SEMA: Chevrolet E-10 electric pick-up revealed

General Motors is using the SEMA hot-rod show to help prepare Chevrolet fans for an electric pick-up.

Chevrolet rolled out the E-10 concept in Las Vegas, which stuffs a heap of electric tech underneath under a 1962 Chevrolet C-10 pick-up body to produce an estimated 450hp (335kW), claimed 0-60mph (96.5km/h) passes in five seconds and quarter-mile (400m) times in the high 13-second range.

The E-10 is not the only high-profile EV game-changer at SEMA, with Ford revealing a 671kW electric Mustang, complete with a manual gearbox.

“The Chevrolet E-10 electrified Connect & Cruise concept system reimagines the performance crate engine for hot rodders,” said Jim Campbell, vice president of GM performance and motorsports.

“As General Motors continues to work toward our vision of a zero-emissions world, concepts such as this help us get there, while still supporting the enthusiasts who love to drive vintage vehicles.”

But it’s not only hot-rodders who need to get their heads around this stuff, as GM has confirmed an electric full-size pick-up will soon supplement existing petrol and diesel models like the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.

Most recently, GM confirmed during labour negotiations it would build an EV pick-up at its Detroit-Hamtramk plant. It is expected to appear in 2021.

Competition will come from the likes of Ford, Tesla and start-ups Rivian, Bollinger and Fisker.

The E-10 powertrain is sourced from the Bolt EV and includes a “double stack” of electric motors (eCrate as they are dubbed in SEMA-speak), two 400-volt batteries and a conventional ‘SuperMatic’ 4L75-E automatic transmission that sends power on to the rear axle.

The stack is fed by Bolt power electronics and two 60kWh lithium-ion battery packs mounted in the truck’s bed under a hard tonneau.

The motor stack is a unique assembly built into a modular housing that enables up to three motor assemblies to be stacked and linked together for greater power delivery. The independent set-up of the two battery packs allows for simultaneous charging, more range and more power.

To make hot-rodders feel at home, the E-10 has a sound emulator with three speakers to simulate an induction sound in the front and two banks of a V8 engine in the back of the vehicle.

The driver can select one of five modes, including Chevrolet Camaro LS7 Z28 track tuning, LS7 Z28 touring turning, a V8 engine, a futuristic sound or silent.

The V8 sounds will automatically adjust to the changing of the gears, mimicking an internal combustion engine.

By comparison with the powertrain, the C-10 exterior is only mildly modified. There is an illuminated Bowtie emblem in the grille, LED headlights and tail-lights, and a lowered stance combined with 20x9.0-inch front and 22x10-inch rear wheels.

Inside the cabin, the original instrument panel is updated with digital displays for the electric propulsion system, while the rest of the cabin is restored and features leather-trimmed seats.