While dynamic EV startup Lucid Motors prides itself on achieving impressive range statistics through rigorous engineering of efficiency across its vehicles, General Motors has taken a different approach with its electric trucks, primarily by incorporating significantly larger battery packs. This distinction in strategy caters to their respective target audiences, and both automakers have recently claimed Guinness World Records for range achievements under different conditions. Lucid’s record of 748.9 miles was set on a challenging, mountainous route between St. Moritz, Switzerland, and Munich, Germany.

Inspired by Lucid’s feat, General Motors’ electric truck engineering team, responsible for the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, and GMC Hummer EV Pickup, hypothesized that their most efficient variant could surpass Lucid’s record when driven optimally. The chosen vehicle for this ambitious challenge was a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Work Truck (WT) equipped with the 205-kWh Max Range battery pack, utilizing advanced nickel-manganese-cobalt chemistry. This specific Silverado EV WT model holds an official EPA combined range rating of 493 miles.

To conduct the record attempt, the team prepared a brand new, base Silverado EV WT with only 500 break-in miles on the odometer. They outfitted the truck with a tonneau cover and developed a meticulous plan involving numerous team members taking turns driving the vehicle gently at low speeds across the greater Detroit metroplex. The route included diverse terrains, from the environs of GM’s Milford Proving Ground to Detroit’s iconic Belle Isle Park.

Crucially, no hardware or software modifications were made to the truck for the test. However, the team equipped the Silverado EV WT with a set of well-worn tires (almost at their wear bars) and inflated them to their maximum rated pressure of 80 psi, significantly higher than the placard’s no-load rating of 61 psi. The driving rules were straightforward: maintain low speeds, with the average speed remaining below 25 mph. Initially, the HVAC system was kept off, and windows were slightly cracked. Once the odometer passed 1,000 miles, a minimal amount of air-conditioned comfort was permitted.

Over a period of seven days, 40 dedicated team members participated in the driving effort, navigating various lightly traveled roads, including some gravel sections. Jon Doremus, engineering manager for electrification propulsion calibration, was at the helm when the Silverado EV WT finally depleted its last watt while circling the wide ring road around Belle Isle. The trip computer confirmed the astonishing totals: the truck had traveled an astounding 1059.2 miles, achieving an average efficiency of 4.9 miles per kilowatt-hour. This remarkable efficiency roughly doubled the truck’s EPA rating of approximately 2.4 miles per kilowatt-hour.

The achieved efficiency of 4.9 miles/kWh notably surpassed the official EPA efficiency rating of Lucid’s Grand Touring XR with 19-inch wheels, which stands at 4.6 miles/kWh. While Lucid’s own hypermilers achieved over 6 miles/kWh in their record run, it is important to note that their journey involved significant downhill sections from St. Moritz (averaging 4,000 feet higher than Munich), whereas the metro Detroit area is predominantly flat. Following its monumental journey, the dead truck was transported back to Milford, its battery recharged, and the stored energy was then used to power a Stratasys F370 3D printer for 6.5 hours. This session produced an ABS plastic trophy commemorating the auspicious achievement, barely making a dent in the massive battery pack’s capacity.

While this record is a significant accomplishment for General Motors, the team is cautioned to celebrate its triumph, as such records are often transient. Indeed, Lucid’s record itself had broken a June 2025 record previously set by a Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+, which covered 649 miles over two days in Japan. This ongoing pursuit of range and efficiency highlights the rapid advancements and competitive spirit within the electric vehicle industry.