GM hybrid pickup

[Silvertwinkie]

http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado/#hybrid

Who needs a Honda when you can plug your coach into your truck for A/C current!

[thenewkid64]

Eric,

I doubt that you could draw 30 amps from it

If you are really considering something like this look into the auragen system

http://www.aurasystems.com/

It can be setup to run 30 amps off the vehicle engine. I am surprised that these have not been showing up on some of the high $$ Motorhomes for AC while underway.

[DavidsonOverlander]

Here's more info from the Toronto Star. Not sure how long the article will be on their web page, and I don't want to post the whole thing for copyright reasons. If the link doesn't work, send me an email or Private Message.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...=1089324610464

Grant

[Silvertwinkie]

I'm not interested in it. It's true I'm shopping around right now, but the 5.3L alone did it in before I even thought of any 30a applications or anything. I was just posting this as info regarding a hybrid first and second as a thing of humor where they say on the website something to the effect of you could plug in your fridge, etc.

[Over59]

Add this to an 8L with displacement on demand and make it 30amps and you will have a first class tow. Don't understand these guys.. not even the 6L engine.

[71_safari]

It is GM's attempt to carefully dip a toe into the hybrid marketplace. Actually, I know some contractors who would benefit from this approach as they spend all day driving around town (where it saves the most fuel) to jobsites, and are always digging out various tools to do this or that.

[Silvertwinkie]

At one point, I thought I read some place about 6-9 months ago that GM was not going to go Hybrid. I thought I recall that they and 2 others were not going to spend time on Hybrids and spend their efforts on hydrogen or something else. Looks like things might have changed (if I am remembering correctly).

[71_safari]

Actually I think they have had this "passive hybrid" approach in the works for some time. The thinking is to use technology to maximize economy on basically standard vehicles - shut off the engine when it is wasting fuel, turn off cylinders when cruising, etc. As opposed to an "active hybrid" that actually runs on the electric motor, uses re-generative braking to charge the battery, etc. With the growing awareness of oil limitations (global demand, rising prices, instability in the Middle East, etc) ALL the automakers are re-thinking their positions with respect to hybrid technology. Demand is growing. Hydrogen as a practical storage medium and vehicle fuel has some serious drawbacks that will prevent mass use for several more years and hybrid technology works well and is available now.

I am very excited to see the Ford Escape Hybrid coming out this Fall. It is a full, active system and supposedly will get 25-30 mpg overall which would be really great news. I might buy one although I hesitate to be an early adopter and buy the first year. We have had a first gen Toyota Prius in the family for 2 years though, and it is an outstanding little town car, especially here in the congested and hilly Bay Area, where most cars suck on mileage.

john

[Silvertwinkie]

I agree the Prius is a phenominal hybrid and an unquestionable winner in the people moving, grocery getting category. I've been in a few and although they won't break any land speed records, they do a very good job, are comfortable and roomy. Only hit they have ever taken (and this is not limited to the Prius) was that first responders in a good wreck didn't know the volts/amp still active in some cases and would get injured or killed trying to help folks get out of hybrids like the Prius. Now first responders and rescue folks know to look for the hybrid signs and act accordingly so the don't kill themselves on the current.

Perhaps some of the logic in more of the big 3 going hybrid now is that higher MPG fleet laws could be just around the corner....so says CARB, so goes the nation. Adding a few hybrids will certainly bump the fleet MPG for each manufac that builds them and help keep them in step.

For towing, I'd be interested in seeing what the power on demand type systems will do. Here I surely would not want to be on the bleeding edge. One thing that my GM mechanic buddy told me was that GM has in the works, computer controlled valve lifters. No cams, etc. Timing, power, etc, all handled by an on the fly computer program controling the valves. Maybe that will help the automakers get rid of piston slap...with fewer moving parts.

[71_safari]

Wow, never thought about the implications of a hybrid after a wreck. All of these new technologies will require education, especially hydrogen, if it ever goes mainstream.

Yup, with regard to displacement on demand, and electronically controlled valves, they are going to wring every bit of efficiency they can out of the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine), which is a good thing. We need progress in this area. Anything would be better than the piggish way my F250 drinks fuel when not under load. I don't mind 12mpg towing, but I hate 12mpg when I'm running around town with it. Exactly the same as my 10 year old K2500. You would think they could do better. Anything that incents some improvement on the mileage side of the equation instead of the size and power side, where they've been focused for several years, is fine with me. I guess that's why I still own a motorcycle and a car