General Motors is doubling down on its commitments to go green. As part of the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the nation’s largest automaker debuted an electric version of its bestselling Silverado pickup truck, a new partnership with Walmart to make deliveries in zero-emissions GM vans, and new agreements to develop hydrogen fuel cell aircraft and locomotives as well as battery-electric watercraft.
“We have an opportunity and frankly a responsibility to create a better future for generations to come,” General Motors Chief Executive Mary Barra said Wednesday, during a CES keynote address she delivered virtually from the Fox Theatre in Detroit. “Technology driven by purpose can change the world. We no longer need to imagine a zero-emissions future. We’re building it.”
Only a year ago, Barra announced GM would phase out internal combustion engine light-duty vehicles by 2035. On Wednesday, she said the company’s heavy-duty vehicles would conform to the same timeline along with all of its production facilities worldwide, which will be powered with 100% renewable energy.
To achieve its goals, GM is investing $35 billion in electric and autonomous vehicles by 2025 and will launch 30 EVs globally, with options for every price point over the next four years, Barra said. The Detroit automaker is also investing $750 million to expand access to EV charging in the U.S. and Canada.
Its new battery-electric offerings will include the Blazer EV SUV and the Equinox EV SUV (available in 2023 with a starting price of $30,000), as well as the new all-electric Chevy Silverado pickup truck unveiled during the webcast.
Chevy’s bestselling nameplate won’t only be going electric. It will be available in multiple versions, from a work truck that will be available in spring 2023 to a high-end RST model due later next year. Chevy opened up reservations Wednesday for the truck.
Powered with GM’s new Ultium battery system, the EV’s estimated range is 400 miles per charge; lower range work truck models will start at $39,900. Regardless of trim, the Silverado EV will be able to recharge with 100 miles of range in about 10 minutes with a DC fast charger, the company says.
The RST will have two motors powering the wheels. In a drive mode called open watts, it makes 664 horsepower, 780 foot-pounds of torque and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 4-½ seconds. An adaptive air suspension gives it the ability to lift or lower by two inches, while four-wheel steering enables a tighter turning radius.
And it’s still a truck, capable of hauling 10,000 pounds and 1,300 pounds of payload. In addition to its 5 feet, 11 inches cargo bed, there is a front trunk big enough for a suitcase or toolbox. Because it is electric, with batteries spread along the vehicle’s base, there is more interior space, including room for a cooler between the two front seats.
Like the Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickups, the Silverado EV can be used as a generator. It has ten outlets that can provide 10.2 kilowatts of electricity to power a job site, house or even another EV.
Similar to Tesla and the many EVs that have followed in its footsteps, there’s a panoramic roof, connected phone key, gigantic infotainment screen, hands-free start and other tricks that can be added to the car through over-the-air updates.