Chevy Silverado EV Smashes World Range Record: What It Means for UK Electric Pickup Truck Market
Source: Chevrolet
General Motors has rewritten the electric vehicle record books after engineers drove a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck an astounding 1,059.2 miles on a single charge, smashing the previous world record by over 300 miles. While the Silverado EV isn't currently available in the UK, this achievement signals a pivotal moment for the emerging electric pickup truck market that British buyers should pay attention to.
Breaking Down the Record-Breaking Achievement
What started as casual conversation among GM engineers in late 2024 quickly turned into a challenge to see how far they could push the boundaries of EV range. The team drove on public roads near GM's Milford Proving Ground in Michigan, completing the drive over seven days using incredibly conservative tactics—maintaining speeds of 20-25 miles per hour throughout.
The feat is particularly impressive considering the truck's EPA-estimated range of 493 miles. Per GM, both the hardware and software of the Silverado EV Work Truck were left untouched, with engineers only making minor optimisations including:
Inflating tyres to maximum safe pressure for reduced rolling resistance
Lowering windshield wiper positions to minimise drag
Removing the spare tyre to reduce weight
Optimising wheel alignment
Driving without air conditioning
"Getting this kind of range on a full charge doesn't happen by accident," said Kurt Kelty, GM's Vice President of Battery, Propulsion, & Sustainability. "It takes deep integration across battery chemistry, drive unit efficiency, software and vehicle engineering—and that's exactly what the team delivered."
Why This Matters for UK Electric Vehicle Adoption
While achieving over 1,000 miles of range required extreme hypermiling techniques that aren't practical for everyday driving, the demonstration proves that EV technology has reached a remarkable level of sophistication. The Silverado EV's massive 205kWh battery pack—one of the largest in any production vehicle—shows what's possible when manufacturers prioritise range as a core design consideration.
For UK drivers considering the switch to electric vehicles, this achievement addresses one of the primary concerns about EVs: range anxiety. If an electric pickup truck can travel over 1,000 miles under optimised conditions, real-world ranges of 300-500 miles become much more achievable and practical for daily use.
The UK Electric Pickup Truck Landscape
Currently, the UK electric pickup truck market remains limited, with the Maxus T90 EV being essentially the only purpose-built electric pickup available for purchase. However, this is set to change significantly over the next few years.
Electric Pickup Trucks Coming to the UK
Several manufacturers are preparing to enter the UK market with electric pickup trucks:
Isuzu D-Max EV - Set to launch in the UK in late 2025/early 2026, featuring 174 bhp and 350 Nm of torque with an 80kWh battery providing 220 miles of range. The D-Max EV maintains the crucial 3,500kg towing capacity needed for commercial use.
BYD Shark 6 - Due to launch in the UK in 2025, this pickup uses BYD's DMO plug-in hybrid platform with 342 bhp and 637 Nm of torque, achieving 0-62mph in just 6.0 seconds.
Ford Ranger PHEV - While not fully electric, the Ford Ranger PHEV is set to be the first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle to go on sale in the UK when it arrives in 2025, offering a stepping stone for buyers transitioning from diesel.
The Salary Sacrifice Advantage
For UK employees looking to access electric pickup trucks when they become available, electric car salary sacrifice schemes present an attractive opportunity. Through The Electric Car Scheme, drivers can save 20-50% on electric vehicles compared to traditional leasing.
With the current Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rate for electric vehicles at just 3% for 2025/26, salary sacrifice electric car schemes make these vehicles significantly more affordable than conventional financing options.
What the Record Means for EV Technology
The Silverado EV's achievement demonstrates several important technological advances:
Battery Technology: The 205kWh battery pack represents a significant leap in energy density and efficiency. GM optimised aerodynamics and weight by adding a tonneau cover and removing the spare tyre, dialed in the optimum alignment, and even adjusted the wiper angle for minimal drag.
Efficiency Gains: At the end of the test, the trip computer confirmed a total efficiency of 4.9 miles/kWh, roughly doubling the EPA rating of approximately 2.4 miles/kWh.
Real-World Application: While the record required extreme driving conditions, it proves that electric vehicles can deliver exceptional efficiency when optimised properly.
Charging Infrastructure and Range Considerations
The Silverado EV's record also highlights the importance of charging infrastructure development. With such impressive range capabilities, the focus shifts from finding charging points to optimising charging schedules and costs.
For UK drivers, home charging solutions remain the most cost-effective option, particularly when combined with EV-friendly energy tariffs that can reduce charging costs by up to 70% during off-peak hours.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Electric Pickup Trucks in the UK
While the Chevrolet Silverado EV isn't currently destined for UK roads, its technological achievements set new benchmarks for the industry. The next few years are set to bring vastly more choice to the UK electric pickup truck market, with several promising models already on the horizon.
For UK buyers interested in electric pickup trucks, the key developments to watch include:
Expanding Model Choice: More manufacturers entering the UK market with purpose-built electric pickup trucks
Improved Charging Infrastructure: Continued expansion of the UK's public charging network
Salary Sacrifice Accessibility: Electric car salary sacrifice schemes making these vehicles more affordable for employees
The Bottom Line
GM's record-breaking achievement with the Silverado EV demonstrates that electric vehicle technology has reached a level of maturity that addresses many traditional concerns about EV adoption. While extreme hypermiling techniques were required to achieve over 1,000 miles of range, the underlying technology proves that practical ranges of 400-500 miles are entirely achievable in normal driving conditions.
For UK drivers considering the transition to electric vehicles, particularly in the commercial and pickup truck segments, this milestone represents a significant confidence boost. As more electric pickup trucks become available in the UK market over the next few years, the combination of improved technology and attractive salary sacrifice schemes will make these vehicles increasingly accessible and practical for British buyers.
The electric pickup truck revolution may be starting in America, but UK drivers won't have to wait much longer to experience these impressive capabilities on British roads.
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Last updated: 11/08/2025
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