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The Chevy Avalanche’s Midgate Returns In The 2024 Silverado EV

General Motors has pulled the sheets on the all-new 2024 Silverado EV, revealing a tech-laden all-electric pickup truck offering a laundry list of technology and cutting-edge features. In addition to the fresh tech, the 2024 Silverado EV also marks the return of the clever Midgate feature, as previously offered by the Chevy Avalanche and Cadillac Escalade EXT.

For those who may not remember the Chevy Avalanche and Cadillac Escalade EXT, the Midgate feature expands available cargo room in the bed by folding down the barrier between the bed and the cabin. The feature allows customers to load longer items into the bed, such as lumbar or a kayak.

Offered by the 2024 Silverado EV RST First Edition model, the Midgate feature expands available cargo room in back while maintaining seating for a passenger on the rear row. With the Midgate down, the storage capacity of the 5-foot, 11-inch bed in the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV RST expands to just over 9 feet of storage between the cab and tailgate.

The RST also features an “eTrunk,” which is a lockable compartment in the front of the vehicle big enough to hold “a large hide suitcase,” while customers can also opt for the Multi-Flex tailgate with power release for even greater cargo capability, expanding to provide up to 10 feet, 10 inches of load floor and storage capability in conjunction with the Midgate feature.

Meanwhile, in the cabin, a 40/60 second row seat offers four different configurations for gear and passengers that allow users to haul gear or equipment while still accommodating a passenger in the second row.

The Chevy Silverado EV will be offered exclusively in a Crew Cab body style. The new pickup is based on the GM Ultium Platform, with a 24-module Ultium battery pack and electronic four-wheel drive, plus an estimated maximum range-per-charge of 400 miles. Production will take place at the recently reopened GM Factory Zero in Michigan, previously known as Detroit-Hamtramck.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

Comments

  1. Momolos

    The rear window better be automatic Up and Down and not like the Avalanche that you had to pop it off and place it behind the Midgate.

    Reply
    1. PCL

      Seems like an engineering nightmare IMO though I’m sure auto engineers could figure it out. It would auto-down into the midgate and you’d have to have all sorts of failsafes in place to make sure the midgate couldn’t be lowered without the rear window completely rolled down.

      Reply
      1. J.C.Craig

        Similar to many of the old tailgates on Sixties vehicles…seems like they COULD do everything.

        Reply
      2. J

        They could just have a manual/auto up or down setting on it like most driver/passenger windows have nowadays.

        Reply
    2. Shockandawe

      Just as I predicted!

      Reply
    3. Phil Nikel

      Back window – as the bed extension gate opens the rear wall between bed and cab…. Back window has no place to go, ie can’t be lowered?

      Unless back window is a slider? W/section over cab gate, stacked & lowered? A lot to go wrong with that idea.

      Reply
    4. JOe

      I don’t always want the window down when I put the midgate down with a tonnau cover.

      Reply
  2. PCL

    The RST also features an “eTrunk,” which is a lockable compartment in the front of the vehicle big enough to hold “a large hide suitcase,”
    I certainly hope this is on the WT as well. What the hell would be the point of trim-limiting this feature?
    Edit: luckily the presentation calls it “Silverado’s front trunk” without mentioning a trim level, so I think I’m safe despite Sam and his burner accounts.

    Reply
    1. Sam

      It’s expensive since it requires a lot of pieces: a big plastic tub that’s insulated with things like drain holes and vents and rubber seals. Add additional plastic trim pieces to cover up the ugly mechanical parts. You need gas struts to hold up the hood, and an electric latch. The hood part needs to have wiring for the latch, a trapped kid release mechanism or switch, and a smooth mating surface and be properly shimmed to align with the seals.

      And if you have front-end damage to the vertical fascia and misalign the thing, it becomes unsafe to drive, so potential larger repair bills.

      Reply
      1. PCL

        Sorry, but no front trunk on an EV truck is a dealbreaker for me. Questions like that are why I’m keeping my Lightning reservation. For me, it’s like Chevy saying “there will be no tailgate on our WT models because tailgates are expensive. It will just be a solid bed wall.”

        Reply
        1. Sam

          Then get a better job and don’t buy the stripped down fleet model.

          Wahhh I’m cheap but I am entitled to everything!

          Reply
          1. PCL

            lol, being frugal =/= being poor. Better luck next time.

            Reply
            1. Craig Christiansen

              He’s completely right… you’re a cheapskate. Frugal is demanding they make a WT because the frunk is not worth the extra money. Cheapskate is what you’re doing, demanding caviar but only willing to pay McDonald’s and then crying about it when you’re called out.

              Reply
              1. PCL

                Oof. You’ve got some pretty bad Stockholm Syndrome if preferring “useful space” over “inaccessible cavity” is the equivalent of caviar.

                Reply
              2. Kenny

                Do you have your penny loafers on Craig?

                Reply
          2. Peter

            @ Sam
            Aren’t you one of the writers here? If you are that’s hilarious you are telling someone to get a better job.

            Reply
        2. Keith Collins

          It has one

          Reply
    2. Ant

      I believe on the CES video that the WT model showed different capabilities of the front trunk like a work station or other modules. So based on that video, the front trunk *should* be on the work model.

      Reply
  3. Jeff

    More like, the failed “chevy avalanche is resurrected as an EV in in 2024”

    Reply
    1. Fatone

      Still see a lot of them on the road. Not sure the same consumers for the original as the EV. The lanche was more ahead of it’s time than a failure. It is a beloved vehicle by many of its owners

      Reply
    2. Paulie

      “Failed” by selling nearly 810,000 units (not including the Cadillac variant, which pushes the number to over 882,000) over a 15 year period? That’s like calling the 5th Gen mustang a failure because there were only a million of them sold over a 10 year period, compared to the previous generation selling over 1.5 million. Perhaps a bigger failure (literally & figuratively) was the Ford excursion, which only lasted 8 years and sold fewer than 200,000. I owned an Avalanche and loved that truck! It’s THE ONLY vehicle over the past 10 years I no longer own that I wish I still had (and I’ve had a new vehicle every year). It’s GM in typical fashion not wanting to advertise it or pull away from Silverado/Sierra sales … not to mention skyrocketing fuel prices beginning around 2008/2009. They killed the Volt off the same way.

      Reply
  4. SCWS

    I am going to have to say it’s a swing and a miss with me I don’t like the one peice cab and bed, proper trucks have separate cab and beds.

    Reply
    1. GMC Fan

      Why? I need to hear this logic!

      Reply
    2. Pru

      Appears GM’s target market is the millennial crowd. Weren’t they the younger target market for the Avalanche? Good luck to GM with this one. I think they missed the mark…again. I was hoping for a look closer to the real “Silverado.” This new Silverado looks like a Colorado in the front and an Avalanche from bed on back. Yuck

      Reply
  5. Fatone

    A lot to like. Other sites have some WT photos and not as bad as you would think particularly on the inside.

    The 107k is a joke. For that price I think most everyone picks the Hummer.

    Reply
    1. jonnyd84

      Yeah, they over priced it as an “RST”. I think they missed the mark with the trim name I think they could have used “RSE” – That being said, Launch the WT, RS”E” and a High Country. I could maybe understand asking that much as a High Country Trim.

      Reply
  6. Truckz

    I think it’s clear they’re not targeting the traditional truck buyer with this model. To be honest the traditional truck buyer will be the last to accept EV’s so it’s not necessarily a bad thing. What I don’t understand is why they didn’t just name it what it clearly is. There is no denying this is a modern Avalanche. The only thing that makes sense is if they figured they could get more bang for their buck by using the Silverado name. Only problem is the traditional Silverado crowd doesn’t like the name being applied to something that doesn’t look like a traditional Silverado. Naming aside this will be a nice entry into the EV market.

    Reply
    1. Joe Rainville

      This traditional truck buyer owns two Dmax powered Silverado’s, a 2006 2500HD and a 2019 3500 dually, both purchased new and used to haul trailers, tractors, cars, ATVs and snowmobiles.

      And I reserved a Silverado EV yesterday.

      Reply
      1. Truckz

        There’s always exceptions but I think it’s safe to assume this won’t be replacing your HD’s. That said congrats on your reservation, did you go with the WT or RST?

        Reply
        1. Joseph Rainville

          I will be ordering an RST, but I didn’t go with the fully optioned model as I want to see what my options will be. So I took the lower cost RST/WT option. Unfortunately, that means I have to wait longer, but that gives me time install home solar and wind to cover the expected power consumption.

          The Silverado EV will actually replace my daily 2500 HD since it can tow a reasonable amount a reasonable distance. I will have the dually for longer hauls.

          Reply
          1. Truckz

            Interestingly these do have an 8-lug bolt pattern, assuming it’s due to the extra weight of the vehicle. Since these will likely weigh as much as an HD I wonder how they are going to classify them. Between the weight and wheelbase it should be stable while towing. Curious to see what real world towing range is going to be.

            Reply
            1. Joseph Rainville

              If my ICE trucks are in indicator of decrease in range, my 31′ enclosed box trailer lowers my economy by nearly 45% while my flat 23′ trailer only lowers it by 27%. I would generally expect similar ratio’s for an EV.

              We will find out…

              Reply
    2. Thomas

      The Silverado crowd turned away from the Avalanche when it was made.

      Reply
  7. Ron

    With an ’07 Avalanche currently and previously an ’02 Noth Face addition, unfortunate that when it comes out will be battery powered and not gas powered. Unfortunate.

    Reply
    1. Bear

      So true…

      Reply
  8. Dan Berning

    Saw the first pics on another news article. Looked at around 35 pic of the truck. I’d take the Ford Lightning before this. It’s not that I don’t like this, but just don’t understand why on earth so many manufacturers feel they must make the EV’s look so different. I really like that the Ford looks so much like the gas F150. When you get to the inside, I’d prefer this Chevy over Ford’s totally ugly tacked on screen stuck in the middle like an afterthought. But it really doesn’t matter because I will never pay more than $50K for any truck period. So I’m out on any of them.

    Reply
  9. C8.R

    Hmm 20,000 pound towing, pretty impressive for a work truck.

    Reply
  10. 07SKY10

    Call it the Avalanche

    Reply
    1. Joseph Rainville

      Or is it AvalanchEV? Naw, that looks weird. I am cool with “Silverado EV”

      Reply
  11. Joe Rainville

    Despite all you “experts” out here, I like it and reserved one. Also had a much loved 2002 Avalanche. This will go nicely with my DMax Silverado’s as a commuter.

    As for battery performance in cold weather, I am willing to bet GM’s thermal management will work to keep performance acceptable under all ambient conditions.

    Can’t wait to see one. This thing looks cool, lots of neat features and huge range.

    Reply
    1. Paulie

      As a Volt owner, I know it’s not so much the battery thermal control system, but the use of the cabin heating that sucks down the range. Winter range drops as much as 20-25 percent when the heater gets used, depending upon how you set up the car… but the BEV Silverado won’t have the “engine assisted heating” option like my Volt does, so cold weather range depreciation will be interesting to see.

      Reply
  12. Gary

    Best looking new EV Pick-up out of all of them. Every new EV should say “Thank you Elon Musk” on the factory sticker ( I know this is absurd) but like him or not if it wasn’t for him there would be no EV’s (and that includes everything from pick-ups to sedans).

    Reply
    1. Joseph Rainville

      The 1996 GM EV-1 finds your homage to Elon amusing…but he should be credited for his is accomplishments. GM and the EV-1 were there first. The Tesla model 3 is no more efficient than the EV-1 on range per KWH.

      Reply
      1. Gary Selke

        Yes, GM had an electric car and there was also an electric car 100 years ago. Elon Musk made them available to the masses and created a new paradigm, must like Jobs, Gates, Ford and Edison.

        Reply
  13. Joseph Rainville

    Even at half charge, the cabin heater should run longer than 24-48 hrs. No worse than running out of fuel dude…

    And do you think GM has a thermal management system to keep the batteries happy…lets assume so…

    Reply
  14. Paulie

    Not quite an Avalanche. The mid-gate in the Avalanche allowed for removal/storage of the rear window, AND folding the seats to allow the entire floor to ceiling height to be used. This looks like only the bottom half of the mid-gate can be folded down for longer loads, not both longer and taller like the Avalanche could.

    Reply
    1. Truckz

      After watching several videos it does in fact have the ability to store the glass and have the entire back opened up. It even one ups the old Avalanche by allowing the mid-gate to come down in a 60/40 split while leaving one seat up. It does appear however that you can get this without the mid-gate according to a TFL video. It showed a WT that appeared to have a normal bed. I would assume the mid-gate is standard on the RST, not sure if it’s optional on the WT or simply not offered, time will tell.

      Reply
  15. Krib

    All these manufacturers following a fad. EV’ trucks are not practical. I could never use it as a work truck. Getting stranded or taking a long time to charge. Hopefully Mopar dumps the idea of the flash in the pan jump to battery charged vehicles. The infrastructure to out electrical grid can not take this added load. Good luck I will stick to my dirsels

    Reply
  16. Install40

    I am a proud owner of not 1 but 2 Avalanches (1st Gen and 2nd Gen ) and not for nothing but I don’t understand what everyone’s issue was or is with the Avalanche. I am a contractor and let me just say this, I have used both of my trucks for major hauling . It was an absolutely awesome to be able to load 10-15 sheets of drywall or plywood or even 30, 40 cases of tile completely inside by dropping the mid gate and not have to worry if it was pouring out or snowing. My 2004 has 285k on it and the only major issue I had was a tranny. My 2010 has been problemless and currently has 70k and they both are work horses. I added a Supercharger to the 2010 but everything else is stock. I wish they would either bring back the Avalanche or offer the exact same set up on a gas version of the Silverado as the EV .
    I’m not sure if I am just a rare example owner…..

    Reply
  17. Jaydog_Xcal

    There is a midgate, how safe is it in the event of an accident? For example if there is a stack of 2x4s going through the lowered midgate with the ends against the drivers seat, and the vehicle was rear ended or a head on collision occurred, would the driver be safe against the stack of lumber suddenly shifting towards the front of the vehicle? Can the midgate also protect the occupants in the cab from cargo in the bed.

    Reply
  18. David Koenig

    Manufacture a avalanche gas engine, I have waited years, won’t buy electric, quit giving into the tree huggers . So I buy Ford, your loss

    Reply
  19. Joe

    It would have been better to have internal combustion engine choices. A 5.3 L or 6.2L

    Reply
  20. Avalanche owner

    Yuck, just yuck. Looks horrid and NO ty to EV. I’ll stick with the one I have! I wanted them to come back but not like this. Old body styles need to come back on many vehicles, older vehicles have such nice lines and you can tell one from another. Every brand looks the same anymore. I do not believe they used consumer input!

    Reply

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