General Motors said today it will add the hybrid-drive eAssist system to select GMC and Chevrolet trucks. These will only be sold in California, but GM may make the hybrid models more widely available for 2017 if Golden State customers respond positively. While the system worked reasonably well and delivered a measurable improvement in fuel economy, the complexity and cost of the system, as well as the significant reduction in towing capacity compared to its non-hybrid counterpart, sunk the system from the start. It will improve fuel economy by 2 mpg across the board, with EPA-estimated 18 miles per gallon city and 24 mpg highway. Hybrid hardware includes a single electric motor and 0.45-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, which work in concert with a 5.3-liter V8 and eight-speed automatic transmission that carry over from non-hybrid Silverado and Sierra models, with rear-wheel drive.
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The small 24-cell, 450-Wh battery pack is located under the center console or front bench seat, depending on the configuration; the system uses the same cells as in the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, GM notes.
The electric motor also enables the Active Fuel Management system on the engine to operate in four-cylinder mode for longer periods, resulting in additional fuel economy benefits.
This new hybrid system, while only helping increase fuel economy by two mpg, is a more economical option, both in terms of weight and price.
GM offered a full hybrid powertrain on its large pickups from 2009 to 2013.
The production run for the trucks is as mild as their hybrid credentials.
GM has traditionally used the eAssist system on cars since it debuted on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse.
A few hundred 2016 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks will be offered with the latest eAssist system, to get driver feedback and market reaction, according to simultaneous press releases yesterday from Chevy and GMC. A regenerative braking system is also on the menu.
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Given that the 2016 model year is already half-over, we suspect that the eAssisted pickups have already been made a permanent part of GM’s truck ranges for future years.
