Chevrolet Silverado EV Manages to Drive 1,700 km on a Full Charge
There are all sorts of EV range records, including the one set by the Lucid Air (1,205 km) that we reported about in early July. However, what the 2026 Silverado EV recently accomplished defies reason.
In a test conducted by a team of General Motors engineers, Chevrolet’s pickup truck—more specifically a Work Truck (WT) model equipped with the Max Range battery—traveled 1,704.6 km without stopping for charging. That’s more than double its official range, which is set at 793 km.
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“Getting this kind of range on a full charge doesn’t happen by accident,” said Kurt Kelty, VP of battery, propulsion and sustainability. “It takes deep integration across battery chemistry, drive unit efficiency, software and vehicle engineering—and that’s exactly what the team delivered. This achievement is a great example of how far our EV technology has come, and the kind of innovation we’re building on every day at GM.”
It must be said that the record was achieved in optimum temperatures and on public roads near GM’s Milford Proving Ground in southeastern Michigan, but not in one continuous session. Rather, engineers drove in one-hour shifts that fit their regular work schedules.
Furthermore, no modifications were made to the truck’s hardware and software. However, new driver habits and small setting adjustments were required, all within the acceptable limits established in the truck’s owner’s manual. Here are some examples:
- When it was safe to do so, drivers were advised to maintain an average speed of 20-25 mph (32-40 km/h) and to minimize any hard braking or quick accelerating;
- For the majority of the test, there were no passengers in the truck;
- The windshield wiper arms were set to the lowest acceptable position to reduce drag;
- Tires were inflated to their highest acceptable pressure for lower rolling resistance;
- The spare tire was removed to lighten the vehicle;
- The wheel alignment was optimized;
- A tonneau cover was added for reduced drag;
- Climate control was turned off for the duration of the test.
“If we drove it downhill the whole time, sure, we’d get insane mileage. But that’s not what this was about. We wanted this to be real, on public roads,” said Jon Doremus, propulsion calibration engineering manager.
So, the challenge wasn’t just for bragging rights, although the Silverado EV that set the record was recharged and powered up a 3D printer that made a trophy to honour the team’s accomplishment. GM insists every mile taught engineers valuable lessons, and those lessons will help shape how the automaker continues to improve its electric vehicles.