CHEVROLET Silverado Hybrid 2008-2013 Photos, engines & full specs

The hybrid revolution expanded its effects over the entire car segments, from small vehicles to large, executive sedans. Pickups were included as well.

They say not to judge a book by its covers and the fuel consumption by the vehicle's size. The 2009 Silverado Hybrid was just that kind of vehicle. Its massive exterior, with a tall front-end, and full-size cabin fit for six occupants, was just the kind of utility truck that you wouldn't expect to have a low fuel consumption. The back's bed was large enough to be used for a contractor in plumbing or other hard-working jobs. It was also the same truck that you'd expect to tow a boat from San Francisco to San Diego. But the last thing you'd think of was to see the word "Hybrid" on it. And it wasn't that kind of fake hybrid that accepted both gasoline and ethanol as fuel. It was a gasoline-electric vehicle.

The interior was similar to the one found in a regular Silverado, but without the storage place under the rear bench. A bulky battery pack claimed that place. The six-dial instrument cluster featured a special gauge for the charge-discharge status. Since it was designed as an eco-friendly pickup-truck, it featured man-made leather upholstery on the seats and all the amenities that would make occupant's lives better while traveling on long distances.

There was a big V8 powerplant that could run as a V4 due to the cylinder deactivation system under the hood. The electric motor was integrated into the transmission and made possible the pure electric drive from zero to 30 mph (48 kph). Moreover, the Silverado Hybrid was still able to pull up to 6200 lbs (2767 kg).