A Time Capsule on Wheels: The 1997 Chevrolet S10 Electric Lives On

The Electric Chevrolet S10

As an automotive journalist for over 25 years, I’ve encountered many remarkable vehicles, but few have left me as awestruck as the Chevrolet S10 Electric, powered by GM’s legendary late 1990’s EV1 drivetrain. Deep in the heart of Georgia, this historic and ultra-rare truck has been given a second life by Jared Pink, the mastermind behind The Questionable Garage YouTube channel. With fewer than 40 of these vehicles still in existence, the S10 Electric represents a defining chapter in the evolution of electric vehicles—a chapter that Jared is determined to preserve and share.

The Rare Official GM S10 Electric

Arriving at Jared’s shop in Cleveland, Georgia, the sight of the pristine white S10 Electric was both understated and striking. Manufactured in 1997, the S10 Electric is one of only 460 ever built, serving as a sibling to the renowned GM EV1. While the EV1s were infamously reclaimed and destroyed by GM, the S10 Electric avoided such a fate due to private sales, leaving a precious few to carry its legacy.

The original battery pack compartment, designed for 26 lead-acid modules, now houses a custom-built temporary system using marine batteries.

Modifying the standard S10 pickup to accommodate the advanced EV1 drivetrain was no small engineering feat. GM started with a four-wheel-drive chassis, stripping it down to make it front-wheel drive to better suit the EV1 system. This involved replacing the standard rear differential with a simplified axle sourced from a minivan. Underneath, the truck retains its original assembly line build tags—a subtle reminder of its unique transformation.

To experience the Chevrolet S10 Electric in person, visit the Miles Through Time Museum in Clarksville, Georgia. For more of Jared’s adventures and innovative projects, follow The Questionable Garage on YouTube. And who knows? Perhaps the next chapter of this truck’s story will motivate you to embark on a restoration journey of your own.

The S10 Electric shares the EV1’s three-phase AC induction motor, capable of 102kW (137 horsepower). This powertrain was ahead of its time, featuring an inverter with advanced insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) for smooth power delivery. Unlike many earlier EVs with rudimentary brushed motors and stepped speed controllers, the EV1 system delivered seamless acceleration and regenerative braking. Remarkably, even the charging system—a paddle-based inductive charger—was a pioneering step, albeit less efficient by modern standards.

Unique Battery Architecture

One of the truck’s most defining features is its original battery architecture. GM designed the battery pack to house 26 modules in a sealed, actively cooled tray beneath the bed. These were initially lead-acid batteries, later upgraded in some EV1s to nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) for extended range. Interestingly, the engineers planned for the battery tray to be future-proof, enabling retrofits for newer chemistries.

The S10 Electric’s auxiliary systems also reflect its hybrid heritage. The truck features a diesel-fired heater to warm the coolant and cabin in cold weather—an early attempt to overcome the inefficiency of resistive electric heating.

Jared’s journey to revive the S10 Electric uncovered many quirks of the vehicle’s design. For example, the charge gauge operates on a timer system, estimating battery depletion based on driving habits and charging duration rather than direct energy measurement. This led to amusing instances where the gauge would fluctuate wildly during spirited driving, a testament to how advanced the drivetrain was compared to the era’s battery management systems.

His passion for preserving this unique piece of history resonated with the automotive community.

Another challenge involved sourcing rare parts. The truck’s high-voltage orange cables—a now-standard color for EVs—showed just how early GM had established safety protocols. Meanwhile, Jared’s efforts to clean the mud dauber nests from the engine bay and restore corroded components offered a glimpse into the truck’s decades of dormancy. The project revealed not only Jared’s determination but also the durability of GM’s engineering, with much of the original hardware still functioning after nearly 30 years.

The inverter cover, though slightly corroded from time, remains an example of GM’s attention to detail in the EV1’s engineering.

A Collective Revival

Jared’s ownership of this relic began with a simple scroll through Facebook Marketplace. “It popped up in Dawsonville, Georgia, listed for $8,800. I managed to negotiate it down to $3,500. It wasn’t operational, and the original battery pack was sitting in the bed. I didn’t know if I was getting a bargain or a headache, but knowing it had the EV1 drivetrain made it a risk worth taking.”

Reviving the S10 Electric was no small feat, but Jared didn’t go it alone. His passion for preserving this unique piece of history resonated with the automotive community, attracting engineers, enthusiasts, and even former GM employees who had worked on the original EV1 project.

“Keith Dilman, a fellow S10 Electric enthusiast, was instrumental,” Jared explained. “He sent down chargers and diagnostic tools, and the level of support from the community has been nothing short of extraordinary.”

To replicate the original battery system, Jared employed an unconventional yet resourceful approach. With the support of O’Reilly Auto Parts, he constructed a functional battery pack using 26 Super Start marine batteries. While this setup doubled the truck’s range compared to its original lead-acid configuration, Jared is also looking into another option down the line—outfitting the S10 Electric with Tesla modules!

The heart of the S10 Electric: a three-phase AC induction motor from the GM EV1, capable of 102kW (137 horsepower).

A Time Machine on Wheels

Driving the S10 Electric was like stepping into another era. As Jared handed me the keys, his excitement was contagious. “It’s not going to blow your mind with speed, but for 1997, it’s impressive!”

Behind the wheel, the truck was a revelation. The EV1 drivetrain delivered power with a smoothness that belied its age. Its electronically limited top speed of 70 mph was reached with surprising ease, and while it won’t rival modern EVs in performance, it offers a unique driving experience steeped in history.

What struck me most was the enduring quality of the EV1 drivetrain. It felt remarkably refined, clearly showing the forward-thinking of the engineers at GM who had laid the groundwork for the electric revolution we see today.

SPECS

General Information

Model Year: 1997-1998
Manufacturer: General Motors
Production Units: 460 (approximately 60 privately sold, the rest leased)
Drivetrain: EV1 three-phase AC induction motor

Drivetrain

Motor: GM EV1 AC induction motor
Power Output: 102kW / 137 hp
Torque: Approximately 200Nm / 150 lb-ft
Drive Configuration: Front-wheel drive (converted from original 4×4 chassis)
Battery System (Original Setup)
Battery Type: Panasonic lead-acid
Capacity: 16.2kWh
Voltage: 312V
Number of Cells: 26 (with a 12V auxiliary battery)
Range: Estimated 45-60 miles
Charging System: Magna Charger inductive paddle charger
Temporary Battery Pack (Current Setup)
Battery Type: Super Start Marine Batteries (lead-acid)
Capacity: Double the range of the original battery (~100 miles)
Charging Time: 6 hours using a restored Magna Charger
Key Modifications by GM
Chassis: Converted from a standard 4×4 to accommodate the front-wheel-drive EV1 drivetrain
Rear Axle: Minivan-derived lightweight axle for weight balance
Heating System: Diesel-fired coolant heater for battery and cabin warming in cold climates

Performance

Top Speed: 70 mph (electronically limited)
0-60 mph: 12 seconds
Weight: Approximately 4,000 lbs (varies with battery pack configuration)

Additional Features

Interior: Maintains original truck layout with vacuum-controlled blend doors for HVAC
Air Conditioning: Fully functional, powered by the high-voltage system