high. As TechCrunch notes, the Silverado EV is a solid first draft. With further weight reduction and a lower price, it could become the electric truck America needs. For a related perspective on how technology enforcement impacts small businesses, see the article on UK's generational smoking ban.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/03/chevy-built-an-all-american-ev-truck-why-is-nobody-buying-it
