Chevy Trucks Deliver Hybrid Electric Power

By: Andy Hodges
Staff Writer
Published: May 29, 2009

Chevy Pickups Powered By Hybrid Electric Technologies

General Motors is converting some of its conventional Chevy trucks into hybrid technologies for greater fuel efficiency. For example, the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid truck is the second full-size fuel-efficient pickup from General Motors Corp. While previous trucks offered a mild hybrid solution, the Silverado features GM's sophisticated electric system. It offers a broader range of technical advances with a 2-Mode system.

The Chevy Hybrid truck achieves 40 percent greater city fuel economy. GM also improved its overall fuel economy by 25 percent. The Silverado Hybrid has been named the most fuel-efficient truck on the market by GM.

The 2-Mode Hybrid system works with a powerful 6.0L V-8 gasoline engine. The system provides all-electric driving at low speeds. The Chevy pickup has a towing capacity of 6,100 pounds, even when the truck is in its low-speed mode.

The Silverado hybrid system is derived from GM's advanced Electrically Variable Transmission (EVT) and 300-volt nickel-metal hydride Energy Storage System (ESS), which share the standard 6.0L V-8 Gen IV gasoline engine. The engine features the Active Fuel Management (AFM) and late intake valve closing (LIVC) technology. The electric battery system will run the Chevy pickup solely on electricity at speeds up to 30 mph.

The electric power used to propel the Hybrid truck is generated by the electric system itself. When the brakes are applied, the electric motors create electricity from its 300-volt battery. This stored energy is used to move the vehicle until the braking cycle is renewed.

One other nice feature is that the 2-Mode Hybrid system is completely seamless. The Silverado its electric motor is less than half the size of those in single-mode systems. GM developed this technology and is still used in fleets of hybrid transit buses in more than 70 North American and European cities.

The Silverado pickup has a 26-gallon fuel tank and offers a driving range of more than 500 miles. The battery pack is located in the chassis beneath the rear seat.