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If you ask any prospective EV truck buyer what matters most to them, you’ll hear a mix of priorities. Range, power, comfort, and reliability all come to mind. But once someone has actually put miles on their truck, the conversation starts to shift. That’s what made Jose Medeiros’ post in the “GMC Sierra EV Group” stand out. With 22,000 miles on his 2024 GMC Sierra Denali EV1, Jose shared what this truck has meant to him, and it was hard not to get drawn into his experience.
In his words, Jose wrote: “So I have owned my 2024 Sierra Denali EV1 since the end of October last year. It has 22k miles on it. I have had nothing but a minor issue (a loose body panel in the front that needed a new clip). But I absolutely love this truck. Range is no issue at all. This past weekend we took our grandson to a place in Philly for his birthday. I was planning to charge 90% but I got a late start and by the time we had to leave we only had 80%. So we had to drive from northern NJ about 100 miles to my son’s house. Then we had to pick up our grandson and head 50 miles to Philly. My grandson read the address and we entered one letter off, Grand Ave instead of Grant. That took us to south Philly so when we got there and corrected the address it was another 55 minute ride. It was also super hot that day. We finally got to the place and still had over 55%. Went back to my son’s house and took it out to go to dinner. It still had 40% left when I put it in my son’s Tesla charger. Back to 80% before we woke up. On the ride back from Philly a guy with a nice sleeper Silverado with a 6.2 liter motor and at least a cam and headers pulled up next to me at a light. He took off but I was by him in an instant and pulled away like nothing. No muss no fuss just a ride in the park. So no need to get gas, rides like a dream, tons of comfort and convenience, and as fast as I need. What more could you ask for?”
More Owners Are Speaking Up
A growing number of Sierra EV Denali owners are coming forward with real-world stories that balance out the speculation. One owner recently wrote about how his biggest hesitation was whether the tech could live up to his two Teslas, and after switching, he found that GM’s software UX design felt surprisingly intuitive. It’s a solid reminder that tech isn’t just about screens but also about trust and predictability on the road.
Not every story is glowing though. It’s important to acknowledge that people do experience problems. Another owner shared that he’s had back-to-back issues with his Edition 1 Sierra EVs, including advertised features that never worked as promised. It highlights the importance of consistency in how this truck is delivered across trims and build batches. Still, Jose’s post proves that things are working as intended for many, and that’s worth celebrating.
Debating the Limits of EV Trucks
Mike Ivanyshyn chimed in under Jose’s post with a common concern: “If it was no fuss no muss why would you keep reiterating about battery SOC and having to charge it again? I mean there’s body-on frame SUVs and pickups that can go 600-700 miles on a tank of gas.”
But another commenter, Michael Griffin, quickly corrected the misconception: “You’re silly. Average trucks don’t go 600 to 700 miles…”
And Michael’s right. While there are exceptions with oversize fuel tanks and diesel configurations, most gas pickups don’t actually get that kind of range. Meanwhile, EV owners like Jose are adjusting to a different mindset like planning ahead and taking advantage of home charging. For Jose, that included conveniently plugging into his son’s Tesla charger overnight, waking up to 80%, and continuing the trip without delay.
Thomas Stokes added to the discussion by saying: “Feel the same in my Hummer. I was on the fence between the 2, but they just made me a better deal on the Hummer. It has been great.”
This shows how brand loyalty and dealership experience still play a big role in the EV space. Whether you go Hummer or Sierra, both are built on GM’s Ultium platform and share similar capabilities. And if your EV can double as a power source or road trip machine, the platform quickly proves its worth. It’s what I saw in another owner’s story, where the Sierra EV powered a 10-hour flood cleanup with no hesitation.
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Lastly, Tim Flugaur raised a practical question: “What is the definition of a Tesla destination charger? I read in a forum that we can not charge on a Tesla destination charger.”
To clarify, Tesla destination chargers are different from Superchargers. Destination chargers are Level 2 AC units that many places like hotels and restaurants have. While Superchargers are now becoming more accessible to non-Tesla EVs with adapters, most destination chargers use a proprietary Tesla connector. That said, there are adapters on the market like the Lectron or TeslaTap that allow many EVs, including the Sierra EV, to plug into them. At the end of the day, it just depends on the hardware you have.
Broader Relevance
I believe Jose’s story is exactly what EV adoption needs right now. It’s honest, grounded, and it’s full of lived experience. As someone who reads and writes about people’s experiences every day, I see too many conversations about EVs that either get lost in technical jargon or bogged down in politics. But when someone shares a story like this, it sticks. It makes you think less about range anxiety and more about how modern EV trucks are already fitting into family life without needing to be babied.
It’s also a good reminder that not all EV transitions are about numbers. Sure, Jose’s saving money on gas and skipping the pump altogether, but what he’s really talking about is ease. Being able to get in the truck, go where he needs to go, and do it in comfort and style. That’s what many people are looking for. And when someone else can say their Sierra EV is cutting their fuel bill by 90% thanks to solar charging, it adds even more dimension to what these trucks can offer.
Key Takeaways from Jose’s Experience
- Real-world range matters more than range estimates: Even starting at 80%, Jose comfortably made his entire trip with detours and heat and still had battery left.
- Performance isn’t just about horsepower, it’s about ease: Jose didn’t need to “beat” that Silverado. But having the capability when you want it makes a difference.
- Comfort and convenience are where EV trucks shine: Quiet, smooth, and high-tech rides that rival even luxury SUVs are what many owners are discovering.
- Not every ownership story will be the same: For every perfect road trip, there’s a buggy infotainment system or a feature that’s missing. Your mileage may vary, and that’s okay.
Your Turn to Share
Are you considering a GMC Sierra EV or another electric pickup?
And for those of you that own one, what has your experience been like? Good, bad, or somewhere in between?
Share your story in the comments below. We’d love to hear how your EV is holding up in the real world.
Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.
Image Sources: GMC’s gallery.
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Source: torquenews.com
