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Chevy Silverado Hybrid Pickup

88 messages,  Last post on Jul 13, 2011 at 12:52 AM

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

Messages Page 1 of 9

#1 of 88 Chevy Silverado Hybrid Pickup by Sylvia

May 06, 2004 (10:19 am)

GM Delivers First Full-Size Hybrid Pickup
 
By JOHN PORRETTO
AP Auto Writer
 
May 3, 2004, 1:33 PM EDT
 
DETROIT -- General Motors Corp. delivered the industry's first full-size hybrid pickup Monday to Miami-Dade County, one of 50 such vehicles expected to be added to the county's fleet.
 
The trucks feature a V-8 engine and four-speed automatic transmission coupled with hybrid technology that delivers 10 percent to 12 percent better fuel economy than GM's conventional half-ton pickups.
 
GM made the delivery of the Chevrolet Silverado on Monday at a conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Miami-Dade County plans to receive the remainder of the extended-cab hybrid pickups later this month.
 
....For the full article, see
http://www.greenwichtime.com/business/investing/sns-ap-gm-hybrid-- pickup,0,5412379.story?coll=sns-ap-investing-headlines

#3 of 88 by theo2709

May 08, 2004 (8:22 am)

10% isn't that much, it's only like a 1.5 mpg increase. This system seems much more beneficial on a work site:
 
"The GM hybrid pickups feature four 120-volt, 20 amp electrical auxiliary power outlets under the rear seat of the cab and in the pickup bed that can accommodate up to four accessories while driving or when parked. With this auxiliary generator capability, the truck's generator can operate when the truck is parked without a key in the ignition and can be used to power anything from tools at a construction site to appliances at a campsite.
 
In the event of a power outage, the hybrid Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups could power tools or appliances for up to 32 hours non-stop. This design shuts the engine down before the tank is emptied, leaving enough gas to drive to a station for refueling. All power supply circuits are protected by a ground fault detection system to prevent overloads and short circuits."

#4 of 88 Well... by pf_flyer HOST

May 08, 2004 (6:20 pm)

10%, while it may translate to 1.5 MPG is STILL 10% and fairly significant. People are acting as if it's the end of the world when gas prices jump from $1.79 to $1.89. That's only about 5.5%
 
Using the truck as an auxilliary generator is an interesting angle...
 
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#5 of 88 by theo2709

May 08, 2004 (6:28 pm)

Yes, mathematically it is pretty good. BUT, imagine walking around in the Chevy lot and the regular Silverado says 17 mpg combined. Then you look at the hybrid one next to it and it says 19 mpg combined, but with a few thousand dollars tacked on. Psychologically, it seems a bit pointless.

#6 of 88 by maxx4me

May 08, 2004 (7:08 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 88 RE: "Get that Mileage" by stevedebi

May 09, 2004 (3:57 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 88 Have to consider the starting point... by pf_flyer HOST

May 10, 2004 (4:33 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".
 
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#9 of 88 by maxx4me

May 10, 2004 (12:42 pm)

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 88 Different engine by stevedebi

May 10, 2004 (12:58 pm)

>>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.

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