GM claims the new EV range world record

General Motors is touting a new internal benchmark for electric vehicle endurance after a team of its engineers drove a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV a frankly shocking 1,059.2 miles on a single charge. The impressive figure easily beats the current official Guinness World Record held by a Lucid Motors sedan. But if you're planning to replicate this feat on your next road trip, you might want to pack a lot of patience and leave your air conditioner switched off.

The record-setting attempt was less of a real-world drive and more of a meticulously controlled science experiment. Conducted over seven days on public roads near GM's Milford Proving Ground, the Silverado EV crept along at speeds between 20 mph and 25 mph. This slow and steady pace maximizes efficiency by dramatically reducing energy consumption from wind resistance and rapid acceleration, which are the primary drains on an EV's battery, particularly when faced with the "aerodynamics" of a Silverado.

To push the truck far beyond its already impressive EPA-estimated range of 493 miles, GM's engineering team made a series of calculated adjustments. Described by the company as a "passion project," this involved preparing the Silverado EV Work Truck (WT) for maximum efficiency. The team ran the test during the summer to take advantage of warm ambient temperatures, which are optimal for battery performance. They inflated the tires to their highest recommended pressure to decrease rolling resistance and even lowered the windshield wiper blades to reduce aerodynamic drag.

The team went as far as removing the spare tire to shed weight, optimizing the wheel alignment for the smoothest possible roll, and turning off the climate control system for the entire seven-day journey. A tonneau cover was also fitted over the truck's bed. This flat cover acts like a lid, making air flow smoothly over the back instead of tumbling around inside the bed. The choice of the Work Truck trim also helped, as it is a more basic version that skips all the heavy luxury features like large touchscreens and premium interior materials, resulting in a lighter vehicle.

While GM's achievement is remarkable from an engineering perspective, the company has stated it has no plans to have it certified by the record-keeping authorities. "There are no current plans to submit to Guinness," said GM spokesperson Catherine Scales. This keeps the official title with Lucid Motors, whose Air Grand Touring sedan secured the Guinness World Record with a 749-mile journey. Before Lucid, a Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ held the top spot with a 649-mile drive. These official records also involve hypermiling driving techniques and are conducted under more scrutinized conditions.

For potential buyers of electric cars, this demonstration serves more as a testament to the sheer capacity of the Silverado EV's battery pack than a preview of its everyday performance. Even without the extreme measures, the truck has proven to be a long-range leader among EVs.

In a more conventional test by the YouTube creator Zack Nelson, the Silverado EV RST managed an impressive 460 miles on a single charge, handily beating its EPA estimate.

While the Silverado EV has a massive battery that delivers incredible range, it's not the most efficient electric vehicle on the market. The ultimate takeaway here is that while you won't be driving 1,000 miles between charges, the truck's standard range is more than enough to eliminate range anxiety for most drivers.

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