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Chevy Silverado Hybrid Pickup

87 messages,  Last post on Jan 06, 2009 at 10:29 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Hybrid Cars

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#6 of 87 by maxx4me May 08, 2004 (6:08 pm)
you are right: totally pointless. Why even bother? Going from 17 to 19 is an embarrassment, not a feat worth bragging about. Any driver can get that extra 2 gallons by sticking to the speed limit and keeping their cars tuned, and tires inflated.
#7 of 87 RE: "Get that Mileage" by stevedebi May 09, 2004 (2:57 pm)
>>Any driver can get that extra 2 gallons by sticking to the speed limit and keeping their cars tuned, and tires inflated. <<   That means the hybrid could also get those extra 2 MPG by sticking to the speed limit & etc.   I think this points out a possibility with the upcoming hybrids - the heavier the car, the less advantage is given by the hybrid technology. The Highlander and Accord may not be as fuel efficient in real world driving as people are assuming, due to the weight factor alone. For the highlander, one must also factor in the poor c/d.
#8 of 87 Have to consider the starting point... by pf_flyer HOST May 10, 2004 (3:33 am)
We're talking about a vehicle that gets 15 MPG, so any realistic improvement in mileage is going to look like a small number. Think about it in terms of cost. Say you're getting 15 MPG and driving 300 miles per week. For round numbers, assume fuel is costing you $2/gal. 20 gals per week, $40 times 52 = $2080 per year 10 % of that is $208 in your pocket. But you say that's not worth getting because it's "only" 1.5 mpg gained. Just for comparison, let's look at a vehicle like my Sentra which got 40 MPG on my last tank of gas. 300 miles/week, $2/gal... that's 7.5 gals/week, $15 times 52 = $780, a savings of only $78 over the course of a year. The point is, you're always going to find a raw number that looks SMALL. "only 1.5 mpg gain" or "only $78/year", but that doesn't change the fact that 10% is a significant number. Also, that mileage is on top of the suggested "sticking to the speed limit and keeping their cars tuned, and tires inflated".   I don't understand how a 10% mileage increase can be considered an "embarrassment".     Liven up your evening and join your fellow enthusiasts every Tuesday from 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET for our Mazda Mania Chat! The chat room opens 15 minutes before the scheduled chat time, so come early and get a good seat! Hope to see YOU there on Tuesday!   Mazda Mania Chat Room   PF Flyer Host Pickups & News & Views Message Boards
#9 of 87 by maxx4me May 10, 2004 (11:42 am)
well, let me explain it to you then. How is it that the Escape (which probably gets 24 mpgs in the city on the 4 cylinder model) will get 35 in the city as a hybrid?? 24 + 10% doesn't add up to 35. If good ole Ford can do it, why can't GM??
#10 of 87 Different engine by stevedebi May 10, 2004 (11:58 am)
>>How is it that the Escape (which probably gets 24 mpgs in the city on the 4 cylinder model) will get 35 in the city as a hybrid?? 24 + 10% doesn't add up to 35. If good ole Ford can do it, why can't GM?? <<   The displacements on the two vehicles are completely different. The Chevy has a V8. It is never going to be as efficient as a V4; it has twice the cylinders and probably more than twice the displacement. Driving the two vehicles on an EPA test stand won't help the engine size.   Additionally, I have not yet read if GM is using a drive that is pure electric until a certain miles per hour, or is like the Honda IMA. The IMA will use those larger cylinders from startup. I think that Ford is using the Toyota method.
#11 of 87 by maxx4me May 10, 2004 (12:24 pm)
that makes sense that the big V8 with its huge towing capacity would not get the same results. yes, Ford will use the Sanyo battery, and has designed their engine around the Toyota model.
#13 of 87 Perhaps the best environmental benefit by logic1 May 10, 2004 (1:26 pm)
of the Silverado will be the fact it will generate electricity for use at construction and other remote sites.   Generator engines are not regulated. I read once that those commercial Honda generators pollute as much as 4 SUVs.   Having the generator as part of the truck also elminates using the resources to make a generator, lessens the weight load in the truck, and frees up space in the cargo area.
#14 of 87 Yup, it's the total package by stevedebi May 10, 2004 (1:42 pm)
For those who genuinely need a large pickup, mostly construction companies, this is actually a good environmental step to have the electricity. Replies to this message: sebring95 (May 20, 2004 12:37 pm)
#15 of 87 Re: Yup, it's the total package [stevedebi #14] by sebring95 May 20, 2004 (12:37 pm)
Replying to: stevedebi (May 10, 2004 1:42 pm) I agree. 10% is substantial in the scheme of things on a truck. Even from a personal prospective, if I was going to buy a good generator for my home I'd spend more than a couple grand. Having all-in-one on the truck would be nice, plus you're not constantly filling the tank like many small generators. The remote power supply is very useful as well, particularly around a farm or construction site.   I think the electrical side of these is very limited for propulsion purposes. I read about it somewhere, but it's nothing like the Prius/Escape type hybrids that are forced to rely on very small gas engines when the batteries are expired. While the chances of draining the batteries on a Prius/Escape will likely be slim in normal driving, it would occur very quickly on a truck that was towing or hauling a large load. So if you put a undersized gas motor on the Silverado along with full-bore hybrid technology, the downside would be it would make a terrible truck.

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