mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

A Chevy Silverado EV With Rear-Wheel Drive Could Be Possible

The all-new 2024 Chevy Silverado EV officially debuted earlier this year at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), introducing a fresh all-electric variant of the popular pickup nameplate. Among the highlights of the Chevy Silverado EV is a battery-powered dual-motor e4WD system driving all four wheels, but future models may offer rear-wheel drive only.

In a recent interview with GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft, Silverado EV Executive Chief Engineer Josh Tavel was asked if all Chevy Silverado EV models will be four-wheel drive as standard, to which Tavel replied:

“Yes, but I think in the future there’s an opportunity to change that.”

So, while all trim levels of the Chevy Silverado EV will initially be equipped with four-wheel drive, there is a possibility that rear-wheel drive variants could be offered in the future. Such a configuration could technically be less costly, weigh less, and offer lower combined output levels as it would not equip an electric motor up front.

For now, the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV is available in two separate trim levels, including the range-topping RST First Edition, as well as the fleet-oriented Work Truck. While both models are equipped with a dual-motor e4WD system, combined output varies, with the RST First Edition rated at 664 horsepower and over 780 pound-feet of torque, and the Work Truck rated at 510 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque.

Capability is also varied, with the towing capacity for the RST First Edition rated at up to 10,000 pounds, versus 20,000 pounds for the Work Truck, and payload capacity rated at 1,300 pounds for the RST First Edition, versus 1,200 pounds for the Work Truck.

Both trim levels leverage the GM Ultium battery and GM Ultium drive motor technology. Range-per-charge is estimated at 400 miles for both trim levels. Under the skin is the GM BT1 platform, with production set to take place at the GM Factory Zero plant in early 2023.

Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Silverado news, Chevy news, GM electric vehicle news, GM technology news, GM business news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

[nggallery id=1197]

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

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. Why not. Not everyone needs AWD. It would be cheaper and more range.

    Reply
    1. Would range increase? Rear wheel only means that more braking will be done by the actual brakes up front, less regen.

      Idk if it would be cheaper. They would probably make it their WT 39,950 model and remove the lowest AWD model to avoid loosing too much on the WT trim sales.

      Reply
  2. Then with only RWD, will the Silverado EV finally have a frunk, like the Ford F -150 Lightning ? Will the cost drop, too, and start out around $40,000?

    Reply
    1. It already has a frunk similar the lightning.

      Reply
  3. This thing is a piece of plastic junk.

    Reply
  4. Looks like an overweight eel.

    Reply
  5. Hillbilly overweight eel… 🤣🤣🤣

    Reply
  6. Just build a basic two wheel drive with enough power to haul and tow, and enough range to get through at least a couple days of real work. After a guy, or gal, works their @$$ off and rolls up and prepares tools and arranges for materials for the next day, don’t want to worry about charging also. They buy used gas powered trucks, small as possible.

    Large diameter wheels with low profile tires that die quickly and cost a fortune to replace are a rapper fad that’s been done to death already. And half the stuff they want chips for, we don’t even need anyway. Heated and cooled seats and steering wheel? Nav system and screen with perfect nav system on the phone? Really? Let’s get real, back to basics at a price everyone can afford.

    Reply
  7. They say badge well as I see it that is all the big names are doing. They are all in the same room building the same ev and at the end if the day only the badge is different the rest is all the same just a copy cat expensive vehicle. I like it when I drove a badge and that is what it was a chev, gmc, Ford or dodge you had a huge difference.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel