You‘ve likely heard the buzz about the upcoming all-electric Chevy Silverado and Ram 1500 trucks. As an EV enthusiast, you’re intrigued. But as a discerning truck buyer, you have questions. Will these futuristic vehicles live up to expectations…or just be all hype?
This in-depth guide puts the Chevy Silverado EV head-to-head against the Ram 1500 REV, comparing every specification and capability that matters to truck owners. Read on to learn which model comes out on top – from towing capacity to pricing, autonomous tech to charging time, and much more.
Overview: The Electric Pickup Market Heats Up
Legacy automakers have finally embraced battery-powered trucks, thanks to strong demand. Research shows 75% of truck owners are interested in going electric, compelled by instant torque, smooth quiet operation, and potential cost savings on fuel.
While startups like Rivian have led the way, big players GM and Ram (part of Stellantis) are hot on their heels. The Chevy Silverado EV and Ram 1500 REV expand the EV truck landscape when production begins in 2023-2024.
For workapplications or daily driving, both models promise to blend capability with sustainability. But there’s no one-size-fits-all option. As you evaluate your needs, this guide will uncover the differences that matter most.
First we’ll examine…
Specs and Capabilities: How the Silverado EV and 1500 REV Stack Up
Pickup buyers prioritize power, performance, payload capacity, charging time, range and more. Here’s an in-depth feature comparison between the Silverado EV versus the 1500 REV.
Size, Design and Configurations
Dimensionally, these two EV pickup trucks share a lot in common – reflective of the familiar gasoline-powered models.
Exterior dimensions differ by less than an inch in length and width. Both feature short and long bed options to suit different hauling needs.
Inside, the Silverado EV offers abundant room for 5 passengers plus storage. Details are limited for the 1500 REV’s interior dimensions so far.
In terms of styling and design:
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The Silverado EV resembles Chevy‘s conventional Silverado with extra exterior lighting. Owners of current-gen Silverados should feel right at home.
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Ram took more creative license with the 1500 REV concept, seen with its slick LED light bar spanning the truck. Expect similar flair when production models launch.
For trims, Chevy will launch the Silverado EV in Work Truck (WT) and sporty RST initially, adding luxury options after. Ram plans multiple configurations too – Tradesman, Laramie, Limited and more.
So whether you prioritize affordability or features, choices abound. Now let’s look under the hood.
| Spec | Chevy Silverado EV | Ram 1500 REV |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 233′′ | 232.9′′ |
| Width | 81.6′′ | 82.1′′ |
| Wheelbase | 145.7′′ | 135.6′′ |
| Bed Length | 5‘ 11′′ or 6‘ 6" | TBD |
| Seating Capacity | 5 Adults | 5 Adults |
Performance, Towing and Payload
As a workhorse pickup, you rely on your truck for demanding jobs requiring serious torque and trailering strength. How will battery-powered alternatives stack up?
Horsepower and acceleration are instantly impressive thanks to instant all-electric torque. The Silverado EV promises up to 665 horsepower enabling 0-60 mph in just 4.5 seconds – very quick for a full-size truck! The 1500 REV turns up the heat even more with 800+ hp and mid-3-second acceleration times.
For max towing capacity, Ram again leads the pack with the 1500 REV’s astounding 20,000+ pound rating. That blows away any other EV truck so far – and even bests many conventional pickups too!
The Silverado EV won’t be any slouch however for towing up to 10,000 pounds. That still beats comparable gas-powered Silverado models.
Trucks aren’t much use without payload capacity too. This is where the electric Silverado and Ram differ most:
- Silverado EV: 1,300 pounds
- 1500 REV: 3,250 pounds
Clearly Ram is willing to compromise battery range to achieve such robust truck capabilities that owners expect. Now let’s examine driving range.
| Spec | Chevy Silverado EV | Ram 1500 REV |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 665 hp (WT) 710 hp (RST) |
800+ hp |
| Torque | 780 lb-ft | 900+ lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph | 4.5 seconds (WT) 4.3 seconds (RST) |
~3.5 seconds (est) |
| Towing Capacity |
Up to 10,000 pounds | 20,000+ pounds |
| Payload Capacity |
1,300 pounds | 3,250 pounds |
Driving Range
Manufacturers face tough decisions balancing battery size, weight and cost against desired range. Bigger battery packs add expense – but give you the confidence to travel longer distances before recharging.
We still await final range confirmation from Chevy and Ram. The Silverado EV is estimated to deliver 300+ miles from its Ultium battery platform. Impressive for an electric truck!
But Ram seemingly works magic with the 1500 REV and its hydrogen fuel cell range extender technology. Early reports suggested 500+ miles per charge – an incredible feat unmatched by any competitor.
Real-world range invariably drops while trailering heavy loads or operating in cold weather. Even so, Ram engineer’s claim you can potentially drive the 1500 REV all week long between charges. That’s a potential game-changer luring skeptical truck buyers to electrics.
Charging Time
Speaking of charging – how quickly can you repower these electric trucks to hit the road again? It varies substantially by the type of charging station you access.
Let’s examine Level 2 charging:
- The Silverado EV requires approximately 10 hours to recharge from 0 to full.
- Details are unconfirmed for the 1500 REV so far – but with a battery back 2-3 times larger, expect longer charging times to replenish 500+ miles of range.
Fast charging (DCFC) offers a quicker option when available – providing roughly 100 miles of extra range within 30 minutes of charging. This helps ease range anxiety on road trips.
Overall the Silverado likely holds the edge for charging convenience today. But infrastructure and battery tech continue improving rapidly. In coming years, extreme fast charging could greatly narrow the gap.
Autonomous Driving & Technology
Modern trucks brim with cutting-edge tech and connectivity. Chevrolet especially aims to lead here with Super Cruise hands-free driving assistance included on flagship Silverado EV models.
Super Cruise utilizes precision LiDAR map data, cameras and sensors to enable safe highway driving without driver input. Similar autonomous features may be offered later on the Ram 1500 REV too.
And that’s just one capability among many for infotainment, navigation, driver awareness and electrification management tech equipped on both trucks. Multiple screens provide access and control.
Over-the-air (OTA) software updating also allows upgrading systems remotely over time instead of visiting dealerships. As with other EV models, expect continual innovation enhancing these Silverado and Ram trucks for years after purchase.
Costs, Incentives & Availability
Now for the million dollar question: how much will these revolutionary electric trucks cost you? And when can you get behind the wheel?
Chevrolet aims to lead the pickup segment with accessible pricing by leveraging economies of scale. In contrast, the feature-loaded Ram 1500 REV seems more a halo product showcasing the brand’s technology prowess.
Here’s how base MSRP pricing compares for the trucks:
- Chevy Silverado EV Work Truck (WT): $39,900
- Ram 1500 REV Tradesman: $57,500
Costs then escalate higher through the range:
- Silverado EV RST: $105,000
- 1500 REV Limited: $90,000+
Of course final transaction pricing depends on factors like options, fees and inventory availability influencing dealership markups. Don’t expect much if any negotiating leverage as hot new EVs roll out.
On the plus side, tax incentives on both trucks could drive prices downward by $7,500 – $10,000. Exact amounts vary based on assembly location and battery sourcing requirements. These credits make electrics more affordable long-term investments.
Finally, production timing means Chevy holds first-mover advantage to court electric truck shoppers:
- Chevrolet will launch Silverado EV production first with customer deliveries beginning mid-2023.
- Ram won‘t start 1500 REV manufacturing until 2024, reaching buyers later next year.
Strong initial demand resulted in the 2023 Silverado edition selling out within minutes! You can still preorder later variants like the trail-rated Trail Boss or luxurious Sierra arriving down the road. Expect even quicker sellouts for the remarkable Ram 1500 REV.
Both represent exciting and quite different visions of the electric truck future nearly here!
Expert Insights: Why the Buzz Over the Silverado EV and 1500 REV?
Beyond the specs, what gets industry analysts and insiders fired up about the launch of Chevy and Ram’s revolutionary trucks?
“It‘s a big deal to electrify pickup trucks, the heart of Detroit automakers‘ lineups and profits,” explains CNN. “Pickup owners are extremely brand loyal, meaning the push into electric trucks is vital to protect market share.”
Manufacturers are investing heavily to ensure loyalists see battery-electric trucks matching capabilities they rely on for work while providing a greener alternative.
Wards Intelligence analyst Michael Dunne [describes Ram’s 1500 REV strategy](https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/stellantis– Seen stretch-ev-targets-ram-launch): “They want to get the message out that ‘we have the technology‘…Ram wants to create an aura of leadership in electrification.”
And GM CEO Mary Barra promises the Silverado EV “will be part of transforming everything at General Motors” amid their full electrification shift.
In short: Legacy truck brands are getting fully charged – and drivers worldwide may never view pickups the same again thanks to these two breakthrough models!
Verdict: Which Electric Truck Comes Out On Top?
With such fiercely loyal brand followings, comparisons between vehicles like the Chevy Silverado EV and Ram 1500 REV often come down to personal preference based on individual priorities.
But by taking an objective view across critical specs and capabilities – from charging times to pricing, autonomous driving aids to trailering might – some key advantages emerge to consider if you‘re making the leap to an all-electric pickup:
Ram 1500 REV
- Towing Capacity: Unmatched 20,000+ pound rating crushes any electric competitor
- Payload Capacity: Hauls over 2X as much (3,250 pounds) as Silverado EV
- Targeted Range: Potential 500 mile max range alleviates range anxiety
- Power: Supertruck-worthy 800+ horsepower and 4.5 second 0-60 mph acceleration
Chevy Silverado EV
- Pricing: Much more affordable Work Truck trims start under $40k
- Charging: Quicker to recharge 80% in under an hour (Level 3 DC fast charging)
- Availability: Starts production in 2023, a year ahead of Ram 1500 REV
- Nameplate Trust: Leverages recognizable, reliable Chevy truck heritage
Whichever route you lean, one thing is guaranteed: the electric pickup segment promises excitement, capability and continual innovation for years ahead! Both the Silverado EV and 1500 REV expand possibilities greatly.
Now’s the time to keep an open, curious mindset to where these trucks stand today – and the rapid enhancements undoubtedly coming as EV tech evolves. Who knows? Your perfect zero-emissions truck match might still be in the works…or parking in your driveway sooner than you dreamed!
