Chevrolet recently announced that the entry-level Silverado EV model that they were hoping to offer for under $40,000 is no longer on the table. But even though the dream of buying your dream EV pickup truck for under $40,000 at Chevy dealers has come to an end, it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get a Silverado EV. The RST First Edition will be available to the public this fall, and it’s everything you want in an electric pickup truck.
What is the Silverado EV?
The name Silverado EV might make you think you should compare this truck to the gas-powered Silverado, but other than the fact that it’s a pickup truck, the Silverado EV has very little in common with its combustion-powered counterpart. Up front, it has a body panel along with two smaller intakes to provide cooling for the battery and electronics. The thin LED light bar and main headlights have a completely different design than what you see on the regular Silverado. Inside, it’s sleeker, cleaner, and more modern.
The Silverado Work Trucks
The first two Silverado EVs to arrive will be the 4WT and 3WT. These are work trucks designed for fleet customers. The only difference between the 4WT and the 3WT is the size of the battery. The 4WT will have a larger battery that allows it to get up to 450 miles of range, while the 3WT will have closer to a 400-mile range.
As the name suggests, the WT trucks are work trucks. They have the ability to tow up to 10,000 pounds and carry up to a 1,440-pound payload. They will have 18-inch wheels and unpainted areas on the front to help avoid the scratching and damage that comes with the general abuse expected from a work truck. The electric motors are expected to generate up to 510 horsepower and will deliver 615 pounds of torque.
There’s A Silverado EV Coming for the Rest of Us
After the release of the entry-level WT models, Chevy dealers will soon see the RST. This range-topping model is for non-fleet drivers and will come with a whopping 750-horsepower electric powertrain. Drivers will feel the punch as soon as they step on the accelerator as it goes from
zero to 60 in just 4.5 seconds. In addition to its power, the RST will come with four-wheel steering, huge 24-inch wheels, and adjustable suspension. Of course, Chevy’s Multi-Flex bed will be a standard feature for the Silverado EV RST. It has six different functions, including a standing workspace and bed extender, in addition to the regular tailgate function.
There’s More to Come
The 4WT, 3WT, and the RST are just the beginning for the Silverado EV. We will expect to see some other familiar names from the Chevy and Silverado lineup, such as the Trail Boss, LT, LTZ, and the High Country, join the EV world.
And, while the idea of a $40,000 Silverado EV is gone, there may still be some hope of a $50,000 model making its way to Chevy dealers sometime in the future, although there is no guarantee.
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