PREVIEW

Chevrolet’s potential ‘Cybertruck-killer’ the Silverado EV ZR2 is to compete at the famous Mint 400 off road race when it kicks off on Friday (7March2025).

Chevrolet’s potential ‘Cybertruck-killer’ the Silverado EV ZR2 is to compete at the famous Mint 400 off road race when it kicks off on Friday (7March2025).

The truck will go one better than Elon Musk’s futuristic and divisive electric pickup by actually competing, unlike the Tesla model, which was merely shown off at last year’s event.

The electric powerhouse will also compete in the gruelling race, driven by Chad Hall as part of the Hall Racing team’s lineup.

The Silverado EV ZR2 concept joins the team’s Silverado ZR2 and Colorado ZR2 race trucks and will enter the Open Production EV class.
Scott Bell, vice president of Chevrolet, highlighted the importance of racing as a testing ground for future consumer vehicles.

"There is no better proving ground to test the limits of our vehicles than competitive racing," Bell said. "The Silverado EV ZR2 race truck concept, which uses 98% GM production parts, showcases some of the best of Chevrolet to produce a beyond-capable pickup to tackle a challenging race of the Mint 400’s magnitude."

Although labelled a concept, the Silverado EV ZR2 race truck carries forward the successful ZR2 formula, renowned for its durability and off-road capability. The vehicle features lifted suspension with front and rear off-road tuning, multimatic adaptive damper technology, locking differentials for maximum traction, and underbody skid protection for rough terrain.

With 13 inches of front and rear wheel travel, courtesy of prototype Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve dampers, the Silverado EV ZR2 offers advanced handling across rugged environments.
The race truck also boasts 37-inch BF Goodrich KM3 Mud-Terrain tyres and a tri-motor electric propulsion system delivering a staggering 1,100 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque—a clear signal that Chevrolet is pushing electric vehicles into serious off-road territory.

While Tesla’s Cybertruck has made headlines for its unusual design, Chevrolet’s Silverado EV ZR2 is firmly rooted in performance and real-world testing.

With the aim of avoiding Cybertruck’s delayed production and mixed reviews on practicality, Chevrolet’s approach focuses on proven engineering and racing experience to fine-tune their electric vehicles before making them available to the public.

The Silverado EV ZR2’s production-based components and rigorous off-road testing offer tangible evidence of its durability—qualities that many critics argue are missing from Tesla’s angular, polarising design.

Furthermore, with its race-proven suspension and specialist off-road technology, the Silverado EV ZR2 concept appears looks set to prove it has serious off-road capabilities at the Mint 400.

Chevrolet engineers will work closely with Hall Racing during the Mint 400 to assess the truck’s performance and apply their findings to future production models. The insights gathered will also inform Chevrolet’s growing catalogue of off-road performance parts, with more than 44 accessories already available to customers.

Chad Hall, the primary driver and team owner, praised the collaboration: "Working with the Chevy engineers is always a good day at the office. What we learn from racing is applied to vehicles consumers can buy. An off-road race like The Mint 400 is equivalent to a lifetime of vehicle wear and tear."

Chevrolet’s unveiling comes ahead of the summer launch of the 2026 Silverado EV Trail Boss—the brand’s first off-road-focused electric variant that itself is a Cybertruck challenger. The Trail Boss will offer factory-installed lift for increased ground clearance, 18-inch wheels with 35-inch all-terrain tyres, red tow hooks for recovery situations, and terrain Mode for improved manoeuvrability in tight spaces.

More details on the Silverado EV Trail Boss will be available soon.