Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck (WT) prepares for Spring 2023 release [Update]

Update: ‘Battery & Motor’ section updated.

Undercutting its closest competitor by over USD 10,000, the Chevrolet Silverado EV aims to be America’s most affordable electric pickup. We’re talking about the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck (Chevrolet Silverado EV WT), which will compete with Ford’s F-150 Lightning Pro.

GM is squarely targeting fleet customers with the Work Truck trim of the Silverado EV. The company says that it will first launch the Silverado EV WT for fleet customers, indicating that individual customers will have to wait to get their electric truck. The Silverado EV WT won’t be the most performance-focused configuration in the mix, but it could be the perfect companion at the job site.

Powertrain

GM has confirmed that the Chevrolet Silverado EV will be available with an e4WD system comprising front and rear motors. It has confirmed the power and torque figures, though, which clearly indicate the fitment of two motors in the Work Truck. The company says that the Silverado EV WT’s powertrain produces 510 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque. A single-motor configuration looks highly unlikely for any Silverado EV trim level.

Less complex than the Silverado gas truck

The Ultium platform offers many advantages that remain hidden underneath the body but make a significant difference for customers. If we take the Chevrolet Silverado’s example, the electric model will likely use 45% fewer part numbers than the gas-powered Silverado. Doug Parks, GM Executive Vice President of Global Product Development, Purchasing & Supply Chain, revealed this development at the company’s Investor Day 2022 event on November 17, 2022.

As GM needs to design, validate, tool, and build fewer parts, it can keep the costs low and speed up the time it takes from vehicle development to delivery. Moreover, the company can make EVs with configurations that are usually complex and expensive in the case of a combustion model. Consider the Chevrolet Blazer EV, for instance, which will be available in both front- and rear- wheel drive drivetrain layouts.

Dimensions & capability

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck is 233.1 in. long, 81.6 in. wide, and 78.0 in. tall. It has a 145.7 in. wheelbase. The commercial use-oriented electric pickup has a 5 ft. 11 in. bed with four 120 V AC outlets and one 240 V AC outlet. Moreover, it features an eTrunk (frunk/front trunk) with 10.7 cu. ft. of storage space, one 120 V AC outlet, 4 bag hooks, 4 cargo tie-downs, and drains for wet items. In the cabin, it offers 41.9 in. (front)/39.7 in. (rear) of headroom and 44.8 in. (front)/44.3 in. (rear) of legroom.

Dimension	Measurement
Length	233.1 in.
Width	81.6 in. (w/o ORVMs)/93.9 in. (w/ ORVMs)
Height	78.0 in.
Wheelbase	145.7 in.
Overhang	36.2 in. (front)/51.2 in. (rear)
Track	68.9 in. (front and rear)
Bed Length	5 ft. 11 in.
Front Trunk Volume	10.7 cu. ft.
Headroom	41.9 in. (front)/39.7 in. (rear)
Legroom	44.8 in. (front)/44.3 in. (rear)
Shoulder Room	64.9 in. (front)/63.8 in. (rear)
Hip Room	62.0 in. (front)/61.5 in. (rear)

The Silverado EV WT trim comes with Tow/Haul mode, trailer hitch provisions, and an integrated brake controller and Hitch Guidance. It will offer 1,200 pounds of payload capacity and 8,000 pounds of towing capacity. In the 2025 model year truck, an optional Max Towing Package will become available for the WT trim, and that will lead to a significantly higher towing capacity of 20,000 pounds. The Max Towing Package will also offer rear-axle steering, Silverado EV chief engineer confirmed to GM Authority on February 17, 2022.

This is not the first time that GM is offering four-wheel-steering. In the early 2000s, GM’s ‘Quadrasteer’ was developed by Delphi Automotive (now Aptiv), and at USD 7,000, it was offered as an optional extra on the Silverado, Suburban, Sierra, and Yukon models. GM lowered prices in the subsequent years to make it an attractive proposition before removing the option.

Interior

Even though a base trim, the Silverado WT appears quite decent and generously equipped. It has an 8-inch customizable virtual instrument cluster (expected), and an 11.3-inch (diagonal) touchscreen infotainment system. A dual-zone automatic climate control system, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, and two USB-C ports, will also be among the key features of the WT trim. GMAuthority.com has published pictures that shows the interior of the WT variant in real life, which looks nothing different from what GM has shown in the official images.

The lower controls on the center console of the electric work truck include twin dials for the cabin temperature, between which are hard buttons for the air conditioning, fan, and defroster. These comfort controls appear easy to reach and use while driving. We spot a fair amount of storage space right below the center console, and behind the pair of cupholders sits a padded armrest.

Safety

The Work Truck should be available with plenty of advanced safety features. Some of them could be HD Surround Vision 360-degree camera system, IntelliBeam Auto High Beam, Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Following Distance Indicator, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Braking, and Safety Alert Seat.

Charging

The peak charging power of the Silverado EV WT is 350 kW as standard. GM expects ten minutes of charging through an 800-volt DC charger that can charge at up to 350 kW to provide a range of approximately 100 miles.

The Silverado EV WT includes bidirectional charging support, so, it can supply up to 10.2 kW of power from its battery pack to charge electric equipment or even another EV at the job site, while not leaving the driver stranded after a day’s work.

Range

On a full charge, the Silverado EV can deliver an EPA-est. range of up to 450 miles in the Work Truck grade. Reports suggest there will be an additional Work Truck configuration following later, with a smaller battery pack that delivers a lower range (GM-est.) of 350 miles. We’ll have more clarity regarding this matter once GM reveals the full specifications, including the energy storage capacity options of the Silverado EV Work Truck.

Toledo Propulsion Systems, GM’s domestic powertrain factory located in Ohio, will manufacture the electric motors of the Silverado EV. GM is investing USD 760 million in the factory for EV drive unit production, the company announced on September 23, 2022. Toledo Propulsion Systems will be the company’s first powertrain or propulsion-related manufacturing facility transformed for EV-related production. Renovation work will start by September 30, 2022, as per the announcement.

Accessories

GM will offer a wide variety of accessories with which customers can customize their Chevy Silverado EV to suit their own unique business needs. Multiple storage boxes for the electric pickup’s frunk or on its bed, tonneau covers, sliding tray system, accessory power bar, bed caps, and more official accessories will be available to modify the new electric pickup truck. The PowerBase charging system, combined with the accessory power bar, will offer up to 10 outlets that provide a total of 10.2 kW of power for charging/running power tools, other EVs, or home equipment.

After initial launch, we will introduce a model with a Max Tow of 20,000 pounds. There are also nearly endless options to accessorize the Work Truck as dictated by our customers’ unique business needs.

Nichole Kraatz, Chief Engineer – Chevrolet Battery Electric Trucks, GM (CES 2022 keynote on January 5, 2022)

Price

The base configuration of the Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck will cost USD 39,900 MSRP (excl. destination charge), but it won’t be available until production ramps up, and higher trims will be prioritized. Initially, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck will only be available in a ‘Summit White’ color. A Black color option will become available later.

Chevrolet Silverado EV 3WT & Chevrolet Silverado EV 4WT

According to a report GM Authority published on November 7, 2022, ‘3WT’ and ‘4WT’ will be the two higher trims of the Work Truck variant. Costing USD 71,010 and USD 76,010, they seem very expensive for a commercial buyer. Moreover, GM will levy a standard destination freight charge of USD 1,895 on these prices. The company will offer the Work Truck variant in these trims to retail buyers as well.

The 2024 Silverado EV 3WT and 2024 Silverado EV 4WT will include many features as standard, such as a dual-zone automatic climate control system, an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, an 11-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a six-speaker audio system. However, seeing their price tag, all this doesn’t feel like much for what customers are paying. We’re hoping GM makes up with excellent specifications.

Standard Equipment

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV is on display at the 2023 Work Truck Week (March 7-11, 2023) in Indianapolis. YouTube channel TFLEV has released its walkaround video from the event, along with the list of its standard equipment:

• Dual electric motors with Performance Torque Vectoring e4WD
• 510 peak horsepower and 615 lb.-ft. of maximum available torque
• Power eTrunk
• 11-inch diagonal touchscreen infotainment system
• 120-volt power outlets: one in the eTrunk, one on the back of the center console, and four bed-mounted
• 240-volt bed-mounted power outlet
• DC fast-charging capability with 350 kW maximum charge rate
• EZ Lift tailgate
• HD Surround Vision with Trailer View Camera Provision
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Chevy Safety Assist including Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, IntelliBeam, and Following Distance Indicator

As per a GM Authority report published on March 10, 2023, a near-production Silverado EV WT was spotted finished in Summit White exterior color. Providing contrast to this was the black plastic trim used on the front & rear bumpers, door mirrors, main grille & fog lamp housings, fixed side steps, and fenders. Adding some color to the exterior was the blue-colored ‘E’ letter, which is cleverly integrated as part of the Silverado EV’s branding.

The American report also mentioned component-specific RPO (Regular Production Option) codes for various parts that were on the recently-spotted electric pickup truck, which we have listed below for reference:

• Summit White color option – RPO code ‘GAZ’
• Fixed side steps – RPO code ‘BVE’
• Heated and power-adjustable door mirrors – RPO code ‘DLF’
• LED headlights with LED DRLs – RPO code ‘TGC’
• Body-colored door handles – RPO code ‘D75’
• 18-inch High Gloss Black aluminum wheels – RPO code ‘RIP’
• LT265/70R18 all-season tires – RPO code ‘QWJ’
• LED taillights – RPO code ‘TAB’
• Rear Park Assist – RPO code ‘UD7’

Release Date

GM had stated during the Chevrolet Silverado EV WT’s digital world premiere in January 2022 that it plans to launch the truck in the U.S. in Spring 2023. At the 2023 Work Truck Week, as seen in the video we mentioned above, GM is saying that initial availability will be “very limited” and that it expects greater availability from Fall 2023.

Silverado EV WT customers will be able to access GM’s Ultium Charge 360 Fleet Service, which includes access to 100,000+ public chargers in the U.S. and Canada. Fleet customers will get to purchase the Silverado WT first, and then individual customers.

We will launch a Work Truck model in Spring of 2023, offering an expected GM-est. range of at least 400 miles on a full charge. Additional lower-range Work Truck models will follow, giving customers a variety of choices with different ranges and price points to meet their needs, including a base model and a very competitive starting MSRP of USD 39,900 plus dealer freight.

Mary Barra, Chair and CEO, GM (CES 2022 keynote on January 5, 2022)

Canada

The Chevrolet Silverado EV WT Canada release is also programmed in Spring 2023, with a similar variant strategy. At launch, GM Canada will offer one or more higher-end configurations(s). Once production ramps up, a base model costing CAD 52,448 will become available. Like in the U.S., fleet customers will get a priority in the launch of the WT trim of the Silverado EV.

About 400 fleet operators have reserved the Chevy electric truck

GM has received over 150,000 reservations for the Silverado EV so far, and these include pre-bookings for the Work Truck trim. Nearly 400 fleet operators, up from 240 in Q4 2021, have reserved the Silverado EV. Mary Barra, Chair and CEO, GM, revealed the development while saying there’s “a surge in Silverado EV demand” during the company’s Q1 2022 earnings conference call on April 26, 2022. Barra confirmed that trial production of the 2023 Silverado EV will begin in a few weeks and that series production in Detroit-Hamtramck will begin in March 2023.

Nearly 370 companies have made 85,000 Silverado EV Work Truck reservations. Speaking to Automotive News, GM Fleet Vice President Ed Peper suggested that fleet customers have now moved from collecting information about EVs to the purchase planning stage. Their interest level in EVs “is extremely high,” Peper said. Fleet customers buying and using EVs in bulk and making them seem the new normal on the roads would also help improve their perception among the minds of individual customers at large.

The work truck and fleet owners are very interested in the lower cost of ownership. Overall you can see the differences in the design of between the Work Truck and the RST in the reveal footage. And that’s done purposely because we understand that they are going to be using the frunk more, as an example, and so rubbing up against the painted surface isn’t the best, and we put mold in color in places where we know those workers and owners are going to be interfacing more to the vehicle.

Nichole Kraatz, Chief Engineer – Chevrolet Battery Electric Trucks, GM, talking to EV Revolution Show (via Youtube)

Testing

With GM continuing to conduct extensive real-world tests of the Silverado EV before its launch, the American automaker released a video dated January 5, 2023, where the Work Truck trim of a pre-production Silverado EV can be seen towing a 7,700-pound RV, piloted by Kraatz. The chief engineer seemed pleased with the outcome of this validation test, explaining how the driving dynamics of the truck impressed her team by displaying smoothness, controllability & responsiveness throughout the test period.

TopElectricSUV says

GM’s fleet team has sort of become an EV consultant for its customers. It is helping fleet buyers properly understand EVs and the benefits of making the switch. The main issue so far was range anxiety, but with the Silverado EV WT’s 400-mile capability and the ability to achieve 100 miles with just about 10 minutes of charging, that problem is in the past. As the launch variants are quite expensive, the work truck may not be a common sight on American roads until the basic variants are available.

Chevy Silverado EV Work Truck FAQs

Featured Image Source: GM