The Hybrid Definition Blurs

[tgagneguam]

The Hybrid Definition Blurs
By Jeff Bryan

Unless you've been in a coma for the last five years, chances are you already know what a hybrid is: a vehicle with both a gasoline and an electric motor that gets great gas mileage. Bzzzzt, wrong. In one sneaky swoop, GM has shattered that definition with the introduction of its first hybrid, the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid (and its twin, the GMC Sierra Hybrid). No longer reserved for tree-hugging vegetarians who drive too slow, the hybrid moniker can now be enjoyed by gun-toting, who-cares-about-gas-prices American pickup truck lovers.

As the hybrid hysteria continues to spread, so do the variations and mutations. The Toyota Prius has always been a full hybrid (meaning it can move under either gas or electric power or both combined), and the Honda Insight a mild hybrid (the electric motor only assists the gas engine), but they still fit the fuel-sipping, high-tech image.

Hybrid, American Style
For now, GM is dipping its toes in the hybrid waters with a more conservative approach, similar to Honda's system. It challenged its engineers to take one of its most ancient platforms, the full-size Silverado/Sierra pickup, and make it a mild hybrid — with benefits. Forget big fuel economy gains and high-tech multimotor powertrains, though. What the engineers spit out is a fully capable truck that shuts the engine off at a stop, uses regenerative braking to charge a small bank of lead-acid batteries and just so happens to double as a 2,400-watt generator.

Instead of a conventional starter and alternator, the Silverado Hybrid uses a 14-kilowatt electric motor/generator sandwiched between the engine and a compact torque converter. Though the motor doesn't provide propulsion (like Honda's IMA systems do), it does operate as a generator during coasting and braking. The icing on the cake here is that this whole setup fits in a traditional transmission case, and bolts right up just like a conventional powertrain. Under the backseat is a box with three deep-cycle lead-acid batteries. Other than a computer to manage the system, the only other major change is an electrohydraulic pump for the steering and brakes.

Full article from Edmunds

[Driveshaft]

The only problem seems to be that these hybrids are coming so late to the scene. American car companies are way far behind, but by putting the technology into the bigger vehicles and SUV's, I think they have a chance to make a decent buck AND give consumers what they want.

I hope they are successful.

[SVT2888]

Originally Posted by Driveshaft

The only problem seems to be that these hybrids are coming so late to the scene. American car companies are way far behind, but by putting the technology into the bigger vehicles and SUV's, I think they have a chance to make a decent buck AND give consumers what they want.

I hope they are successful.

me too

[pupp1]

Originally Posted by SVT2888

me too

same here