A bunch of GM engineers got together and decided to see just how far they could push their new electric truck. Seven days later, they had a world record and some very tired drivers. Their 2026 Silverado EV Work Truck went 1,059.2 miles without plugging in once.
- They drove for a full week on public roads around Detroit at 20-25 mph
- Simple tricks like maxed-out tire pressure and no AC helped double the truck’s normal range
- The previous record was 749 miles – this truck beat it by over 300 miles
Picture this: 40 GM engineers sitting around in late 2024, probably after a long day of testing, when someone asks “How far do you think this thing could actually go?” What started as workplace speculation turned into the kind of project that makes other automakers nervous.
The result? A new world record that makes Lucid’s previous 749-mile achievement look quaint.
How They Actually Did It
The truck they used wasn’t some lab experiment. It was a regular 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck with the big battery pack – the same one you can order from a dealer. The EPA says it should go 493 miles per charge. These guys more than doubled that.
Here’s the thing though – they didn’t cheat. No secret modifications or experimental parts. They just got really smart about efficiency. Think of it like those people who can get 50 mpg out of a regular Honda Civic by driving like they’re carrying eggs.
The week-long test covered real public roads around GM’s proving grounds in Michigan. Belle Isle in Detroit saw this massive electric truck creeping along at neighborhood speeds while engineers took turns behind the wheel.
“We didn’t do this just to say we did it,” said Kurt Kelty from GM. “Every mile taught us something new about how these trucks work.”
The Tricks Anyone Can Use
What makes this record so cool is that regular truck owners could pull off most of these efficiency hacks. No engineering degree required.
They pumped the tires to maximum pressure – something every driving instructor tells you but most people ignore. A tonneau cover went over the bed because smooth airflow beats turbulence every time. They even folded down the windshield wipers to cut drag.
The spare tire? Gone. Climate control? Off for the entire week (remember, this was summer in Michigan with no AC). They picked July for a reason – warm weather makes batteries happy.
Unlike smaller trucks like the Chevy Colorado that focus on traditional fuel economy, this massive Silverado EV gets its efficiency from pure battery capacity and smart power management.
Putting This Record in Perspective
Before this test, Lucid Motors held bragging rights with their fancy Air sedan hitting 749 miles. That was impressive, but it happened on mountain roads where gravity helped out going downhill.
GM’s engineers proved their point on flat Michigan pavement with a truck that weighs more than some small houses. The Silverado EV already beats every other electric truck for range – Ford’s Lightning tops out around 320 miles, Rivian’s R1T manages about 400.
But 1,059 miles? That’s drive-from-Detroit-to-Florida territory without stopping for electrons.
What This Means for Real Truck Buyers
Nobody’s going to drive 1,000 miles at 25 mph in the real world. But this test proves something important – electric trucks have moved way past the “will it make it to the job site” question.
The engineers found the sweet spot for efficiency sits between 20-25 mph. That’s perfect for construction zones, delivery routes, and city driving where trucks spend most of their working lives.
Even better, this truck can fast-charge at 350 kilowatts. Under perfect conditions, you can add 100 miles of range in 10 minutes. Compare that to filling up a gas tank and the math starts looking pretty good.
The Engineering Flex
This wasn’t just about hypermiling techniques. GM built this truck from scratch for electric power instead of converting an existing gas truck. That clean-sheet approach shows.
The massive 205 kWh battery pack has nearly twice the capacity of most electric cars. Two motors pump out 510 horsepower even in base Work Truck trim. When you’re cruising at low speeds, almost all that battery power goes straight to moving forward.
After the truck finally died, they towed it back and plugged it in. The recharge had enough juice left over to run a 3D printer for hours to make a trophy commemorating the run.
Range Anxiety Just Became Range Confidence
This record kills the biggest argument against electric trucks – that they can’t go far enough. Even under normal driving, the Silverado EV delivers range that handles anything most people throw at it.
Fleet operators should pay attention. This test shows electric trucks can handle demanding schedules without constant charging breaks. Some of these efficiency tricks could become standard practice for commercial users.
GM isn’t even bothering with Guinness certification. They’re calling this a “passion project” and using the data to build better trucks. That’s engineer speak for “we learned a ton and our next trucks will be even better.”
The 1,059-mile number might sound extreme, but it proves these trucks have serious capability waiting in reserve. Electric trucks aren’t the future anymore – they’re ready right now for whatever you need to haul.
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