Could the Chevrolet Silverado EV be offered in Australia? Rivian R1T, Tesla Cybertruck, Ford F-150 Lightning rival charges up EV truck battle

The electric truck battle is heating up, with another new charged-up workhorse revealed in the United States this week.

Chevrolet lifted the covers off its all-new Silverado EV that will go head-to-head with a number of all-electric pick-up trucks in the US when it goes on sale there in 2023.

Rivals include the Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T and the Tesla Cybertruck, as well as GM’s own GMC Hummer EV.

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The new Silverado EV is the latest electric truck from the big three Detroit carmakers, with the world now waiting on the electric version of the RAM 1500 that’s expected to go on sale stateside in 2024.

The new Silverado EV is not related to the current-generation version that landed in Chevrolet showrooms in 2018 and is sold here in Australia through GMSV. The EV is based on the same Ultium dedicated EV platform that underpins the already revealed Hummer.

Ultium is GM’s scalable, skateboard-style platform using a 24-module battery pack housed in the floor and dual motors.

Two variants are offered from US launch, the more utilitarian WT (Work Truck) and the fancier RST.

Chevrolet says the WT comes with a 644km driving range and the powertrain pumps out a total of 380kW/834Nm. It can tow 3629kg and has a 544kg payload.

The RST has a similar driving range but more power and torque – 495kW/1058Nm. It can tow 4536kg and payload is 590kg.

The Chevy has an edge over its rivals when it comes to range. The Rivian R1T has an estimated range of 505km and the Ford F-150 Lightning can drive for 483km on one charge.

The Silverado EV has 350kW fast charging capabilities allowing about 160km of range to be added in 10 minutes.

An optional power bar accessory turns the Silverado EV into a work station, offering up to 10 outlets and a total of 10.2kWh of electric power for tools and other gadgets, or to power your home. You can even provide power to another EV using an accessory charge cord.

A ‘Multi-Flex Midgate’ cargo function allows an extension of the pick-up bed by folding the 60/40 rear seats, ensuring a secure pass-through for longer items. With this in use it makes for a 10-foot, 10-inch cargo floor. A front trunk (or frunk) also fits items the size of a suitcase.

Other mechanical features include independent front and rear suspension, adaptive air suspension, four-wheel steering and a tow/haul mode.

Inside there’s a 17-inch multimedia screen, an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display.

For the Silverado EV to be sold in Australia, it would likely have to be imported from the factory and converted to right-hand drive at the GMSV's Melbourne remanufacturing facility.

A GMSV spokesperson was coy on the prospect of an Australian launch for the SIlverado EV.

"The Silverado EV is another vehicle in the General Motors line-up that demonstrates our vision of an all-electric future, however GMSV is not making announcements about the new model at this stage," they said.

GMSV currently sells the V8 petrol-powered Silverado 1500 LTZ in Australia from $113,990 before on-road costs.

If the EV gets the green light, it will almost certainly carry a premium over the internal combustion model.