Way back in November 2019, GM Authority reported that GM Design Chief Michael Simcoe hinted at the possibility of 24- and 26-inch wheels finding their way onto production-spec vehicles. Well, this prediction is becoming a reality, as the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV is set to become the first General Motors and Chevy product to feature such gargantuan rollers. That being said, we’re taking a closer look at the tires that were designed to accommodate this enormous wheel.
For reference, 24-inch wheels are equipped as standard on the Chevy Silverado EV RST First Edition, and will be optional on the upcoming “regular” RST variant. These 24s are wrapped in Michelin Primacy LTX tires, which were specifically designed for the Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV. The tires are sized at LT275/50R24.
For those who may be unaware, the “LT” designation signifies a “Light Truck” tire, designed for use on a vehicle that carries heavy cargo loads or tows a large trailer. They are usually manufactured with reinforced sidewalls and more robust threads for extra durability. Given the Silverado EV’s sheer weight, payload and towing capacities, this makes sense. Here’s what it’s like to tow with the Silverado EV RST.
With all of that in mind, the rubber underneath the Chevy Silverado EV RST is not your typical off-the-shelf tire, but rather one designed specifically for the Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV. Why, you may ask? Well, due to the huge 24-inch rollers, there wasn’t a good tire that General Motors felt matched its specifications for weight, size, performance and so on. As a result, The General needed to get creative, and these Michelin Primacy LTX tires were part of the solution.
This is also reflected in the tire’s TPC or Tire Performance Criteria, assigned TPC Spec 2036. OEM replacement tires for the Silverado EV RST must include this TPC Spec.
As if the tires couldn’t get any crazier, they also run at an extremely high psi. Per previous GM Authority coverage, General Motors recommends 61 psi for the front tires and 68 psi for the rear, yet they’re capable of managing up to 80 psi. For the sake of comparison, the recommended tire pressure for one of the Silverado EV’s primary rivals – the Ford F-150 Lightning – is 36 to 42 psi, depending on the tire size. Obviously, there’s a stark difference between the two all-electric pickups.
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Comments
The diesel 2500HD Silverado has a payload capacity of 4,000 pounds and runs the same type of tire and pressures. The Silverado EV has a 1,500 pound payload capacity but weights 9,000 pounds as opposed to the Silverado 2500HD’s svelte 6500-7500 pounds (that’s an actual work truck with a diesel and 600 miles fuel range).
Long and short; those ridiculous tires and pressures on the EV RST are simply because of it’s obscene weight. Hard to believe I could put 2,500 pounds of stuff in the bed of my Duramax 2500HD (I’ve got the 6500 pound version) before I could match the curb weight of that useless EV nonsense truck. Why does that ridiculous thing exist!?!?!?
Those tires cost $600 each 💸💸💸
Can’t be! EVs are sooooo much cheaper to maintain than ICE vehicles.
Why does that ridiculous thing exist!?!?! I think we all know why, next question should be, Why is GM, and the government, wasting money on this?
Because Varmey as stupid as we think it is someone will buy them. Wait next year they will have 30 inch wheels lol 😆! I was so happy to find out that my equinox 2.0t I got used has 19 inch wheels that’s big enough for me.
GM must have cut Michelin a big fat design cost cheque? What company would invest tens of millions to design a tire for a vehicle that probably won’t sell worth sh&t. Designed by Michelin, paid for by GM.
At 61 psi and with those short sidewalls it will roll well but bumpy.