I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the next type of car I’ll buy, and pickup trucks have really moved to the top of the list because they’re so useful. I recently praised the compact size of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, but its poor gas mileage means higher fuel costs in the long run. That’s why I was excited to test the electric Chevrolet Silverado EV.
The 2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV LT Extended Range I drove for a week has an EPA-estimated range of 408 miles. However, it’s also quite expensive at $83,045 with all the options ($75,195 MSRP). That’s much higher than the $42,650 for the Hyundai Santa Cruz that I’ve tested, but the Silverado EV is a much larger vehicle—more comparable to the Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning.
I’ll not only discuss whether the Silverado EV’s price is justified considering its value compared to cheaper gas-powered pickup trucks, but also how its efficiency measures up against other electric pickup trucks.
2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV LT Extended Range: Specifications
I drove a total of 271.1 miles during my week of testing the 2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV. That’s a bit less than what I drove with the Rivian R1T, but the Silverado EV’s efficiency didn’t quite match up with its rival. At 1.7 mi/kWh, it actually has the worst efficiency of any electric vehicle I’ve tested in the last year.
It’s true that electric pickup trucks aren’t known for their efficiency; rather, they’re prized for their ability to haul and tow heavy loads. You’re not buying the Chevy Silverado EV to achieve the same efficiency as smaller, more aerodynamic vehicles like the Lucid Air Pure. Even so, it would have been great if it could have matched the efficiency I got from the Rivian R1T, but I did drive the Silverado in colder temperatures than when testing the Rivian.
When it comes to recharging, I recommend installing a Level 2 charger at home, specifically if you plan to drive it frequently. With Level 1 charging at home, I averaged a rate of 1.74 miles of range for every hour of charging. Again, that’s slower than the Rivian, though other vehicles are even slower.
2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV vs. 2025 Rivian R1T
2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV LT Extended Range: What I Like
Large Frunk
A key selling point of the Chevy Silverado EV is its spacious frunk. Similar to the one in the Ford F-150 Lightning, the frunk offers a lot of space to store things like groceries and luggage. It would be perfect for a tailgate, maybe to hold a cooler full of drinks.
Cool Unlock Light Sequence
Much like the Chevrolet Blazer EV, the Silverado EV boasts a neat lighting sequence when you lock and unlock it. The cascading light bar on the front gradually illuminates toward the emblem on the grill, and the headlights turn on at the end. It’s primarily for show, but it’s a great detail that makes a statement.
Super Cruise Control
Like the Cadillac Lyriq, the Chevrolet Silverado EV makes driving easier for just about anyone thanks to its Super Cruise Control system. It’s one of my favorite assisted cruise control systems because it can brake and accelerate while maintaining its set speed. The system can also change lanes automatically if it senses that a car in front of you is moving more slowly than your set cruising speed. If you can, it will also move back to the original lane after passing the other car. Now, that’s convenient.
Bright Head-Up Display
I appreciate the large and bright head-up display, which makes it easier to view key metrics like speed and navigation. It’s so easy to see, even on a sunny day, which helps avoid distractions. The display feels convenient and makes it easier to drive.
Spacious Interior
You can comfortably fit five adults in the cabin of the 2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV. The seats are comfortable for long drives, and there’s a bunch of storage space, including a shelf in the dashboard on the passenger side. There’s also plenty of legroom in the back.
Massive Flatbed
Thanks to its flatbed, a vehicle like this offers extra utility, not only because there’s plenty of room, but because you can fold down the back seats and open up the space to make more room for longer items on the flatbed. This also essentially extends the length of what you can carry with the flatbed.
Drives Nicely
With its 645 hp, the Silverado EV isn’t slow to accelerate to its cruising speed. For something this size, it accelerates almost as quickly as other sporty SUVs I’ve tested, like the Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV LT Extended Range: What I Don’t Like
Poor Efficiency
While I understand its focus on power over efficiency, the Chevrolet Silverado EV’s 1.74 mi/kWh is the lowest average I’ve tested in any EV. I’d have much preferred to see it perform at least 2 mi/kWh, which the Rivian R1T did. This means that relying on electricity to power this truck could cost you more, because it’s not as efficient.
If we assume the Silverado EV has a battery similar in size to the Rivian R1T’s 141.5 kWh battery, the Silverado EV would get a range of about 246 miles before needing to be recharged, whereas the Rivian’s better 2.09 mi/kWh efficiency would yield a range of about 295 miles. The difference adds up over time.
No Cover with Fixed Moonroof
On one hand, I enjoyed the sprawling panoramic fixed moonroof, which offers beautiful views. I’m fine with it not opening like other sunroofs, but I wish there was a cover for it. It has a coating to protect against UV rays, but it still doesn’t fully block the potent sunlight.
No CarPlay or Android Auto
There’s no support for CarPlay or Android Auto, meaning I’m stuck with its built-in infotainment. But since it’s based on Android with preloaded apps like Google Maps for navigation, I would still prefer the convenience of CarPlay or Android Auto.
2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV LT Extended Range: Bottom Line
The 2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV is an impressive EV. Its sheer size on the road commands attention, and it combines the cost savings of electric power with the unique utility of pickup trucks. Unless the extra utility of a pickup truck is necessary for your job, it’s hard to recommend it as a daily driver for the average person.
But the Silverado EV’s utility is what makes it shine. The access to the flatbed from the backseat makes it that much more valuable, and the premium features thrown in make the ride fun and comfortable. Pickup trucks aren’t known for their 0 to 60 times, but this one would leave them all behind thanks to its continuous and smooth acceleration.
