The future of General Motors’ full-size electric pickup trucks and SUVs is looking a little murkier.
Crain’s Detroit Business, via Automotive News, reports GM has indefinitely delayed its next-generation full-size electric vehicle (EV) program.
GM had reportedly been working on refreshed versions of its existing Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV pickups, as well as the Cadillac Escalade IQ SUV and GMC Hummer EV pickup and SUV.
These models had a targeted start of production in 2028, three people with knowledge of the plan told the media outlet.
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GM was reportedly working on offering more affordable versions of these full-size EVs, which would continue to be produced at Factory Zero in Hamtramck, Michigan – a plant retooled to solely produce EVs.
Supplier executives told Crain’s Detroit Business they don’t expect to see new generations of these vehicles until 2030 or beyond.
That doesn’t necessarily mean GM won’t replace its existing fleet of full-size EVs, and the automaker could simply extend the current models’ lifecycles until it makes a decision on next-generation models.
GM invested heavily in the BT1 platform that underpins these vehicles. It announced in 2020 it was investing US$3 billion (A$4.19bn) in Factory Zero as well as supplier tooling and other projects related to the launch of the full-size EVs.
The company subsequently confirmed in 2024 it was working on plug-in hybrids for the US market, after having previously discontinued the technology there ahead of a pivot to EVs.
The next-generation, combustion-powered Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are widely expected to receive PHEV powertrains.
In addition to this, GM is reportedly diverting resources and capital from electrification to development of combustion engines, and has also spoken with suppliers about developing extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrains.
The outlet reports GM hasn’t made a decision as to whether it’ll launch EREVs.
Cox Automotive Data reported 8115 Cadillac Escalade IQ sales in the US last year, along with 11,275 Chevrolet Silverado EVs, 15,788 GMC Hummer EVs, and 7996 GMC Sierra EVs. This was the first full year of sales for the Escalade iQ and Sierra EV.
The Ford F-150 Lightning notched up 27,307 sales, but the Blue Oval nevertheless announced late last year it would replace its electric pickup with an EREV.
The US EV market has been impacted by the Trump administration’s removal of federal incentives for EVs, while weakened emissions regulations have also taken the pressure off automakers to meet fleet targets and spurred investment in combustion-powered vehicles.
GM, for example, is reportedly working on a replacement for the axed Chevrolet Camaro, as well as a new Buick sedan and a rugged off-roader for the GMC brand dusting off the Jimmy nameplate.
The automaker announced in January that its fourth-quarter net income was reduced by more than US$7.2 billion in “special charges”.
It said this was “driven primarily by a realignment of electric vehicle capacity and investments to adjust to expected declines in consumer demand for EVs, and in response to US Government policy changes including the termination of consumer incentives and the reduction in the stringency of emissions regulations”.
In addition to Ford axing the electric F-150 Lightning, rival automaker Stellantis – formed from a merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles with Groupe PSA – announced in September 2025 it was axing its already revealed electric 1500.
Its EREV counterpart, the Ramcharger, is still being launched but will now wear the 1500 REV nameplate of its cancelled sibling.
Even Tesla is struggling to sell electric pickups in the US, with Cybertruck sales dropping by 48.1 per cent in 2025 to a total of 20,237 units – still more than the Rivian R1T, which dropped by 33.1 per cent to 7416 units.
GM’s largest EVs aren’t widely exported, with all BT1-based models exclusive to North America apart from the Hummer EV and Escalade iQ, which are also offered in various Middle Eastern markets.
Plans announced in 2022 to produce the Silverado EV and Sierra EV at an additional plant in Michigan never ended up coming to fruition, and the Factory Zero plant has endured layoffs and idling amid weaker than expected demand for full-size EVs.
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