The Chevy Silverado EV RST First Edition attracted plenty of attention when it launched. General Motors’ mainstream electric pickup offered 440 miles of range, an interior loaded with tech features and a neat mid-gate. But at $96,395, it was just too expensive to get excited about.
That’s why I think the best Silverado EV is not the flagship model, but the bog-standard Work Truck. Like every modern truck, it’s best to avoid paying for every possible bell and whistle.
For 2026, the Silverado EV Work Truck starts at $54,895. That’s $8,100 cheaper than the cheapest LT model. Both come with the Standard Range battery, offering 286 miles of range in the Work Truck.
That should be enough for most buyers, but if you want to truly never worry about range, you can get a Work Truck Extended Range with 424 miles of EPA range for $68,295. Factor in the $7,500 federal clean vehicle tax credit—while you can—and you can get an electric truck with 424 miles of range for just $60,795.
Of course, that may still be a premium compared to a gas truck. A four-wheel-drive, crew-cab Silverado with the 5.3-liter V-8—a model with comparable capabilities—starts at right around $50,000. That alone doesn’t make the Work Truck a great deal, as it’s still pricier than an internal-combustion truck. But there are two things worth considering.
First off, to get a truck with over 400 miles of EV range from any other automaker, you need to spend more than $83,900 on a Rivian R1T with the Max Pack. That doesn’t qualify for the tax credit, either.
Now, the Rivian’s a nicer truck to be in and drive. But if you just need to lug a trailer a couple of hundred miles consistently, the Chevy will do that for $23,000 less. It’ll go further than any electric truck with a Ford or Tesla badge, and if 424 miles somehow isn’t enough, you can step up to a version with a whopping 493 miles of range.
Of course, you can also get that level of endurance on the higher-trim Silverado and Sierra EVs. But the value proposition gets wonky when you opt for an $85,000 or $90,000 truck. You expect luxury and perfection, and while he liked the Sierra EV, InsideEVs editor-in-chief Patrick George wasn’t convinced by the Silverado EV RST as a luxury experience. It is, however, a great tool.
All of these trucks offer over 400 miles of range. Source: Autotrader new vehicle listings.
Photo by: InsideEVs
More importantly, because so many buyers look for style and tech over functionality, work truck models are cheaper in the real world. It’s relatively easy to find them listed for far under their MSRP, giving you the opportunity to scoop up a do-anything electric truck for significantly less than $60,000.
That’s not going to win over people who are still dead-set on a gas truck, but if you want an EV truck, Chevy is offering a real multitool at a lower price than an extended-range Ford F-150 Lightning. And with Ram’s electrified trucks delayed and Tesla and Rivian targeting upscale buyers only, the Chevy starts to look a lot better.
There’s even a special bonus for keeping things simple. While higher-trim Silverado EVs don’t get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, work trucks do. You might need a smartphone app on your job site, and Chevy recognizes that. So if you’re the type of buyer who keeps a truck for a long time and doesn’t want to worry about subscribing to get Google Maps data down the road, the Work Truck is your best option from GM.
I’ll admit: The interior ain’t too fancy.
Now, I still don’t often recommend an electric truck to every buyer. The carbon-reduction benefits are real, but many EV trucks are all pretty much first-generation products—and they feel like it. The Silverado EV and Sierra EV are extremely heavy, and some trims can be pricey. The Lightning doesn’t charge fast enough and isn’t great for long-haul towing. The Rivian and Tesla are better-resolved EVs, but not exactly built to replace your average construction boss’ work truck. And all of these trucks are too expensive.
If you are willing to deal with those drawbacks, however, driving an electric truck rocks. A Lightning or Silverado EV offers smooth, seamless electric power and better tech than internal-combustion trucks. A Rivian will conquer most trails you’d be willing to attempt in your own car, and the Cybertruck is pretty nice to daily drive. All are cleaner and more sustainable than gas trucks, and all will be pretty cheap to run. So if you want to get one, you should.
For my money, I’d pick the cheapest Silverado EV I could find.
Contact the author: Mack.Hogan@insideevs.com.