2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV gets 724-km range: NRCan

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There’s a solid argument that wide swaths of the country are not yet ready to make the leap to an all-electric pickup truck for a variety of reasons, with public charging infrastructure being an oft-cited reason. But theoretical max distance is not the sticking point it once was, with new numbers from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) suggesting the total driving range of some EV pickups is getting breathtakingly close to their gasoline-powered cousins.

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According to new information on NRCan’s fuel consumption ratings search tool, the 2024 Chevrolet Silvereado EV in Work Truck trim will get an estimated 724 kilometres on a single charge. This is a gobsmacking number, especially since GM itself has been touting an estimated range of up to 640 kilometres, whilst referring to other trims such as the RST First Edition.

The sky-high figure of 724 km was also added to official PR materials a few days ago, but it is good to see the same number being given as an official estimate.

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What makes the difference? The entry level trim of this Ultium-powered truck cranks out 510 horsepower instead of the headline-grabbing 754 ponies found on the RST; while torque takes a dive from 785 to 615 lb-ft of twist. These numbers are still far above anything else on offer in GM’s half-ton class, so it’s unlikely drivers of a WT will feel shortchanged.

The General says the WT will be able to haul 8,000 pounds compared to the RST’s round-number 10,000 pounds. And, yes, its range will surely drop precipitously if you elect to use that hauling capability — but so will the range of a gasoline-powered truck, remember.

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Of course, refuelling a gasser takes a fraction of the time juicing an EV does, though Chevy is making strides in that area as well. Even the base WT benefits from a 350-kW charging capability, meaning owners can add 160 clicks of range in about 10 minutes when hooked to a sufficiently robust fast-charger.

We’ll take this opportunity to bury a lede and note that GM has said the WT will be priced at $54,748 plus fees. That’s less than a base trim of the impressive Hyundai Ioniq6, but with more than twice the horsepower and over 100 kilometres of extra range. In a half-ton pickup. Guess which one this truck-loving author will choose. For comparison, NRCan has rated the Ford F-150 Lightning Extended Range at 515 kilometres; and the Rivian R1T at a maximum of 528 clicks.

In Canada, GM has said the Silverado EV WT is expected to have its initial availability by spring of 2024.