A New EV Record Born from Sweat, Patience, and Engineering Grit
Quick Highlights:
- The 2026 Silverado EV Work Truck with a 205-kWh battery drove 1,059.2 miles on a single charge.
- More than double its EPA-estimated range of 493 miles
- Test took place over seven days on public roads near GM’s Michigan proving grounds
- Key optimizations included max tire pressure, no spare, improved aero, AC turned off
- Previous record-holder Lucid Air Grand Touring was outpaced by 300+ miles
A Slow Drive to History
Slow driving rarely turns heads. But in this case, it broke records.
Over a full week, a team of 40 General Motors engineers rotated behind the wheel of a 2026 Chevy Silverado EV Work Truck. They drove it slowly—very slowly—around public roads in southeast Michigan. Their pace was steady, their intent deliberate. Among them were engineers like Daniel Gay and Jon Doremus (propulsion calibration engineering manager), who helped lead the effort, as shown in the photo. And by the time the truck finally coasted to a stop, the odometer read 1,059.2 miles on a single charge.
The test was done in both day and night shifts. Engineers took turns driving for one hour each, so it fit around their work schedules. Most of the time, they drove alone to keep the truck lighter and more efficient. It was a quiet but impressive effort, showing the team’s dedication in turning a simple idea into a record-breaking achievement.
The Truck: Real, Stock, and All Business
The vehicle used in this test wasn’t a prototype or stripped-down one-off. It was a production-spec Silverado EV Work Truck, equipped with the available 205-kWh Max Pack battery, the largest GM currently offers.
GM engineers made a few small, practical modifications—all within the guidelines of the owner’s manual:
- Spare tire removed to reduce weight
- Tonneau cover added for smoother airflow
- Windshield wipers lowered to reduce aerodynamic drag
- Wheel alignment optimized
- Tires inflated to 80 psi, the max limit allowed
They didn’t hack the software or pull off any engineering stunts—just used common sense and a sharp eye for efficiency.
The Strategy: Keep It Steady
To conserve every watt-hour, engineers stuck to a strict routine:
- Maintained a speed between 20–25 mph
- Avoided hard braking or acceleration
- Turned off climate control—no AC, despite midsummer heat
- Drove in one-hour shifts, day and night
The loop included public roads near GM’s Milford Proving Ground and stretches of Detroit’s Belle Isle. Every mile was real-world, every result repeatable. The test was conducted in summer conditions, optimizing ambient temperature for better battery efficiency.
Dethroning the Lucid
Prior to this test, the EV range record belonged to the Lucid Air Grand Touring, which logged 749 miles on a charge earlier this year. The Silverado didn’t just beat that figure—it obliterated it by over 300 miles, in a heavier, more work-focused truck.
And while the Lucid still leads in efficiency (5.0 mi/kWh vs the Silverado’s 4.9), this drive proves that purpose-built utility EVs can go the distance, too.
It’s worth noting that the Lucid run was officially recognized by Guinness, while GM’s Silverado drive was an internal, engineer-led initiative—though still documented and based on real-world public roads.
Born from Curiosity, Built on Discipline
It started as a casual conversation among engineers at GM late in 2024, a simple thought that quickly grew into a challenge to see if the Silverado could push beyond 800 miles, maybe even reach 1,000.
They designed the plan. The engineers volunteered. Preparation was minimal, but execution was serious. Hour after hour, shift after shift, they kept moving toward the milestone. When they finally crossed it, there was no confetti or champagne—just a quiet celebration and a 3D-printed trophy, powered by electricity from the same record-setting truck.
A Lesson in What’s Possible
This wasn’t just about bragging rights. Every mile offered valuable insight into battery behavior, thermal performance, and drive unit efficiency. That data is now helping GM refine and improve future EVs—proof that sometimes, the best innovations come from focused, boots-on-the-ground engineering.
It’s also a reminder that EPA range is an estimate. Actual range may vary based on temperature, load, terrain, and driving behavior. This real-world test highlighted how drastically those conditions can change outcomes.
The average Silverado EV owner may never drive like this. But if you’re ever stretching to reach a charger, or wondering how far your truck could go if needed, now you know. Range is not fixed—it’s influenced by how and where you drive.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Silverado EV Work Truck didn’t just break a record. It redefined what electric pickups are capable of—without any special modifications or fanfare. Just a production truck, a focused team, and a steady, determined effort to go beyond the thousand-mile mark.
It’s the kind of accomplishment that doesn’t need hype. The odometer says it all.
A quiet record, but one that speaks loudly for the future of electric trucks.
Source: GM
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