GM engineers recently drove a Chevy Silverado EV for over 1,000 miles on a single charge.

      Chevrolet

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      Electric vehicles and trucks might always face the issue of range anxiety, but a team of engineers from GM has demonstrated that EVs are fundamentally similar to conventional cars. Much of their performance relies on driving habits. In an experiment, a group of employees engaged in team-building activities was able to achieve an impressive 1,059 miles on a single charge in a truck that the EPA rates for just 493 miles.

      Lucid currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest distance driven on a single charge at 749 miles. GM's effort was not intended for record-breaking purposes; it aimed to promote teamwork among the company's electric-vehicle engineers. However, it was executed with detailed planning. GM reports that a group of 40 engineers spent several months developing a strategy, followed by a full week of continuous driving sessions to execute it.

      To enhance the Silverado's range, GM’s engineers utilized nearly every method in the hypermiler’s handbook. They inflated the tires to their maximum safe pressure, adjusted the windshield wipers to their lowest setting (to reduce drag and rolling resistance), removed the spare tire to cut weight, and during most of the drive, the truck only had the driver and, on occasion, a single passenger—beneficial since they did not use the air conditioning. The test took place in summer to prevent cold battery performance from being a limiting factor. Additionally, the engineers fine-tuned the truck’s alignment to minimize tire rolling resistance.

      While you might not be willing to do all of that to increase the range of your own truck, it is still possible if you choose to do so.

      Despite all the preparation, the driving strategy was the crucial component of this project. The engineers not only had to ensure the truck performed optimally, but they also had to drive with precision. This meant carefully managing their speed. The team aimed to maintain speeds of around 20 to 25 miles per hour for efficient operation.

      Although suburban Detroit experiences its share of congested roads, average speeds are generally much higher. To improve their chances of success (and avoid commuter traffic), the team primarily used two locations: roads near their development center in Milford and the park roads on Belle Isle in Detroit. The latter, being essentially a sandbar in the Detroit River, offered not only favorable speed limits but also easier terrain.

      The journey to and from Belle Isle posed more challenges; even the suburban roads in Oakland County typically had faster traffic than the speeds GM aimed for. A GM spokesperson stated that the team chose to drive during off-peak hours to minimize traffic and attempted to follow the most efficient routes. Occasionally, they had to comply with traffic speeds, even if it meant exceeding their self-imposed limits. Safety was prioritized.

      While this endeavor may not change perceptions about electric vehicles, it certainly reflects one undeniable truth: passion. In a market filled with electric cars produced with seemingly minimal enthusiasm, it’s encouraging to see individuals who are dedicated enough to showcase their efforts in this manner. Here’s hoping it fosters a spirit of friendly competition.

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