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Hybrid truck also works as a generator
Owners can run refrigerator, heat house using GM pickups with $2,500 option.
By Kenn Peters
The Post-Standard
Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickup trucks for 2005 will have an optional gas/electric hybrid engine that can double as a generator.
General Motors says the hybrid engine improves fuel economy by 10 percent. Plus, four 120-volt power outlets will allow drivers to plug in compressors, power tools, refrigerators, home heating systems and televisions - no matter where they are.
Larry Nitz, executive director of hybrid powertrain engineering for GM, said the hybrid pickups will be ideal for use at a construction site, a camp site, or at a home in the event of a power failure.
GM plans to make the hybrid engine a $2,500 option. Starting prices for Silverados range from $21,000 to $40,000, depending on configuration.
Used as a generator, the hybrid truck will idle for 32 hours on a full tank of gas, toot the horn when the tank reaches a certain fuel level, and automatically shut off when there are two gallons left so the owner will have enough gas to drive a reasonable distance for more.
There should be no worries about the truck being stolen while it's idling in the driveway or at the camp site because the key can be removed from the ignition while the engine is running and the doors can be locked, Nitz said.
The gas/electric hybrid system works like this:
The gas engine shuts off under several conditions such as when the truck is going 12 miles an hour or less and when it's stopped.
The gas engine also shuts off when the driver lifts off the throttle, or steps on the brake.
When the driver steps on the accelerator, the engine instantly and quietly is running again without hesitation, Nitz said.
The braking system captures vehicle energy during braking to improve fuel economy, according to GM. The truck also has an electric starter/generator, and an electro-hydraulic system that keeps power steering and power brakes working while the gas engine is off.
Nitz said the decision to put hybrid power into GM's largest vehicles, instead of the smallest as Toyota and Honda have done, was made because these are the vehicles that have the best opportunity to make a large impact on gas usage in the country.
The trucks are being made available for fleet use first in the South, and will go into showrooms this fall.
Jon Bur****, owner of Bur**** Pontiac-GMC, of Liverpool, said he's seen the hybrid truck and he's eager to get it in stock.
"We're excited about it because it will help consumers, and nationwide there is a chance we can lessen our oil dependency," Bur**** said.
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Owners can run refrigerator, heat house using GM pickups with $2,500 option.
By Kenn Peters
The Post-Standard
Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickup trucks for 2005 will have an optional gas/electric hybrid engine that can double as a generator.
General Motors says the hybrid engine improves fuel economy by 10 percent. Plus, four 120-volt power outlets will allow drivers to plug in compressors, power tools, refrigerators, home heating systems and televisions - no matter where they are.
Larry Nitz, executive director of hybrid powertrain engineering for GM, said the hybrid pickups will be ideal for use at a construction site, a camp site, or at a home in the event of a power failure.
GM plans to make the hybrid engine a $2,500 option. Starting prices for Silverados range from $21,000 to $40,000, depending on configuration.
Used as a generator, the hybrid truck will idle for 32 hours on a full tank of gas, toot the horn when the tank reaches a certain fuel level, and automatically shut off when there are two gallons left so the owner will have enough gas to drive a reasonable distance for more.
There should be no worries about the truck being stolen while it's idling in the driveway or at the camp site because the key can be removed from the ignition while the engine is running and the doors can be locked, Nitz said.
The gas/electric hybrid system works like this:
The gas engine shuts off under several conditions such as when the truck is going 12 miles an hour or less and when it's stopped.
The gas engine also shuts off when the driver lifts off the throttle, or steps on the brake.
When the driver steps on the accelerator, the engine instantly and quietly is running again without hesitation, Nitz said.
The braking system captures vehicle energy during braking to improve fuel economy, according to GM. The truck also has an electric starter/generator, and an electro-hydraulic system that keeps power steering and power brakes working while the gas engine is off.
Nitz said the decision to put hybrid power into GM's largest vehicles, instead of the smallest as Toyota and Honda have done, was made because these are the vehicles that have the best opportunity to make a large impact on gas usage in the country.
The trucks are being made available for fleet use first in the South, and will go into showrooms this fall.
Jon Bur****, owner of Bur**** Pontiac-GMC, of Liverpool, said he's seen the hybrid truck and he's eager to get it in stock.
"We're excited about it because it will help consumers, and nationwide there is a chance we can lessen our oil dependency," Bur**** said.
