Getting your
Trinity Audioplayer ready...**By James Raia ** Twenty-five years after the Chevrolet Silverado debuted, the carmaker added an all-electric option. For 2026, the off-road-oriented Trail Boss joins the EV lineup.
The Silverado EV remains the manufacturer’s only electric truck. Its specs further differentiate the testosterone-loaded beast from standard pickup trucks.
It has the segment’s best towing capacity, 12,500 pounds and a 1,800-pound payload rating.
Its factory-installed, two-inch lift provides 24 percent more ground clearance. There’s a hydraulic rebound control suspension and a sidewinder mode for diagonal crawling. A terrain mode is handy for sharper four-wheel steering in difficult cornering.
Most prominent are the 35-inch all-terrain tires ready to challenge any off-road interference.
Maximum range trims have 760 horsepower and a 493-mile range. Home charging (240V) takes just under 14 hours.
As a powerful EV, the Silverado’s one-pedal braking requires a severe learning curve. Unlike more smooth-transitioning systems, lifting off the accelerator results in an abrupt jolt. Using the system increases range and helps brake longevity, but the truck’s weight doesn’t make it easy.
The truck is quick, accelerating from 0-to-60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds. The 6.2-liter V8 Silverado is rated in the same acceleration standard in 5.4 seconds.
Rivals include the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T.
All-wheel drive is standard; a rear-wheel-steering system and an adaptive air suspension are optional. With its adaptive equipment and hefty dimensions, the truck rides smoothly and is quieter than many EV sedans.
Interior features include a 17.7-inch touchscreen. It utilizes a Google infotainment system and a hands-free driving system called Super Cruise. It provides hands-free functionality on designated roads throughout the country. (Thirty states allowed the system at the end of 2025.)
The overall interior is spacious with seating for five. The frunk has 11 cubic feet of cargo space and there’s an innovative interior pass-through called the Multi-Flex Midgate. It increases the 5-foot, 11-inch cargo bed to nearly 11 feet.
While the interior does space well, there’s one issue: the rear-view mirror is tiny, reminiscent of the minuscule rear-view mirror in Volkswagen Bugs. The exterior further defines the massive, ominous-looking truck. The Silverado EV is 19 feet, 5 inches long and 7 feet, 9 inches wide from mirror to mirror. Its curb weight is nearly 8,500 pounds. Its massive girth prohibits the use of any traditionally sized parking spaces.
New are front red tow hooks, a redesigned front bumper and a dedicated Terrain mode. The driver’s- and passenger-side step-ups are permanent. It’s a better approach than the retractable options. They’re susceptible to malfunctioning and often have gaps next to the vehicle body, conducive to awkward foot placement and potential injury. The Standard safety features list is extensive. It includes: blind spot and lane departure warnings, driver attention alert and emergency braking to dusk-sensing headlamps.
Comfort and convenience standard equipment is equally impressive. It ranges from keyless ignition to front and rear parking sensors and wireless charging to automatic parking assist.
With its powerful engine, generous list of standard features and innovation, the debut of the Silverado EV in its Trail Boss trim doesn’t come cheap. Its MSRP is $86,600. The multi-functional hard truck top adds $1,950. The glass roof costs $1,500. A DC adapter and floor mats cost a combined $540.
With its $2,595 destination fee, the total price is $93,185. It’s a top price for a unique truck that will only serve its occupants well when the paved roads end.
James Raia is a syndicated automotive columnist in Sacramento. He also contributes business, lifestyle, sports and travel articles to several print and online publications. Email: james@jamesraia.com.