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GM vehicle products chief Jaclyn McQuaid says electric trucks remain a good fit for some uses, even as sales have not met the automaker’s hopes. She pointed to off-board power and future improvements in battery range, performance and cost; GM has not given a timeline for bringing its next-generation EV technology to its electric trucks.
General Motors vehicle products chief Jaclyn McQuaid says electric trucks still have a role despite sales that have not met GM’s hopes. In an interview with The Drive, she said battery-powered pickups can serve work sites and homes, and that future battery improvements could increase range and towing performance and reduce costs.
McQuaid made the comments on The Drivecast after being asked what she would tell people uneasy about electric trucks and reluctant to give up diesel-powered heavy-duty pickups. “I think there is a huge application for electrification in the truck space,” she said. Her remarks set out GM’s case for continuing to develop electric trucks, not a change to any announced sales target or product schedule.
She said she had spent a year driving a Chevrolet Silverado EV and described the range of GM’s current electric trucks as “incredibly impressive.” McQuaid highlighted their ability to provide off-board power, including running equipment at a job site or supplying power to a home. Those are potential uses she cited; the interview did not provide sales figures, adoption rates or a comparison with gasoline and diesel trucks.
McQuaid said GM is continuing to work on battery energy density, range and cost, adding that improvements in range and performance would also increase towing capability. She acknowledged that charging infrastructure will continue to develop, but said she does not see electric propulsion and trucks as incompatible. The company has not announced when its next-generation EV technology, including its LMR batteries, will reach electric trucks.
Why GM Still Sees a Truck Market
GM describes an electric future, while electric trucks have not sold as well as the company hoped. Trucks are a central vehicle category for GM, and McQuaid said electrification could add functions such as powering tools or a home alongside the conventional uses of a pickup.
McQuaid cited potential uses for owners who need a truck for work, towing or backup power. Her interview represents the company’s view and does not establish that demand is rising or that electric models meet every buyer’s requirements. Practical considerations include price, range under load, charging access and the availability of suitable models.
McQuaid did not provide launch dates or measurable targets for battery and charging improvements in electric trucks. GM has not announced when its next-generation EV technology will reach the category.
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GM’s Truck and EV Roadmap
McQuaid brings a truck-focused background to the discussion. According to The Drive’s report, she worked on truck systems including exhaust, tires, wheels, brakes and seats before becoming GM’s first chief engineer for its heavy-duty trucks. She also led development of the heavy-duty pickup GM calls T1. That experience informs her comments, though it does not by itself establish how the market will respond to electric pickups.
GM has also outlined technology plans for future vehicles. The report says the automaker’s next wave of trucks will receive a new central computer. Full-size pickups are next in line for GM’s eyes-off highway driving system after the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ. These plans concern vehicle computing and driver-assistance features; they do not amount to a timetable for new electric-truck batteries.
McQuaid said GM has truck expertise across diesel, gasoline and battery-electric powertrains. She said the company will continue developing EV technology for trucks, although current electric-truck sales have not met its expectations.
“I think there is a huge application for electrification in the truck space.”
— Jaclyn McQuaid, GM senior vice president of vehicle products, speaking to The Drive
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Sales, Costs and Launch Dates
The report does not give figures showing how far electric-truck sales have fallen short of GM’s expectations, identify a sales target or specify which models are involved. It also provides no detailed breakdown of buyer demand or the reasons customers have held back. McQuaid’s comments describe GM’s view of the technology’s potential, not a forecast of future sales.
GM has not said when LMR batteries or other next-generation EV technology will reach its electric trucks. The company also did not provide timelines or numerical goals for battery cost, range, towing performance or charging-network growth in the interview. How quickly those changes arrive—and whether they make electric pickups work for more buyers—remains unclear.
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Watch for GM’s Truck Updates
The next concrete developments to watch are GM’s announcements on its future truck lineup, battery technology and timing for electric models. The report says the company’s next wave of trucks will use a new central computer and that full-size pickups are next for its eyes-off highway driving system after the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ, but it gives no launch dates for those pickup features.
GM has not announced when its next-generation EV technology will be added to electric trucks. The report does not provide further timing for those technologies or details on future truck prices, range, towing capability or charging access.
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Key Questions
What did GM’s vehicle chief say about electric trucks?
Jaclyn McQuaid said electric trucks have significant potential, citing their ability to power job-site equipment and homes. She also said GM expects battery development to improve range, performance and cost.
Have electric trucks met GM’s sales expectations?
No. The report says electric trucks have not sold like GM hoped, but it does not provide sales totals, targets or a measure of the shortfall.
When will GM use its next-generation batteries in electric trucks?
GM has not provided a timeline for bringing its next-generation EV technology, including LMR batteries, to electric trucks.
What features are planned for GM’s next wave of trucks?
The report says GM’s next wave of trucks will get a new central computer. Full-size pickups are also next in line for the company’s eyes-off highway driving system after the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ; no pickup launch date is given.
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