By Kimatni D. Rawlins, Automotive Rhythms
Extraordinarily, the 2025 Chevy Silverado EV pickup truck has no shortage of power or driving range as I discovered while touring throughout Maryland during a recent test run. Offered in three diverse trims—Work Truck (WT), LT, and RST—the super truck can travel an incredible 492 miles.
Yes, that’s right, I said 492 electric miles (WT Max Range) thanks to GM’s Ultium Battery pack and dual motor electronic 4WD platform with Performance Torque Vectoring. Resembling the old Chevy Avalanche but with futuristic ambitions, the Silverado EV is a marvel in its field such as the capability of towing up to 12,500 pounds or blazing from 0-60 mph in roughly 4.5 seconds (LT) with Wide Open Watts actuated. The good folks at Chevrolet also empowered the American truck with 510 to 760-horsepower and 490 to 785 lb.-ft. torque depending on the model.
Additionally, you can choose your truck as a Standard, Max, or Extended Range, contingent upon the trim selected. My media loaner was a Slate Gray Metallic 2025 Chevy Silverado EV LT Extended Range model with black trim and 22” frisby-styled aero aluminum rims. In this case, the two-motor powertrain was enhanced with 645-horsepower and 765 lb-ft of torque, and up to 390 miles of range. I own a gasoline pickup and typically only take it out when a truck job is in order, such as hauling or a mulch run. Yet, the Silverado EV had me driving around town as if I were in a sedan or crossover. The ride was so smooth and fun that I kept coming up with reasons to take it out.
“Truck customers tell us range is one of the main barriers to considering an EV. The 2024 Silverado EV already was the range leader, and for this new model year we’ve set the bar even higher,” said Scott Bell, vice president, Chevrolet. “A second barrier to entry is price, so we are fortifying the Silverado EV lineup by providing more choice. For 2025, we’re introducing an LT trim, offering a more affordable RST package and expanding WT offerings.”
Indeed, the auto industry needs to find ways to reduce the cost of entry for EVs, especially when upgrading to a bigger battery for more range. Sometimes this jump can cost $10,000 or more. Thankfully, Chevy added the WT for fleet operations and retailers with industry businesses such as landscaping or construction. It has a reasonable starting MSRP of $57,095 with the Standard Range battery pack. Collectively, the truck achieves 282-horsepower, 2,350 lbs. of payload,, and 8,500 lbs. of towing. Some configurations may meet the $7,500 federal tax credit for eligible customers. However, my model started at $73,100 and increased to $84,590 with the $2,095 destination and handling fee, $6,800 LT premium package, $1,500 fixed glass roof, and $800 soft roll-up tonneau cover. Yet, I prefer a hard trifold bed cover for more flexibility and sturdier duties. Chevy warranties the battery and electric components for 8 years / 100,000 miles.
The LT’s turn radius is impressive, but step into the top-of-the-line Silverado EV RST engineered with Sidewinder for supreme maneuvering capability. Similar to the GMC HUMMER’s CrabWalk, this 4-wheel steering technology allows all wheels to turn in the same direction to move the truck diagonally at lower speeds. You will be amazed at how simple the truck is to park in tight quarters. Chevy also allocates the trim-exclusive Zephyr Blue Matte Metallic for the Silverado EV RST, my favorite vehicle color. Two different battery sizes are offered for the RST with a top range of 460 miles.
One of the grander aspects of the Silverado EV is its charging capabilities. GM states that the Ultium Pack will restore 100 miles of energy in 10 minutes using 300 kW DC public fast charging. I have a Level 2 ChargePoint charger installed at home so there was no need to use a public facility. To top off 120 miles on my first charge, it took 6 hours and 30 minutes at roughly 19 miles of energy per hour. The vehicle went from 270 to 390 miles after charging 100%.
When driving, regeneration and decelerating without using the brake manifests from One-Pedal Driving and Variable Regen on Demand using a paddle shifter on the left of the steering wheel. Additionally, Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) bidirectional charging technology allows you to charge parts of your home as needed with GM Energy’s Ultium Home line of products. But keep in mind the equipment and installation service will cost you thousands upon thousands of dollars. Additionally, depending on the age of your residence, you may have to upgrade the panel box to at least 200 amps, which is another few thousand dollars.
Other key features of the American truck are the 17.7” infotainment screen and 11” reconfigurable driver instrument display, sturdy and wide running boards, embedded corner bed steps, an auto-opening e-Trunk under the hood with 120v plugs, large robotic taillights, Multi-Flex Tailgate, and a pass-through Multi-Flex Midgate providing up to 10’ 10” of bed space. Google built-in replaces Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for your infotainment and navigation services.
The 2025 Chevy Silverado EV is the truck of the future. Are you ready for its zero-emissions capabilities?
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