We got an early look at Chevy's upcoming $105,000 electric pickup truck: See inside the Ford Lightning's biggest rival

Tim LevinSep 10, 2022, 19:13 IST

The Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

Chevrolet is gearing up to launch the Silverado EV, its first electric pickup truck, next year.
We got an up-close look at a pre-production version of the upcoming Ford F-150 Lightning rival.

Car companies can't convince Americans that electric cars are the way forward without offering battery-powered versions of a quintessentially American means of transportation: the pickup truck.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

Car companies can't convince Americans that electric cars are the way forward without offering battery-powered versions of a quintessentially American means of transportation: the pickup truck.

Ford launched the acclaimed F-150 Lightning earlier this year, and crosstown rival General Motors is cooking up some e-trucks of its own.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT.Tim Levin/insider

The gargantuan GMC Hummer EV hit streets in December, and another more mainstream pickup from GM — the Chevrolet Silverado EV — is on the way.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

The gas-powered Silverado is already among the country's most popular vehicles.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

So if any new electric truck can take it to the white-hot Lightning and the long-promised Tesla Cybertruck (assuming it materializes), the Silverado EV is it.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

It doesn't hurt that the electric Silverado promises nearly 700 horsepower, tons of driving range, and features not available elsewhere.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

The Silverado EV doesn't hit streets until 2023, but I got an early look at a pre-production model and am here to show you around its living room-sized interior, wildly clever bed, and other juicy details.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

The Silverado EV doesn't hit streets until 2023, but I got an early look at a pre-production model and am here to show you around its living room-sized interior, wildly clever bed, and other juicy details.

The truck I climbed around is an early version of the Silverado EV RST, the top-of-the-line model that will cost a whopping $105,000 when it goes on sale next fall.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

It'll churn out a very healthy 664 horsepower and 780 pound-feet of torque, enabling a 3.5-second sprint to 60 mph, Chevy says.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

A claimed range of 400 miles would beat out most of the current market.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

From the outside, the Silverado EV mostly resembles a traditional truck, but with some added futuristic flair like a slim LED light bar up front.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

It's about the size of the existing Silverado, which is to say it's pretty huge on every axis.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

RST models come with 24-inch wheels that look downright enormous in person. The photos don't do it justice.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

Let’s discuss the star of the show: the Silverado EV’s bed. The 5-foot-11-inch bed has a nifty trick up its sleeve that you won’t find in any other truck.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

Let’s discuss the star of the show: the Silverado EV’s bed. The 5-foot-11-inch bed has a nifty trick up its sleeve that you won’t find in any other truck.

The innovative Multi-Flex Midgate (located between the bed and back seats) lets owners carry extra-long and tall items that won't fit in the bed.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

You can fold down one section of the midgate …

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

… both sections …

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

… or the entire thing, rear window and all, for the bulkiest cargo.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

Chevy included power outlets on either side of the bed so owners can use the Silverado EV's large battery pack to charge tools, camp, or tailgate.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

And the truck has handy features you'll see in other Chevys.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

Steps integrated into to the corners of the bumper make for easier access to the bed.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

And the optional Multi-Flex Tailgate can unfurl a few different ways to act as a stop for longer items …

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

… or as a step.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

Speaking of storage, the Silverado offers a trunk up front. Since there's no engine (and the motors and battery pack are all housed in the bottom of the vehicle) Chevy was able to offer an extra lockable compartment.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

Speaking of storage, the Silverado offers a trunk up front. Since there's no engine (and the motors and battery pack are all housed in the bottom of the vehicle) Chevy was able to offer an extra lockable compartment.

Like the bed, it has a power outlet so owners can charge devices or tools on the go.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

Much of the front grille area opens with the lid, providing a wide, low opening. Chevy hasn't said exactly how big the frunk is, but it looks smaller than the F-150 Lightning's, which has a similar design.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

Much of the front grille area opens with the lid, providing a wide, low opening. Chevy hasn't said exactly how big the frunk is, but it looks smaller than the F-150 Lightning's, which has a similar design.

Climbing into the Silverado EV's cabin, I was shocked at just how spacious it is. Sitting in the back seat there was practically a foot of open space between my knees and the front seatback.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

Climbing into the Silverado EV's cabin, I was shocked at just how spacious it is. Sitting in the back seat there was practically a foot of open space between my knees and the front seatback.

And even though I'm a bit over six feet, I had tons of headroom in every seat.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

The truck's giant sunroof adds to the sense of openness.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

Some bonus storage nooks are concealed below the rear seats.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

Chevy peppered the RST's interior with special red accents on the seats and air vents.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

Everything in the Silverado EV is oversized, including its center console, which is deep, wide, and has a sliding plastic tray that houses the cupholders.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

Keen observers will spot an Easter egg inside the compartment. It's an image of Chevy's very first pickup from 1918 and the new Silverado.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

The Silverado EV RST has a big, bright 17-inch touchscreen …

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

… and an 11-inch display behind the steering wheel that presents the driver with gauges and other information.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

Customers Chevy surveyed said they prefer actual buttons and knobs — rather than touchscreen icons — for the most frequently used settings.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

So the Silverado EV has a row of physical climate switches along with a volume knob that's, intriguingly enough, embedded into the touchscreen.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

If speedy sales of the F-150 Lightning are any measure, many Americans are clamoring for electric trucks. But they'll have to wait a little while longer if they want a Chevy.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

If speedy sales of the F-150 Lightning are any measure, many Americans are clamoring for electric trucks. But they'll have to wait a little while longer if they want a Chevy.

The contractor- and fleet-oriented Silverado EV Work Truck goes on sale next spring, followed by the RST. Eventually, Chevy will sell a range of Silverado EVs, including an entry-level, $39,900 truck.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.Tim Levin/Insider

The contractor- and fleet-oriented Silverado EV Work Truck goes on sale next spring, followed by the RST. Eventually, Chevy will sell a range of Silverado EVs, including an entry-level, $39,900 truck.

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We got an early look at Chevy's upcoming $105,000 electric pickup truck: See inside the Ford Lightning's biggest rival

Car companies can't convince Americans that electric cars are the way forward without offering battery-powered versions of a quintessentially American means of transportation: the pickup truck.

Ford launched the acclaimed F-150 Lightning earlier this year, and crosstown rival General Motors is cooking up some e-trucks of its own.

The gargantuan GMC Hummer EV hit streets in December, and another more mainstream pickup from GM — the Chevrolet Silverado EV — is on the way.

The gas-powered Silverado is already among the country's most popular vehicles.

So if any new electric truck can take it to the white-hot Lightning and the long-promised Tesla Cybertruck (assuming it materializes), the Silverado EV is it.

It doesn't hurt that the electric Silverado promises nearly 700 horsepower, tons of driving range, and features not available elsewhere.

The Silverado EV doesn't hit streets until 2023, but I got an early look at a pre-production model and am here to show you around its living room-sized interior, wildly clever bed, and other juicy details.

The truck I climbed around is an early version of the Silverado EV RST, the top-of-the-line model that will cost a whopping $105,000 when it goes on sale next fall.

It'll churn out a very healthy 664 horsepower and 780 pound-feet of torque, enabling a 3.5-second sprint to 60 mph, Chevy says.

A claimed range of 400 miles would beat out most of the current market.

From the outside, the Silverado EV mostly resembles a traditional truck, but with some added futuristic flair like a slim LED light bar up front.

It's about the size of the existing Silverado, which is to say it's pretty huge on every axis.

RST models come with 24-inch wheels that look downright enormous in person. The photos don't do it justice.

Let’s discuss the star of the show: the Silverado EV’s bed. The 5-foot-11-inch bed has a nifty trick up its sleeve that you won’t find in any other truck.

The innovative Multi-Flex Midgate (located between the bed and back seats) lets owners carry extra-long and tall items that won't fit in the bed.

You can fold down one section of the midgate …

… both sections …

… or the entire thing, rear window and all, for the bulkiest cargo.

Chevy included power outlets on either side of the bed so owners can use the Silverado EV's large battery pack to charge tools, camp, or tailgate.

And the truck has handy features you'll see in other Chevys.

Steps integrated into to the corners of the bumper make for easier access to the bed.

And the optional Multi-Flex Tailgate can unfurl a few different ways to act as a stop for longer items …

… or as a step.

Speaking of storage, the Silverado offers a trunk up front. Since there's no engine (and the motors and battery pack are all housed in the bottom of the vehicle) Chevy was able to offer an extra lockable compartment.

Like the bed, it has a power outlet so owners can charge devices or tools on the go.

Much of the front grille area opens with the lid, providing a wide, low opening. Chevy hasn't said exactly how big the frunk is, but it looks smaller than the F-150 Lightning's, which has a similar design.

Climbing into the Silverado EV's cabin, I was shocked at just how spacious it is. Sitting in the back seat there was practically a foot of open space between my knees and the front seatback.

And even though I'm a bit over six feet, I had tons of headroom in every seat.

The truck's giant sunroof adds to the sense of openness.

Some bonus storage nooks are concealed below the rear seats.

Chevy peppered the RST's interior with special red accents on the seats and air vents.

Everything in the Silverado EV is oversized, including its center console, which is deep, wide, and has a sliding plastic tray that houses the cupholders.

Keen observers will spot an Easter egg inside the compartment. It's an image of Chevy's very first pickup from 1918 and the new Silverado.

The Silverado EV RST has a big, bright 17-inch touchscreen …

… and an 11-inch display behind the steering wheel that presents the driver with gauges and other information.

Customers Chevy surveyed said they prefer actual buttons and knobs — rather than touchscreen icons — for the most frequently used settings.

So the Silverado EV has a row of physical climate switches along with a volume knob that's, intriguingly enough, embedded into the touchscreen.

If speedy sales of the F-150 Lightning are any measure, many Americans are clamoring for electric trucks. But they'll have to wait a little while longer if they want a Chevy.

The contractor- and fleet-oriented Silverado EV Work Truck goes on sale next spring, followed by the RST. Eventually, Chevy will sell a range of Silverado EVs, including an entry-level, $39,900 truck.