Real Highway Efficiency Comparison: Lightning SR vs. Silverado EV

This weekend I was ferrying my Lightning South to be sold. Anyway, having the perfect opportunity, I decided to do a true highway efficiency test between the two trucks. My Son (very much smiling) driving the 4WT and me with my Lightning.

2023 Lightning XLT SR VS 2024 Silverado EV 4WT. Ambient 55F. Climate at 70 AUTO. 1 Driver. Lightning leading (no adaptive cruise but set to 70 MPH, reduced in construction zones) and Silverado following with max distance setting.

The results were close but the Lightning was slightly more efficient. Expected since the Lightning weighs 6015# and my Silverado 8500#!!!

All numbers read from the BMS with CarScanner PRO.

Not bad for 70mph on either vehicle. The faster you go the closer I’d expect all these trucks to get efficiency wise as aero is the driver at speed for mpkwh.

It's kind of a shame you had one following the other the whole time. I'm kind of wondering if the wind turbulence created by the leading truck caused issues with mileage on the trailing truck. It would be nice to do this again flipped to see what the outcome is.

I think GM's battery size is a bit overkill, price is a bit high and the weight is a bit much, but that efficiency is a lot higher than i expected. a ~160KW Lightning/Silverado variant would be something great.

In real world prices, what do we expect the price of a decently equipped SilveradoEV to be?

Not bad considering it had to move around 2500 lbs of batteries. Also, I have to admit it looks better in back window!

Nice to see the numbers. Did the Chevy have a tonneau cover?
Looks like the Ford had a tonneau which might add to the MPGe. (Do we need a new abbreviation? MPkW or MPk ?)

MichaelCA said:

I think GM's battery size is a bit overkill, price is a bit high and the weight is a bit much, but that efficiency is a lot higher than i expected. a ~160KW Lightning/Silverado variant would be something great.

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I am really happy with my SR battery size. Better payload, less stress on tires and other components. With supercharger access, I have never felt like I needed more. If I towed regularly and lived in another state, that could be a different story.

MichaelCA said:

I think GM's battery size is a bit overkill, price is a bit high and the weight is a bit much, but that efficiency is a lot higher than i expected. a ~160KW Lightning/Silverado variant would be something great.

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I got to test drive the SWT or or whatever the Silverado work truck trim is with the largest 500 mile/ ~200kWh battery. The weight is hugely apparent and I didn’t like it at all. It was a comfy ride [GM’s less comfortable seats aside] but that extra mass is not your friend when going into curves or corners and stopping. The Lightning has a real nice balance, IMO. I’d love to have a 500+ mile per charge truck, but no so sure I want the compromises that come with the extra mass given current battery tech.

Monkey said:

I got to test drive the SWT or or whatever the Silverado work truck trim is with the largest 500 mile/ ~200kWh battery. The weight is hugely apparent and I didn’t like it at all. It was a comfy ride [GM’s less comfortable seats aside] but that extra mass is not your friend when going into curves or corners and stopping. The Lightning has a real nice balance, IMO. I’d love to have a 500+ mile per charge truck, but no so sure I want the compromises that come with the extra mass given current battery tech.

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160KW will get us close to 360-375miles range in a lightning. Thats what i want