Sunita Somvanshi
If you run a work fleet, the Silverado EV’s towing figure looks simple: up to 12,500 pounds. It is not. Chevrolet quotes that number in Tow/Haul mode, and it is a maximum, not a guarantee for every truck. Before you compare an electric work truck with a diesel, you need to know which conditions each headline number depends on.
Chevrolet’s commercial page for the 2026 Silverado EV lists a starting price of $61,900. The page shows the 2027 model at $69,300. Chevrolet lists 493 miles of all-electric range. For towing, it lists up to 12,500 pounds of maximum available towing capability in Tow/Haul mode. The same mode is listed with up to 580 lb-ft of torque and up to 510 horsepower. On select models with the available accessory power bar, Chevrolet lists up to 11 outlets and up to 10.2 kW of offboard power. Chevrolet describes the truck as “an all-electric work truck built to help businesses and fleets operate efficiently.” The page also lists more than 20 standard safety and driver assistance features.
The Silverado EV’s headline numbers are maximums that depend on configuration. The 12,500-pound towing figure applies in Tow/Haul mode. A fleet weighing it against a diesel needs those numbers. Check each figure against the configuration you would actually buy, not the best case.
What the maximum figures depend on
The phrase “up to” appears throughout Chevrolet’s figures. Each maximum depends on configuration, and the towing number is tied to Tow/Haul mode. A buyer should ask which configuration produced each number, and whether that configuration matches the loads, routes and hours the truck will work. Treat each figure as a question to ask the dealer, not as an answer.
Offboard power matters on a jobsite where there may be no outlet nearby. Chevrolet lists up to 10.2 kW on select models with the available accessory power bar, and up to 11 outlets. Chevrolet lists the outlets and offboard power on select models with the available accessory power bar. Confirm that your model includes that bar before you plan around it.
Charging downtime is the other cost. Chevrolet gives a GM estimate of 124 miles of range in 10 minutes on available 350 kW DC fast charging. It also states that over 250,000 public charging stations are available nationwide. A Level 2 charger is available for home charging, and the myChevrolet app with Energy Pass can help plan routes and find stations.
The bed is 5’11” in standard length, with eight tie-downs as standard and a ChevyTec spray-on bedliner available. Google built-in is included, and a Wi-Fi hotspot is available. Safety features listed as standard include Blind Zone Steering Assist with and without Trailering, HD Rear Vision Camera, Rear Cross Traffic Braking and HD Surround Vision.
Karmactive’s August article on the 2026 Silverado EV Trail Boss gives that off-road trim a 410 to 478 mile range. Chevrolet’s commercial page lists 493 miles for the 2026 Silverado EV without naming a trim, so check the spec sheet before comparing the two numbers.
The short answer is up to 12,500 pounds in Tow/Haul mode. Chevrolet lists that figure in Tow/Haul mode, and it is a ceiling rather than a guarantee for every setup.
To sum up, the Silverado EV’s headline numbers are maximums that depend on configuration, and the towing, torque and horsepower figures are tied to Tow/Haul mode. Before you compare the truck with a diesel work truck, match each figure to the load, the charging routine and the trim you would buy.
