General Motors recently announced that Chevrolet will someday introduce a Silverado electric pickup truck that will offer a GM-estimated range of more than 400 miles on a full charge. That should be of interest to our pickup customers at Donovan Auto & Truck Center. The Chevy Silverado, of course, is GM's best-selling vehicle, and the new truck will be built at General Motors' "Factory ZERO" assembly plant in Detroit and Hamtramck, Michigan.
The recently re-branded Detroit-Hamtramck plant known as "Factory ZERO" is dedicated to building Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), and GM is currently retooling the facility at a cost of more than $2 billion. It’s the same plant where GM will build the all-electric Hummer SUV and the Hummer pickup. The new electric Silverado project will give pickup fans around Bel Aire and Park CIty KS a lot to talk about.
Building the Silverado Electric Pickup: Starting from the Ground Up
GM says the Chevrolet Silverado electric will be a full-size pickup designed from the beginning to be an EV, utilizing GM's Ultium Platform and Silverado’s popular, proven truck capability. The heart of GM’s electric vehicle strategy is a modular propulsion system that's a flexible, third-generation global EV platform powered by GM's proprietary Ultium batteries.
It's worth emphasizing: The coming EV version of the Chevrolet Silverado pickup is going to be more than a gas or diesel truck with big batteries and an electric motor. Instead, this will be a vehicle designed from the ground up to be an all-electric pickup. The design principles and technologies will undoubtedly inform and influence other important General Motors EVs like the electric GMC Hummer.
Electric Vehicles: GM is Doing It Right
Engineering a vehicle from scratch for electric motors and batteries only, rather than designing it to accommodate gas-fueled powertrains as well, may bring benefits. For example, a car or truck that's born to be an EV can be viewed in new ways for areas like passenger spaces, or the way it performs. It must all be done with a fresh perspective, though, and GM is taking that step.
The company said it will offer retail models for broad distribution to consumers as well as fleet versions, and both versions are expected to be in high demand. The announcement underscores Chevrolet’s commitment to building on their years of truck expertise, while transitioning to more extensive electric production.
Of course, electric vehicles still have significant technical and practical issues that keep electrics from being broadly adopted, but GM is working address common industry challenges. Here are some of the issues still faced by the electric vehicle industry as you ponder whether an electric vehicle might someday be an option.
How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Vehicle at Home?
Charging at home is the easiest way to charge an EV, but it's not fast. Current EVs come with basic charging units that allow them to plug into a standard 120-volt wall socket, and that’s referred to as “Level 1” charging. Unfortunately, a full Level 1 charge using house current can take eight to 24 hours. A better alternative is to eventually have a dedicated 240-volt line with a “Level 2” charger, in which case it's possible to recharge an EV’s battery in about four hours.
How Easy Is It to Charge an EV Away from Home?
Public charging is more challenging, but for EV owners, it can be the only option on the road. Unfortunately, charging stations are still scarce. As of early 2020, there were less than 14,000 public and workplace “fast-charge” stations, compared with 168,000 gas stations. When you do find a public charging station, you have to assume several hours to re-charge your car. That’s why it’s better to charge an EV overnight in your garage.
Talk to Us at Donovan Auto & Truck Center About Which Vehicle Is Right for You
Obviously, many obstacles remain before electric vehicles are a realistic alternative for most truck buyers around Derby KS. In the meantime, talk to us about the new Chevy Silverado as well as our high-powered GMC trucks, our Buick sedans and SUVs, and all the great new and used vehicle choices we offer. Browse our online inventory, check out the directions to our dealership and then contact us to schedule a test drive at Donovan Auto & Truck Center in Wichita, KS.