GM bets on diesel pickups with 900-mile highway range

General Motors announced on Thursday, 17 September, that its redesigned Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups will feature an upgraded diesel engine. Combined with an optional larger fuel tank, the setup delivers highway driving range topping 900 miles between refuels. The launch in the fourth quarter represents the first major redesign of both light-duty trucks since 2019.

Together, the Silverado and Sierra are the Detroit automaker's best-selling vehicles globally and generate the majority of its profit. Alongside the 3.0-liter diesel, the redesigned models will offer two new V8 engines that are larger, more powerful, and lower in tailpipe emissions than the existing units.

The diesel strategy diverges from rival Detroit automakers Ford and Stellantis, which rely on hybrid powertrains for light-duty pickup efficiency. GM, Ford, and Stellantis account for more than 90% of large pickup sales in the United States. Ford discontinued the diesel F-150 earlier this decade for a hybrid version rated at 23 miles per gallon with four-wheel drive, while its next F-150 generation is expected in 2028 according to industry analysts. Stellantis brand Ram plans an extended-range plug-in hybrid pickup offering 690 miles of range.

Four-wheel-drive diesel versions of GM's Silverado and Sierra average 24 miles per gallon under federal ratings. Diesel fuel topped $6 per gallon last week to hit an all-time high, and federal government estimates indicate owners would spend about $1,050 more annually on fuel across 15,000 miles. GM President Mark Reuss noted during a press briefing that diesel prices reflect temporary geopolitical spikes and argued that GM is targeting the long-term efficiency of diesel engines over retrofitting hybrid systems to existing powertrains.