Yahoo Autos 2024 Chevy Silverado EV Is the New Champ of Our Fast-Charging Test, Second in Range
The 2024 Chevy Silverado EV is the fastest-charging electric vehicle we've tested, averaging 198 kW while going from a 10 to 90 percent state of charge.
The electric Silverado is also one of only three EVs that went 400 miles or more in our 75-mph highway range test, joining the Lucid Air Grand Touring and Mercedes-Benz EQS450+.
While the Silverado EV RST hit 60 mph in 4.1 seconds in Wide Open Watts (WOW) mode, without that mode's 754-hp peak output, it took a pedestrian 5.8 seconds.
Welcome to Car and Driver's Testing Hub, where we zoom in on the test numbers. We've been pushing vehicles to their limits since 1956 to provide objective data to bolster our subjective impressions (you can see how we test here).
GM seems to be playing the long game with the Ultium platform. Our first experiences with the new electric architecture in the GMC Hummer EV pickup and Cadillac Lyriq left much to be desired in comparison with many competitors. Poor efficiency and unremarkable charging results left us wanting more. However, our recent test of a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST has given us some reasons for optimism surrounding the Ultium platform, as the all-wheel-drive dual-motor pickup secured a spot on the podium in our charging and range tests.
New Fast-Charging Record
As with our typical fast-charge tests, the Silverado started with a preconditioned battery and a 10 percent state of charge. Charge rates quickly rose above 200 kilowatts, peaking at 315 kW—the highest we've seen in an official test—just five minutes in. This isn't entirely out of the ordinary for Ultium vehicles, as the GMC Hummer EV began similarly, reaching its 287-kW peak at the 15-minute mark. Both vehicles have a unique setup, normally operating at 400 volts, but with the ability to switch from a parallel to series connection between the top and bottom layers of its battery pack to take advantage of 800-volt charging. However, the Hummer suffered many peaks and valleys throughout its charging session, reaching 90 percent in just under two hours. But the Silverado largely sustained rates above 200 kW for the first 38 minutes, holding a triple-digit rate for all but the final eight of its 58-minute charge time to reach the 90 percent goal line.
Adding just over 191 kWh total, the Silverado EV averaged an impressive 198 kW throughout the test. That's significantly higher than our previous champ, the Genesis Electrified GV70, with a 166-kW average. Only a prototype Porsche Taycan has managed a higher average rate of 212 kW, but since it wasn't a customer-ready car nor a 10-to-90 percent test, it doesn't count. And while a $100 charge was purely hypothetical in the Hummer in 2022, charging prices have gone up and we actually spent $107.18 to add 80 percent charge to the Silverado.
400 Miles of Real-World Range
The electric Silverado also surprised us with its driving range. Using the same 205.0-kWh battery pack as the Hummer, and rolling on 24-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch-tall tires, and with an elephantine 8800-pound curb weight (it's too heavy for our usual scales, and the clerk at the weigh station didn't believe us that it was entirely unladen), we didn't expect an impressive range result. Yet, in our 75-mph highway range test, the Silverado went an astounding 400 miles—besting the Hummer EV by 110 miles. Only two other vehicles have gone as far or farther: the Lucid Air Grand Touring and Mercedes-Benz EQS450+ at 410 and 400 miles, respectively.
Acceleration: WOW or MEH
At the proving grounds, the Silverado EV was a tale of two modes. When selecting WOW (Wide Open Watts) mode, a War of the Worlds-esque sound hums throughout the cabin, opening the stable for all 754 ponies. With this mode selected, our tester reached 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. Relative to other battery-powered pickups, that isn't especially quick, as the Hummer did the deed in a physics-defying 3.3 seconds and the science-project-on-wheels that's also known as the Tesla Cybertruck hit 60 in just 2.6 ticks. We don't think Chevy meant it this way, but the biggest wow is how little directional stability the Silverado has; it aggressively torque steers after a hard launch.
After deactivating the Silverado's WOW mode and mashing the go pedal again, our VBOX measured a rather disappointing 5.8-second romp to 60 mph (but the torque steer was much improved). This is still plenty quick for such a big and heavy machine, but that 1.7-second delta is wide enough to make it feel like MEH mode. With one button press—or lack thereof—the bow-tie-branded pickup will lose a stop-light race to a Ford F-150 Hybrid. Ouch.
While it's clear the General is still working out the kinks of the Ultium platform, recent improvements are a great sign. Range that has increased by roughly 40 percent along with double the charging speed are big steps forward. Now we're just curious to see how this will trickle down to the smaller and more affordable models in GM's lineup.
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