All of the hoopla yesterday for Chevy’s all-electric Silverado pickup was centered around the premium RST version which will retail for over $106,000. But the one you’ll see more of, and the one much more reasonably priced, is the work truck version. It has the designation Silverado ET WT, and it retails for $41,595. 

Does the Silverado WT come in other body styles?

Unlike traditional work trucks, there is no choice in body styles. All of GM’s electric trucks, so far, are crew cabs. Whether we’ll see an extra-cab or single cab is anybody’s guess at this point. There will be other trims slotted between the RST and WT, ranging from $50,000 to $80,000.

Range tops Ford’s Lightning F-150 at 400 miles for the biggest Ultium battery, to the F-150’s 300 miles. But Ford wins in the torque department. It also wins the load capacity specs, with 2,000 lbs versus 1,200. For towing, the WT squeaks ahead with 8,000 to the Lightning’s 7,700 lbs. 

What are the differences between the Silverado WD and RST?

But comparing the specs of the RST to the WT, there are some big differences. While the RST comes with 644 hp, the WT is down to 510 hp. Payload and towing see reductions as well. The WT payload is 1,200 lbs to the RST’s 1,300. 

For towing specs, it’s 10,000 lbs for the RST and 8,000 lbs for the WT. GM does say it is working on an electric work truck that has 20,000 lbs of towing capacity. It doesn’t say when this fleet version will show up. 

What the WT won’t have that the RST has

Other features are flat-out missing between the two Chevy trucks. The WT won’t be getting the RST’s standard four-wheel steering, adaptive air suspension, hands-free Super Cruise highway towing, Multi-Flex midgate tailgate, or the 17-inch infotainment screen. What the WT shares is the standard trailer brake. 

Another feature available as an option is the PowerBase. This is an offboard power supply with 10.2 kilowatts accessible by 10 outlets sprinkled around the WT. It sends juice for lighting up a house, power tools, worksite, or to recharge another EV. 

One big advantage for Ford is the one-year lead it has over rival Chevy in the electric pickup segment. But that’s better than Ram’s situation. It says it will have an all-electric pickup in 2024, but doesn’t have much to show at this point. If it does have an electric pickup, shouldn’t it be testing prototypes and creating some buzz?

When will the Silverado WT be available?

Chevy says it will have its Silverado RST and WT ready towards the end of next year. While a long time to wait, reservations for the RST are already coming in. Whether those in the market for an all-electric work truck will be as quick to sign up remains to be seen. 

With the buzz and reservations, that the F-150 Lightning is generating, it is definitely laying the groundwork for what will eventually be all-electric pickup truck fleets from the manufacturers. So our hunch is that the Silverado WT will follow the trend.