EV Stupidity Checklist: GMC Sierra EV

A while back, the guys on the Accidental Tech Podcast (ATP) were talking about why most electric vehicles produced today showcase stupid features just for the sake of being different. John Siracusa then posted the EV Stupidity Checklist, outlining exactly what makes a modern EV, well, stupid. While listening to the episode in my truck, I found myself replying out loud (as if they could hear me) insisting that my EV actually passed this checklist. I finally got around to going through it line by line to make sure I was right.

The GMC Sierra EV is an electric truck built from the ground up to be an EV. Unlike the Ford F-150 Lightning, which is basically a battery-powered F-150, the Sierra EV changes a bunch of things for the better. It also doesn’t try to be too futuristic (looking at you, Tesla Cybertruck). The Sierra EV refuses to make compromises for the sake of being new or fancy just because it’s a BEV.

GMC Sierra EV Stupidity Checklist

• Accessible exterior door handles
  • The GMC Sierra EV has physical, traditional-style door handles that move outward when pulled. It also features a physical external button for lock and unlock functions instead of the popular capacitive grab-handle sensors.
• Physical door opening mechanism
  • The interior handles are contemporary pull handles that open the door immediately, matching the direct physical mechanism of the exterior handles.
• Door handle affordances
  • With both the external and internal door handles, it is immediately apparent what is required to open the door. Pulling the handle opens it.
• Physical charge-port door mechanism
  • The Sierra EV features a driver’s side rear charge-port door (the correct location) that opens by pushing in to release, similar to a magnet-close cabinet door. To close it, it just needs to be pushed shut. There is no software release button or motorized movement.
• Turn signal stalk
  • The truck has a traditional turn signal stalk on the left side of the steering column, exactly where expected. It supports both three-blink quick signaling and locked-position continuous signaling.
• Physical buttons on the steering wheel
  • All steering wheel buttons feature physical controls, avoiding capacitive touch surfaces. The layout is intuitive and can be operated without looking down. It includes volume controls on the right side (both on the front and behind the grip) and audio track navigation buttons on the left rear grip.
• Physical controls for temperature and fan speed
  • While the Sierra EV has a giant display and software-based climate controls, physical piano buttons below the display allow for a full array of temperature and comfort adjustments.
• Physical controls for air flow and direction
  • All vents are traditional style and can be adjusted by hand. There is no software adjustment for these outside of location, zone, or fan speed.
• Physical glove box mechanism
  • The glove box, located where it should be on the passenger side, opens with a physical lever. There is no fancy software release button or motorized movement.
• Rearview mirror
  • The Sierra EV features a rearview mirror camera that displays a live video feed from a top-rear cab-mounted camera. The mirror has a physical lever to switch to a traditional reflective mirror for viewing directly through the rear window. The camera feed is highly advantageous when bed cargo blocks the physical window.
• Rear window
  • The truck features a real rear window. While smaller than the non-EV Sierra window, it is removable which is a fun feature that in my eyes makes up for the smaller height.
• Side-view mirrors
  • The side-view mirrors are real reflective mirrors, not displays fed from cameras. The truck also features blind spot sensors and side cameras to aid maneuvering and visibility in blind spots.

Score: 12/12

It turns out my out-loud podcast arguments were right. The GMC Sierra EV passed with flying colors, making it one of the least stupid EVs on the road according to John’s checklist. It proves automakers don’t have to break what already works just because a truck runs on batteries.