General Motors pulled the sheets on the all-new 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ in August, revealing the first ever all-electric production SUV to wear the iconic Cadillac Escalade nameplate. Among the many highlights is a 24-module, 200 kWh GM Ultium battery pack, which is included as the exclusive battery option at launch. However, the all-electric Escalade will very likely offer a battery with less capacity than the current 200 kWh unit some time in the future.
During the Cadillac Escalade IQ reveal, GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft spoke with Cadillac Escalade IQ Chief Engineer Mandi Damman, asking if there were any Escalade IQ variants with lower power levels or smaller battery capacities in the works.
Damman’s answer was short:
“In time, there may be.”
While not exactly specific, it certainly sounds like GM will offer a Cadillac Escalade IQ model with a lower battery capacity sometime in the future. So what would such a thing look like? To answer that, let’s first see what’s on deck with the 200 kWh battery pack available at launch. As it stands, the Cadillac Escalade IQ will lay down 680 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque in Normal Mode, or 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque in Velocity Max mode. Put the hammer down and the all-electric Escalade will sprint to 60 mph in less than five seconds. Maximum range per charge is estimated at 450 miles, while 800-volt DC quick charge capabilities will provide 100 miles of range in 10 minutes.
So then, what would a lower capacity battery entail? While it’s unclear to say exactly, we can point to the Chevy Silverado EV WT, which will soon become available with a 20-module battery pack that will deliver an estimated 350 miles of range per charge, suggesting that a Cadillac Escalade IQ equipped with a lower capacity battery pack could also offer a range of roughly 350 miles. It also bears mentioning that the all-electric Escalade will offer a lower capacity battery in conjunction with the upcoming Tech trim level, which will be offered as the base trim, slotting underneath the Luxury and Sport trims offered at launch.
Finally, the lower capacity battery will likely result in less weight and a lower a cost for the SUV. As a reminder, the Cadillac Escalade IQ will start at $130,000 at launch, and rides on the GM BT1 platform. Production takes place at the GM Factory Zero plant in Michigan.
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Comments
This is NOT the answer to get prices down. Just admit that EVs are being pushed and not-yet-ready-for-prime-time and suck it up.
People (wealthy) will buy the IQ however like typical GM with their Hummer EV they’ll only be able to produce low quantities.
Ah yes, the Cadillac LowIQ.
But that’ll “naturally happen” with the original battery after a couple years…
EV….. Edsel Vehicle!
Mark my word…they’ll follow the Edsel path and the Corvair ….
That is a good set of wheels. I’m not out to impress my neighbors but if I were, I would buy one.
I think these car people have gone nuts with their pricing. Wait until the strike is over and pricing will even be higher.
GM needs to get weight out of their batteries/EV’s
That is the best overall way to bring vehicle costs down and miles per charge up.
But of course GM will offer a smaller pack for a better starting price. They better not go below 350 Miles though in my opinion.
A 50 mile capacity battery along with a small diesel to spin a generator would be the better route. The 50 mile capacity would get most trips in there and back in full battery mode but if you want to take a long trip you can get 500+ miles when the diesel kicks in to spin the generator.
I really don’t see a point to offer less battery capacity if price of entry for tech could be $10K-$15 less. Might as well keep the standard capacity at 450 mile range because hardly anyone gets the standard trim for this market.