General Motors has revealed that the Silverado EV will get four-wheel steering. That means the rear wheels of the Chevrolet Silverado EV will be able to turn at specific angles and make the truck more maneuverable. Together with the front wheels, the vehicle can turn tighter, shrinking the overall turning radius by a significant amount. Additionally, four-wheel steering will also improve the truck’s handling and stability making it easier to maneuver.
The fun part is that the Silverado EV is also wearing 24-inch wheels! Yes, you read that right, the Chevrolet Silverado EV will have one of the largest alloy wheel options you can get on a vehicle and it won’t sacrifice the truck’s maneuverability. Based on the video that Chevrolet included with the announcement, the changes to the turning radius versus a truck without four-wheel steering are drastic. You can see the rear wheels turning slightly in the opposite direction from the front wheels to help the truck make tighter turns as it drives around an empty parking lot.
When it arrives, the Silverado EV will be the third EV from General Motors with four-wheel steering. The GMC Hummer pickup and SUV will be the first two and get features like Crab Walk, which enables the vehicle to use its four-wheel steering to squeeze out of tight spaces and move diagonally. Chevrolet could add that capability to the Silverado EV but it likely won’t be standard. Crab Walk could come in handy for the commercial versions because that will enable the truck to get into areas where it wouldn’t be able to. That will allow workers to get access to the vehicle, potentially adding extra convenience and flexibility. Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free semi-autonomous driver assistance feature, should also be available on more expensive models.
The Silverado EV will utilize General Motors’ Ultium platform and batteries. Its overall driving range is expected to go up to an estimated 400 miles on a charge. Expect the truck to get a full range of battery options including the massive packs found on the GMC Hummer EV pickup and SUV. There could be shorter range models specifically built for commercial use and tailored to meet the needs of a specific business. Retail versions will likely include high-end models like the High Country trim, which has unique leather upholstery and other touches to distinguish it from other variants. That version could also get a dual-motor setup and the highest output. The off-road-oriented Trail Boss model may also be part of the lineup and will likely be one of the versions to get Crab Walk standard.
As part of General Motors’ initiative to sell nothing but electrified models by 2035, the Chevrolet Silverado EV is one of the most important cars in that offensive. With its use as a personal and commercial vehicle, the Silverado has mass appeal and the potential to help popularize EVs. Being a full-size truck, the Silverado EV will compete directly with Ford’s F-150 Lightning, which will also be offered in both commercial and personal configurations and goes on sale next year. The Ram 1500 will also join the fray in 2024 when its all-electric iteration will arrive. GM will build the Silverado EV at Factory Zero in Detroit-Hamtramck, Michigan before going on sale in 2024, following the two GMC Hummer models.
