The big GMC Sierra truck has made the leap to electrification, debuting this week as the 2024 GMC Sierra EV.
Snapshot
- 562kW and 1063Nm in ‘Max Power’ mode
- 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds
- 800V 350kW charging, 650km range
The new electric Sierra joins the existing Hummer pickup and SUV models in the General Motors range, all built on the same Ultium platform.
General Motors hasn’t specified the size of its battery pack, although it confirms an 800V electric architecture that allows for fast charging on 350kW units – although its actual peak charging speed has also not been confirmed. (800V models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 will peak at around 230kW.)
The hero of the range is the Sierra EV Denali Edition 1, claiming a “GM-estimated” 640km driving range, with outputs rated at 562kW and 1063Nm in ‘Max Power’ mode.
GM says the Sierra EV’s battery can gain 160km of range in 10 minutes of DC fast charging.
Performance is of course the driving factor for a lot of buyers, and GM claims a 0-100km/h time of around 4.7 seconds for its big new electric truck.
Towing capacity is listed at 4310kg – although it’s known that towing and heavy payloads can dramatically reduce an electric ute’s range.
“This is the Denali of EVs — and a truck that is every bit a GMC,” the company says. “That means it leaves nothing on the table when it comes to hauling, towing and overall power while unlocking even more possibilities around what a GMC pickup can offer.”
Like the Ford F-150 Lightning, the Sierra EV has a huge ‘eTrunk’ boot space where a truck’s engine would normally live.
The Sierra EV also takes a leaf from the Hummer’s book with ‘CrabWalk’ – a diagonal-drive feature that, at low speeds, turns the rear wheels in unison and at the same angle as the front wheels, allowing diagonal movement of the truck.
Other somewhat standard EV features include brake regeneration and one-pedal driving. Bi-directional charging is featured, too, allowing the Sierra EV to operate as a power source for tools or even a home as needed.
Air Ride Adaptive Suspension will also be available, but not standard on any except the Denali.
The Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 will be the first variant to reach market, in early 2024, with EV AT4 and EV Elevation grades launching in “the 2025 model year” – likely mid or late 2024.
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Keyword: 2024 GMC Sierra electric pickup revealed