Can GM’s EV Silverado Truck Prove Range Limits are Over?

Concerns over the driving range of EVs could be easing after General Motors (GM) tested a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Max Range Work Truck.

The vehicle, which had an estimated range of 493 miles, achieved 1,059.2 miles on a single charge during a controlled range test, surpassing the previous record of 749 miles set by Lucid.

Kurt Kelty, Vice President, Battery, Propulsion and Sustainability at GM, says: "Getting this kind of range on a full charge doesn’t happen by accident.

"It takes deep integration across battery chemistry, drive unit efficiency, software and vehicle engineering and that’s exactly what the team delivered.

"This achievement is a great example of how far our EV technology has come and the kind of innovation we’re building on every day at GM."

How the record was set

The Silverado EV was driven on public roads at GM’s Milford Proving Ground.

The company says no hardware or software modifications were made; instead, engineers focused on driver behaviour and settings.

Drivers maintained a steady speed of 20–25 mph when safe, avoided hard braking or rapid acceleration and removed excess weight such as the spare tyre.

Most of the journey was completed without passengers to further reduce load.

Tires were inflated to maximum recommended pressure to minimise rolling resistance, wheel alignment was optimised and an accessory tonneau cover was added for smoother airflow.

Windshield wipers were set to their lowest position to reduce drag.

Climate control was turned off throughout the test, with summer conditions providing optimal ambient temperature for battery efficiency.

GM says these adjustments ensured as much battery energy as possible was directed toward moving the truck forward.

Jon Doremus, Propulsion Calibration Engineering Manager, says: "If we drove it downhill the whole time, sure, we’d get insane mileage. But that’s not what this was about.

"We wanted this to be real, on public roads."

Why the test matters for EV technology

GM says the purpose was not just to set a record but to collect valuable data for future EV development.

Engineers reported that every mile taught them something, allowing further refinement of EV efficiency strategies.

One key finding was that the Silverado EV operates most efficiently at 20–25 mph, a realistic speed for urban and neighbourhood driving.

This insight could help GM fine-tune future software and driver guidance tools to extend range in practical conditions.

To celebrate the milestone, the truck was recharged and used to power a 3D printer that created a trophy commemorating the team’s achievement.

Why EV range is still a selling point

GM’s customer research shows that range remains the number one purchase driver for the Silverado EV.

According to the World Economic Forum, around a third of drivers globally are concerned about taking long trips in EVs.

This "range anxiety" has been a major barrier to adoption, though the organisation notes that average EV range has more than doubled over the past decade.

By exceeding 1,000 miles on a single charge, GM positions the 2026 Silverado EV Max Range WT as a leader in electric truck range capability.

"A new world record for EV range. One thousand miles in a Chevy Silverado EV work truck," writes Cassandra Garber, Chief Sustainability Officer at GM, on LinkedIn

"The more range, the more work you can get done. The more adventures you can take. More memories you can make. More emissions you can avoid. More impact you can have."