If you’re shopping electric pickups, the phrase “2024 Chevy Silverado EV range test” has probably been in your search history more than once. On paper, this truck promises some of the longest range of any EV on sale. But how far does it really go on the highway, with a trailer, and in everyday use, and what should you expect a few years down the road if you buy one used?
Quick Take
Why the 2024 Silverado EV’s Range Matters
The Silverado EV isn’t just another electric truck. With a battery pack north of 200 kWh in its longest-range versions, it’s one of the biggest rolling energy stores you can buy today. Chevy’s estimates of up to about 440–493 miles of range (depending on trim and year) put it at the top of the pickup pack, and right up against long‑legged luxury sedans in the EV world.
Of course, EPA labels and glossy marketing don’t tell you what happens when you set the cruise at 75 mph, load the bed with lumber, or hook up a 9,000‑pound trailer. That’s where real‑world range testing comes in. In this guide we’ll walk through what major outlets have found, how different Silverado EV trims compare, and what all of that means if you’re considering a new or used Silverado EV, including what Recharged looks at when we score battery health.
A Note on Model Years
Battery Packs, Trims, and EPA Range Ratings
Before you compare range tests, you need to know which Silverado EV you’re looking at. Chevy is already offering multiple packs and trims, each with different expectations.
2024–2025 Silverado EV Battery Packs & Range (Key Trims)
Approximate EPA or GM‑estimated ranges for early Silverado EV trims. Exact figures vary slightly by wheel/tire and equipment.
| Trim / Pack | Battery (usable est.) | Drive | Official Range Estimate | Notable Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WT (Standard) | ~170 kWh | Dual‑motor AWD | ~286–300 miles | Fleet‑oriented Work Truck, smaller pack |
| WT (Max Range) | ~205 kWh | Dual‑motor AWD | ~393–493 miles | Long‑range work spec; highest EPA figure in lineup |
| LT Extended | ~170 kWh | Dual‑motor AWD | ~390–408 miles | More consumer‑friendly trim; some 18" vs 22" wheel differences |
| RST First Edition | ~204 kWh | Dual‑motor AWD | 440 miles | Launch luxury model with giant 24" wheels |
| Later Trail Boss (Max) | ~205 kWh | Dual‑motor AWD | Up to ~478 miles | Off‑road trim; interesting for adventure buyers |
Always confirm the specific truck’s window sticker or EPA listing for precise range.
What “usable” battery means
Highway Range Tests: How Far the Silverado EV Really Goes
The most relevant test for many truck owners is a steady‑state highway run at typical American speeds. That trims away the optimism of EPA city cycles and shows you how the truck behaves on real road trips.
Headline Silverado EV Range Test Results
In Car and Driver’s 75‑mph highway test, a Silverado EV RST with the big pack and 24‑inch wheels managed roughly 400 miles on a single charge, putting it in rare company with long‑range luxury EVs. Another outlet driving the RST saw around 2.1 miles per kWh, which, multiplied over a 204‑kWh usable pack, also suggests real‑world potential in the low‑400‑mile range under ideal conditions.
Move down to the mid‑tier LT with the Extended battery and more modest usable capacity and you see a different story. One widely publicized test recorded about 310 miles at highway speeds from a Silverado EV LT on larger 22‑inch wheels, substantially less than its roughly 390‑mile EPA estimate, but still strong versus rivals like the Ford F‑150 Lightning and many Rivian R1T configurations.
How to read highway tests
Towing & Hauling: What Happens to Silverado EV Range
No electric truck escapes the laws of physics. Hang 8,000–10,000 pounds off the hitch, or stack the bed with payload and a tall box trailer, and your range will fall, sometimes by half. The Silverado EV is no exception, but its outsized battery does change how that loss feels from behind the wheel.
How Towing Affects Silverado EV Range
Think in percentages, not just miles, when you’re planning a trip.
Light Utility Trailer
Example: 2,000–3,000 lb open trailer with lawn gear or ATVs.
- Typical range loss: ~25–35%
- RST highway range might drop from ~400 mi to ~260–300 mi.
- Plan one extra DC fast‑charge stop on long trips.
Mid‑Weight Camper or Boat
Example: 5,000–7,000 lb travel trailer or boat.
- Typical range loss: ~40–50%
- Max‑pack WT could fall from ~450+ mi to ~225–270 mi.
- Expect to stop every 120–160 miles when road‑tripping.
Heavy Equipment or Tall Enclosed
Example: 8,000–10,000 lb enclosed trailer with high frontal area.
- Typical range loss: 50%+ in poor conditions.
- Even the biggest pack may see 180–220 real‑world miles.
- Route planning and fast chargers become mission‑critical.
The cold‑weather double whammy
The upside of the Silverado EV’s huge pack is that, even when you cut range in half, you’re often still left with 180–250 miles between stops, enough to make real progress on a long tow. The downside is that each fast‑charge session has to shovel an enormous amount of energy back into the pack, so you’ll want to understand how quickly it can charge.
Charging Speed and Road-Trip Pace
Range is only half the long‑distance story. The other half is how fast you can recover that range on a DC fast charger. Here, the Silverado EV is one of the standouts in the current market.
Silverado EV Fast‑Charging Highlights
That high sustained charging rate changes the road‑trip math. Instead of slogging from 10% to 100%, you’re better off charging from roughly 10–60% or 15–70%, where speeds stay highest. With a 200‑kWh‑plus pack, that slice of battery still represents a hefty serving of miles, often 200+ miles of driving in just 20–30 minutes of charging.
Plan your stops by time, not just miles
Real-World Efficiency: Miles per kWh Explained
Behind every impressive range test is a simple number: miles per kilowatt‑hour (mi/kWh). Think of it as the EV version of mpg. The Silverado EV’s giant pack means it doesn’t have to be especially frugal to post big range numbers, but it’s useful to know what’s going on under the hood.
Typical Silverado EV Efficiency Numbers
- Highway cruising (light load): ~2.0–2.2 mi/kWh for RST and LT trims.
- City / mixed driving: Often a bit higher thanks to regen and lower speeds.
- Heavy towing: 1.0–1.4 mi/kWh isn’t unusual with a tall, heavy trailer.
- Cold weather: Knock off another 10–25% vs mild conditions, especially on short trips.
What That Means in Miles
- At 2.1 mi/kWh, a ~204‑kWh RST can theoretically go about 428 miles.
- At 1.5 mi/kWh (wind, hills, weather), that same truck is closer to 300 miles.
- At 1.2 mi/kWh towing, a max‑pack WT with ~205 kWh usable might deliver around 245 miles.
- Real life lives in between: speed, temperature, load, and driving style all matter.
Why big batteries make EVs feel more predictable
How to Maximize Your Silverado EV Range
Whether you’re driving a brand‑new RST or considering a used WT or LT, the basics of stretching range are the same. The good news is that you don’t need to baby the truck, just stack a few smart habits in your favor.
Everyday Ways to Stretch Silverado EV Range
1. Watch your speed
Aerodynamic drag rises quickly with speed, and the Silverado EV has the bluff nose of a full‑size truck. Cruising at 70 instead of 80 mph can easily save 10–15% of your range on a long highway run.
2. Mind those 24-inch wheels
The RST’s giant 24‑inch wheels and tires look the part but add weight and rolling resistance. If maximum range matters more than stance, consider trims with smaller wheels and more efficient tires.
3. Precondition while plugged in
Use the truck’s preconditioning features to warm or cool the cabin and battery while you’re still connected to a charger. That shifts energy use off the pack and improves early‑drive efficiency in extreme temps.
4. Use tow/haul modes smartly
When you’re towing, use the dedicated modes so the truck can manage power delivery and regeneration appropriately. Pair that with realistic speed targets and more frequent, shorter DC charges.
5. Keep up with software updates
Automakers routinely tweak thermal management, charging curves, and range estimation through over‑the‑air updates. Staying current can subtly improve both range and charging behavior over time.
6. Plan charging with good apps
Use planning tools that know your truck’s consumption, EV‑savvy route planners or GM’s own tools, so you can build trips around high‑power stations and realistic energy use, not just EPA numbers.
Where Recharged fits in
Buying a Used Silverado EV: What Range Can You Expect?
If you’re eyeing a Silverado EV on the used market, you’re probably wondering two things: how much range has it lost, and how much of that giant battery do you actually need. Early Ultium‑platform trucks are still relatively new, so we don’t yet have 10‑year data, but we can already see some patterns from other long‑range EVs.
Used Silverado EV Range: What to Look For
A little homework goes a long way when you’re buying a three‑ton electric truck.
Battery health & charging history
Ask for a recent state‑of‑health reading or diagnostic report. Moderate degradation, think 5–10% over the first several years, is normal for large liquid‑cooled packs.
Heavy DC fast‑charge use isn’t an automatic deal‑breaker, but it makes a verified health check even more important.
Your real range needs
Be brutally honest about how you’ll use the truck. If your longest regular day is 120 miles plus errands, even a slightly degraded RST or LT will feel like a bottomless well of range.
Regular 250‑mile towing days? Focus on trucks with the Max Range pack and budget extra time for charging.
At Recharged, we pair a physical inspection with battery diagnostics and fast‑charge behavior to build each truck’s Recharged Score. That means when you’re browsing used Silverado EVs on our marketplace, you’ll see more than a range estimate from the original window sticker, you’ll see how that truck is actually performing now, and how it compares to similar trucks in the market.
2024 Chevy Silverado EV Range Test: FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Silverado EV Range
Bottom Line: Who the Silverado EV’s Range Is Really For
The 2024 Chevy Silverado EV doesn’t just look good on a spec sheet. In serious third‑party range tests, it has proven it can go very far, very quickly, especially in its biggest‑battery trims. Highway road‑trippers get genuine 300–400‑mile legs between stops, and even heavy towing leaves you with meaningful distance if you plan wisely.
The trade‑offs are straightforward: this is a heavy, energy‑hungry truck that asks a premium price and rewards you with capability and endurance. If your life is full of long commutes, weekend cabin runs, or serious towing, the Silverado EV’s range can make an EV truck feel less like an experiment and more like a dependable tool.
If you’re considering a used Silverado EV, a platform like Recharged helps you see past the EPA sticker. Every truck comes with a Recharged Score Report, including verified battery health and fair‑market pricing, so you know exactly how much real‑world range is left, and whether this moonshot of an electric pickup truly fits the way you drive.
