Off-road racing is the ultimate test for a truck, and few events are as brutal as the Mint 400. Set in the unforgiving Nevada desert, this two-day race pushes vehicles to their limits. So when Chevy wanted to prove the capability of its all-electric Silverado EV, the Mint 400 was the perfect proving ground.
Enter the Silverado EV ZR2 Race Truck Concept—a rugged, race-prepped machine that looks like a purpose-built desert truck but is made of 98% General Motors production parts.
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It features raised off-road suspension with prototype Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve dampers, allowing over 13 inches of wheel travel at each corner. Massive 37-inch BF Goodrich KM3 Mud-Terrain tires on custom 18-inch wheels, locking differentials, and reinforced skid plates help it tackle the punishing terrain.
Under the hood—if there was one—the ZR2 Concept boasts a production-based three-motor electric drivetrain delivering a staggering 1,100 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque, powered by Chevy’s largest-capacity EV battery pack.
Developed in just five months, the truck was handed over to off-road racing legend Chad Hall, who piloted it in the Mint 400’s Open Production EV Class alongside Hall Racing’s gasoline-powered Silverado ZR2 and Colorado ZR2.
Chevy engineers were embedded with the team to see firsthand how the all-electric truck handled extreme racing conditions.
The ZR2 Concept completed its grueling 73-mile lap in 2 hours and 32 minutes, finishing with 40% battery remaining—a strong performance for an EV in such a punishing environment.
“Racing is the perfect way to develop new parts,” said Tim Demetrio, Chevy’s off-road performance manager. “You break things, fix things, and ultimately make a better vehicle for the customer.”
Chad Hall echoed the sentiment: “One off-road race equals a lifetime of wear and tear. Whether a customer takes their truck off-road or not, they’ll get a tougher, more capable vehicle because we race.”
For Chevrolet, motorsports aren’t just about competition—they’re about building stronger, safer, and more durable trucks. The Mint 400 is the ultimate test, and the lessons learned here will shape the future of Chevy’s off-road EVs.
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