General Motors has a direct rival coming for the new electric Ford F-150 Lightning, and it’ll be revealed at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Set to commence on January 5, 2022, the Chevrolet Silverado EV will make its debut during the opening keynote presentation delivered by GM CEO Mary Barra.
It could be released in North America as soon as late 2022 or 2023, though a local launch is far from certain.
Chevrolet estimates the Silverado EV will have an electric range of more than 400 miles (643km).
This is more than its more leisure-focused GMC Hummer EV platform-mate, which has a claimed electric range of up to 563km, and the F-150 Lightning which has between 370 and 480km of range.
It’ll share its Ultium architecture – designed from the ground up for electric vehicles – with the upcoming Hummer EV and Cadillac Lyriq SUV.
Chevrolet has confirmed that, like the F-150 Lightning, there’ll be fleet and consumer versions of the Silverado EV, with the fleet version expected to have fewer standard features for a lower asking price.
A four-wheel steering system will be available, which will reduce its turning circle and help with low-speed manoeuvrability.
GM has released a short teaser video showcasing this feature.
It has also released a teaser image of the Silverado EV’s panoramic glass roof.
This feature hasn’t been available on any GM full-size pickup previously.
The Silverado EV will be assembled at Chevrolet’s Factory ZERO plant in Hamtramck, Michigan.
It’ll compete in the burgeoning electric pickup truck segment against the likes of the Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T and Tesla Cybertruck.
2022 Chevrolet Silverado (overseas model shown)
Demand for these vehicles appears to be more than healthy.
More than 10,000 pre-orders for the 2022 GMC Hummer EV have been received and the Edition 1 sold out in 10 minutes.
Reuters reports production of the F-150 Lightning will be doubled due to demand, and Ford will be making 80,000 of its electric pickup in 2024.
GMC Hummer EV 
Ford F-150 Lightning
Ford is also spending A$15.7 billion on new electric car production hubs in the US.
The largest, Blue Oval City, measures in at 3600 acres and is being tasked with building the next-generation electric F-Series pickup truck.
Ford isn’t alone in this spending spree with GM spending A$37.1 billion through 2025 so it can launch 30 new EVs globally by then.
The American automaker also aims to have a US-market lineup that’s 40 per cent electric by 2025.
