As the automotive industry races toward an electric future, there’s a persistent narrative that electric vehicles (EVs) are ready to replace their gasoline counterparts outright. In most vehicle segments, this works reasonably well. But when it comes to full-size pickup trucks—the cornerstone of American automotive culture—the transition has proven much more complicated. Despite major efforts by nearly every large automaker, electric trucks still struggle to satisfy the unique and demanding use cases that define the market.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the experiences of current electric truck owners. One particularly revealing case involves Tyson and Alicia, a couple who spent years traveling the continent in a 25-foot Airstream camper pulled by a gas-powered Chevrolet Silverado. They were dedicated truck owners, driving their Silverado for over 380,000 kilometers before finally shifting to an electric version: the new Chevrolet Silverado EV. Their experience offers a compelling snapshot of both the extraordinary progress and the stubborn challenges facing electric pickups today.

Electric pickups: powerful, refined, and efficient

From a performance standpoint, the Silverado EV checks nearly all the right boxes. Its huge 205-kilowatt-hour battery gives it a range of more than 400 miles in ideal conditions, and it’s capable of towing substantial loads—up to 12,500 pounds—without breaking a sweat. Drivers like Tyson highlight how the driving experience feels completely different from a gas truck. With no gear shifts, vibration, or engine noise, towing feels unexpectedly smooth and controlled. There’s no need to monitor RPMs or watch transmission temperatures, and torque arrives instantly whenever it’s needed.

This newfound refinement extends to everyday driving as well. Electric trucks accelerate faster, ride more quietly, and have a calm, effortless demeanor compared to their combustion predecessors. For people who use their trucks primarily for local hauling, home improvement, or the occasional road trip, an electric truck like the Silverado EV can make a compelling alternative. The added technological perks—features such as vehicle-to-load power capability, an advanced infotainment system, minimal maintenance requirements, and a more car-like suspension setup—make it even more appealing for urban and suburban owners.

The real challenge: long-haul towing

However, the Silverado EV’s glowing performance comes with caveats that emerge as soon as you push the truck to its limits. When towing a heavy trailer across long distances, range drops significantly, often cutting in half. Real-world driving for Tyson and Alicia, with their Airstream in tow, means stopping every 200 miles or so to recharge. That might not sound problematic on a well-populated highway, but for campers traveling through rural Canada or remote parts of the U.S., it’s a very different story.

Rural charging infrastructure remains thin, with few charging stations suitable for vehicles pulling trailers. Even where chargers exist, they’re often not designed for easy trailer access. This forces drivers to unhitch before charging—an inconvenient and time-consuming process. Add to that the fact that many rural chargers can’t deliver the Silverado’s maximum 350-kilowatt charging rate, and what could be a 30-minute stop often stretches into an hour or more.

The couple also points out how fragile trip planning becomes in such conditions. Because routes often have only one available station within range, a broken charger can introduce serious risks. At times, the only option would be to drop the trailer and limp to the next charger—if there is one. These experiences highlight how early the EV infrastructure still is for long-distance, heavy-duty travel.

A different kind of value proposition

Despite the logistical hurdles, Tyson and Alicia remain satisfied with their decision to go electric. The Silverado EV saves them significant money in fuel costs, and they expect to recoup the initial price premium within two years. For daily driving and moderate towing, they find the EV more enjoyable and less stressful to operate. Maintenance is minimal, the ride is smoother, and there’s the satisfaction of cutting emissions dramatically.

Their case illustrates an important truth about EV trucks—they don’t replace gas trucks one-to-one, but they introduce a distinct ownership experience. If seen as an evolution rather than a direct substitute, the Silverado EV represents a meaningful step forward: a mix of impressive efficiency, cutting-edge technology, and premium comfort that makes traditional trucks feel dated.

Setting the right expectations

The biggest obstacle may not be technological as much as psychological. By marketing the Silverado EV under the same storied nameplate, Chevrolet invites comparison with its gasoline sibling—a truck celebrated for its durability, simplicity, and capability in extreme conditions. When judged against those benchmarks, the EV struggles to measure up for users who depend on their trucks for cross-country towing, off-roading, or off-grid living.

For most drivers, though, the Silverado EV is not a truck that disappoints. It’s a reimagined workhorse that excels where electricity makes the most sense: short-to-medium range towing, urban hauling, and daily multifunction use. What’s missing is not performance, but the redundancy of fueling infrastructure and the assurance of total flexibility that gas trucks still provide.

In short, the Silverado EV marks real progress toward making electric pickups practical for the masses—but not total parity yet. Electric trucks can already outperform gas trucks in refinement, cost efficiency, and technology, but the Achilles’ heel of long-distance towing and charging access keeps them from being truly universal replacements. For now, the Silverado EV stands as both a triumph and a reminder that the age of the electric truck is still in transition.