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Chevy Silverado Hybrid Pickup

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

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#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.
#16 of 87 You could Do MUCH MUCH MUCH better with a DIESEL SILVERADO by well_informed Jun 17, 2004 (11:34 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.   While I agree with yoru math, you start from a very questionable assumption,   Namely that the EPA alleged 15 mpg will be the REAL Mpg this big truck will obtain.   Have you seen any serious road tests that produced a Real Mpg Number for the Silverado Hybrid?   I have not. And tests like the 6-mile loop they did on the EScape Hybrid, driving totally unrealistically to get the highest possible MPG, are NOT serious tests.   If experience with the Prius and the Honda Hybrids is any Lesson,   the REAL MPG of the truck should be quite different, and less, than the EPA alleged MPG.   In addition, if the truck operates in cold weather, forget about it, all the benefits of the hybrid will evaporate.   BUT most important:   THE IDEAL Engine for any truck or large SUV is a DIESEL, a MODERN Diesel, with its huge torque at useful low RPM.   Unfortunately the big 3 charge $4000 extra for these diesels and few people drive them.   I have seen a Diesel that would make a Ddge Durango get 30 MPG Highweay, vs almsot HALF that with its primitive V-8. Replies to this message: gagrice (Jun 17, 2004 1:26 pm)
#17 of 87 Re: You could Do MUCH MUCH MUCH better with a DIESEL SILVERADO [well_informed #16] by gagrice Jun 17, 2004 (1:26 pm)
Replying to: well_informed (Jun 17, 2004 11:34 am) I have to agree with you on the Silverado Hybrid. Why bother unless it jumps you up to at least 25 mpg around town. I get 14 mpg out of my 99' Suburban & 17-19 mpg on the highway. I am sure the way these things are rushed to market the first Silverado's will spend a lot of time in the warranty shop. Chevy is not big on loaner cars either.

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