The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV W/T is GM’s attempt to bring the pickup into the electric era, but after spending time with it, one thing became immediately clear: this truck has a serious identity crisis. It looks bold and drives shockingly well for its size, but underneath the surface, the execution falls apart quickly, especially at nearly $80,000.

As-Tested: $74,800, Seriously?

Our test vehicle came in at $74,800, and that is tough to justify. Especially when used Silverado EVs are already listed for under $40,000. Many dealers are offering $20,000 or more off MSRP, and honestly, that makes sense.

For the price, you would expect premium materials, a solid feature set, and thoughtful engineering throughout. Instead, we got rubber floors, no sunroof, and no passthrough from the cab to the bed. The cargo bed is large, and the interior has solid storage space, but it still feels spartan. There are in-cabin power outlets and a generously sized frunk, both genuinely useful. But overall, the feature list does not match the sticker price.

Charging Costs and Efficiency

Running this truck is almost as expensive as buying it. We charged at Electrify America, and topping off the battery cost nearly $100 per session. That is more than what our 2010 Mercedes C63 AMG cost to fuel with premium gas.

Chevrolet markets the Silverado EV as a smart, modern solution. But when your electric truck uses more energy per mile than a high-performance V8 sedan, that claim starts to fall apart. For buyers looking to save on fuel, this could be a major red flag.

Beach Breakdown: Stranded for Five Hours

This was the moment that changed everything. While driving on the beach, the truck suddenly locked itself into safety mode, a throwback to older Silverados with overly aggressive anti-theft systems. There was no warning. No driver input triggered it. The truck simply believed it was being stolen and refused to move.

We called two Chevrolet dealers on the West Coast, and neither had any answers. Both told us to call OnStar, who escalated us to the Chevy EV Concierge. After nearly five hours on the phone, we were finally able to reset the vehicle and get it moving again.

For a nearly $80,000 electric truck, this is not just a frustrating glitch, it is a serious flaw. Getting stranded with no clear fix, and no reliable dealer support, is a major concern for anyone considering this vehicle.

Driving Experience

Now, to be fair, the Silverado EV W/T drives incredibly well. It’s smooth, composed, and shockingly fast for its size. Launching from a light in traffic feels more like piloting a performance SUV than a full-size pickup. It’s genuinely impressive how quick it is off the line, and the suspension tuning soaks up rough roads better than expected.

That performance comes courtesy of GM’s Ultium platform, the same electric architecture underpinning vehicles like the GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Lyriq. It’s a flexible, high-output platform that gives the Silverado EV a solid foundation, and it shows. Power delivery is instant, handling is predictable, and despite its weight, the truck moves with confidence. It feels engineered, not just adapted.

Interior Tech and Screens

Inside, the screen layout feels a bit dated, especially considering this is GM’s flagship electric truck. It works, and it’s functional, but nothing about the UI or display tech feels class-leading. Compared to the slick interfaces in the F-150 Lightning or Rivian R1T, the Silverado’s screens feel like a generation behind.

Final Thoughts: Not Ready for Prime Time

There’s real potential in the Silverado EV platform. The design is bold, it’s giving modern Avalanche energy, which isn’t a bad thing. The range is solid, the power is impressive, and the interior space is well utilized. But everything else? It needs work.

The price is too high, the feature set is too sparse, and the reliability story is downright embarrassing. Getting stranded on a beach in a brand-new truck isn’t just inconvenient, it’s a sign that General Motors rushed this one out the door before it was ready.

Bottom line:

The Silverado EV W/T has the bones of a great truck. But at nearly $80K, it needs to be bulletproof, and it’s not. Until GM tightens up the software, service support, and pricing, this version of the Silverado EV feels more like a beta test than a finished product.