The Chevy Silverado EV is considered one of the finest electric trucks ever made, yet sales are lacking. Why is that?

      TL;DR: While the Silverado EV boasts a range of 410 miles and receives positive reviews, it only sold 14,000 units last year due to its price and concerns about towing capacity deterring potential buyers. According to sales data from GM Authority, General Motors sold about 14,000 Chevrolet Silverado EVs in the U.S. and Canada last year, whereas the gasoline-powered Silverado sells more than ten times that amount in just one quarter. This disparity highlights a key issue in the American electric truck market: the difference between high praise from reviewers and the actual sales figures. The situation has worsened, with a 41 percent year-over-year decline in Silverado EV sales during the first quarter of 2026, and GM’s overall electric vehicle demand continued to decrease into the second quarter. Earlier this year, the automaker indefinitely halted development of its next-gen full-size electric truck and SUV program and incurred approximately eight billion dollars in EV-related expenses in 2025, including losses associated with abandoned production plans and cancelled battery contracts.

      On paper, the Silverado EV appears to be an attractive product, with the LT Extended Range trim estimated to provide 410 miles on a full charge from a 205 kilowatt-hour battery pack, the largest in any production pickup. It features GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system, a Google-powered infotainment system, and is priced around $71,000, just about $5,000 over the average price for a full-size pickup, according to CEIC data referenced by TechCrunch.

      The challenge arises when the truck is used for its intended purpose. Towing reduces the range by approximately 60 percent, which means a fully loaded Silverado EV may achieve roughly 160 miles before needing to recharge. Survey data from Strategic Vision indicates that 75 percent of truck owners tow no more than once a year, making the range reduction manageable for most buyers, although it is a dealbreaker for those who frequently tow.

      Price also poses a challenge. The $71,000 LT Extended Range model is close to the average price of gasoline models, but GM also offers an LT Max Range that is around $20,000 more for an additional 68 miles of range. At this price point, the Silverado EV competes more with luxury SUVs than with work trucks, and the federal tax credit that previously helped offset costs has expired. GM is counting on its new lithium-manganese-rich battery technology to reduce battery costs by at least $6,000 while maintaining most of the range, but LMR cells are not expected to be available in trucks until 2028. The Ford F-150 Lightning faces similar challenges regarding cost and range, and Ram’s electric truck has seen multiple delays. The American pickup market generates substantial revenue, yet electric models still represent a minimal fraction of total sales, holding out hope for a future where costs align better with engineering advancements.