Chevy Silverado Electrical Vehicle Covered Over 1,000 Miles on a Battery-Powered Journey, According to GM Engineers
In a remarkable feat of engineering, General Motors (GM) has broken new ground in the electric vehicle (EV) industry by achieving an astounding driving range of 1,059 miles on a single charge with a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck. This impressive accomplishment was the result of a carefully planned effort by a team of 40 engineers, who employed various techniques commonly used in hypermiling to optimise the vehicle's energy consumption.
The team prioritised patient driving, maintaining speeds of around 20-25 miles per hour, and selecting the most efficient routes available. They also made strategic adjustments to the vehicle, such as inflating tires to maximum safe pressure, removing the spare wheel and tire to reduce weight, optimising wheel alignment to reduce rolling resistance, and lowering windshield wipers. Notably, the team did not use the air conditioning during the drive.
The record-breaking drive took place over seven days, with drivers rotating throughout the effort. The specific locations for this range test were public roads near GM's Milford Proving Ground in Milford, Michigan, and Detroit's Belle Isle. The route chosen was designed to resemble practical working conditions for a truck, suitable for tasks like landscaping or municipal work, rather than a high-speed or luxury drive. This approach highlighted the Silverado EV’s practicality and real-world applicability for extended range under patient driving conditions.
The GM team's achievement surpasses the current Guinness World Record for miles traveled on a single charge, which is held by Lucid with a distance of 749 miles. However, it is important to note that the drive was not conducted with the intention of breaking a Guinness World Record. Instead, the aim was to foster unity among the company's electric-vehicle engineers.
Despite the lack of enthusiasm in the production of many electric cars, this record-breaking drive is a testament to the passion and dedication within the GM team. The team occasionally had to keep up with traffic, even if it meant violating their self-imposed speed limits, prioritising safety. Only the driver and occasionally a single passenger were present in the truck during the record-breaking drive, and they drove during off-peak times to avoid traffic.
In conclusion, the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck, equipped with the largest 205-kWh battery, has demonstrated that electric vehicles can achieve a driving range significantly higher than their EPA-rated value. This achievement not only showcases GM's commitment to innovation in the EV industry but also could spark friendly competition among other manufacturers.
- The remarkable achievement by General Motors' team in attaining a 1,059-mile driving range with the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck is a reflection of the company's dedication and innovation in the electric vehicle industry.
- The team's strategic adjustments to the vehicle, such as inflating tires to maximum safe pressure, removing the spare wheel and tire, optimising wheel alignment, and lowering windshield wipers, were key factors in optimising the vehicle's energy consumption.
- The record-breaking drive, although not conducted with the intention of breaking a Guinness World Record, surpasses the current record held by Lucid, demonstrating the potential of electric-vehicles in achieving extended ranges under patient driving conditions.
- The 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck, with its largest 205-kWh battery, could encourage friendly competition among other automotive manufacturers, sparking further innovation in the electric vehicle and transportation industry.
