Embarking on a long-distance journey in an electric vehicle is an exciting way to test its real-world capabilities, especially when that vehicle is a full-size electric pickup like the Chevrolet Silverado EV. On this road trip from Mount Airy, Maryland to Boston, Massachusetts, we dive deep into the Silverado EV’s performance, range, charging experience, and overall driving dynamics. Along the way, we navigate challenges such as rainy weather and charging on non-ideal infrastructure, providing an honest and practical look at what it’s like to take this electric truck on the road.

Preparing for the Trip: Range and Cargo Capacity

Before hitting the road, it’s important to understand the Silverado EV’s storage and range capabilities. The front trunk (frunk) offers a decent amount of space, capable of holding several bags comfortably. While the GM charger itself takes up some room, there’s still space for additional small bags, making it convenient for road trip essentials.

Inside, the rear seats have a flexible 60/40 or possibly 70/30 split-folding design. This allows for various configurations, either folding down one side to accommodate longer items or folding the entire bench for maximum cargo room. This versatility is ideal for balancing passengers and gear on a trip.

On the range front, the Silverado EV’s display showed an impressive 465 miles at 100% charge under moderate temperatures (~55°F). With this kind of range, the truck theoretically could drive nearly five hours before needing a recharge. However, to keep the trip manageable and comfortable, planned charging stops were included to stretch legs and recharge.

Charging Strategy: Using Tesla Superchargers

One interesting aspect of this trip was charging the Silverado EV at Tesla Superchargers. Since these chargers aren’t currently optimized for the Silverado’s 800-volt architecture, the truck effectively charges at 400 volts. This limits charging speeds to about half of the truck’s maximum 350 kW capability, topping out around 180 kW instead of the potential 350 kW.

Despite this limitation, Tesla Superchargers provide a widely available and reliable network, making them a convenient option for road trippers. The truck’s charge port location on the driver’s side rear makes backing into Tesla stalls straightforward, especially when towing isn’t involved. However, for those towing trailers, finding pull-through chargers is advisable to avoid the hassle of unhooking.

The Journey North: Maryland to Massachusetts

The trip began with a 152-mile drive from Mount Airy, MD, to the Tesla Supercharger in Allentown, PA. Initial driving on rural back roads yielded an efficiency of about 2.1 miles per kilowatt-hour (mi/kWh). After roughly two hours and 40 minutes, the truck arrived at Allentown with an average efficiency of 2.0 mi/kWh and a state of charge around 67%. The charging session here was primarily an opportunity to stretch and use the restroom, with charging speeds reaching approximately 107 kW.

As the trip continued northward, heavy rain began to affect efficiency. The Silverado EV’s consumption dropped to around 1.9 mi/kWh during wet conditions and cooler temperatures (~47°F). Despite the rain and some traffic slowdowns, the truck maintained solid efficiency for a vehicle of its size and capability.

After a second charging stop in Lisbon, Connecticut, where charging speeds peaked near 176 kW, the final leg to Massachusetts was completed. The truck arrived with a comfortable buffer of 63% state of charge remaining, showing that the Silverado EV’s large battery and range make it well-suited for longer trips even with suboptimal charging conditions.

Heading Back: Massachusetts to Maryland

The return trip followed a similar pattern, with charging stops planned in Connecticut and New Jersey. Despite persistent heavy rain and some heavy traffic, the Silverado EV managed an average consumption around 1.7 mi/kWh when driven aggressively. Charging speeds again maxed out around 178 kW at Tesla Superchargers, consistent with the limitations of 400-volt charging infrastructure.

Using tools like A Better Route Planner (ABRP) was essential for planning the best charging stops and routes, though the Silverado EV’s onboard navigation system lacks integrated charging stop planning. For those relying on Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, ABRP Premium offers a seamless experience for route and charging management.

Key Observations and Final Reflections

• Trip Meter Quirks: The Silverado EV’s trip meter resets when the vehicle is put in park and includes charging time in trip duration, which can be confusing when tracking driving time separately.
• Charging Display Preferences: The truck primarily shows predicted range but not state of charge on the main display. To see actual state of charge, the vehicle must be powered off or toggled, which feels unnecessarily cumbersome.
• Charging Speeds: The maximum charging speed on Tesla Superchargers was around 180-185 kW due to the 400-volt limitation, about half the truck's 800-volt max capability of 350 kW. Charging times will improve as 800-volt infrastructure expands.
• Charge Port Location: Positioned on the driver’s side rear, it facilitates easy access at Tesla Superchargers but can complicate charging when towing unless a pull-through charger is available.
• Charging Costs: The roundtrip charging cost at Tesla Superchargers was approximately $122 with a $12.99 monthly membership. Non-members can expect slightly higher fees.
• Range and Efficiency: The Silverado EV’s large battery and efficient consumption make it a capable vehicle for long road trips, even in less-than-ideal weather conditions.

Conclusion

The Chevrolet Silverado EV 4WT (Work Truck) proved to be a reliable and capable truck on this 450+ mile road trip from Maryland to Boston and back. Despite challenges like heavy rain and charging on a network not fully optimized for its 800-volt system, the truck delivered solid efficiency, manageable charging times, and ample range. While some user experience improvements could be made—particularly in the charging display and navigation integration—the Silverado EV’s performance and practicality make it a strong contender in the electric truck market.

For anyone considering an electric pickup for long-distance travel, this trip highlights the importance of planning charging stops carefully, understanding charging infrastructure limitations, and factoring in weather conditions. With expanding 800-volt charging networks and ongoing software updates, the Silverado EV’s road trip experience is only set to improve.

What do you think about the Silverado EV’s capabilities for road trips? Share your thoughts and questions below, and remember to embrace every chance to hug the people you love along the way.