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Chevy
Silverado Hybrid Truck
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The Chevy Silverado Hybrid
Truck is, according to GM, the world's first full-size
hybrid pickup.
Besides being useful in
on-road and off-road conditions, the Chevy Silverado Hybrid
Truck can also be used as a gasoline-powered electrical
generator as needed.
The Silverado Hybrid Truck
has two conventional 3-pronged outlets underneath the
rear seat and two in the back on the bed.
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These four 120-volt, 20 amp electrical auxiliary power outlets
can power chainsaws, power tools, lights, camping appliances
and laptop computers, to name a few. GM says that the Silverado
Hybrid Truck can supply power to these items for up to 32-hours
straight before needing a fill up. The Silverado Hybrid Truck
also comes with a battery pack comprises of three 14-volt units
plus the standard 12-volt.
Pictured
t is the Chevy Silverado Hybrid Truck. |
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The Chevy Silverado Hybrid Truck features a 295 hp Vortec
5300 V8 Engine with 335 lb.-ft. of torque and a standard
Hydra-Matic 4L60-E four-speed automatic transmission. The
Silverado Hybrid also squeezes a compact induction electric
motor (starter-generator) between the engine and transmission,
replacing the conventional alternator and starter motor.
Fuel economy gains are only 15-percent over the standard
gasoline-only Silverado, but emissions are reduced by 37-percent,
making the Silverado Hybrid Truck one of the greenest trucks
in its class.
The Silverado Hybrid Truck achieves its gains in fuel efficiency
by shutting off the gasoline engine while idling (the electric
motor quickly restarts the engine when accelerating) and
by inactivating some cylinders when decelerating. Regenerative
braking is also used to recharge the 42-volt lead-acid battery
pack. The Silverado Hybrid is available in both 2WD and
4WD.
The Chevy Silverado Hybrid Truck was initially rolled out
only the fleet customers, but it is now available to average
consumers as well now, nationwide. The Silverado Hybrid
has had some success stories already, saving the day at
the NASCAR Brickyard 400 by providing power during an outage
that affected the scoreboard and audio systems. Some of
those in Florida affected by the recent hurricanes also
found the Silverado Hybrid to be useful as an auxiliary
power device.
The Chevy Silverado Hybrid Truck may not be the environmentalist's
dream machine, but it is certainly a step in the right direction.
Raising public awareness about the utility of hybrid vehicles
will help in the long-term transition to greener and more
useful vehicles. And this can't be all bad, can it?
See also GMC
Sierra Hybrid Truck for more information on General
Motor's companion vehicle.
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