Chevrolet Announces eAssist Technology for 2016 Silverado
The new 2016 Chevy Silverado with eAssist technology
Today, Chevy announced that eAssist technology will be offered on a select number of 2016 Chevrolet Silverados. The mild-hybrid electrical system mixes and matches components from Chevy’s electric vehicles—including software controls from the Volt and battery cells from the Malibu Hybrid—to deliver a hybrid pickup truck that boasts 13% better fuel economy in city driving (18 mpg, to be exact, a 2 mpg improvement over an equivalent Silverado 1500).
“Silverado already leads the full-size truck segment in V8 fuel economy,” said Chevrolet Trucks marketing director Sandor Piszar. “For customers and small-business owners who use their trucks for more urban driving, the addition of eAssist can further reduce their fuel costs without sacrificing the utility they expect in a full-size truck.”
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The lightweight system increases the Silverado’s weight by 100 pounds, and the electric motor contributes an additional 13 horsepower and 44 lb-ft of torque to the powertrain. The eAssist propulsion system, which pairs with the Silverado’s 5.3-liter EcoTech V8 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission, will be a $500 premium.
Chevy says it will initially offer around 500 Silverado eAssist trucks for the 2016 model year, sold exclusively through California dealers. Depending upon customer feedback, the automaker may increase production for the 2017 model year.
The eAssist Silverado now joins other members of the electric Chevy family, including the Spark EV, Bolt EV, Volt, and Malibu Hybrid.
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