Chevrolet is about to go racing in an electric off-roader, but not one we can buy, yet. The vehicle is the Chevrolet Silverado EV ZR2 concept. It gives Chevy’s electric pickup the full off-road treatment, just in time to send it into the desert.
Chad Hall will take the truck to the Mint 400 in Las Vegas, competing in the Open Production EV class at the race.
Chevy Goes Electric Truck Racing
The concept pickup isn’t ready for production yet, but the electric ZR2 isn’t far off. Chevrolet says the concept uses “98% GM production parts.”
The parts list includes a front and rear lift with off-road spring tuning and Multimatic’s adaptive DSSV dampers. The electric truck will get locking differentials at both ends and underbody skid protection to keep the battery and motors safe.
Since this is a concept truck, it gets some extra power, too. The three-motor system makes 1,100 horsepower, and it has GM’s semi-misleading 11,500 pound-feet of torque. No matter how you measure, this is plenty to turn the 37-inch BFGoodrich KM3 Mud-Terrain tires on even the toughest terrain.
First-Ever Electric ZR2
Chevrolet didn’t commit to building the Silverado EV ZR2, but it’s hard to imagine it won’t. Otherwise, why would it bother using production parts?
The end result might depend on how it does in the race, though. Because, as driver and long-time GM off-road partner Hall says, “An off-road race like The Mint 400 is equivalent to a lifetime of vehicle wear and tear.” It’s the perfect place to smash, bash, and thrash the electric ZR2, to find out not just if it will break, but also if the idea is any good in the first place.
You won’t have to wait long to find out how this big and heavy off-roader fares in the crucible of racing. The Mint 400 runs March 7-8. We’ll be on hand to cover the action and share with you the glory of the podium or the crushing weight of defeat. Stay tuned!
Chevrolet Silverado EV Trailboss Coming Soon
We don’t know about the ZR2, but we do know Chevrolet is building a Silverado EV off-roader. The Silverado EV Trail Boss (the red one in the photos) will launch this summer. Like the gas Trail Boss models, it will get a factory lift, 35-inch all-terrain tires, and red tow hooks.
Chevy says a new Terrain Mode will make it more maneuverable in tight spaces. We’re guessing it combines the truck’s four-wheel steer with individual wheel braking like Ford’s Trail Turn Assist.
