Chevrolet Silverado EV would be a hit in NZ says GMSV GM

As the world’s motoring brands rush to produce electric pick-ups for the western world, it’s still unknown which brand will be first to issue one for sale in New Zealand.

Speaking at a media event today for the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, General Motors Speciality Vehicles (GMSV) general manager Matthew Taylor acknowledged that GM’s plug-in Silverado remains up in the air for the region.

Unveiled in January, the Silverado EV is built on GM’s Ultium electric vehicle platform and features similar dimensions to its full-size internal combustion siblings.

Power an torque in flagship RST models is rated at 495kW/1056Nm+ thanks to a dual-motor all-wheel drive format, with range rated at 644km (GM has yet to detail the nameplate’s battery hardware).

Taylor [pictured] notes that GM’s local arm has yet to hear any word about the model being produced in right-hand drive in North or South America, nor any word about conversions occurring in Australia.

“We haven’t heard anything, they haven’t announced anything outside of the North American market for electric cars yet,” Taylor said.

Taylor noted that GM’s future looks set to include more plug-in options, but there a road map for either side of the ditch is a work in progress. Nevertheless, he is confident that there would be interest from New Zealand customers in the Silverado EV if it is ever confirmed for the region.

“We’re not denying it. GM has come out saying the future looks very electric. But we don’t know anything that’s coming in our markets yet,” he added.

“Definitely there would be [interest]. [But] we’re only guessing, if it was to happen. Outside of North America there’s not much information.”

Just last month, the first electric ute debuted in New Zealand in the form of the LDV T60 EV. The more traditionally sized pick-up looks set to be the country’s first plug-in ute, with the brand’s local arm confirming that production of right-hand drive models will kick off this coming September.

So far, the T60 is the only electrified ute confirmed for New Zealand. Ford is tipped by many to be next in the queue with a plug-in ute, with the brand expected to debut a Ranger PHEV later this year.