A famous mechanic, The Car Wizard, was left shocked after inspecting a Chevrolet Silverado EV brought to his workshop by automotive YouTuber Tyler Hoover from Hoovies Garage.
From the outside, the electric pickup looks like a traditional Chevrolet truck. However, underneath the hood lies a completely different world filled with high-voltage wiring, advanced electronics, cooling systems, and complex computer modules.
Instead of the familiar layout of a gasoline-powered truck, the Silverado EV presented a maze of technology that made even an experienced mechanic question the future of vehicle repairs.
Things became even more challenging when they attempted to lift the massive electric truck on the workshop hoist, as its weight was close to the equipment’s maximum capacity.
Why the Chevrolet Silverado EV Became a Mechanic’s Nightmare
The Silverado EV inspected by The Car Wizard belongs to Tyler Hoover, who purchased the used rental vehicle from Hertz for around $37,000.
That price was significantly lower than the truck’s original cost, which can approach $80,000 when new. With only around 16,000 miles, Hoover admitted that the more he drove the electric pickup, the more he liked it.
The appeal is obvious. The Silverado EV offers:
- Up to around 450–492 miles of driving range
- All-wheel drive (AWD)
- Around 500 horsepower
- Impressive towing capability
However, when Hoover opened the hood with The Car Wizard, the mechanic was far from impressed by what he saw.
“It’s like a bowl of spaghetti for an electric pickup truck,” Hoover joked while looking at the complicated layout of cables and components.
Accessing some parts was also difficult, requiring the removal of multiple panels, brackets, and protective structures before reaching the main components.
A New Era of EV Complexity
Unlike converted electric trucks, the Chevrolet Silverado EV was built from the ground up on GM’s dedicated Ultium EV platform.
The same architecture is also used in other large electric vehicles such as the GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Escalade IQ.
Under the hood, they discovered:
- Electric motors
- Large high-voltage cables
- Advanced cooling systems
- Air-conditioning components
- Brake hardware
- A small 12-volt battery
- Multiple computer-controlled modules
According to The Car Wizard, many components contain their own integrated computers, which could make repairs extremely expensive in the future.
“Everything is going to cost two thousand, five thousand, eight thousand dollars,” he explained while pointing out how costly modern EV components can become.
Nearly 10,000 Pounds of Electric Truck Weight
The complexity was not the only concern. The Silverado EV’s enormous weight also created challenges.
The electric pickup weighs approximately 8,500 to 9,800 pounds (around 3,800–4,400 kg), pushing the workshop’s 8,500-pound lift close to its limit.
Although they eventually managed to raise the truck safely, The Car Wizard admitted he was nervous about placing such a heavy vehicle on the equipment.
Testing the Automatic Hood Latch With a Hot Dog
During the inspection, Hoover also tested the Silverado EV’s automatic hood latch system.
Inspired by the famous “finger test” controversy involving the Tesla Cybertruck, Hoover wanted to see whether the system could detect an object trapped inside the mechanism.
Instead of risking their fingers, they used hot dogs because they had a similar shape.
The result was surprising.
When the hood closed, the automatic latch continued applying pressure and did not stop, even as the hot dogs were crushed inside the mechanism.
The test showed how dangerous it could potentially be for fingers caught in the latch.
Fortunately, they discovered an emergency release lever that could be pulled twice to open the latch manually.
The conclusion was simple: never attempt the test with your actual fingers.
Strong Engineering Beneath the Complexity
Despite his concerns, The Car Wizard was impressed by several aspects of the Silverado EV.
He praised:
- Heavy-duty suspension components
- Large springs
- Strong braking hardware
- Massive battery pack exceeding 200 kWh
Unlike some high-end electric trucks loaded with complicated features, the Silverado EV Work Truck uses a more traditional suspension setup instead of air suspension and does not include rear-wheel steering.
For Hoover, this simplicity is part of the truck’s charm because it reminds him of older, rugged Chevrolet pickups.
Are EVs Changing the Future of Car Repairs?
The Chevrolet Silverado EV represents the next generation of automotive engineering.
It delivers impressive performance, long range, and advanced technology, but it also introduces new challenges for traditional mechanics.
Heavy weight, complex electronics, and expensive components could make future repairs more difficult as these vehicles age.
After seeing what was hidden beneath the hood, The Car Wizard may have had a good reason to joke that electric trucks are making him think about retirement.
Chevrolet Silverado EV Key Specifications
Powertrain: Dual electric motors with all-wheel drive
Top Speed: 112 mph (180 km/h)
0–60 mph: Under 4.5 seconds (RST trim with Wide Open Watts mode)
Drive Modes: Normal, Sport, Tow/Haul, Off-Road (depending on trim)
Maximum Range: Up to 492 miles (around 792 km)
Battery Capacity: More than 200 kWh
