Chevy adds the Trail Boss to the 2026 Silverado EV portfolio

Chevy is taking its all-electric Silverado where few trucks dare to go—deep into the wild. The 2026 Silverado EV Trail Boss is the rugged, off-road-ready version of Chevy’s electric pickup, packing more power, better range, and serious trail-conquering tech. And yes, it somehow manages to outrange even the standard Silverado EV—an already class-leading electric truck.

Trail Boss vs. Regular Silverado EV: What’s New?

1. Off-Road Upgrades That Matter

The Trail Boss trim isn’t just a badge—it’s a hardcore off-road package designed for serious adventurers:
✔ 2-Inch Lift Kit – Extra ground clearance for rocks, ruts, and rough terrain.
✔ 35-Inch All-Terrain Tires on 18-Inch Wheels – Aggressive tread for mud, sand, and snow.
✔ Exclusive Terrain Mode – Optimizes 4-wheel steering, torque distribution, and traction control for slow-speed crawling.
✔ Sidewinder Mode – Borrowing tech from the GMC Hummer EV, this allows diagonal “crab-like” driving for tight off-road maneuvers.

2. Shockingly Long Range—Even for an Off-Roader

Despite the added weight and drag from off-road gear, the Trail Boss still delivers a GM-estimated 478 miles with the Max Range battery—making it one of the longest-range EVs on the market, period.

Standard battery: ~350 miles (est.)
Extended Range: ~440 miles (est.)
Max Range: 478 miles (official GM estimate)

3. Brutal Power & Towing Prowess

The electric powertrain doesn’t hold back:
⚡ 725 HP & 775 lb-ft of torque (with Max Range battery)
⚡ 12,500 lbs max towing capacity (expect range to drop under heavy loads)
⚡ 2,100 lbs payload capacity (great for overlanding gear)

Tech & Interior: Smarter Than Your Average Off-Roader

Super Cruise Goes Off the Beaten Path

Chevy’s enhanced Super Cruise now comes standard on Trail Boss and LT trims, offering:
✔ Hands-free highway driving (even while towing!)
✔ Automatic lane changes & trailering assist
✔ Over-the-air updates for continuous improvements

A Modern, Tech-Filled Cabin

Inside, the Trail Boss keeps things premium:

17.7-inch touchscreen (center display)
11-inch digital gauge cluster (now standard on Work Truck too)
Multi-color ambient lighting & premium materials

Pricing: Is the Trail Boss Worth the Premium?

Chevy dropped the base Silverado EV price to $54,895, but the Trail Boss commands a premium:

Extended Range Trail Boss: $72,095
Max Range Trail Boss: $88,695

Who Should Buy the Trail Boss?

✅ Off-road enthusiasts who want EV efficiency without sacrificing capability.
✅ Overlanders & campers needing long-range + serious towing.
✅ Tech lovers who want Super Cruise & cutting-edge features.

Final Verdict: The Most Capable Electric Truck Yet?

The 2026 Silverado EV Trail Boss isn’t just an electric truck—it’s a statement. With class-leading range, insane power, and legit off-road chops, it proves that EVs can dominate both pavement and wilderness.

If you’re ready to ditch gas without compromising adventure, the Trail Boss might just be your perfect match.

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Cars

Is this the solution to the bloat issue in American trucks?

by George Mensah 2025-04-28

Last night, an audacious new automaker named Slate Auto unveiled its first vehicle—a minimalist, no-frills electric truck designed to combat America’s obsession with oversized, overpowered vehicles. With a target price under $20,000 (after incentives), 150 miles of range, and a stripped-back design, the Slate Truck is a bold experiment in right-sizing personal transportation.

But will it succeed in a market dominated by monster trucks and SUVs?

Why America’s Obsession With Bigger Trucks Is a Problem

1. The Rise of the “Land Yacht”

In 2024, trucks and SUVs made up 75% of new vehicle sales—up from just 50% a decade ago.
The average new car now weighs over 5,000 lbs (2.27 tons), with EVs like the Ford F-150 Lightning pushing 6,500 lbs.
Bigger vehicles = deadlier roads:
- Pedestrian deaths surged 57% from 2013–2022 (NHTSA).
- Trucks with tall hoods (40+ inches) are 44% more lethal (IIHS).

2. The “Compact Truck” Is Nearly Extinct

Ford Maverick (2024):
- 199.7 inches long, 83.5 inches wide
- Considered “small” by today’s standards
Slate Truck:
- 174.6 inches long, 70.6 inches wide
- Closer in size to a classic 1985 Toyota pickup

“Our roads are packed with roving land yachts. The Slate Truck is a throwback to when vehicles were sized for humans, not egos.”

Slate Truck: What You Get (And What You Don’t)

✅ The Good: Simple, Affordable, Functional

✔ **20KPriceTag∗∗–Halfthecostofanaveragenewcar(20KPriceTag∗∗–Halfthecostofanaveragenewcar(49,740).
✔ No Bloatware – No touchscreen, no stereo, no paint (keeps costs down).
✔ Smartphone-Centric – Uses a phone/tablet mount + basic gauge cluster.
✔ Practical Hauling – 1,433 lbs payload, 1,000 lbs towing (enough for most users).

❌ The Trade-Offs

150-Mile Range – Fine for city use, but not for road trips.
No Luxury Features – If you want Apple CarPlay or a premium sound system, look elsewhere.
Aftermarket Customization Required – Want paint? A stereo? You’ll have to DIY.

Could This Be the Start of a “Small Truck” Revival?

Why the Timing Might Be Right

EV Incentives – Federal tax credits could keep prices under $20K.
Younger Buyers – Gen Z and Millennials prefer affordability over status symbols.
Urban Living – Smaller trucks are easier to park in cities.

The Biggest Challenges

⚠ Consumer Psychology – Will buyers reject a “cheap” truck in a premium-obsessed market?
⚠ Political Risk – A Trump win could kill EV tax credits, raising the price.
⚠ Production Realities – Most EV startups fail. Can Slate deliver by 2026?

Verdict: A Long Shot, But a Necessary One

The Slate Truck isn’t for everyone—but it doesn’t need to be. If even 5% of truck buyers opt for a smaller, cheaper, more efficient alternative, it could shift the auto industry’s trajectory.

Final Question:

Would you drive a $20K electric truck with no frills?

Yes, if it saves money!
No, I need more power/luxury.

Cars

According to Sundar Pichai, Waymo may be open to selling you a self-driving car

by George Mensah 2025-04-26

During Alphabet’s recent earnings call, CEO Sundar Pichai revealed that Waymo is considering selling autonomous vehicles for personal ownership, marking a potential strategic expansion beyond its current ride-hailing services. This “future optionality around personal ownership” represents a significant evolution for the autonomous vehicle pioneer that has primarily focused on commercial fleet operations until now.

Historical Context and Current Partnerships

2018 Chrysler Partnership: Waymo previously collaborated with Chrysler to develop autonomous Pacifica minivans, exploring private ownership models
Current Commercial Operations: Waymo maintains partnerships with Moove in Miami and Uber in Austin (with Atlanta expansion coming soon)
Global Expansion: The company recently began testing in Japan, demonstrating its growing international presence

The Emerging Personal AV Market Landscape

Waymo’s Potential Consumer Offering

While details remain scarce, industry analysts speculate that Waymo’s consumer vehicles might feature:

The same advanced sensor suite (including lidar) used in current Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis
Five-seat configurations similar to existing fleet vehicles
Potentially higher price points reflecting their premium technology

Tesla’s Competing Vision

Elon Musk has outlined Tesla’s very different approach:

Cybercab Concept: A $30,000 two-seater targeting 2026 availability
Minimalist Design: No steering wheel and camera-only perception system
Aggressive Timeline: Promises of “millions” of autonomous Teslas by late 2025

Critical Differences in Technology and Strategy

Sensor Philosophy

Waymo: Relies on comprehensive sensor arrays including lidar, radar and cameras
Tesla: Bets entirely on camera-based “Tesla Vision” with no lidar

Business Model Evolution

Waymo: Potentially transitioning from B2B to B2C while maintaining commercial operations
Tesla: Building on existing consumer sales while adding robotaxi functionality

Current Operational Reality

Waymo Advantage: Hundreds of vehicles already operating in multiple cities
Tesla’s Challenge: Still awaiting regulatory approval for fully autonomous operations

The Road Ahead for Personal AV Adoption

Key Challenges Both Companies Face

Regulatory Hurdles: Approval processes for consumer-owned autonomous vehicles
Insurance Complexities: Developing coverage models for owner-operated robotaxis
Maintenance Infrastructure: Creating service networks for advanced AV systems
Consumer Acceptance: Overcoming public skepticism about self-driving technology

Market Potential

Industry analysts project:

The global autonomous vehicle market could reach $2 trillion by 2030
Personal AVs may represent 30-40% of total AV sales by 2035
Early adopters likely to be tech enthusiasts and luxury vehicle buyers

Expert Perspectives on the Coming AV Wars

“Waymo’s potential move into consumer sales represents a natural evolution,” says Dr. Sarah Chen, MIT Mobility Initiative researcher. “Their rigorous approach to safety and proven technology gives them an advantage, but Tesla’s existing customer base and manufacturing scale present formidable competition.”

Automotive analyst James Follett notes: “The fundamental difference in sensor strategies will make for an interesting case study in AV development. We’re essentially seeing two completely different technological philosophies competing for the same market.”

What This Means for Consumers

As the personal AV market develops, potential buyers should consider:

Safety Records: Compare real-world performance data as it becomes available
Total Cost of Ownership: Factor in potential savings from robotaxi income
Geographic Availability: Services will likely roll out in select markets first
Technology Maturity: Early versions may have operational limitations

The coming years will prove crucial in determining whether Waymo’s methodical, safety-first approach or Tesla’s ambitious, scale-focused strategy will dominate the personal autonomous vehicle market. One thing is certain: the race to put self-driving cars in private garages is heating up.

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