The hybrid pickup versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickups "will deliver top performance with near 15 per cent better fuel economy," Pearce said. The hybrid system for buses will deliver about 50 per cent better fuel economy compared with a conventional diesel-engine transit bus.
GM will begin testing its hybrid pickups in demonstration fleets in several U.S. cities later this year, Pearce said, to help its engineers "understand what hybrid vehicle features and performance features are important to pickup truck customers."
The hybrid bus powertrain was designed and developed by GM Allison Transmission Division based in Indianapolis, and as well as delivering better fuel economy it will reduce nitrous oxide emissions by 30 per cent, while cutting particulate, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions by 90 per cent, when used with low-sulfur fuel.
Pearce explained that GM Allison works with transit bus manufacturers who then sell the buses to public and private transit systems.
But GM Allison is also developing hybrid systems for other commercial vehicles, so the fuel economy and emissions benefits could be even greater.
"As a manufacturer of motor vehicles," Pearce said, "we have a special responsibility. GM has the global reach, innovative capability and market motivation to develop the technologies that will allow us to minimize our impact on the environment and meet customer demands."