Electric Power in the Pasture: 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Clocks 1705km on a Single Electric Charge, Yet Fails to Secure World Record Status

In a remarkable feat of electric vehicle (EV) engineering, General Motors (GM) has broken the Guinness World Record for the longest journey by an electric car on a single charge. The record-beating drive was completed by the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Max Range Work Truck, covering an impressive 1704.6km without the need for a plug-in.

Despite Guinness World Records not being in attendance, the achievement is undeniably impressive. The drive involved many one-hour stints with drivers maintaining an average speed of between 20-25mph (32-40km/h). To maximise efficiency, drivers were instructed to minimise hard braking and harsh acceleration and to keep the climate control system off during the record-beating drive.

Engineers made some modifications to the Silverado EV for the record-breaking drive, including removing the spare tyre to save weight, wheel alignment tweaks, and the addition of a tonneau cover. The drive was carried out on public roads, but with some differences compared to the official Guinness World Record-setting Lucid Air drive.

The Silverado EV's impressive range is a testament to GM's commitment to electric vehicles. The vehicle can officially drive up to 793km on the EPA test cycle thanks to its enormous 205kWh battery. This commitment is paying off, with GM achieving more than 19,000 EV sales in July 2025, a figure that is up 115% compared to the same month in 2024.

The mid-size Equinox EV was responsible for more than 8500 sales, spearheading the sales triumph for GM's EVs. The surge in demand for GM's EVs is partly due to the Trump administration's decision to end incentives for electric cars nationwide, which has helped drive up interest and demand.

However, it seems that the zero-emission full-size ute may not be making its way Down Under anytime soon, as there are no concrete plans to bring it to our shores. On a positive note, Walkinshaw Automotive, the company behind Australian factory-backed right-hand drive conversions of the Chevrolet Silverado and RAM 1500, has said the EV version is capable of a local conversion.

Kurt Kelty, GM's battery, propulsion, and sustainability boss, commented on the Silverado EV's impressive achievement, although no specific quote was provided in the text. The identity of the battery and sustainability leader at GM remains unclear, as the provided search results do not contain information about who was hired for this role or whether they were responsible for the development of the Chevrolet Silverado EV.

This record-breaking achievement by GM is a significant step forward in the development and acceptance of electric vehicles. As more companies invest in and develop electric vehicles, we can expect to see more impressive feats and advancements in the coming years.

Electric Power in the Pasture: 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Clocks 1705km on a Single Electric Charge, Yet Fails to Secure World Record Status