Chevy Silverado RST
- Kosta Labos
- Dec 18, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 20, 2022
Silverado RST
Photo Taken at the State Fair of Texas
January 5th, 2022 Chevy unveiled the all-new electric Silverado RST. Chevrolet is showing up a bit late on the electric truck scene compared to its competitors, with the F150 lightning, Rivian R1T, and the Tesla Cyber Truck beating it out. However, despite a projected release of spring 2023 for a work model, and 2024 for the RST, there is already a lot of interest in this truck. According to Topelectricsuv.com, GM has already received 150,000 reservations for the Silverado EV, with over 370 fleet operators accounting for just over half of the total reservations. This is quite a commanding lead for a new model and we hope Chevy will be able to deliver when it’s finally released.
The numbers
To start, the Silverado RST has some comparable numbers to its competitor, the F150 lighting with an estimated range of up to 400 miles, 754 hp, 785 lb-ft of torque, and a face-melting 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds! Payload is slightly less than your average pickups at only 8000 lbs. This is due to the battery pack being used as part of the frame. It can, however, tow just as much as the lighting and any other similar class pickup, at 10,000 lbs. To have the privilege of owning the Silverado RST, it will set you back at a mere $105,000 dollars! That’s just the base model price of the RST. Options haven’t been released yet.
What if you don’t want to pay such a princely sum for an electric Silverado? Worry not! Preceding the release of the Silverado RST is a work trim of the truck, starting at $40,000. To start, it offers the same estimated range of 400 miles. It does come with some drawbacks in the power department, making only 664 HP and 510 lb-ft of torque. What it lacks in power, it makes up in payload. The WT model is capable of toting a 1300-pound payload in the bed. The WT will also have a future model capable of towing 20,000 lbs.
Features
Chevy has been known for having more standard features across all models. The Silverado EV is no exception.
Drive Train Options
Both the RST Silverado and the WT Silverado EVs will be available with a tri-motor and quad-motor configuration.
4 Wheel Steering
The most notable feature is 4 wheel steering, which comes standard on all RSTs and the WT version, and notably, the new Hummer EV.
Optional Air Ride Suspension
The RST comes with an option to equip your new Silverado with air ride suspension! It automatically adjusts to the terrain and can even lower the truck to help you get in and out.
The bed
All models are also equipped with the multi-flex, power up, power down tailgate. This EV also features a new party trick. It comes with a multiflex midgate! What’s this? This gives you the option to fold down the rear of the cab, extending the bed from 5 ft 11 inches, all the way up to 10 ft!
Frunk Storage
Like most EVs, the lack of an engine gives you additional storage in the would be engine bay, commonly called a “frunk” or front trunk.
Charging and Battery Tech
The light bar that stretches across the front end of the RST’s sleek front has a secondary use other than setting off the face of this gorgeous truck. As you approach the RST with your keyless entry remote, the light bar will quickly indicate your EV’s charge level! This is intended to help you plan ahead for your day at a glance as you hop in.
If you forget to plan ahead, however, the RST comes with a new feature called Energy Assist. Accessed through the My Chevrolet Mobile app, you can plan your route to pass by public charging stations.
Speaking of charging, you can charge at home from either a 120 or 240-volt outlet, the first offering level 1 charging, the latter offering level 2 charging. The fastest option to charge your Silverado RST would be at a public DC fast charger, which promises 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes!
Nicknamed the Ultium battery platform, the battery pack in the RST is one of the latest innovations in battery technology. Its reconfigurable modular design allows it to be used in multiple different vehicles, like the new electric Equinox and Blazer. The frame of the battery module is integrated into the vehicle in order to save on room and weight, making this truck a unibody design. This is a slight drawback for the RST in that it drops its payload capacity from the normal 1500 lbs of a Silverado to 8000 lbs. For most drivers, this may be a non-issue considering most pickups are driven a majority of the time with the bed unloaded.
Chevy Safety Assist and Self Driving
Just like most any new Chevy on the road, the RST comes equipped with Chevy Safety Assist, which comes with 6 features. Automatic braking, pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision warning, Intellibeam high beam assist, and a following distance indicator.
All the same, equipment used for Chevy Safety Assist also allows for a new feature never before seen on any Chevy: Super Cruise! This is Chevy’s take on self-driving, allowing you to take your hands off the wheel and let the RST do the driving. Super Cruise is usable on over 200,000 miles of compatible US roads.
Interior
The interior of the Silverado RST is just as revolutionary for Chevy as the outside. The first thing you’ll notice is the large 17-inch center console display. The center display also gives you Google assistant interoperability, giving you the power to say “Hey Google” to input any destination.
The lack of a transmission and transmission tunnel offers more interior room to the passengers, as well as a larger center console.
The most modern interior trend that you’ll find inside the RST is the panoramic sunroof! Stretching from front to back, you can see clearly now, up to the clouds above! The sunroof is also equipped with a ceramic window tint in order to filter out rays from the sun so the interior doesn’t heat up like a greenhouse.
Thoughts
The Silverado RST will be one of the most important trucks GM has released in its entire 114-year history. With more and more of the US fleet electrifying, having an electric truck offering is a must-have in order to stay relevant in an all-electric market, especially considering trucks are currently outselling new cars 3-1 according to Forbes.
The new Ultium Battery platform is perhaps the most forward-thinking move made by Chevy in their electric ventures. Chevy has always been known for badge engineering the same tech across all their brands, and the Ultium Battery platform is their new ace in the hole. Its modularity will save them millions in development across several models and allow them to create new models with the same tech. Hopefully, the Silverado EV will set GM off on the right foot.