Silverado EV Charger Type: CCS1 Port, NACS Adapter & 350kW Speed

You’re towing your boat to the lake when your phone buzzes with a low battery warning. Not your phone—your massive electric truck. But here’s the thing that’ll make you smile. Your Silverado EV can gulp down 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes. That’s faster than you can grab coffee and use the restroom.

I know what you’re thinking. Electric trucks and towing don’t mix, right? Wrong. The Silverado EV shattered that myth with real-world tests hitting 198kW average charging rates. That’s the kind of speed that changes everything about electric truck ownership.

Keynote: Silverado EV Charger Type

The Silverado EV features CCS1 charging port with 350kW DC fast charging capability, NACS adapter for Tesla Supercharger access, and up to 19.2kW home charging. This combination delivers industry-leading charging flexibility for work and recreation.

Welcome to the Electric Truck Revolution

You’re Not Alone in This Journey

That mix of excitement and confusion about charging? I felt it too when I first saw that CCS1 port on the Silverado EV. Promise: By the end of this guide, you’ll feel like a charging pro who knows exactly how to power up without breaking a sweat.

Imagine waking up every morning with a “full tank” right in your garage. No more gas station detours before work. No more watching prices climb while you fill up. Just plug in, walk away, and wake up ready for anything.

Why Your Charger Choice Changes Everything

The right setup saves you thousands and hours of frustration over your truck’s lifetime. Your Silverado EV speaks a specific charging language—CCS1 with NACS adapter capability—and understanding this dialect is your ticket to charging freedom.

Here’s a number that’ll shock you: 80% of EV charging happens at home. You’re already halfway to never visiting a gas station again.

Understanding Your Truck’s Charging DNA

Meet Your CCS1 Port—The Gateway to Power

That distinctive port near your truck’s rear isn’t just any charging socket. It’s a Combined Charging System Type 1 connector—the North American standard that opens doors to over 100,000 charging stations across the continent.

The design is brilliant in its simplicity. The round top section handles your everyday AC charging at home and work. Those two hefty pins below? They’re your express lane to DC fast charging speeds that’ll make your jaw drop.

This CCS1 setup puts you in excellent company alongside Ford Lightning and Rivian owners. You’re all speaking the same electrical language, which means compatibility everywhere you roam.

The Ultium Platform Advantage You Didn’t Know You Had

Beneath your truck’s rugged exterior lies GM’s Ultium platform—your charging superpower wrapped in 800-volt architecture. This isn’t just battery tech marketing speak. It’s the reason your truck can accept up to 350kW charging speeds.

The engineering is fascinating. Your massive 200+ kWh battery actually consists of two 400-volt sections. During normal driving, they work in parallel. But when you plug into a DC fast charger, magic happens—they reconfigure in series, doubling the voltage to 800 volts.

This high-voltage capability is why you can charge so incredibly fast without melting cables or overheating systems.

Your Three Charging Speed Options—Decoded

Level 1: The Emergency Backup (120V)

Think of Level 1 charging like using a straw to fill a swimming pool. Your standard household outlet delivers about 1.4kW, adding roughly 3-5 miles of range per hour. For a battery as massive as yours, we’re talking 50+ hours for a full charge.

Reality check: This won’t be your daily solution. But it’s perfect for that forgotten adapter in your garage or when you’re camping and need to top off slowly overnight.

I’ve learned to appreciate Level 1 for what it is—your backup plan when nothing else is available.

Level 2: Your Daily Charging Hero (240V)

Here’s where your home charging story really begins. Level 2 uses the same 240-volt power as your electric dryer, but instead of drying clothes, it’s filling your truck with electrons.

Your charging speed depends entirely on your truck’s trim level. Most Silverado EV models pack an 11.5kW onboard charger, adding about 19-23 miles of range per hour. That’s a full charge overnight while you sleep—typically 12-17 hours depending on how empty you started.

Higher trims like the RST come with a monster 19.2kW onboard charger. Pair this with the right home setup, and you’re looking at 32-38 miles per hour. Your truck drinks power fast enough to handle even the most demanding days.

DC Fast Charging: The Road Trip Game-Changer

This is where your Silverado EV truly shines. From 10% to 80% battery in roughly 41 minutes—that’s barely enough time to grab lunch and stretch your legs. The truck maintains incredible charging speeds, holding over 300kW until around 52% state of charge.

Real-world testing proved the “100 miles in 10 minutes” claim isn’t marketing fluff. Independent tests showed 102 miles added in the first 10 minutes, with nearly 200 miles total after just 20 minutes of charging.

The charging curve stays remarkably flat, meaning you spend less time watching progress bars and more time driving.

Setting Up Your Perfect Home Charging Station

Choosing Your Equipment—What Actually Matters

Your truck comes with a Dual Level Charge Cord Set that works on both 120V and 240V outlets. On a NEMA 14-50 outlet (like your RV plug), it delivers 7.7kW—decent for overnight charging but below your truck’s full potential.

GM offers three main home charging solutions. The PowerUP 2 delivers 11.5kW, perfectly matching most trim levels’ onboard chargers. For RST owners wanting maximum speed, the PowerShift charger pushes 19.2kW while adding bidirectional capability for powering your house during outages.

Third-party options like Grizzl-E can save you $300+ while delivering similar performance. The key is matching your charger’s output to your truck’s onboard charger capacity.

The Installation Reality Check

Professional installation isn’t optional—it’s required for safety and code compliance. Budget $500-1,500 for standard installation, though complex jobs requiring panel upgrades can hit $3,000.

Your electrician needs to understand the difference between a 50-amp circuit for basic charging and the 100-amp circuit required for maximum 19.2kW speeds. This isn’t weekend DIY territory.

Get three quotes—installation prices vary wildly between contractors. Many utilities offer rebates up to $500, and time-of-use rates can slash your charging costs by 30% when you charge overnight.

Making It Official—Permits and Utilities

Yes, permits are required, but your electrician handles the paperwork. Call your utility company before installation—many offer special EV rates that make charging incredibly cheap during off-peak hours.

Some utilities provide rebates for installing Level 2 chargers. It’s free money for doing something you were planning anyway.

Yes, You Can Use Tesla Superchargers (Here’s Exactly How)

The Magic Adapter Solution

GM’s official NACS adapter costs $225 and transforms your charging world. This small device unlocks access to Tesla’s massive Supercharger network—thousands of additional fast charging locations.

The adapter only works with DC fast charging, not Tesla’s destination chargers. For those, you’d need a separate NACS-to-J1772 adapter. But honestly, the DC capability is what matters most for road trips.

Stick with GM’s official adapter despite third-party options. Reliability matters when you’re 200 miles from home with a low battery.

Activating Tesla Access—Step by Step

Download the myChevrolet app first—it’s your gateway to the Tesla network. Navigate to charging settings and enable Tesla Supercharger access. Add a payment method before you hit the road.

The app shows compatible stations on its map. Not all Superchargers work with non-Tesla vehicles yet, so planning ahead prevents frustration.

When you arrive, the app handles everything—finding your charger, starting the session, and processing payment. It’s surprisingly seamless once set up.

What Nobody Tells You About Tesla Charging

Here’s the reality: Not all Superchargers deliver your truck’s maximum speed. Most Tesla V3 stations operate at 400 volts, limiting your Silverado EV to around 190-200kW instead of the full 350kW.

That’s still incredibly fast—faster than most other charging networks. But if you want those record-breaking speeds, seek out 800-volt CCS stations from Electrify America or similar networks.

Costs run similar to other DC fast chargers, typically $0.35-0.60 per kWh. Peak pricing kicks in during busy periods, so timing matters for your wallet.

Real-World Charging Costs That’ll Impact Your Wallet

Home Charging: Your Money-Saving Secret

Here’s where electric trucks become financial game-changers. Home charging costs roughly $8-18 per 100 miles, depending on your local electricity rates. Compare that to gas prices for a similar-sized truck.

A full charge from empty runs $17-33 for most trims. That’s potentially 400+ miles of range for the cost of a fast-food meal. Off-peak charging during overnight hours can cut costs another 30%.

Most owners spend $40-80 monthly on charging—less than a single gas station visit used to cost.

Public Charging: The Convenience Tax

DC fast charging costs significantly more—$0.35-0.60 per kWh at most networks. A full public charge can hit $70-100, sometimes approaching gas prices for equivalent trucks.

The strategy? Use public charging for quick top-ups during road trips, not daily driving. Your home charger handles 90% of your needs at a fraction of the cost.

Network memberships can save 20-30% if you travel frequently. Electrify America and EVgo offer subscription plans that reduce per-kWh rates.

Your Trim Level’s Hidden Charging Talents

RST Models: Built for Speed Demons

The RST represents peak charging performance with full 350kW capability and the powerful 19.2kW home charging system. This trim maintains 300kW+ speeds longer than others during the charging curve.

Pair this with the PowerShift charger’s bidirectional capability, and your truck becomes a mobile power plant capable of running your house during outages.

LT Models: The Balanced Performer

LT trims offer 300kW DC fast charging—still incredibly quick—with 11.5kW AC charging as standard. This combination covers 99% of daily driving needs while keeping the purchase price reasonable.

For most buyers, the LT’s charging performance is more than adequate. The difference between 300kW and 350kW matters less than having reliable, fast charging anywhere you travel.

Work Truck (WT): Fleet-Ready Power

Don’t let the “work truck” name fool you. WT models pack the same 350kW DC capability as the RST, designed for commercial depot charging solutions.

These trucks include access to GM’s Ultium Charge 360 Fleet Service, optimized for businesses managing multiple vehicles.

Pro Charging Strategies That Change Everything

Preconditioning: Your Secret Weapon

Always use your truck’s built-in navigation to route to DC fast chargers. This triggers battery preconditioning—warming or cooling the pack to optimal temperature 30 minutes before arrival.

Preconditioning can double your initial charging speed. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way, watching charging sessions crawl along because I skipped this crucial step.

Winter especially benefits from preconditioning, preventing the sluggish charging that cold batteries produce.

The 10-80% Sweet Spot Strategy

Charging slows dramatically after 80% state of charge due to battery chemistry physics. The last 20% can take as long as the first 70%—frustrating but unavoidable.

Road trip strategy: Plan multiple shorter stops rather than one long session. Your time is better spent driving than watching progress bars creep upward.

For daily driving, keeping your battery between 20-80% maximizes longevity while providing plenty of range for most trips.

Finding Chargers Like a Pro

Your myChevrolet app is built-in charging intelligence, locating nearby stations and planning routes. But don’t stop there—PlugShare reveals real user reviews that expose broken chargers and hidden fees.

A Better Route Planner optimizes entire trips based on your driving style and charging preferences. Always identify backup chargers before starting long journeys.

Real charging networks sometimes disappoint, so redundancy prevents stranded scenarios.

Future-Proofing Your Setup

The Bidirectional Revolution Coming Your Way

Your RST-trimmed truck can become a massive 200+ kWh home battery during power outages. The PowerShift charger enables vehicle-to-home capability today, powering your house for 3-10 days depending on conservation efforts.

Think of it as the world’s most mobile, silent generator. No gas storage, no fumes, no maintenance—just clean backup power when the grid fails.

This technology transforms how you think about energy independence and emergency preparedness.

What’s Changing in 2025 and Beyond

Future Silverado EV models will include built-in NACS ports, eliminating adapter requirements for Tesla charging. The charging landscape is expanding rapidly, with 40,000+ new stations planned annually.

Next-generation chargers approaching 500kW speeds are already being deployed, though your current truck’s 350kW capability will remain impressive for years.

Rural charging gaps are filling quickly, making long-distance electric travel increasingly practical.

Conclusion: You’re Ready to Charge Forward

Start with Level 2 home charging—it handles 90% of your truck’s energy needs while you sleep. Keep that dual-level cord as your emergency backup, and grab the NACS adapter for maximum road trip flexibility.

Remember: The perfect charging setup equals freedom from gas stations forever. Your Silverado EV has more charging options than you’ll ever need, backed by rapidly expanding infrastructure.

The Bottom Line That Matters

Home charging transforms your daily routine in ways you haven’t imagined yet. The infrastructure is ready, growing, and waiting for your truck. Welcome to the future—where your Silverado EV powers your life, literally.

You’ve joined the electric revolution at exactly the right moment.

Silverado EV Charging Port Type (FAQs)