Ford F-150 Hybrid Is Coming, Should The Chevrolet Silverado Follow Suit?
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Yesterday, Ford CEO Mark Fields spent quite a bit of time dropping bombshells regarding the brand’s future product portfolio and electrification. One of the major highlights was a Ford Mustang hybrid, set to arrive for 2020. The other was for one of America’s most popular vehicles.
Ford Authority reports the Ford F-150 will gain a dedicated hybrid variant by the year 2020. The news comes as little surprise, as fuel economy average targets loom in the distance.
In General Motors’ corner, the Chevrolet Silverado currently gets by with regular V6 or V8 power, while California receives a low-production Silverado e-Assist.
The Silverado e-Assist features a mild hybrid system via the 2017 Chevrolet Volt, which pairs an electric motor, regenerative braking and stop-start technology to the truck’s 5.3-liter V8 engine. In all, the system allows for 13 percent increase in city fuel economy.
However, the e-Assist is only a mild hybrid system, far from what Ford likely envisions for a full-blown F-150 hybrid. With the next-generation of Chevrolet and GMC full-size trucks on the horizon, the ball is in GM’s corner to check Ford’s most recent move.
If a Chevrolet Silverado hybrid were to arrive, it wouldn’t be the first time it happened. In 2004, Chevrolet released a Silverado hybrid featuring a relatively simple hybrid system. It housed a 42 V battery system to restart the engine as the brake pedal was released, while three additional 12 V batteries provided extra power in the rear.
We truly believe it’s a matter of “when” GM will climb aboard the hybrid boat for its full-size pickups. But, for now, Ford has made its first move.
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I think it is time for Chevy to explore this powertrain option. Electric is not going away anytime soon, and they need more innovation in the next generation of pick ups. This generation was not much of a jump from the previous model. GM has the parts to do such a model. Just look at the numbers for the new CT6 PHEV: 335 hp and 435 lb-feet of torque, and 30 miles of range, with a 2.0 liter engine. Now imagine implementing something similar, say with the 3.0 liter engine, and putting it in a truck. Obviously range would be tough on the highways due to the design of trucks, but power and around the town range would be great. But they need to make sure to keep one thing: four wheel drive. GM could easily take the lead in electric SUV and pick up powertrains, and keep it affordable. They just need to stop dragging their feet.
How has Ford made the first move here? Just by saying that’s what we’re working on makes them pioneers? Don’t you need to walk the talk before you claim anything? They have never offered a hybrid pickup truck. You could say Chevrolet is on its second generation hybrid system already. I’m sure they’re working on 3rd gen system as we speak. 2020 is three years away and half of the time deadlines come and go and we see nothing on the horizon.
Hidden behind all the wonderful news from Ford is that they’re still moving small car production to Mexico. And what a coincidence that the news came out the same day Trump’s tweet about Chevy Cruze.
And to jump on that bandwagon… Chevy is actually releasing the Bolt RIGHT NOW, and Ford doesn’t have a single long-range EV in its portfolio, and the only hybrid tech they have is non-performance range-extension.
Chevy is way ahead here.
However, I’d question if they should come out with a hybrid Silverado, or instead a hybrid Colorado. Slip-ups in the full size truck segment is disastrous – there’s no room for error. I understand Ford as some plans in the big truck world, but I don’t think the first iteration will be successful. it WILL have disappointing fuel economy OR disappointing performance.
So is Ford offering it with the V8 or their ecoboosts? If it’s the ecoboosts then it’s a pretty bad idea
Ford isn’t offering anything yet. They’re working on it and if all stars align right we might see them in showrooms by 2020, most likely as ’21 model year.
Back to your question. I’m pretty sure they will offer it with the ecoboosts. It’s their bread and butter engine.
They already do. Silverado with e assist. RPO HP5. They are only sold in california though.
Ford’s getting credit for something they’re going to make when Chevy already makes it. WTF.
Did everyone forget that GM had a Chevrolet Tahoe that was a hybrid? It had some really tacky logo on the side of the SUV, could see it from a mile away.
And since the Silverado and Tahoe are basically the same thing, all GM has to do it transfer it to the pickup from the SUV.
I own both Ford and Chevrolet, so I am not hating on either brand, just the guy who wrote the article.
That’s more like the eassist in California. I think the sticking point is the Ford is supposed to be a performance enhancing hybrid, and not just a fuel sipping hybrid… But maybe it’ll just be a Prius style fuel efficiency mod which I believe would be a total disappointment.
GM already had the hybrid. Ford has way too many powetrain options in the works. Something will probably be discontinued, ecoboost, v8, or something. The new hybrid if GM had one would probably be Malibu inspired. As far as all electric, we’d probably more than likely see that more in a Colorado variant than the Silverado. Or perhaps a truck a little smaller than the Colorado, but then that would kind of bring back the SSR.
A nicer Colorado that is Hybrid would be great.. LTZ package.. but have a model that is a bit lower to the ground and a more comfy ride.. Not everyone has to have macho macho