The Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid is a powerful full-size two mode pickup which attains 40% better fuel economy over conventional full size pickups – not bad for a full size truck with a 6,100 pound hauling capacity.
General Motor’s two-mode hybrid system combines the dominant 6L V8 engine that can operate in either 4 cylinder or 8 cylinder mode, with a 300 volt battery pack powering two powerful electric motors. The Silverado Hybrid in electric-only mode is capable of operating without the use of it’s gasoline engine to speeds of 30 MPH – this helps in saving gas especially in city driving where there is a lot of stop and go traffic.
The Silverado comes in both 2WD or 4WD versions, and an electronically controlled automatic transmission. The two electric motors actually sit in the bellhousing of the transmission, quite a clever way of packaging this new technology without disrupting the drivetrain configuration.
The Silverado Hybrid is the only full size truck with 5- star side impact crash ranking in the federal crash test. The 2 mode Hybrid system provides flawless and steady power. The electric motor is half the size when compared to the single mode Hybrid systems. The 2 mode system was initially introduced in 2008 Tahoe Hybrid.
It is the central part of GM’s strategy, reducing our dependence on oil, improving fuel economy with electric motors, and eventually eliminating emissions.
