Chevrolet Silverado EV Popular With Commercial Customers, Signals Bright Future For RST Model

The Chevrolet Silverado EV is the third act in GM's Ultium fueled assault on the EV market. While the Cadillac Lyriq and the Hummer EV pickup were designed to appeal to wealthier clientele, the Silverado will be the first to target mainstream buyers and it appears that the truck has already made a good first impression with commercial buyers.

The Chevrolet Silverado EV is technically not supposed to go on sale this year, but while physical examples have yet to arrive at dealerships, the truck has already proven to be popular with commercial customers with GM and Chevrolet revealing that they have logged over 85,000 reservations for the truck since ordering was opened a few months ago.

Commercial Market To Serve As Test Bed For Silverado EV

Unlike some of its rivals like the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet is taking a more cautious approach to the Silverado with the first wave of trucks being reserved exclusively for the commercial market (versus the consumer bound RST which will make its appearance later.) These models are WT models and while they lack some of the more elaborate frills that the RST debuted, commercial buyers will still be in for a treat.

The news came from GM Fleet Vice President Ed Peper who disclosed that figure during an interview with Automotive News..Peper also confirmed that over 370 firms placed orders for the WT model which starts in the $39,000 range and not only comes with a sleek design but also a number of features that are tailored towards making it a vital part of the workplace including numerous available accessories for mounting equipment and racks, as well as a number of technologies aimed at improving the integration of mobile technology.

That figure is roughly half of the 185,000 plus reservations that GM has taken for the entire Silverado EV lineup but Peper revealed that Chevrolet is not resting on their laurels and is actively working with commercial customers to help easily transition into a full EV atmosphere.

"We're not just throwing them a playbook and saying, ‘Here you go, figure it out yourself.’ Whether a fleet wants to have home charging for their drivers, whether they want to have depot charging, or whether they want to engage in public charging for their drivers, we want solutions for all of them."

Those solutions will be put to the test by these customers and GM will be using the data and feedback it has from these customers to help refine and prepare the consumer-focused RST model for widespread sales.

A Duo Of Performance

While the WT is meant to be on the worksite, it's no slouch in performance thanks to its dual electric motors and e4WD system which allows the WT to make 510 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque. The RST shares the same setup but revisions and a model exclusive tune allow this model to make 664 hp and 780 lb-ft of torque.

These figures are not quite as insane as those in the Hummer EV, they are still higher than the Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet claims that they will provide the perfect blend of outright performance and hauling capability. That should please customers that might be fans of the Ultium approach to electrification but don't want to be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of performance that offerings like the Hummer EV bring to the table.

Production of the Silverado EV is slated to begin early next year at GM's Factory Zero plant in Hamtramck, Michigan where it will also share floor space with several other Ultium infused EV models as the plant prepares to be a crucial hub for GM's broader EV plans.

Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. In addition to his specialization with Ford, he grew up in a General Motors household and is extensively familiar with their products too. Contact Carl on Twitter at @CarlMalek3, on Instagram and Facebook for automotive news to send news tips.