2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Expert Review
Reviewed by Matt Taylor
The fully electric Silverado EV impressed us with its range and standard features when it made its debut for 2024, and Chevy has only refined its approach to full-size EV trucking since then.
Meaningful updates keep the 2026 Silverado EV competitive against segment rivals like the Rivian R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Tesla Cybertruck.
What’s New
Basics
With the deletion of the RST trim and the addition of the new Trail Boss, there are now three trims and multiple levels of equipment to choose from. Joining the existing Extended and Max Range Work Trucks, and Extended Range LT-trim trucks for 2026 are:
- Standard-range Work Truck trim
- Standard and Max Range LT trims
- Extended and Max Range Trail Boss trims
- New equipment packages include:
- Custom package, available on Standard Range Work Trucks. It includes 22-inch gloss-black wheels, black exterior trim, and black carpeting.
- Plus package, available on LT Extended Range and Trail Boss Extended Range. This adds the Comfort and Convenience package, Multi-Flex tailgate, offboarding power, and a manual tailgate function with an EZ Lift feature.
- Premium package, available on LT and Trail Boss with Extended Range and standard on LT and Trail Boss with Max Range. Features include Super Cruise, a Comfort and Convenience package, Tech package, head-up display, Multi-Flex tailgate, spray-on bedliner, Multi-Flex midgate, and fast Level 2 charging up to 19.2 kW.
On Trail Boss-trim trucks, an off-road-oriented Terrain driving mode joins Sidewinder and off-road modes taken from the exiting RST trim package. Terrain mode sharpens the Silverado EV's 4-Wheel Steer to better control traction and torque during low-speed maneuvers on uneven ground.
Exterior
Three new paint colors are also available for 2026:
- White Sands
- Polar White Tricoat
- Magnus Gray Matte Metallic
A package with Bronze 22-inch wheels is available on the LT-trim Silverado EVs. For LT and Trail Boss Silverado EVs, a new roof sunshade is also available.
Unique to the new Trail Boss trim trucks are standard 18-inch wheels shod in trail-appropriate 285/75 all-terrain tires. To accommodate that extra beef, a specially tuned High Stance suspension and a 2-inch chassis lift are specced, as well, along with a front skidplate, front recovery hooks.
Interior
Inside, all LT and Trail Boss Silverado EVs gain Chevrolet Digital Key for 2026, allowing vehicle entry and power operation via smartphone.
Front bucket seats covered in black Evotex material are standard on Work Truck and LT-trim trucks, while Trail Boss trucks receive front buckets with special black and Artemis yellow upholstery.
What We Think
We like the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV, but its sweet spot is well below the $90,000-plus prices that get you into a well-equipped GMC Sierra EVs.
The Silverado EV is available in just one configuration: dual motor, four-wheel drive, short bed, crew cab. But with numerous trims encompassing a huge range of standard and optional equipment, it’s a thoroughly customizable truck with great driving range—if you’re willing to pony up the dough.
Last year, the least expensive Silverado EV available outside of a fleet was $73,100, and even with a standard-range Work Truck model, it’ll still be a pricey pickup.
You should get a lot for your money, however. The 2026 Silverado EV drops the RST trim, positioning the LT trim trucks squarely in the middle of the range, and adds two new off-road-ready Trail Boss trims with revised front fascia for better approach angle, 35-inch all-terrain tires, high-stance suspension, lifted chassis, skidplates, red front recovery hooks, and Chevy’s premium tech suite.
We haven’t been impressed by the Silverado EV’s off-roading abilities in the past, but the new Trail Boss could change that.
Top-Ranked Competitors:
MotorTrend Tested
For 2026, all trims will again be equipped with Chevrolet’s Performance Torque Vectoring Dual Motor Electronic 4WD system. Power levels remain about the same, with most new equipment upgrades focused on improving tech, off-road capability, and range.
The top-performing RST Max Range model from 2025 has been dropped, but the new Trail Boss trim’s drivetrain will offer comparable output—up to 725 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque when equipped with the Max Range battery. We’ve tested the Silverado EV in RST form hitting 60 mph in only 4.0 seconds.
That time may grow slightly for the Trail Boss trim with its raised suspension, larger tires and wheels, and other extras.
Past Work Truck trims have returned a 0–60-mph time of 5.8 seconds, and that should stay about the same this year for Extended Range models. The rare Standard Range Work Truck will be a bit slower but still plenty quick enough for everyday use.
2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Power and Torque
Standard Range models:
- Work Truck: 510 hp, 490 lb-ft
- LT: 510 hp, 580 lb-ft
Extended Range models:
- Work Truck: 510 hp, 580 lb-ft
- LT: 645 hp, 765 lb-ft
- Trail Boss: 625 hp, 775 lb-ft
Max Range models:
- Work Truck: 510 hp, 580 lb-ft
- LT: 760 hp, 765 lb-ft
- Trail Boss: 725 hp, 775 lb-ft
EV Range and Charging
Outside of fleet-spec trucks, three batteries are available in the 2026 Silverado EV: Standard Range, Extended Range, and Max Range. For 2025, depending on equipment, manufacturer-rated range for the Silverado EV starts at 283 miles and tops out at 493 miles. In a change from last year, the Work Truck Max Range is now the top of the heap.
Charge speed is quick, whether you’re Level-2 charging at home or Level-3 fast-charging in public. Every 2026 Silverado EV charges at 11.5 kW, and some can go as high as 19.2 kW.
Fast charging for non-fleet models starts at 220 kW on Standard Range models, upgrades to 300 kW on Extended Range models, and tops out at 350 kW for Max Range models.
With recharge rates as fast at 350 kW, Max Range 2025 Silverado EVs could add 100 miles in 10 minutes
Safety Features
Standard across the Silverado EV range is Chevrolet’s Assisted Driving package, which includes:
- Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking
- Reverse Automatic Braking
- Rear Cross Traffic Braking
- Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking
- Rear Pedestrian Alert
- Safety Alert Seat
- Side Bicyclist Alert
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- A 360-degree camera
- Adaptive cruise control
In addition, Chevrolet equips Silverado EVs with these features as standard:
- Forward Collision Alert
- Following Distance Indicator
- Automatic high-beams
- LATCH system child restraints
- Buckle to Drive seat-belt safety system
- Teen Driver configurability
- OnStar Capability
Cargo Space and Interior Room
At 5 feet, 11 inches, the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV’s bed is longer than average—the 2025 Cybertruck can claim just 1 inch greater length, and the F-150 Lightning falls short of the Chevy by 4 inches.
When equipped with the Multi-Flex Midgate with pass-through, LT and Trail Boss trims can accommodate cargo up to 9 feet in length, and nearly 12 feet with the tailgate down.
The Silverado EV’s frunk is larger than most competitors as well, adding 10.7 cubic feet of cargo space to complement its roomy cabin.
Technology
Infotainment
For 2026, an 11.0-inch digital driver display and 17.7-inch digital infotainment screen are standard across the board, upgrading the smaller screens previously featured in Work Truck trims. Google built-in functionality is included, with navigation, connected apps, personalized settings, and Natural Voice Recognition.
Charging needs are addressed with two USB-C ports up front and two more in the rear, standard across all trims, and stepping up the LT trim or better gains a fifth port in the center console.
In addition, the Silverado EV provides 12-volt and 120-volt outlets inside and a 110-volt outlet in the frunk as standard equipment. Opting for an Extended Range Work Truck trim or better adds one 240-volt and four 120-volt outlets to the bed of the Silverado EV.
Sound System
A six-speaker audio system is standard on all but the LT Max Range and Trail Boss Max Range trims, which get a seven-speaker Bose system. This system is also on the LT Extended Range and Trail Boss Extended Range trims when properly equipped.
Value
Standard Features
The Silverado EV boasts an impressive list of standard features. Along with dual motors and four-wheel drive across the lineup, all Silverado EVs are equipped with:
- Variable Regen and one-pedal driving capability
- Adaptive Cruise Control with automatic speed-limit matching
- Super Cruise hands-free driving capability
- Wi-Fi hot spot capability
- Remote start preconditioning
- LED cargo lighting
- Locking tailgate
- Hitch View, Hitch Guidance, and Trailer Brake Controller
Also standard for 2026 is Vehicle-to-home, which allows the Silverado EV to provide electrical power to your home in a blackout when properly equipped.
Recommended Trim
All things considered, we just might spring for the 2026 Silverado EV in Trail Boss trim with the Extended Range battery pack. This package gets you a comprehensive list of equipment and off-road swagger for relatively little money—its $72,095 starting price is just $1,000 more than an Extended Range LT-trim truck and many thousands cheaper than both LT and Trail Boss Max Range trucks—and retains excellent driving range.
