By Gary S. Vasilash

There is some consternation regarding the size of the battery required to propel the 2024 Silverado 4WT some 450 miles on a charge. Although GM hasn’t revealed the stats for the Ultium battery pack (200 kWh?), one can only assume that it is sizeable.

This is, after all, a work truck version of the Silverado.

There is the RST which offers a 400-mile range. It also offers the ability to go from 0 to 60 in <4.5 seconds.

Either way, there is the requirement for a lot of lithium and associated battery materials.

So some people are concerned that the battery is just too big.

But here’s the thing:

A 2023 Silverado with a 6.2-liter V8, 4WD and either a double cab or crew cab gets a combined average of 18 mpg. As the truck has a 24-gallon fuel tank, this means a range of 432 miles.

This is what truck buyers expect. Capability. Which includes not only the ability to carry cargo and to tow equipment on the hitch, but to be able to operate without worrying about refueling, whether in the form of liquid or electrons.

Chevrolet is addressing needs and expectations.

Somehow offering a vastly decreased range predicated on how many miles the average driver actually goes in a day would not be be acceptable, 10.7-cubic-foot frunk notwithstanding.