General Motors is making headlines with a bold new milestone in EV endurance. A team of GM engineers recently drove the upcoming 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV an astonishing 1,704.6 km on a single charge surpassing the current official Guinness World Record held by a Lucid Motors sedan. While the achievement is undeniably impressive, replicating it on your own road trip might require extreme patience, careful driving, and keeping the air conditioning off.
The record-breaking run was more of a precision-engineered experiment than a typical road trip. Over the course of seven days, GM engineers drove the Silverado EV at carefully maintained speeds between 32 and 40 km/h on public roads near the Milford Proving Ground. This ultra-efficient pace helped minimize energy loss from wind resistance and acceleration two major battery drains, especially in a vehicle as aerodynamically challenged as a full-sized pickup like the Silverado.
To extend the Silverado EV well beyond its already impressive EPA-estimated range of 793 km, GM’s engineering team made a series of carefully calculated tweaks. Described by the company as a “passion project,” the team fine-tuned a Work Truck (WT) version of the Silverado EV to achieve maximum efficiency.
The test was conducted in summer to leverage warm temperatures ideal for battery performance. They also maximized tire pressure to reduce rolling resistance and even lowered the windshield wipers to shave off aerodynamic drag.
The engineering team left no detail untouched in their pursuit of maximum range. They removed the spare tire to reduce weight, fine-tuned the wheel alignment for minimal rolling resistance, and kept the climate control system off for the entire seven-day run.
A tonneau cover was added to the truck bed, helping air flow cleanly over the rear rather than getting trapped inside further improving aerodynamics. Choosing the Work Truck (WT) trim also played a role, as its stripped-down design skips heavier luxury features like oversized touchscreens and plush interior materials, resulting in a lighter, more efficient build.
Although GM’s range achievement is impressive from a technical standpoint, the company has confirmed it won’t be submitting the feat for official record certification. GM spokesperson Catherine Scales stated, “At this time, there are no plans to submit the record to Guinness.”
As a result, the official title remains with Lucid Motors, whose Air Grand Touring sedan currently holds the Guinness World Record with an impressive 749-mile (1,205 km) single-charge drive. Prior to that, the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ held the crown with a 649-mile (1,044 km) run. Notably, these certified attempts are carried out under strict supervision and often rely on hypermiling techniques to maximize efficiency.
For prospective EV buyers, GM’s test is less about real-world driving expectations and more a showcase of the Silverado EV’s massive battery potential. Even without the hyper-efficient tweaks, the truck stands out as a long-range leader. In a real-world test, YouTuber Zack Nelson (JerryRigEverything) put the Silverado EV RST to the test and achieved a remarkable 740 km on a single charge easily surpassing its EPA-rated range.
The Silverado EV packs a powerful battery with impressive range, but it doesn’t top the charts when it comes to energy efficiency. Still, the key takeaway is clear: you may not hit 1,600+ km on a single charge, but the truck’s everyday range is more than enough to put range anxiety to rest for the vast majority of drivers.
What are your thoughts on GM’s record-setting Silverado EV range run does this kind of extreme test influence how you view the future of electric trucks, or do you care more about real-world performance? Let us know in the comments below!
