GM Electric Pickup Would Be No Work Truck, Texas Rancher Says
38
Sponsored Links
General Motors announced this week that it has plans to put an electric pickup into production. Not much is known about the pickup, including whether it will be a Chevrolet or a GMC (or perhaps neither), but that didn’t stop media and consumers from creating a small stir over the announcement.
Some aren’t so excited at the idea of an electric pickup, though. With GM, Ford and Tesla all gearing up to release battery electric trucks in coming years, CNBC decided to reach out to real truck owners to see what they thought about the idea of an emissions free pickup.
The publication spoke to one Texas-based rancher, Frank Helvey, who wasn’t really down with the idea of an electric pickup. Helvey, who raises cattle and is also active in livestock auctions in the area, according to CNBC, thinks such a product would be for posers and wouldn’t be robust enough to be a real work truck.
“I wouldn’t buy one at all. It wouldn’t make sense for me. It sounds like a playboy’s truck, instead of a work truck,” he said.
Another rancher expressed concerns over such a vehicle’s range as well, a problem that is exacerbated by a lack of public chargers in Texas and most rural areas in America. He also said it would be difficult to find a nearby repairman for an EV, whereas he can easily get his diesel truck fixed at a local shop.
This is to be expected, though. Such a vehicle may be content rich and priced quite high in order to ensure GM gets a return on its expensive development and production processes. It therefore wouldn’t be aimed at ranchers like Helvey, but wealthy city dwellers or suburban buyers who like the idea of an emissions-free utility.
GM could also go the opposite route and offer a bare-bones EV truck for fleets. Because fleet operators can easily estimate how far their trucks will travel each day, they wouldn’t have to worry about range anxiety in the same way a rancher like Helvey would. The trucks would also return to a home base each night where they could easily be charged and/or serviced.
It will be interesting to see the different routes GM, Ford and Tesla take as they work to essentially invent the electric pickup truck segment in coming years.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Silverado news, Chevy news, GMC Sierra news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Source: CNBC
Read more: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/04/general-motors-confirms-electric-pickup/#ixzz5mtnwANHr
- Sweepstakes Of The Month: Win a Corvette Z06 and 2024 Silverado. Details here.
Sponsored Links
Why is his opinion even remotely relevant considering he has no idea what they’re developing?
Because the narrative that GM is both behind in everything and at the same time making unpopular decisions must be presented at all times……
The nature of EV vehicles and the infrastructure in the fly over States kind of sums up his opinion.
EV trucks right now would mostly appeal to people willing to pay more for a vehicle and generally have if for status.
People like farmers normally buy cheaper vehicles and where most farms are located there are no chargers. Also in Texas as large as some farms are if you run out of power there is no way to refuel away from the charge point.
These are the same reasons we have not seen even Electric tractors yet. They would be the first practical farm use and cost is already high on most models.
Fleet sales would be prime but again cost hold them back. Fleet and UPS would be the first real practical use fit cost has left them to just a token few.
Off road people also have little interest. Not many chargers out in Moab or other off road trails. Run out of power you are not going to be able to bring in Jerry Cans of volts.
The best thing GM could do is a Cadillac Escalade as they could charge a price it would make money and it would also help promote proof of concept till prices come down and more infrastructure is available outside the west coast.
Also more work on cold weather efficiency needs to be done.
GM should have (or hopefully did) develop the next gen Escalade with electric in mind. I doubt it considering the EV they showed recently I’m pretty sure is the vehicle ushering in Cadillac’s EV push. But you’re right about the Escalade EV being able to cover the cost of electric development and have some ROI
They have. The new trucks can go multi power source including electric and power cell with the platform.
Scott, I gave you a pass on your last misplaced monologue but if your gonna keep spewing here like you know what we all want then I’m gonna have to call bull ship on this one as well. Yes the same bull ship that they produce almost as copiously as oil in Texas. So to set things straight for the rest of us here I will simply explain my sitch here in AZ. My wife drives and loves her Volt and I drive a great but pathetically thirsty Silverado HD 4×4. I own and work land here in rural central AZ and also am part of the local Sheriff’s search and rescue team where we traverse some of the gnarliest stuff known to man. The range on my silverado is on par or worse than the soon to be released group of EV trucks and they will only improve within a relatively short time frame – especially when compared to the century plus that ice vehicles have been around and also given that the new crop of trucks seem to be loosing ground in the mpg dept. It will also soon be discovered that it is just as easy (and safer) to carry an extra batt pack as it is to carry a couple jerry cans. The only thing I can agree with you on is the fact that we need faster charging and more of it – all of which would have been here long ago if not for oil money and our dear government’s addiction to it. As I have said here and elsewhere, I for one will gladly buy an EV truck as soon as someone produces one capable of work at a fair price.
Ronjo. What may fit you does not fit all.
Extra battery packs? Get real…. you really disregard the fact to have any range the size and weight would compromise the trucks capacity. If you are willing to compromise that is fine. If you are willing to pay a much higher purchase price that is fine but most people either won’t or can’t pay it. Most average farmers are going to invest in a tractor before a high priced truck.
All the things needed like faster charging, more charging and. Ways to deal with the cold power loss will be resolved over time not a short time.
As for oils you forget a major point about oil. The Dollar is based on oil not gold. Oil is not an addiction it is the value of our currency and has been since the early 70’s.
For a vehicle to drive to work and back I could live with a Bolt but for my other trips and adventures even in the dead of winter I am not able to convert as it would mean life style changes.
Also I will not pay significantly more for a truck than I have already. If I spend more it would be a Corvette. As it is my Canyon returned 28.5 mpg with a V6 and 4×4 Crew. That was over 4 hours of driving to and from the IMSA race. . The Diesel even more. If this truck was electric it would cost nearly $20k more
I am not anti EV but I am also a realist and weigh all the factors not just the convenient ones. I do not dream wild dreams of extra batteries to carry with me like a can of fuel. But I do expect things to improve and understand this is a slow growth market but one that is growing.
The day they make a battery that charges in the time of a fuel fill every gas station will have a charging station. People will at that point embrace the non life style change. Next they will continue to drive the price down to where average people can afford to buy and companies will still make money. Also they will need to address the cold weather battery fall off. Here in the winter at 20 below you really need the full range.
I live in the midwest, nothing but farm country. I know many farmers and can say without hesitation, when it comes to trucks, they buy the best of the best. This isn’t 1935. These guys have money.. Literally every farmer I know has a loaded truck. Super Duty Platinum’s, Limited’s, High Country, Denali you name it. And they get a new one every year or two. Price is of no concern on trucks. So battery or no battery, price isn’t an issue.
…and they all tell you how poor they are. Most farmers in my area multi millionaires.
You’ll have to forgive me, since I live in California.
Do you guys not have 240V power hookups in the flyover states? Because that’s all an electric vehicle charger is.
hoodoo,
You may have just nailed the core issue with EVs… 240V is only available at the laundromat in the trailer park. And only 1 load at a time… Lol
I see little value having the opinion of an individual a product is not marketed for. I love Texas and the people, but I also don’t need their opinion on Italian suits.
This is not even a truck if its electric. It’s a “playboys truck” as the Texas rancher said. He has his head screwed on. This is AMERICA!!!! Stick to the big Bada$$ duramax!!
This is total nonsense. Why don’t we just ask this rancher’s opinion about quantum gravity while we are at it. This fellow doesn’t even know what he don’t know.
A rancher is a one of the primary users of a truck. In his case EV does not fit yet. He has a right to an opinion on how it works for him.
The guy with a Denali going to the club in LA will have a different opinion.
EV is just not for everyone yet in. All areas.
Though ranchers are major buyers for trucks, the reason this is not a worthwhile opinion in this matter is that the market for any product is based on alternatives (Econ 101). And based on the alternatives available, as you have highlighted, a rancher would not choose to purchase an EV truck. Yet there is a growing demand for EV vehicles right now, as some would desire the functionality of a truck, and I don’t believe it is for status, but rather a function of either global/environmental philosophy or simply operating cost. I daily see a CFO driving a Chevy volt and several Tesla’s at a nearby apartment complex (not high end).
The mistake GM will likely make in developing the EV truck, is to use their current design strategies and produce essentially a battery powered brick with an oversized chrome grille.
Depends on where you live.
You may see that in areas like California, Florida or a large metro area.
But most of the country is rural and most people who live in these areas are not accessible to charging and often drive long trips. I just drove two hours from home and two hours back with not one single charge close today.
As for GM they will do a complete package as they have with the Bolt. Aero is too important to range and they know it.
I agree there is growing demand for EV but while some areas may be hot for them most areas are slow growth.
The next issue is cost. VW is losing $3000 per car. GM is not making money on the Bolt. The 3 is bankrupting Tesla as it is not selling in numbers that produce income.
Like it or not the higher end image vehicles are the way forward as they will help create a market that will make money and lower cost so the main stream models will make money.
I love the Bolt and have driven them. But GM can not afford to keep building cars at a loss. The Cadillac plan is the way forward and a EV Escalade would be the place to start. Use the name but redesign the body to fit the aero needs.
Note to ranches in Texas can be so large they use aircraft to get to parts of them. Not many chargers in the middle of the prairie.
Scott,
Not looking to be argumentative, however your conclusions are heavily biased by your preferences. Nobody is introducing an EV truck as the silver bullet replacement. Manufacturers are looking to serve a demographic that wants them. Most of America is rural, but most Americans live in urban and suburban communities. There are plenty of people that don’t use a truck as a work implement that want an EV alternative. Those like you that want a petroleum-based vehicle will continue to have them as long as your demand stays strong.
No one is suggesting that petroleum based truck will be made obsolete by the introduction of EV trucks, nor that the business model for them will return a profit within the first year. The points being made is that the EV trucks are not for rural/ranch America and for individuals like yourself that are not looking for them. Thus, the opinions of those a product is not marketed for, is not a predictor of the demand of the product.
Also, the value of the dollar has no correlation to oil. Though commodities are standardized on the value of a dollar, the dollar itself is traded/valued on the basis of the confidence in the US government being able to cover its debt and promote a strong economy (GDP that pays taxes and provides government revenue).
Daniel,
But sadly, the country still ends up with a trillion $ deficit to infinity. How long will that last ? Eventually the world will be tired of subsidizing the US and turn the dollar into a green peso.
Maybe the super rich and corporations will kick in some dough… NOT! They will just relocate to greener pastures and leave the population swimming in their feces.
Not my preferences I am just making observations on the majority of the country and the status of EV today.
While many people in areas with a larger number of EV product think they rule the world it is seen much differently outside Cali and AZ.
The reality is trucks are not a segment we’re many people are demanding electric yet. There is a small vocal segment but more are wanting to roll coal than go electric.
I agree on the GDP but.
The GDP is made up of many things and one key element is oil. The price goes up the GDP goes down. Economies are built and destroyed on oil prices. Right now our and Saudi increased production is killing Iran and Russia. Oil touches every part of our. Economy.
I’m not sure facts or even logic matters anymore in this discussion, but oil is less than 5% of the GDP in the USA.
No but it is a part of the many things that make up the GDP.
Cost of materials, transportation, personal living cost, cost of production etc. oil goes up the price of everything goes up and the economy slows.
Big picture you have to look at all it touches and not the oil it’s self.
Even the cost of electric cars is effected by higher oil prices, the food you eat, the computer you are holding.
Yes Scott, oil is one component that impacts inflation, and EV vehicles are an economic alternative to offset the inflationary costs of higher fuel prices. That is why both GM and Ford are investing millions (if not billions) in being ready to offer the alternative, which is in mild demand now and likely greater demand in the near future.
Not trying to offend you, but inflation is different than GDP. GDP is the value (or increased value) created by domestic economic activity. Higher oil prices actually increase our GDP (but that has complexity to it).
An entertaining satirical article on trucks. Pay close attention to the part about the speed of change.
https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a27243358/truck-wars-ezra-dyer-opinion/
No fleet owner would ever buy an ev truck unless mandated by governemnt. Right now I can buy a tricked out truck for the same price as tiny little eletric car with half the range. “Yes but fuel savings” yea, uhmmm, it’ll take 5-9 years for those fuel savings to kick in, and savings now can be reinvested at 5-15% interest. This is corporate talk and bs that will end up biting them in the butt.
Depends on where you live.
You may see that in areas like California, Florida or a large metro area.
But most of the country is rural and most people who live in these areas are not accessible to charging and often drive long trips. I just drove two hours from home and two hours back with not one single charge close today.
As for GM they will do a complete package as they have with the Bolt. Aero is too important to range and they know it.
I agree there is growing demand for EV but while some areas may be hot for them most areas are slow growth.
The next issue is cost. VW is losing $3000 per car. GM is not making money on the Bolt. The 3 is bankrupting Tesla as it is not selling in numbers that produce income.
Like it or not the higher end image vehicles are the way forward as they will help create a market that will make money and lower cost so the main stream models will make money.
I love the Bolt and have driven them. But GM can not afford to keep building cars at a loss. The Cadillac plan is the way forward and a EV Escalade would be the place to start. Use the name but redesign the body to fit the aero needs.
Note to ranches in Texas can be so large they use aircraft to get to parts of them. Not many chargers in the middle of the prairie.
Could a battery stand up to bouncing around a dirt road or a field on 100 or zero degree day?
This guy hasn’t a clue. No work truck? BULLSH**. An electric truck would haul more than any current truck. It would guaranteed have more HP, and Torque from a standstill, and pull heavy loads at peak power consistently, even up steep grades. Wow. How can people be so clueless? The BOLT EV doesn’t weight almost 4K lbs, and go 60mph in 5.5s for nothing.
Texan ranchers aren’t the target demographic for an EV pickup.
Most EV pickups will be used as on site work trucks. They’re perfect for such work – use ’em all day long, plug ’em in overnight, and never worry about gas or oil changes.
Why couldn’t a serial hybrid truck satisfy everyone? Instead of a high battery to propel a fully loaded truck hundreds of miles, why not a much smaller and cheaper battery large enough to handle most daily chores but supplemented by an ICE driven generator to provide the same range capability of an ordinary truck on longer trips?
There are more and more suppliers coming online with complete electric drive propulsion systems for all sizes of trucks, especially pickups.v If you think electric drive is only for pretenders, your wrong. These systems are capable of much better torque delivery than any current ICE based system. They also have significantly lower life cycle costs in terms of operations, maintenance and reliability, even including battery changes every 8-10 years.
So my response to Mr. Rancher is why the hell would you not want an electric pickup, it can do everything better than your current pickup, and make you a richer man?
Another ignorant comment by an ignorant fool.
An electric vehicle can do anything ICE can do and better.Here’s a comical example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClDpGqj3PGA
At last count, the Chinese have 480 EV companies and control 95% of the rare earth metals. They will absolutely steamroll through the American market starting in the next few years. And they will most likely own Tesla and the Detroit brands too.
Keep fighting progress by looking back.
in china the govt has the power to say “you will drive an electric truck” even the libs can not pull that off here in the USA.
And that’s why they will own you. While the US is divided and fighting a co * ck fight, the Chinese are taking over the world. That will become very clear in the next upcoming recession.
A ship without a rudder goes nowhere while the Chinese are united and have a clear focus.
https://thehundredyearmarathon.com/
“I wouldn’t buy one at all. It wouldn’t make sense for me. It sounds like a playboy’s truck, instead of a work truck,” he said.
Great, an uneducated comment from a supposed real truck owner. The guy knows nothing about the future truck, because no info has been released, but that doesn’t stop him from making a stupid comment.
Perhaps an electric truck is not good for someone a large ranch in Texas, but dismissing an electric truck as a playboy’s toy is a bit much. I am sure that it will be able to tow and haul in a similar fashion just like its gas and diesel siblings. I grew up on a farm and I could think of many uses an electric pickup. Most of the time, we are hauling parts for heavy equipment in the field, surveying the field conditions, fencing, tending to animals, etc. Also, what is this nonsense about not having enough charging stations. Most barns in my area with electrical service have 240V power. So long as the thing can charge fully before just before the rooster crows, an electric vehicle would work on our farm for most of the common day to day activities.
once the power companies have a lot of captured customers with all the EVs they will raise the cost of their product. . they will not have to give special rates at different times of the day because of the high demand for their product.
Well when the EV trucks start to come out I have a feeling that the so called “real” truck lovers will be in for a rude awakening when they see how much an EV Pickup will be superior to an ICE Pickup Truck. This persons statement is exactly the reason why I have been stating for years on this very site that I am worried about our Big Three. Our Government is making statements that EV’s are a pipe dream yet freaking China and the EU are going All In. I mean this person has zero clue what an EV Pickup Truck will mean to the Segment. It is almost insane of how uneducated we as a Nation of consumers are about EV’s. They are coming and they are coming fast. GM and Ford needs to start publicly pushing Government into Speaking the Truth about EV’s almost to the point of humiliation. It is the ONLY chance GM/Ford will have to stay relevant in the future of Automotive Business. I am not stating that EV’s have arrived to the point where it can effectively replace lets say a Civic but man oh man will it be able to completely replace an ICE Pickup Truck. Just look to see what a little unknown company like Rivian has already been able to showcase. Imagine if GM were to Go All In.
I personally cannot wait for the Tesla Pickup and the upcoming (Probably GMC) EV Pickup Truck. This will revolutionize the industry as we know it.
i use my silverado to tow my ATVs or snowmobiles 200 miles to our camp that has 220 V service but only 100 amp service which most of the older places in the USA have I am nor sure this can be used to charge an EV,