The All-American EV Truck That Nobody’s Buying: My Drive in Chevy’s Silverado EV

Why is Chevrolet’s impressive electric pickup struggling to find buyers?

I’ll admit it upfront I’m not exactly Chevy’s target demographic. I grew up shifting my dad’s Chevrolet S-10 from the passenger seat, but these days I prefer hatchbacks over cargo beds. So when I got behind the wheel of the Silverado EV in Detroit, I wasn’t expecting to be impressed. Yet after a day of driving, I found myself wondering: Why isn’t this truck flying off lots?

What Chevy Got Right

The Silverado EV drives like a dream almost like a car, despite its massive size. The bed is enormous, the frunk is cavernous, and the back seat offers enough legroom for even my cursed long legs. The cabin stays whisper-quiet, and with over 400 miles of range on a single charge, range anxiety shouldn’t be an issue.

The specs are genuinely impressive:

400+ mile range
205 kWh battery pack that can power your house during emergencies
Super Cruise hands-free driving for stress-free highway commutes
Rear-wheel steering that makes parking feel like a tidy hatchback
Google-powered infotainment with crisp, responsive controls

During my peak-hour commute through Detroit, Super Cruise proved almost essential. Yes, it had a nerve-wracking moment where it nearly plowed into a paint-splattered trailer (perhaps the dirty taillights confused the system?), but overall, it made the drive remarkably stress-free.

The efficiency surprised me too. I averaged about 2.1 miles per kilowatt hour only 10-20% less than my smaller Audi e-tron, despite the Silverado’s massive frontal area pushing against the wind.

So Why Aren’t They Selling?

Here’s the head-scratcher: GM sold only about 14,000 Silverado EVs last year in the U.S. and Canada. Meanwhile, the gas-powered Silverado sells ten times that amount in a single quarter.

The usual suspects don’t quite add up:

Price? Full-size pickup buyers already shell out an average of $66,000. The Silverado EV LT Extended Range lists at just $5,000 more. The premium doesn’t seem prohibitive.

Towing range? Yes, towing cuts range by about 60%. But here’s the kicker: according to Strategic Vision, about 75% of full-size truck owners tow at most once per year. That shouldn’t be a dealbreaker.

Looks? The Silverado EV resembles the old Chevy Avalanche whether that’s a selling point or not depends on your taste. I thought it looked fine, but I’m not a truck guy.

The real issue appears to be something deeper: inertia. Not the kind from piloting a 4.5-ton vehicle, but the human kind. Potential buyers are stuck on worries about range, charging infrastructure, and uncertainty. It’s a problem that’s held back EVs generally, and EV pickups especially.

The Silver Lining

GM has hinted that the Silverado EV will receive new lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) battery chemistry later this decade, potentially slashing costs by about $6,000 while preserving range. If those savings reach consumers, we could see true price parity with gas versions.

And honestly? After my test drive, I could almost see myself considering one if it weren’t too big for my 1950s-era garage. I’d need a bigger house to fit my truck.

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