YouTuber Sells Chevrolet Silverado EV Amid Repeated Charging Issues

Strong Performance and Towing Capability

YouTuber Robert Dunn, known for his channel Aging Wheels, is putting his Chevrolet Silverado EV up for sale after a year of ownership. While he praises nearly every aspect of the electric truck, his decision stems from service frustrations and high insurance costs.

Dunn highlights the Max Range version of the Silverado EV as an excellent towing vehicle. Its battery capacity, slightly over 200 kWh, offers an EPA-estimated range of 478 miles, making it suitable for long trips with heavy trailers. The truck’s electric motors provide smooth downhill handling while regenerating energy, reducing brake wear. Comfort and reasonable charging speeds further contribute to its appeal.

Minor Issues Addressed

During his ownership, Dunn visited dealerships six times. Three visits resolved smaller problems, such as a dim LED daytime running light, a faulty wiring harness, and minor software glitches. After multiple software updates, these issues were corrected, and the truck performed as expected.

Repeated Charging Failures

The other three service visits involved a recurring charging problem that left the vehicle unusable for nearly three months. The Silverado EV’s Max Range battery uses 24 modules split into two arrays. Normally, the arrays operate in parallel at 345 volts to reduce costs, but this configuration slows fast charging. When using an 800-volt charger, the system should switch to a higher-voltage configuration of 691 volts, cutting recharge times in half.

In Dunn’s case, the battery repeatedly failed to switch to this high-voltage mode, adding around five hours to a road trip. Local dealerships struggled to resolve the problem, prompting Dunn to pursue a buyback claim with Chevrolet.

Dealer Efforts and Self-Resolution

Initial service attempts included resetting error codes, but the issue persisted. During a second visit lasting nearly two months, the dealership worked further on the vehicle, temporarily restoring fast-charging capability. However, the problem reappeared within a week. A third visit kept the truck off the road for another month before technicians ultimately acknowledged they could not resolve the issue.

Interestingly, the truck eventually corrected itself without additional intervention. Because there were no other malfunctions, Chevrolet denied Dunn’s buyback request.

Owner’s Perspective

Dunn emphasizes that the truck now functions properly and he has no complaints about the service staff. Nevertheless, the prolonged back-and-forth, combined with high insurance premiums, convinced him that selling the vehicle was the practical choice. The case illustrates how even well-designed EVs can face challenges when complex battery systems interact with service limitations and insufficient fault reporting.

Implications for EV Ownership

The Silverado EV situation highlights the importance of dealership preparedness and diagnostic clarity for electric vehicles. Advanced battery configurations can create unforeseen issues if technicians lack the proper tools or training. For prospective EV owners, these service dynamics may be as impactful as the vehicle’s technical capabilities.

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