The Sierra EV Is an Impressive Long-Distance Tow Vehicle

Anyone paying attention to EVs knows that electric motors not only produce high torque but that all of it is available immediately from startup. This suggests EVs could make great towing vehicles, but is that really true? Truck-focused site Torque News has received feedback from actual EV truck owners about their experiences. Valley GMC is happy to report that they found the Sierra EV quite an effective towing vehicle.  

When it comes to the large battery and high-powered motors of the Sierra EV, the power figures can be truly impressive. The standard Sierra EV with the Extended Range drivetrain is rated at 645 horsepower and 785 lb-ft of torque. The Max Range model has the same torque, but horsepower increases to 760. These figures surpass their fossil-fuel Sierra 1500 counterparts. The optional 6.2-liter V8 is rated at 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The highest torque comes from the 305-hp diesel at 495 lb-ft, with the torque peak at 2,750 rpm. This is a full 290 lb-ft less than the Sierra EV, which peaks and stays flat from 0 rpm. 

Torque News records an anecdote from John Davey, an experienced EV owner who drove down to Illinois from Northern Wisconsin in his Tesla Y to pick up his new Sierra EV. Here is how John described it: 

“Drove down to Illinois in my Tesla to buy my truck last Wednesday, bought the trailer Thursday, drove my truck around Friday and Saturday, charged the truck at my Illinois home to 100%, and left for northern Wisconsin on Sunday. 405 miles with 6,300 pounds of weight behind it. Averaged 1.2 miles per KW. I’m very impressed. Hardly even noticed it back there. No significant change in acceleration or braking.” 

The Sierra has a standard towing capacity of 9,200 pounds compared to 10,000 and 10,500 pounds for the Max Range Sierra EV and Extended Range Sierra EV models, respectively. However, the diesel Sierra can be equipped for a maximum towing capacity of 13,100 pounds, while the EV models’ standard and maximum towing capacities remain the same. In addition to power, vehicle weight is a factor in towing capacity, and the EV trucks are significantly heavier. They weigh about 8,620 to 8,970 pounds, depending on the battery size, compared to 5,100 to 5,300 pounds for the gas- or diesel-powered Sierra with a similar crew cab and short bed.   

While high weight isn’t always considered a positive trait, it offers towing advantages. More weight in the tow vehicle compared to the trailer can significantly improve stability. This is likely a major reason why John said, “Hardly even noticed it back there.” Such praise is always desirable for a tow vehicle. 

Of course, EV range becomes even more important when towing. Gas, diesel, and EVs all lose efficiency when towing, but with regard to range, it’s a matter of efficiency versus fuel storage. With a combined 64 MPGe, the Sierra EV is two to three times more efficient than the diesel-powered models (26 mpg) and about four times more efficient than a Sierra 1500 with the 6.2-liter V8. The flip side is that the Sierra EV’s 170-kWh Extended Range battery is equivalent to roughly five gallons of fuel. Add another gallon for the 205-kWh Max Range battery. In contrast, a Sierra 1500 has about a 24-gallon tank. While both fossil-fuel and EV models suffer a hit in efficiency, the liquid-fueled models have much more energy stored on board to compensate.  

John Davey reported two charge stops: one in Madison, Wisconsin, and one in Stephen’s Point, with about 130 miles between them. One suspects he wasn’t scraping the last of the electrons when he pulled in for his second charge. Davey wouldn’t win a race against a liquid-powered truck, but he reports the towing as exceptionally stable, and the trip probably cost him less.   

Not all EV trucks are the same, however, as evidenced by this reply to Davey’s post by Kenny Kuehl, who starts by stating of his Sierra EV: “This truck’s performance has exceeded expectations, fulfilling all operational requirements, and demonstrating impressive range.” He states this about his real-road comparison to the Cybertruck. “It couldn’t make it 200 miles towing that 28-foot trailer, but my GMC EV Series 1? It handles the Charlotte to North Myrtle trip, over 225 miles, with no problem.” 

 By planning ahead for charging, a Sierra EV may be the best towing vehicle you’ve ever had. Visit Valley GMC and take a look at the overachieving Sierra EV.