First Look: 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1

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It seems the next big thing — literally — in EVs is full-sized pickups. Ford and Rivian have already stepped up to the plate with fully electric pickup trucks, and Chevrolet has announced the upcoming Silverado EV, with a possible launch date some time late in 2023. Now it’s GMC’s turn, with the 2024 Sierra EV Denali Edition 1.

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The spec sheet is very similar to that of the Chevy Silverado EV, with an estimated range of up to 640 km; and a claimed 10-minute quick-charge that can provide 160 km of range. That speedy charge is possible because of the Sierra’s (and Silverado’s) battery pack, which can automatically switch from 400 volts in parallel; to 800 volts in series when a 350-kW fast-charger is plugged in.

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Unfortunately, 350-kW DC chargers are currently scarce in Canada, and the charging time with the more common 150-kW charger is not yet available.

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The Sierra shares GM’s Ultium platform with the Hummer and Silverado EVs, featuring a flexible battery architecture that can be easily configured at the factory for various capacities. GMC folks emphasize that the Sierra is not a unibody, but rather has a kind of hybrid chassis in which the Ultium platform comprises the undercarriage, and the body is bolted and bonded to that.

The four wheels are driven by one front- and one rear-mounted motor, and the Sierra EV will feature all-wheel steering, but with less than the 10 degrees of rear steering available on the Hummer EV. It will, however, feature the diagonal CrabWalk capability introduced on the Hummer to help get out of tight spots.

The Sierra EV can produce up to 10.2 kW of off-board power with the optional Power Station Pro, allowing you to power electrical equipment on a job site, provide emergency power at home, or even charge another EV.

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A simple yet luxurious interior design features a lowered, straight dashboard that includes a 16.8-inch vertical display in the centre, an 11-inch configurable instrument panel, and a 14-inch colour head-up display. It boasts up to 14 camera views, and will have trailer-capable Super Cruise.

Adaptive air suspension can raise and lower the vehicle over a range of 50 mm. Premium interior touches include aluminum, stainless steel, and wood trim, and exclusive seat quilting. And if you’re tired of hitting a start button, the Sierra EV is ready to go as soon as you get into the driver’s seat with the key fob in your pocket; just push on the brake, select a gear, and go.

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Targeting full-size ICE pickup buyers, the Sierra EV needs capability that is at least similar to its fuelled stablemates. For starters, it boasts up to 754 horsepower and 785 lb-ft of torque, which gives it an un-pickup-like zero-to-60-mph (-96-km/h) time of less than 4.5 seconds. Maximum towing capacity is 9,500 lbs and max payload is 1,300 lbs.

It comes only with a crew cab and a 5-foot 11-inch bed, though the rear end of the cab is removable in sections, expanding bed length to 9-foot-1 with the MultiPro tailgate up; and 10-foot-1 with the tailgate down. Just like on the Hummer EV and Ford F-150 Lightning, the Sierra’s grill lifts with the hood to provide easy access to a relatively large eTrunk storage compartment. It rolls on 24-inch wheels and 35-inch tires.

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While it shares much of the Silverado EV’s hardware and specs, it will be a higher-end offering, with premium finishes and materials, and more power than the Silverado, which tops out at a not-too-shabby 660 hp.

Now, if you’ve got your deposit in hand, you’ll have to wait. While the 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 will be arriving in U.S. dealers sometime in early 2024, and stateside customer reservations will open up on October 20, 2022, Canada won’t be getting it at that time. The first Sierra EVs to arrive in Canada will be 2025 models, with a later, as-of-yet-undisclosed delivery date.

While GMC can currently claim that it will be the only manufacturer to offer three electric trucks (including the Hummer EV SUV and pickup) that might change by the time the Sierra EV hits showrooms, at least here in Canada. The good news is that by 2025, two more variations will be introduced: the off-road capable AT4 and Elevation EV models.