A 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Max Range Work Truck, which is EPA-estimated for up to 493 miles, made history by going 1,059.2 miles on a full charge during a range test executed by the GM engineering team.
The team drove a production Silverado EV Max Range WT on public roads near GM’s Milford Proving Ground in southeastern Michigan, wrapping up the final stretch on Detroit’s Belle Isle. To fit this endeavor into their regular work schedules, engineers drove in one-hour shifts.
The truck’s hardware and software were untouched, and the only adjustments included the following driver habits and small setting adjustments, all within the acceptable limits established in the truck’s owner’s manual.
When it was safe to do so, drivers were advised to maintain an average speed of 20-25 mph and to minimize any hard braking or quick accelerating. For the majority of the test, there were no passengers in the truck. The windshield wiper arms were set to the lowest acceptable position to reduce drag. Tires were inflated to their highest acceptable pressure for lower rolling resistance. The spare tire was removed to lighten the vehicle. The wheel alignment was optimized. An accessory tonneau cover was added for smooth airflow. Climate control was turned off for the duration of the test. The test was performed in summer for optimum ambient temperature for battery efficiency. These adjustments helped to increase the truck’s efficiency and maximize battery range. The engineers wanted to ensure that as much battery energy as possible was going towards moving the truck forward.
The team found the Silverado EV’s most efficient cruising speed to be 20-25 mph; a realistic pace for neighborhood or city driving in southeast Michigan. At that speed, the truck was using nearly all its battery power to move down the road, with minimal energy going to other uses.
The Silverado EV that set the record was recharged and powered up a 3D printer that printed a trophy to honor the team’s accomplishment.
