The future of pickup trucks is electric, and the Chevrolet Silverado EV and Rivian R1T are two of the most advanced and compelling options coming to market. Both aim to provide the utility, performance, and rugged capabilities of a traditional full-size truck combined with the instant torque, low operating costs, and zero tailpipe emissions of an electric vehicle.
As a digital technology expert, I‘m fascinated by the cutting-edge tech packed into these trucks, from their powerful electric drivetrains to their feature-rich infotainment systems and driver assist platforms. Let‘s take a deep dive into how the Silverado EV and R1T stack up in terms of their digital tech, overall specs, and capabilities.
Battery and Charging Tech
At the heart of any electric vehicle is the battery pack and motors. The Rivian R1T features a lithium-ion battery pack ranging from 135 kWh to 180 kWh in size. The "Large" pack offers 314 miles of EPA estimated range, while the upcoming "Max" pack targets 400+ miles. The pack itself is a flat "skateboard" sandwiched between the frame rails.
The R1T supports DC fast charging at over 200kW and can gain 140 miles of range in just 20 minutes at a high-speed charger. An 11.5kW onboard charger allows for easy overnight fill-ups on Level 2 (240v AC) power.
Official battery specs are not yet available for the Silverado EV, but GM estimates 400 miles of range on a charge for the top RST trim. Like the GMC Hummer EV pickup, the Silverado rides on GM‘s Ultium platform which uses pouch-style lithium-ion cells that can be stacked vertically or horizontally.
GM says the Silverado EV RST will gain 100 miles of range in 10 minutes using a 350kW DC fast charger. The Silverado will also come with a 10.2kW onboard charger for Level 2 charging. One unique feature is the Power Bar concept, which allows the truck to charge another EV using an accessory charge cord.
| Specification | Rivian R1T | Silverado EV |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Pack | 135-180 kWh | TBA |
| EPA Est. Range | 314-400+ mi | 400 mi (RST trim) |
| DC Fast Charge Rate | 200kW+ | 350kW |
| Level 2 Charging | 11.5kW | 10.2kW |
Electric Motors and Performance
The Rivian R1T and Chevy Silverado EV feature powerful multi-motor electric drivetrains that enable sports car-like acceleration. The R1T comes standard with a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup good for around 600 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. The quad-motor version cranks out 835 hp and 908 lb-ft, propelling the truck to 60 mph in a supercar-quick 3.0 seconds.
Rivian‘s trucks also boast an adjustable air suspension that can raise the vehicle for up to 15 inches of ground clearance or lower it for improved aerodynamics and easier entry/exit. The system automatically adjusts stiffness to optimize ride and handling.
The Silverado EV will initially be offered in a loaded RST First Edition trim with a dual-motor e4WD system producing 664 hp and 780 lb-ft of torque in "Wide Open Watts" mode. GM estimates a 0-60 mph sprint of under 4.5 seconds, neck-snapping performance for a full-size pickup. The base WT trim will likely have closer to 500 hp and 500 lb-ft, still plenty quick.
The Silverado EV features independent front and rear suspensions, plus automatic adaptive air suspension and 4-wheel steering. This allows the truck to "crab walk" diagonally at low speeds, helpful for trailer positioning and tight spaces.
| Specification | Rivian R1T | Silverado EV |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 600-835 hp | 664 hp (RST), ~500 hp (WT) |
| Torque | 600-908 lb-ft | 780 lb-ft (RST) |
| 0-60 mph | 3.0-4.0 sec | < 4.5 sec (RST) |
| Suspension | Adaptive Air | 4-Wheel Air + 4-Wheel Steering |
Infotainment and Digital Interfaces
The Rivian R1T and Chevy Silverado EV both feature large digital displays and advanced infotainment systems befitting their high-tech drivetrains. The R1T boasts a 15.6-inch central touchscreen display powered by an Android-based Rivian OS. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provides key info to the driver.
Natural voice control, Alexa integration, and Wi-Fi connectivity come standard. The system can receive over-the-air software updates to gain new features and optimize performance, similar to Tesla. Rivian plans to enable more autonomous driving capabilities via OTA updates in the future.
The Silverado EV features an even larger 17-inch LCD infotainment screen in the center stack, plus an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a multi-color heads-up display. The large screens support multiple content panels and allow for greater personalization.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google built-in voice assistance, and over-the-air update capabilities are included. The myChevrolet Mobile App allows for remote vehicle monitoring and control functions like checking charge status or pre-conditioning the cabin. GM‘s Super Cruise advanced hands-free driver assistance system is available.
Digital Features and Capabilities
The digital tech in these trucks enables some unique features not possible with traditional gas vehicles:
Bi-Directional Charging: Both trucks have 110v outlets in the bed, but the Silverado EV also offers 240v power for charging tools and equipment. The Silverado can even charge another EV using an accessory charge cord, thanks to its Power Bar feature. Great for jobsites or camping.
Plug and Charge: Rivian is part of the Plug and Charge standard which allows the vehicle to automatically and securely communicate with a charger for easy billing. No need to swipe a credit card or log into an app. Just plug in and the vehicle handles payment on its own.
Autonomous Driving: GM‘s Super Cruise system, available on the Silverado EV, is one of the most advanced hands-free driver assists available, using cameras, radar and HD maps to allow for hands-off operation on over 200,000 miles of highways. Rivian is also developing an advanced hands-free automated driving system.
Gear Guard: Rivian‘s Gear Guard system uses cameras, onboard sensors, and a mobile app to monitor the vehicle for any threats or suspicious activity. Gear Guard can alert owners if the truck detects a potential thief or break-in attempt, capturing video that can be shared with authorities.
Software Updates: Both Rivian and GM plan to leverage over-the-air software updates to improve features, optimize performance, and potentially unlock new capabilities in their electric trucks over time. The vehicle you buy today could gain new functionality down the road.
Environmental Impact and Operating Costs
Electric pickup trucks like the Chevy Silverado EV and Rivian R1T offer significant environmental advantages over their gas and diesel counterparts. The lack of tailpipe emissions, especially in urban areas, can help reduce air pollution and improve public health.
Over their lifetime, electric trucks can cut carbon emissions by more than half compared to gas trucks, even when factoring in emissions from electricity generation1. This varies depending on the energy mix, but the gap will only widen as utilities transition to more renewable power.
Both the Silverado EV and R1T also make use of eco-friendly, sustainable materials in their construction:
- The Silverado EV features an aluminum body to reduce weight. Interiors use soft-touch materials made from recycled content.
- Rivian uses a vegan "leather" upholstery made from recycled materials. The wood trim comes from sustainable sources. Floor mats are made from recycled materials like old fishing nets.
From a total cost of ownership perspective, electric trucks offer significant savings on fuel and maintenance compared to gas trucks. The EPA estimates annual fuel costs of just $950 for the Rivian R1T, compared to $2,350 for a gas-powered Ford F-150 4WD2.
Electric vehicles also have far fewer moving parts and require less scheduled maintenance. No oil changes, spark plugs, air filters, timing belts, etc. Brake pads last longer thanks to regenerative braking. Fleet operators could see major cost savings by going electric.
The Competition
The Chevy Silverado EV and Rivian R1T won‘t be the only electric trucks on the market for long. The Ford F-150 Lightning, GMC Hummer EV Pickup, and Tesla Cybertruck are also slated to arrive in the next year or two. Newcomers like Lordstown Motors and Bollinger Motors also have electric trucks in the works.
The F-150 Lightning, starting at under $40,000, will beat the Silverado EV to market and could prove extremely popular with fleet and commercial buyers. The Hummer EV is more of a halo vehicle with a $110,000 price tag, but features a beefy tri-motor drivetrain with 1,000 hp and 11,500 lb-ft of torque.
Tesla‘s Cybertruck has generated a lot of buzz with its angular stainless steel exoskeleton and armor glass. But production has been delayed to at least 2023. CEO Elon Musk has teased some eye-popping specs like a 500+ mile range, 14,000+ pound tow rating, and a sub-2.9 second 0-60 mph time.
Conclusion
The Chevy Silverado EV and Rivian R1T are ushering in an exciting new era of electric pickup trucks that don‘t sacrifice on utility, performance, or technology. With 400 miles of range, 10,000+ pound towing capacity, and blistering acceleration, these battery-powered haulers can tackle anything their gas counterparts can while offering lower operating costs and a smaller environmental footprint.
As a digital tech expert, I‘m most impressed by the cutting-edge tech features packed into these trucks, from their massive touchscreens and advanced infotainment systems to their over-the-air software update capabilities and hands-free automated driving tech. The ability to use the trucks as mobile power sources is another game-changer.
The Rivian R1T has the first mover advantage and is the most adventure-focused of the bunch with its rugged build, quad-motor option, and innovative features like the gear tunnel. But the Silverado EV aims to beat Rivian on price, especially with the sub-$40K base work truck. The Silverado‘s larger bed and stronger DC fast charging are also selling points.
Choosing between these electric trucks will likely come down to brand preference, individual needs/budget, and availability. But one thing is for sure – the future of trucking is electric, and the Chevy Silverado EV and Rivian R1T are leading the charge. The only question left is: Which one will you plug in?
1 Union of Concerned Scientists: Electric Vehicle Benefits
2 EPA: Electric Vehicle Fuel Savings Calculator
