General Motors is known for its innovative ideas, though many don’t make it to production. One such idea, according to reports, was a compact, presumably affordable electric pickup designed to compete with the Ford Maverick. However, GM reportedly scrapped those plans last year while scaling back its broader EV initiatives.
While we can only speculate about the appearance of a Chevrolet electric pickup intended to challenge the Maverick—as it never progressed beyond conceptual stages—a design sketch released by the General Motors Design page on Instagram offers an intriguing glimpse into what could have been.
The “blue-sky blue truck sketches” published by GM Design were intended to explore “how construction and materials can shape the future of truck design.” Although there’s no definitive link between this sketch and the purportedly canceled electric pickup, the design clearly evokes a small Chevrolet truck, drawing inspiration from the Silverado and Colorado. This aligns with the assumed design direction of the potential electric truck. The vehicle’s long wheelbase coupled with short overhangs, along with the absence of a traditional grille, suggests GM was envisioning an electric future for truck design. It’s unlikely the oversized tires showcased in the drawing would have made it to production; such exaggerated features are common in artist renderings. Even with its larger off-road trucks, GM tends to avoid the extreme tire sizes often seen with Ford and Jeep.
Chevrolet embraced the EV transition more aggressively than its domestic rivals, investing in the Ultium platform and setting an ambitious goal of going all-electric by 2035. The cancellation of this compact pickup was reportedly a response to evolving market demand and a strategic shift toward plug-in hybrids. These decisions were made prior to a significant downturn in EV market sentiment. While anything is possible, it seems unlikely that GM will revisit this decision in the near future.
A smaller, affordable Chevrolet electric truck to rival the Maverick could have been a compelling option. However, the market seems to favor crossover EVs like the Equinox EV. Even under optimal circumstances, Chevrolet likely would have faced challenges in delivering the desired combination of capability and affordability for this type of vehicle. It’s worth noting that GM wasn’t alone in reconsidering this market segment. Nissan reportedly shelved a similar electric truck concept. Toyota’s impressive EPU concept may materialize as a hybrid, while the Ram Rampage, confirmed by the UAW for 2027, is expected to feature a combustion engine.
