The 2009 Chevy Silverado Hybrid Pickup Truck
Friday, August 15th, 2008 |Chevrolet unveiled its new hybrid Silverado truck at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show. The hybrid pickup truck will be available as a Crew Cab with choices of either 2×2 or 4×4 pickup truck. People can look for a 40-percent gain in city fuel economy and a 25-percent gain overall as compared to a conventional Silverado; cruising range being more than 500 miles.
The truck is equipped with GM’s 2-Mode Hybrid system which was being worked out in a very focussed manner. And one must admit, that they have been pretty successful. The Chevy Silverado is equipped with a 6-liter V-8 engine with Active Fuel Management and late-intake valve closing technology. It is capable of all-electric drive up to 30 miles per hour, which is really good. Towing capacity of 6,100 pounds for any 2WD truck is really great.
This the only full-size hybrid pickup truck available and it goes on sale in late 2008 as a 2009 model. This chevy pickup truck is directed by General Motor’s 2-Mode Hybrid System. An electronic variable transmission (EVT) allows infinitely variable gearing when it’s advantageous for the truck’s efficiency, but automatically changes modes to act as a conventional transmission, with four fixed gear ratios when necessary, typically when you’re driving at higher speeds or have increased hauling needs.
The truck’s Hybrid Optimizing System (HOS) constantly sends information to the EVT, optimizing transmission operations for best performance and economy. The Chevrolet Silverado’s Energy storage system (ESS) is a 300-volt battery that’s located in the chassis, underneath the truck’s rear seats. It provides power to the EVT and stores the energy it captures during deceleration, when braking, and when the system converts one of the truck’s two electric motors into a generator.
The ESS powers the A/C compressor and the Accessory Power Module (APM), which in turn feeds the truck’s 42-volt power steering system, its 12 volt battery and other 12-volt systems. The big battery is cooled by a system that draws air from within the passenger compartment. Chevy says the ESS has safety features to keep it from over-charging, over-heating, being penetrated by liquids, and from accidental access to its components.
The hybrid truck’s 6.0L V-8 engine runs on regular gas. It’s equipped with an Active Fuel Management (AFM) system. A computer controlled late-intake valve closing (LIVC) feature lets the truck run on 4, 5, or 8 cylinders, whichever offers the best performance and economy for the job. Chevy doesn’t have official EPA ratings for the hybrid truck yet, but based on their own tests, the company expects a 40 percent increase in city fuel economy when compared to a similar conventional Silverado.
