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GM vehicle products chief Jaclyn McQuaid says electric trucks still have a substantial role, even though sales have not matched the company’s hopes. She points to off-board power and expected improvements in battery range, performance and cost; GM has not provided a timeline for bringing its next-generation EV technology to electric trucks.

General Motors vehicle products chief Jaclyn McQuaid says electric trucks still have a place in the company’s lineup, despite sales that have not met GM’s hopes. In comments to The Drivecast, she pointed to power for work sites and homes and the prospect of better batteries, while GM has yet to say when its next-generation EV technology will reach its electric trucks.

Asked what she would tell people wary of electric trucks and attached to diesel-powered heavy-duty pickups, McQuaid said she sees a “huge application” for electrification in the truck market. She said she had spent a year driving a Silverado EV and described the range of GM’s current electric trucks as “incredibly impressive.” Those are her assessments; the source report does not provide sales figures or independent range comparisons.

McQuaid emphasized that battery-powered trucks can supply off-board power, including for a job site or a home. She also said GM is continuing to work on battery energy density, range and cost, arguing that gains in range and performance can support greater towing capability. She did not give performance figures or a schedule for those expected improvements.

GM says its future is electric, but McQuaid did not frame trucks powered by batteries as an immediate replacement for every gas or diesel model. She said the company expects to keep developing EV technology for trucks and sees electrification and the truck market as compatible. The source report says electric truck sales have fallen short of GM’s hopes, but does not quantify the gap or specify a time period.

At a glance
reportWhen: McQuaid’s comments were reported in The…
The developmentGM vehicle products chief Jaclyn McQuaid argued on The Drivecast that electric trucks remain a useful part of GM’s future despite slower-than-hoped sales.

Why GM Keeps Building Electric Trucks

The debate affects both GM’s product plans and buyers weighing an electric pickup against a conventional truck. A truck that can provide power away from the grid may serve purposes beyond driving, while improvements in range and towing could address practical concerns for some owners. McQuaid’s comments set out the company’s case for continued development, but do not establish how many customers will choose electric trucks or when the technology will meet their needs.

For GM, the challenge is to pursue an electric future while responding to a market in which truck buyers may value towing, range, fueling convenience and purchase cost. McQuaid acknowledged that charging infrastructure will continue to develop, but offered no specific timetable or estimate of how quickly it will expand.

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GM’s Truck and EV Roadmap

McQuaid has worked across GM truck systems, including exhaust, tires, wheels, brakes and seats, and later became the automaker’s first chief engineer for its heavy-duty trucks. The report says she led development of the heavy-duty pickup GM calls T1. Her background informs her comments, but does not independently verify the performance or commercial prospects of GM’s electric pickups.

The Drive report says GM’s next wave of trucks will receive a new central computer. It also says full-size pickups are next in line for GM’s eyes-off highway driving system after the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ. The report gives no date for that system’s arrival in pickups, and no timeline for next-generation electric-truck technology, including LMR batteries.

“I think there is a huge application for electrification in the truck space, huge application in the truck space.”

— Jaclyn McQuaid, GM senior vice president of vehicle products, speaking to The Drivecast

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Sales, Costs and Battery Timing

The source report does not provide electric-truck sales totals, a sales target, or a comparison period for the shortfall against GM’s expectations. It also does not specify the range, towing capacity, price or cost changes McQuaid expects from future battery development. Her statements describe GM’s view of the opportunity, not a sales forecast.

GM has not announced when its next-generation EV technology, including LMR batteries, will reach electric trucks. The report also gives no timing for the central computer in specific truck models or for eyes-off highway driving in full-size pickups. The pace of charging-infrastructure development and how it may affect buyer demand remain open questions.

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GM’s Next Truck Technology Steps

GM’s next wave of trucks is expected to add the automaker’s new central computer, according to The Drive report. Full-size pickups are also next in line for the eyes-off highway driving system after the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ, though GM has not supplied a release date for pickups.

The next concrete milestone for electric-truck buyers would be more detail from GM on battery technology, vehicle capabilities and launch timing. Until the company provides those specifics—and clearer sales data—the scope and pace of its electric-truck plans remain uncertain.

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Key Questions

What did GM’s vehicle products chief say about electric trucks?

Jaclyn McQuaid said she sees a substantial role for electrification in trucks, citing off-board power and ongoing work on batteries, range, performance and cost.

Why does McQuaid think electric trucks can be useful?

She highlighted the ability to supply power to a job site or home. She also said increased range and performance could support greater towing, without giving figures or a development schedule.

How far have electric truck sales fallen short of GM’s hopes?

The source report says sales have not met GM’s hopes but provides no sales totals, target or comparison period, so the size of the shortfall cannot be determined from the report.

When will GM use its next-generation EV technology in electric trucks?

GM has not given a timeline for next-generation EV technology, including LMR batteries, to reach its electric trucks.

What new technology is planned for GM trucks?

The report says GM’s next wave of trucks will get a new central computer. It also says full-size pickups are next in line for eyes-off highway driving after the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ, but gives no pickup launch date.

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