{"slug": "autopia-silverado-ev-chevrolets-only-electric-truck-gets-bigger-fancier", "title": "Autopia: Silverado EV, Chevrolet’s only electric truck, gets bigger, fancier", "summary": "Chevrolet has added an off-road-oriented Trail Boss trim to its Silverado EV lineup for 2026, marking the first major expansion of the automaker's only electric truck since its debut. The new model features a factory-installed two-inch lift, 35-inch all-terrain tires, and a 493-mile maximum range, with a starting price of $86,600 that climbs to over $93,000 with options. The Silverado EV Trail Boss targets buyers seeking electric truck capability with extreme off-road performance, competing against the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T.", "body_md": "**Getting your**\n\n[Trinity Audio](//trinityaudio.ai)player ready...**By James Raia **\n\nTwenty-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.\n\nThe Silverado EV remains the manufacturer’s only electric truck. Its specs further differentiate the testosterone-loaded beast from standard pickup trucks.\n\nIt has the segment’s best towing capacity, 12,500 pounds and a 1,800-pound payload rating.\n\nIts 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.\n\nMost prominent are the 35-inch all-terrain tires ready to challenge any off-road interference.\n\nMaximum range trims have 760 horsepower and a 493-mile range. Home charging (240V) takes just under 14 hours.\n\nAs 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nRivals include the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T.\n\nAll-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.\n\nInterior 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.)\n\nThe 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.\n\nWhile 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nNew 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.\n\nThe Standard safety features list is extensive. It includes: blind spot and lane departure warnings, driver attention alert and emergency braking to dusk-sensing headlamps.\n\nComfort 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.\n\nWith 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.\n\nWith 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.\n\n*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.*", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/autopia-silverado-ev-chevrolets-only-electric-truck-gets-bigger-fancier", "canonical_source": "https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/05/31/autopia-silverado-ev-chevrolets-only-electric-truck-gets-bigger-fancier/", "published_at": "2026-05-31 12:15:15+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-05-31 12:24:34.217432+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["autonomous-vehicles"], "entities": ["Chevrolet", "Silverado EV", "Trail Boss", "Ford F-150 Lightning", "Rivian R1T", "James Raia"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/autopia-silverado-ev-chevrolets-only-electric-truck-gets-bigger-fancier", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/autopia-silverado-ev-chevrolets-only-electric-truck-gets-bigger-fancier.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/autopia-silverado-ev-chevrolets-only-electric-truck-gets-bigger-fancier.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/autopia-silverado-ev-chevrolets-only-electric-truck-gets-bigger-fancier.jsonld"}}