2025 Chevy Silverado EV Review: Range, Towing, and Price
2025 Chevy Silverado EV Review: Range, Towing, and Price
The 2025 Chevy Silverado EV is more than just an electric adaptation of a beloved pickup truck—it’s a bold reimagining of what a full-size electric truck can be. As Chevrolet continues its aggressive push into the EV market, the Silverado EV emerges as a serious contender in the electric pickup segment, aiming to challenge models like the Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, and Tesla Cybertruck. With impressive range figures, robust towing capability, and a competitive price structure, the 2025 Silverado EV is poised to shake up the truck world.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into the 2025 Chevy Silverado EV, covering its driving range, towing capacity, pricing, performance, technology, and real-world usability. Whether you're a truck enthusiast, a fleet manager, or someone looking for a high-capacity electric vehicle, this review will give you everything you need to know before making a decision.
2025 Chevy Silverado EV Overview
The 2025 Chevy Silverado EV is built on GM’s Ultium platform, the same architecture that underpins the GMC Hummer EV and other upcoming electric vehicles from General Motors. This skateboard-style battery layout allows for low center of gravity, increased interior space, and flexible configurations. Unlike traditional trucks retrofitted with electric drivetrains, the Silverado EV is designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, giving it structural and functional advantages over hybrid conversions.
Chevrolet is offering the 2025 Silverado EV in multiple trim levels, including the Work Truck (WT), RST, and the top-tier Trail Boss. Each trim is tailored to different user needs—ranging from commercial fleet applications to high-performance off-roading and luxury comfort. While the initial models launched in 2023 and 2024, the 2025 model year brings refinements in battery efficiency, software updates, and expanded charging compatibility.
Range and Charging: Leading the Electrified Charge
One of the most critical metrics for any electric vehicle is its range, especially for a full-size truck expected to handle long hauls, heavy loads, and remote work sites. The 2025 Chevy Silverado EV delivers on this front with impressive EPA-estimated range figures that vary by trim and drivetrain.
Range by Trim Level
- Work Truck (WT) 4WD: Up to 450 miles
- RST Standard Range: Up to 400 miles
- RST Extended Range: Up to 500 miles
- Trail Boss: Up to 440 miles
The Extended Range RST trim, equipped with a dual-motor setup and the largest battery pack, achieves the highest estimated range of 500 miles on a single charge—making it one of the longest-range electric pickups available. This figure puts it ahead of the Ford F-150 Lightning’s 320-mile maximum and rivals the Tesla Cybertruck’s 500+ mile claim. However, real-world driving conditions such as payload, terrain, and climate can affect actual range.
Charging Speed and Compatibility
Fast charging is a major selling point of the 2025 Silverado EV. Thanks to GM’s 800-volt architecture, the truck can charge at speeds of up to 350 kW on compatible DC fast chargers. This means:
- 10 to 80% charge in approximately 30 minutes
- Over 100 miles of range added in about 10 minutes
The Silverado EV supports CCS (Combined Charging System) connectors, the most widely used standard in North America. It also includes regenerative braking, which helps replenish the battery during deceleration, especially useful in city driving or downhill terrain.
For home charging, Chevrolet recommends a 240-volt Level 2 charger. With a standard 19.2 kW onboard charger, the Silverado EV can gain around 40–50 miles of range per hour of charging. This makes overnight charging sufficient for most daily use cases, including work commutes and local deliveries.
Towing and Payload: Electric Muscle for Real Work
Truck buyers demand capability, and the 2025 Chevy Silverado EV delivers with class-leading towing and payload numbers. Unlike some EVs that sacrifice performance under load, the Silverado EV leverages the instant torque of electric motors to provide strong, consistent pulling power.
Maximum Towing Capacity
The top-tier RST First Edition and upcoming 2025 RST Extended Range models boast a maximum towing capacity of 20,000 pounds when properly equipped. This is achieved through:
- Dual-motor all-wheel drive system
- Heavy-duty suspension upgrades
- Integrated trailer brake controller
- Advanced trailering technology suite
This towing figure is on par with or exceeds many gas-powered heavy-duty pickups, including the Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD. It opens the door for the Silverado EV to be used in construction, agriculture, and recreational towing—proving electric trucks are no longer limited to urban or light-duty roles.
Payload Capacity
Payload capacity—the weight the truck can carry in its bed and cab—varies by configuration but reaches up to 1,450 pounds in lower trims and around 1,200 pounds in high-performance models like the Trail Boss due to heavier components and dual motors.
The Silverado EV features a standard 6.1-foot cargo bed with available Multi-Flex Midgate, a feature borrowed from the Hummer EV. This innovative system allows the rear seats to fold forward and the tailgate to function as a load stop, creating a continuous flat surface from the bed into the cabin—ideal for hauling long items like lumber, kayaks, or motorcycles.
Towing Technology and Driver Assistance
The 2025 Silverado EV comes equipped with advanced trailering tech, including:
- Trailering Camera System: Provides a 360-degree view with trailer alignment guides
- Automatic Trailer Brake Control: Syncs with trailer brakes for safer stops
- Range Estimator with Trailer: Adjusts remaining range based on trailer weight and terrain
- Proper Hitch Integration: Supports fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitches with factory-installed prep kits
These features make the Silverado EV not just powerful, but also smart and user-friendly for towing applications.
Performance and Drivetrain Options
The 2025 Chevy Silverado EV is available with several drivetrain configurations, allowing buyers to choose between efficiency, performance, and all-terrain capability.
Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
The standard setup for most trims is a dual-motor AWD system that produces up to 557 horsepower and 634 lb-ft of torque. This setup provides excellent acceleration, with the RST trim going from 0 to 60 mph in under 4.5 seconds—faster than most V8-powered trucks.
High-Output Dual-Motor (RST First Edition)
The First Edition RST, now available as a 2025 model option, features a high-output drivetrain delivering over 754 horsepower and 785 lb-ft of torque. This 'Wide Open Watts' mode unleashes maximum performance for quick launches and short bursts of power—perfect for showing off or needing a surge on the highway.
Trail Boss Off-Road Setup
The 2025 Silverado EV Trail Boss is designed for rugged terrain. It features:
- Lifted suspension with Multimatic DSSV dampers
- Off-road tires with aggressive tread patterns
- Cuttlebone underbody protection
- Crab Walk and Extract Mode for tight off-road maneuvering
- 4-Wheel Steer for improved agility
Despite its off-road focus, the Trail Boss maintains a strong range and towing capacity, making it one of the most versatile electric trucks on the market.
Pricing and Trim Breakdown
The 2025 Chevy Silverado EV offers a wide range of pricing to suit different budgets and use cases. While initial launch models were limited and expensive, Chevrolet has expanded availability and introduced more affordable options.
2025 Silverado EV Trim Levels and Starting Prices
| Trim Level | Starting MSRP | Range (Est.) | Towing Capacity | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work Truck (WT) | $48,995 | 450 miles | 10,000 lbs | Basic interior, fleet-focused, 12.3' infotainment, USB ports |
| RST Standard Range | $64,995 | 400 miles | 15,000 lbs | Leather seats, Super Cruise, 17' touchscreen, premium audio |
| RST Extended Range | $79,995 | 500 miles | 20,000 lbs | Dual-motor, 800V fast charging, trailering package, 11KW export power |
| Trail Boss | $89,995 | 440 miles | 18,000 lbs | Off-road suspension, 4-wheel steer, skid plates, Z71 styling |
Prices exclude destination fees ($1,695) and potential EV tax credits. The federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500 may apply to certain configurations, especially those assembled in the U.S. with qualifying battery components. Some states also offer additional rebates for electric trucks.
Value Proposition
Compared to competitors:
- Ford F-150 Lightning: Starts at $53,995 but max range is 320 miles
- Rivian R1T: Starts at $73,500 with 320 miles range
- Tesla Cybertruck: Starts at $60,990 (dual motor), up to $99,990 (tri motor)
The Silverado EV offers a compelling value, especially in the Extended Range RST trim. Its combination of long range, high towing, and Chevy’s established dealer network gives it an edge in reliability and service accessibility.
Interior and Technology: Modern, Spacious, and Smart
The cabin of the 2025 Silverado EV blends rugged utility with modern luxury. With no transmission tunnel and a flat floor, interior space is maximized. The design emphasizes durability, tech integration, and driver comfort.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All trims feature Chevrolet’s latest infotainment system with:
- 17-inch diagonal central touchscreen (11-inch on WT)
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- Google Built-In for voice commands, Google Maps, and Assistant
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wi-Fi hotspot and over-the-air (OTA) software updates
The system is intuitive, responsive, and supports real-time traffic, EV routing, and charging station location. The integration with Google services allows drivers to search for charging points, navigate, and control smart home devices using voice commands.
Super Cruise: Hands-Free Driving
The 2025 Silverado EV offers