If you’re interested in a new GM vehicle with a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain under the hood, the C8 Corvette E-Ray is really your only option. That said, GM has offered several gasoline-electric hybrid models in the past, including the Chevy Volt, the Chevy Malibu Hybrid and the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, to name just a few. The aftermarket has stepped in with its own electric retrofits as well, such as VIA Motors, previously chaired by former GM bigwig Bob Lutz. Now, this particular VIA Motors 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 extended-range EV is up for grabs in a new online auction.
For those readers unfamiliar with VIA Motors, the company was founded in 2010 to offer hybrid powertrain conversions for GM vehicles, later offering fully electric commercial vehicles. The company was acquired by Ideanomics this past January.
Among the products offered was a hybrid conversion for the Chevy Silverado 1500. Mating a GM-sourced 4.3L V6 gasoline engine with two electric motors and 24 kWh lithium-ion battery, the hybrid provides an estimated 100 mpg and doles out an estimated 402 horsepower. One of the electric motors motivates the wheels, while the second mates to the V6 to act as a generator and charge the battery pack.
Although it’s difficult to say exactly how many of these hybrid-retrofitted Chevy Silverado units were sold, the technology under the skin is still pretty interesting, especially as GM looks to dive headfirst into the all-electric space. This particular example is equipped with the Z71 package, and features 20-inch wheels, blue paint, a Rugged Liner bed liner, quad LED headlights, running boards, a receiver hitch, and skid plates.
Inside the cabin, we find gray cloth upholstery, dual-zone climate control, a touchscreen radio, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a backup camera.
Mileage is listed on Bring a Trailer at 18,000 miles. The truck is currently offered at no reserve, with the highest bid as of this writing set at $5,000, with eight days left in the auction.
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Comments
But why? Why would someone do this? And why would someone want it? Who’s even gonna service that mess when it breaks? I have so many questions.
Well IF it get’s 100 MPG you could save 15-20K in gas over 100,000 miles.
It’s like a freight train, the diesel engine is a generator for electric motors and is really efficient.