GM Expands Electric Lineup with Chevrolet Silverado EV

General Motors is bolstering its commitment to electric vehicles with the addition of an electric Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. This move is part of a larger strategy to deliver over 1 million EVs on a global scale by the year 2025.

Ultium Platform and Range

According to GM President Mark Reuss, the Silverado EV will be engineered utilizing the company’s Ultium battery platform. Estimates suggest a driving range exceeding 400 miles on a single full charge. It’s important to note that this figure represents GM’s internal projection and is not yet an officially certified EPA rating.

Target Markets: Consumer and Commercial

GM intends to market the full-size pickup to both individual consumers and commercial clients. A diverse selection of options and configurations will be available for both retail and fleet versions of the electric Silverado.

Reuss emphasized the significance of the commercial sector, stating, “I’m particularly excited about its potential in the fleet and commercial space, a crucial part of the EV market, especially initially.” This statement was made during a presentation held at the Factory ZERO assembly plant located in Detroit and Hamtramck.

Competition in the EV Pickup Market

The electric Silverado is poised to directly compete with Ford’s forthcoming electric F-150. Additionally, while Rivian is currently focused on the consumer market, its electric R1T pickup truck will also present competition within the broader pickup segment. Rivian anticipates commencing deliveries of the R1T this summer.

Broader EV Initiatives

This announcement builds upon a series of developments over the past 18 months. These include the introduction of GM’s Ultium battery platform and the establishment of BrightDrop, a new business unit dedicated to providing commercial customers – such as FedEx – with a comprehensive ecosystem of electric and connected solutions.

BrightDrop’s Initial Offerings

BrightDrop’s initial product lineup consists of two key offerings:

• An electric van, the EV600, with an estimated range of 250 miles.
• An electric pallet, the EP1, designed with a pod-like structure.

Significant Investment in EV Development

Last year, GM allocated over $27 billion towards the development of electric and autonomous vehicle technologies. This included a $7 billion investment in 2021 alone. The company plans to introduce 30 new EV models globally by 2025, with over two-thirds of these being available in North America.

Factory ZERO Production

The Silverado electric pickup truck will be manufactured at GM’s Factory ZERO assembly plant in Detroit and Hamtramck, Michigan. This facility will also be responsible for the production of the GMC Hummer EV SUV, which was recently unveiled.

In October 2020, GM rebranded its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant as Factory ZERO and subsequently announced a $2.2 billion investment to facilitate the production of a range of all-electric trucks and SUVs.

Factory ZERO Expansion and Capabilities

The facility is currently undergoing a comprehensive renovation and expansion, now encompassing over 4.5 million square feet. In addition to the Silverado EV and Hummer EV, Factory ZERO will also produce the Cruise Origin, a purpose-built, all-electric, and shared self-driving vehicle. Production of the GMC Hummer EV pickup is scheduled to begin later this year.