CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500/GMC SIERRA HYBRID

The 2005 model Chevrolet Silverado 1500/GMC Sierra Hybrid is the first full size pickup truck to use hybrid technology. The Silverado/Sierra has a unique parallel hybrid system which is not used to provide motive power but rather provides power to accessories, such as the power steering, air conditioning and 4 120-volt outlets. This latter feature enables this hybrid vehicle to expand the functionality of hybrids to new uses such as, in this case, becoming a portable electricity generating platform for power equipment.

View a detailed presentation on the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid (10 MB)

The key hybrid features of the Silverado/Sierra are idle stop and regenerative braking. This  ensures that the truck only uses fuel when the vehicle is in motion.  An interesting fact about the idle stop feature is that the gas engine will continue running when the truck is stopped if the defrost mode or climate control (AC or heat) is activated. Chevrolet has stated that the 2007 model of Silverado/Sierra Hybrid will feature a strong hybrid system

Hybrid Features	Chevrolet Silverado 1500/ GMC Sierra
Idle Stop	√
Regenerative Braking	√
Engine Assist	x
Engine-Off Drive-EV Mode	x

The Silverado/Sierra Hybrid Battery Pack consists of three 14 Volt Lead Acid Batteries (42 total volts) and is located under the rear seat.   

Performance
The Silverado/Sierra Hybrid does not give up performance compared to the non-hybrid Silverado/Sierra. The truck uses the same 295 horsepower, 5.3 litre Vortec V-8 engine, and has the same grade climbing and towing capability as the non-hybrid versions. To compensate for the weight of the hybrid system the payload capacity is reduced by 159 kilograms.

Image of 42 Volt Lead Acid Battery Pack. Provided by: Saskatchewan Property Management Corporation

Fuel Consumption
According to NRCan Energuide Ratings, the Silverado/Sierra Hybrid reduces fuel consumption by up to 15 percent compared to a non-hybrid model.