A 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Max Range Work Truck, which is EPA-estimated for up to 493 miles, just made history by going 1,059.2 miles on a full charge during a range test executed by the GM engineering team. This feat breaks the world record of 749 miles set by Lucid earlier this summer.
What started out as casual conversation among a group of GM engineers in late 2024 quickly turned into a challenge: How far could the Work Truck go if we optimized absolutely everything? The guesses started flying: 800 miles, 900, or maybe even 1,000. And just like that, a challenge was set.
“Getting this kind of range on a full charge doesn’t happen by accident,” said Kurt Kelty, VP, battery, propulsion, and sustainability. “It takes deep integration across battery chemistry, drive unit efficiency, software and vehicle engineering—and that’s exactly what the team delivered. This achievement is a great example of how far our EV technology has come, and the kind of innovation we’re building on every day at GM.”
The team drove a production Silverado EV Max Range WT on public roads near GM’s Milford Proving Ground in southeastern Michigan, wrapping up the final stretch on Detroit’s Belle Isle. To fit this endeavor into their regular work schedules, engineers drove in one-hour shifts, bringing their day job knowledge into a challenge they were all personally invested in.
The truck’s hardware and software were untouched, and the only adjustments included the following driver habits and small setting adjustments, all within the acceptable limits established in the truck’s owner’s manual:
– When it was safe to do so, drivers were advised to maintain an average speed of 20-25 mph and to minimize any hard braking or quick accelerating.
– For the majority of the test, there were no passengers in the truck.
– The windshield wiper arms were set to the lowest acceptable position to reduce drag.
– Tires were inflated to their highest acceptable pressure for lower rolling resistance.
– The spare tire was removed to lighten the vehicle.
– The wheel alignment was optimized.
– An accessory tonneau cover was added for smooth airflow.
– Climate control was turned off for the duration of the test.
– And finally, the test was performed in summer for optimum ambient temperature for battery efficiency.
All these adjustments helped to increase the truck’s efficiency and maximize battery range. The engineers wanted to ensure that as much battery energy as possible was going towards moving the truck forward.
Jon Doremus, propulsion calibration engineering manager, summed it up best:
“If we drove it downhill the whole time, sure, we’d get insane mileage. But that’s not what this was about. We wanted this to be real, on public roads.”
The efficiency sweet spot
The team found the Silverado EV’s most efficient cruising speed to be 20-25 mph; a realistic pace for neighborhood or city driving in southeast Michigan. At that speed, the truck was using nearly all of its battery power to move down the road, with minimal energy going to other uses.
Every hour behind the wheel added more insight, more miles, and a growing sense that they were about to do something big.
This wasn’t just a challenge for bragging rights; it was a meaningful test feeding data directly into the work these engineers do every day. Every mile taught them something, and those lessons will help shape how GM continues to improve and innovate in electric vehicles.
A record-breaking drive
As the days passed and the drive unfolded, the engineers found themselves reaching beyond the goal of breaking a world record. They were inspired to push the limits as far as possible, setting an ambitious new target: 1,000 miles on a full charge.
Now, that work has paid off, in a big way. In fact, the Silverado EV that set the record was recharged and powered up a 3D printer that printed a trophy to honor the team’s accomplishment.
