This particular comment we received from our last post on the new Chevy Hybrid Pickup trucks was very interesting and thought provoking. I want to discuss this thought pattern in more detail.
Comment: ok, cool article, I am pretty impressed with the new technology for the transmission, but how much more than a gas or diesel does this hybrid cost? Lots I’ll bet, and seriously 21mpg? is that supposed to impress me? Now my tax dollars are going to support GM, and really I am all for helping them out, but I expect them to try harder now that I am helping to bail them out. I wanna see a 2×4 truck that gets at least 35mpg.
I’m not sure I can answer that in one post.
First we need to have some statistics to compare gas mileage between a 2009 1500 series Chevy Hybrid truck and, a 2009 1500 series Chevrolet non hybrid truck with 6.0 Liter engines.
According to the Edmunds.com, a new base model 2009 Chevrolet truck with an xx-LÂ engine cost in the range of $20,350. This is non hybrid truck, advertised at 14 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.
A new base model 2009 Chevrolet Hybrid truck cost in the range of $38,885, a new 2009Â Chevrolet Hybrid Tahoe is in the range of $51,000, both Hybrids advertise 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.
What concerns me is that the truck still uses a big V-8 engine, 6.0 liter or 366 cubic inch for main power. Noticing that the main gas mileage improvement is largely in city driving supports the fact that the electric motor can operate the truck by itself up to 30 mph with a full charge. In reality the gas mileage improvement on highway driving may be little or nothing, based on the actual rated maximum of 22 mpg on the two wheel drive model.
Note: A truck’s actual gas mileage usage is never tested in the real world … no wind resistance, no accessories running.
With the difference in cost of a hybrid model and and on a non- hybrid model, it does not add up in terms of cost effectiveness.
Does it add up to fix an earlier model Chevrolet or GMC pickup that is paid for and gets adequate fuel mileage and is in good shape other than it may need a used replacement engine? It does to me, in fact I’m the worlds biggest advocate of keeping your older Chevrolet truck and making even a major repair than going into debt for 5, 6 or 7 years.
Not good enough for me to go spend about $18000.00 or more for hardly anything more in fuel mileage, even if I wanted a new truck. Not many positives for people who do lots of highway miles.
Is it really “greener” too? You tell me.
The bad economy is forcing people to fix older cars and trucks. Doing proper maintenance is more common and replacing broken transmissions and engines is increasing. Why? It certainly is cheaper to buy a rebuilt, reconditioned or remanufactured engine than a new truck.
Brian, owner of GotEngines.com understands the new demands we face keeping our cars and trucks longer now. Call him or one of his assosiates at 1-888-344-8044 for a free qoute. Subscribe to our GotEngines.com Blog for free and get it delivered every other day.
When you have time, I’d like to know what you think people should go about planning their next car purchase–strategically. That is, I don’t have a hybrid or alternative energy car but want my next one to be. I’d like to think my car has a few more years on it. What do you think will be available when (and at affordable prices)? Thanks!
[...] the my last post, which coincidentally was a response to a comment also. I will continue with the Chevy Hybrid Truck post next time on March 19th [...]