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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 5 of 10

#32 of 88 Re: Government statistics on Hybrid trucks [gagrice #31] by sebring95

Jun 21, 2004 (9:29 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 21, 2004 9:14 am)
all has to do with dollars. I am sure to Exxon or BP a 3/4 ton truck is just that, no matter who makes it. They go for the bottom dollar.
 
Exactly. We were buying between 700-900 cars, 300 vans, 300 pickups, 85 medium-duty chassis per year, and if you can save $50 per unit you'll do it as long as the operational costs are similar. The operational and resale was always better on the toyotas/hondas, but the upfront cost was many thousands higher which would never materialize in overall savings. Same thing though on the 1/2 tons, fuel burn can be an issue and if one model gets significantly better mpg, it can correlate to cheaper operating costs and give you an advantage. At the time I was involved, chevy trucks weren't any more efficient than the Fords. However, I would think now with the V8's, GM probably already has an upperhand in efficiency. Another 10% with the hybrid system could be significant. My Tahoe was rated 1-2mpg higher than the Expedition was when we were shopping. Add another 1.5mpg and you've got a couple thousand dollars savings over a 100k miles service life. Significant when you've got 2000 trucks!

#33 of 88 Re: Government statistics on Hybrid trucks [sebring95 #32] by gagrice

Jun 21, 2004 (9:43 am)

Replying to: sebring95 (Jun 21, 2004 9:29 am)
I think Chevy has always had a slight edge in MPG over Ford. Where I work the big companies only buy diesels. They keep them for 3 years and send them out. If you get a Truck from Alaska with only a few miles it may be misleading. The last I heard an hour of idle time was the equivalent of 35-45 miles of driving. Many vehicles are started at 6 am and shut off at 7 pm. May never move from the power rail. It is easy to calculate. 400-500k miles equivalency is common. Fuel consumption is not a big issue in the oil fields, wonder why?

#34 of 88 Re: Government statistics on Hybrid trucks [gagrice #33] by sebring95

Jun 21, 2004 (10:22 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 21, 2004 9:43 am)
Most trucks now have hour meters so it's easy to figure out on the resale side. Hybrid GM truck won't save anything over a normal gasser if idling is all it's doing. Although the built-in generator could be useful if you normally haul around a gen set anyway.

#35 of 88 they're kidding right? by aspesisteve

Jul 15, 2004 (10:19 am)

what genious came up with a hybrid truck that gets another 1-2 miles per gallon? When you need parts and service on this, there will only one option...Mr. Goodwrench
 
I wouldn't take this truck even if it was $2,000 less when they want people to volunteer to pay more for it.
 
Is the warranty at least 100k miles on the hybrig stuff?

#36 of 88 Re: they're kidding right? [aspesisteve] by john1701a

Jul 15, 2004 (11:16 am)

Replying to: aspesisteve (Jul 15, 2004 10:19 am)
The humorous part is that the error-of-margin for measuring MPG is actually greater than the MPG improvement itself!
 
How will anyone even know what benefit they are receiving... unless they only drive on the highway, since there is a ZERO percent improvement for high-speed cruising.
 
The auto-stop ability is completely worthless unless you actually stop. And because this type of "hybrid" lacks the ability to contribute to propulsion power, driving without any long stoplights won't really benefit either.
 
How exactly can they claim this is a "hybrid" vehicle? There wasn't even a component change from a design perspective. All they did was increase the size of the already existing battery & starter and change the way they react. All else is the same. The 3 currently available hybrids and the 2 upcoming have much, much greater differences from the traditional design.
 
If nothing else, the "hybrid" from GM shouldn't cost so much, since they didn't do that much.
 
JOHN

#37 of 88 Tuesday Chats by pf_flyer HOST

Aug 17, 2004 (3:43 am)

Be sure to check out our Town Hall chat lineup for Tuesdays... everyone is welcome and ALL things automotive (and some not-so-automotive topics) are fair game! Stop in tonight and get to know some of your fellow Town Hall residents better. We may even play a little automotive trivia!
 
Getting things started, from 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET, If your passion is Mazda or you just like to go ZOOM ZOOM, the place to be is the Mazda Mania chat.
 
Mazda Mania Chat Room
 
Imediately following from 7-8pm PT/10-11pm ET, talk the latest in new automotive technology during the Hybrid Vehicles Chat
 
Hybrid Vehicles Chat Room
 
The Town Hall chats are a great place to take these message board topics LIVE. Hope to see you there this week!
 
PF Flyer
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#38 of 88 Responding to posts 35 and 36 by logic1

Aug 17, 2004 (6:13 am)

full size pick up trucks are not commuting vehicles, they are work vehicles. When one looks at the hybrid Silverado from a commuter's perspective, it does not seem worth it. From a worker's perspective, its advantages are clearly obvious.
 
Many people who work with pick ups work in areas where regular grid electric is not available.
 
Until now, the option was to use generators such as those made by Honda. These generators pollute much more and use more fuel than a stationary V8 auto engine. They are bulky and take up a lot of space that could be used for tools or supplies. Plus, they are frequently stolen and less reliable.
 
The advantage of having built in generators from both an enviromental and work perspective are obvious to those who know what pick up trucks are for.

#39 of 88 Re: Responding to posts 35 and 36 [logic1] by gagrice

Aug 17, 2004 (12:00 pm)

Replying to: logic1 (Aug 17, 2004 6:13 am)
Your right on target with perspective of the GM hybrid Pickup. What I wonder is if it would not have been more practical to incorporate their hybrid system in to a truck using the Duramax diesel. Diesels are much better for idling power. As improved mileage was not the main goal of this vehicle I wonder if it will sell to the general public. I believe all the first production go to fleet buyers.

#40 of 88 That is a good point by logic1

Aug 18, 2004 (6:10 am)

I think the regulatory framework has to change to allow more diesels. GM probably sells almost its full allotment of diesels in California, Mass. and NY.
 
GM already makes diesel hybrid city busses.
 
I imagine a lot of Silverado sales are to fleets. Most construction and agriculture operations have gone corporate. Presumably, these will always be the primary customers for large pick up trucks with built in generators.

#41 of 88 Re: That is a good point [logic1] by john1701a

Aug 18, 2004 (7:07 am)

Replying to: logic1 (Aug 18, 2004 6:10 am)
> think the regulatory framework has to change to allow more diesels.
 
There's no need for it to change. The current restrictions are due to diesel not being able to meet the current emission requirements.
 
Simply reducing the emissions is all that's needed to be allowed to sell more.
 
JOHN

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