I know who you are because I hear from you all of the time. You like your gas-guzzling V8 engine and nobody’s going to tell you some weak little EV is ever going to replace it. Whatever. While I enjoy throttling my Corvette’s V8 on weekends, I prefer an EV for daily endeavors. Spend some time with the 2026 Chevy Silverado EV Trail Boss and you may too.
This is no cute little car that spends days retrieving matcha lattes. It’s sleek to extend range, but very-much a Chevy pickup with squinty driving lamps over LED headlights, sail panel C-pillar and angled-in taillamps. Unlike trucks with engines, a power frunk hides sealed space with power outlets for carrying golf clubs, tools or catering proper tailgating. Fortified for off-road use, the Trail Boss employs 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires and red tow hooks.
Like the classic Chevy Avalanche it resembles, our new friend has a “Midgate” rear cab wall that folds down so owners can load gear from front seats to tailgate. The Multi-Flex Tailgate can be configured as a step or bed extender. Notice spray-in bedliner and an array of plugs in the bed wall for doing real work. The rear window even comes out on breezy summer days.
Inside, it’s furnished like a lumber jack’s man cave with twin flatscreens (17.7-inch infotainment), Bose audio and wireless phone charger. Front seats are heated and ventilated while the rear bench is also warmed. Red and gray stitching add swagger. Just don’t look for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto because GM says “No”. Given the quality of native menus, they should say “Yes”.
A built-in trailer brake controller and wide head-up display help drivers do their job – as does hands-off Super Cruise on pre-approved highways. A full array of safety tech includes GM’s Safety Alert Seat that vibrates in the direction of danger. Smart, but I wish Chevrolet would return buttons for shutting down the truck (automated) and remove headlamp control from touchscreen to physical switches.
Getting to the digits you crave, the Silverado EV sends 725 horsepower and 775 lb.-ft. of torque through the electric all-wheel-drive system. Unlike in a gas vehicle, that torque comes instantly, zapping 8,800-lbs. of truck from 0-60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. Whoosh! It also tows 10,200 lbs. and can carry the weight of a Smart car in its bed.
Here are other digits. With the Max Range package, Chevrolet claims 478 miles with the ability to fast charge 10-80% in 50 minutes. Or do it on a 240-volt home charger in about 13 hours. If that seems long, it’s because the Silverado packs big batteries to conjure this magic. You’ll lose about half of that range when towing heavier trailers, but still enjoy enough to hit RV parks and boat ramps on weekends.
You’d think a truck this massive would be a beast in daily traffic, but it’s not. Four-wheel steering allows it to maneuver like a mid-size pickup and it crab-crawls to curbs to ease parallel parking. Cameras all-around provide clear vision. It’s big, but it can be placed with precision.
It can haul, floss and hoss all while cradling your posse. You’ll giggle like a kid the first time you tap the accelerator. Take a drive, then let’s see what happens next. If you choose to marry, bring at least $55,895 – or a strapping $93,185 to toil in comfort. Competitors include the Rivian R1T, Tesla Cybertruck and similar GMC Sierra EV AT4.
Storm Forward!
Casey Williams is an Indianapolis automotive journalist. Send comments to Casey at AutoCasey@aol.com; follow him on YouTube @AutoCasey.