After seven years, 133,000 miles, and countless work trips across the Pacific Northwest, Lewis general superintendent Doug Maxfield agreed it was time to retire his old work pickup earlier this year.
When it came to choosing a replacement, Doug jumped at the opportunity to drive one of Lewis’ first all-electric rigs. His father owns a Tesla, so he mostly knew what to expect. In July, after a 15 month-long wait, Doug’s 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV arrived.
As the lead superintendent for Lewis’ Data Center and Advanced Technology group, his job often takes him from the greater Seattle area to Hillsboro, Oregon, where Lewis has active data center projects.
The 231-mile trip covers about half of the truck’s estimated range. To get home, he needs to factor in about 13 hours of charging time (one hour for every 17 miles) on the jobsite to reach the recommended 80-percent charge level. (Getting all the way to 100-percent takes significantly longer.) Even with all the long-distance driving, Doug says the truck’s batteries rarely fall below 20-percent charged.
If needed, Doug has the option of using one of many fast chargers in Hillsboro, which take a half-hour to reach the 80% charge level.
“The issue of ‘range anxiety’ for me just hasn’t been an issue,” he said.
When home, Doug charges the Silverado EV overnight in his driveway using a Lewis-provided charger, which draws on the solar energy that powers his entire house.
“The driving experience is pretty unique,” he says. “The truck is sporty. It gets up and goes. It’s not a slouch.”
Not with an estimated 510 horsepower and 615 lb-ft of torque, which can be delivered near-instantaneously. One notable difference from his old truck, he says, is the EV’s added heft, with the battery packs contributing to the Silverado weighing more than 8,000 pounds.
To help guide other Lewis employees interested in going all-electric for work, Doug logs his EV’s monthly usage of kilowatt-hours of electricity per 100 miles travelled, or MPGe, and the associated costs. He estimates he’ll spend just $1500 to power his truck in its first year—a fraction of what he might’ve spent on gas for his old pickup, which averaged 20 miles per gallon.
Doug’s Silverado EV is one of Lewis’ three new all-electric vehicles—two trucks and a van—being evaluated as part of a potential shift away from a fleet of gas-powered vehicles and equipment. In Washington state, Lewis’ Bothell-area equipment yard is currently undergoing infrastructure improvements to support those potential changes.
After three months of driving, Doug has already reached a determination about his all-electric rig.
“I wouldn’t hesitate recommending it to others.”