General Motors $GM ( ▲ 0.89% ) has claimed another major win in the EV game—with the all-electric Chevrolet Silverado setting a new world record for driving on a single charge.
The details: The 2026 Chevy Silverado EV more than doubled its range, traveling a total of 1,059.2 miles without a battery recharge, relying on a few “smart” driving techniques and vehicle adjustments for optimum performance.
Speed in the all-electric Chevrolet pickup—which typically has an EPA-estimated driving range of 493 miles—was limited to 20-25 mph during the testing.
Vehicle adjustments included lowering the windshield wiper blades, inflating the tires to max pressure, and adding a tonneau cover to the truck bed—to name a few.
The record-setting run took place over seven days on public roads near GM’s Milford Proving Ground in Michigan and Belle Isle in Detroit—putting the Silverado’s range well above the current Guinness World Record for longest EV drive on a single charge, held by a Lucid Air Grand Touring sedan with a 749-mile run.
What they’re saying: “There are no current plans to submit to Guinness. It was a passion project led and executed by GM engineers,” said Catherine Scales, a spokesperson for GM.
Why it matters: With driving range continuing to be a major sticking point for EV consideration, the Silverado’s single-charging record bodes well for GM in the market. Sure, the 1,059.2-mile run in the Chevy truck is hardly applicable to real-world driving scenarios—but it certainly helps to keep GM top of mind with consumers who might be considering an electric vehicle.
Between the lines: While touted as a “passion project,” GM’s record-breaking achievement with the all-electric Silverado reflects clearer strategic efforts by the company to improve its batteries and charging capabilities to deepen its positioning in the EV sector.
The automaker has plans underway to produce low-cost lithium ion phosphate batteries with Ultium Cells at its battery plant in Springhill, Tennessee.
GM has also partnered with EnergyHug, an energy resource management services provider, to better manage charging functionality, putting less stress on the grid.
In 2024, GM became the industry’s #2 electric vehicle seller in the U.S. and hit another monthly record in July, with the company’s EV sales up more than 115% year-over-year.
Bottom line: GM’s record-setting 1,059.2-mile drive in the all-electric Chevrolet Silverado is a headline-grabbing showcase of the company’s commitment to finding ways to extend EV range—reinforcing its aggressive push to lead in the EV space, even amid headwinds in the sector.
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