In a historic feat of electric vehicle innovation, General Motors has shattered the global EV range record with the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Max Range Work Truck, clocking 1,059.2 miles on a single full charge—surpassing Lucid’s previous benchmark of 749 miles.
The drive, conducted by GM engineers near the Milford Proving Ground and concluding on Detroit’s Belle Isle, underscores GM’s growing dominance in battery technology, vehicle efficiency, and real-world EV performance.
From Concept to Record: A Challenge Turned Triumph
What began as a spontaneous engineering discussion in late 2024 quickly evolved into a mission: see just how far the Silverado EV could really go when optimized to its full potential.
“Getting this kind of range on a full charge doesn’t happen by accident,” said Kurt Kelty, GM’s VP of Battery, Propulsion, and Sustainability. “This was deep engineering integration across battery chemistry, propulsion efficiency, software and vehicle design. It’s a milestone achievement that reflects our EV leadership.”
The Real Deal: Stock Truck, Public Roads
The Silverado EV used in the test was a production Max Range Work Truck, unmodified in hardware or software. The team implemented efficiency-focused best practices, all within user manual guidelines:
- Maintained speeds between 20–25 mph for peak efficiency
- No passengers in most phases of the drive
- Tires inflated to max recommended PSI
- Spare tire removed to reduce weight
- Wheel alignment optimized
- Tonneau cover installed for smoother airflow
- Climate control turned off
- Windshield wipers adjusted to lowest drag position
- Chosen summer conditions to enhance battery performance
“This wasn’t about going downhill or setting up a lab test,” said Jon Doremus, Propulsion Calibration Engineering Manager. “It was about doing it real, on public roads.”
The Efficiency Sweet Spot
The engineers discovered that the truck’s optimal energy usage occurred while cruising at 20–25 mph—a realistic speed for residential or urban travel. Every shift behind the wheel yielded new insights into the truck’s powertrain behavior and energy management systems, reinforcing the potential of GM’s Ultium platform.
The Silverado’s EPA-estimated 493-mile range already leads the EV truck category—but the test drive demonstrated the untapped potential when every element is fine-tuned.
Driving Data into Innovation
More than just a range flex, the test delivered valuable data that will help shape future GM EVs. From battery performance under real-world conditions to aerodynamic tweaks, the insights gained will fuel ongoing development across the company’s growing portfolio of electric vehicles.
“This achievement isn’t about bragging rights,” Kelty added. “It’s about understanding what’s possible, and using that knowledge to make better products for our customers.”
Celebrating the Milestone – One Layer at a Time
At the conclusion of the test, engineers used the same Silverado EV battery—still with stored energy—to power a 3D printer that created a custom trophy in honor of the record-breaking drive.
Daniel Gay and Jon Doremus, two of the engineers involved, posed with the printed memento, symbolizing the spirit of innovation and teamwork that powered the achievement.
