Chevrolet Silverado EV vs. Silverado 1500

Pricing and specs at a glance

A wide price gap, and a capability gap that cuts the other way

Nearly $18,000 separates the base Silverado EV from the base gas Silverado 1500, one of the larger EV-vs-gas price gaps among full-size trucks. Unlike some comparisons where the EV trades capability for efficiency, the Silverado EV actually out-tows and out-hauls the base gas model here (12,500 lbs vs. 9,000 lbs towing), largely because the EV's standard dual-motor setup outmuscles the gas truck's base turbo-four. A higher-trim gas Silverado with a V8 or diesel closes that gap considerably, so this comparison depends a lot on which specific trims you're actually cross-shopping.

Running costs

The base gas Silverado's 18 MPG combined rating is on the thirsty side for a daily driver, which is exactly where the EV's per-mile cost advantage shows up most. Run your specific trims and annual mileage through our EV vs. gas cost calculator to see how many years it takes the EV's fuel and maintenance savings to close an $18,000 purchase gap: for a work truck driven heavily, it can be faster than you'd expect; for occasional/personal use, it may not close within a typical ownership window.

Where the gas Silverado still wins

Lower upfront cost, no dependency on charging infrastructure for job sites or remote work, and towing range that doesn't drop as sharply as an EV's does under heavy load, since gas or diesel towing capacity is far less affected by what you're hauling than an EV's electric range is.

Where the Silverado EV pulls ahead

Higher standard towing and payload figures at the base trim, strong acceleration from instant torque, and meaningfully lower running costs for trucks that spend more time driving than towing at capacity.