Does Chevrolet Make Hybrid Cars?
With its new range of electric SUVs, crossovers, and even the Silverado EV pickup truck, Chevrolet seems to be in full swing toward its goal of leading the electric vehicle market. However, this is not the first time that Chevrolet has decided to focus on cleaner and greener mobility.
In the last two decades, Chevrolet surprised us with a handful of plug-in and mild-hybrid vehicles. These hybrids paved the path for the fancy and more advanced electric Chevys we are witnessing today.
It all began in 2004 with the Chevrolet Silverado V8 micro-hybrid, GM’s first hybrid passenger vehicle. With humble beginnings, Chevy tried to keep the momentum going and four years later, Chevrolet introduced the Malibu Hybrid, featuring similar technology paired with an inline-four engine.
However, In 2008, Chevrolet took a leap with the second-generation Silverado Hybrid and its two-mode hybrid system, later seen in the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid SUV.
The real game-changer came in 2010 with the Chevrolet Volt, Chevy’s first plug-in hybrid, launched right as the hybrid market was gaining traction. Today, Chevrolet’s only hybrid model available in the U.S. is the Corvette E-Ray sports car.
1. Chevrolet Corvette
(2023 – Present) Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
- It is the first-ever performance hybrid vehicle from Chevrolet.
- It gets a 6.2-liter V8 with an electric motor and a 1.9kWh lithium-ion battery.
- The claimed maximum power output of the Corvette E-Ray is 655 hp.
The world of sports cars is going the electrification way, and so is the Chevrolet Corvette with the E-Ray. The eighth-generation Chevrolet Corvette became the first-ever iteration to get a hybrid variant, the Corvette E-Ray. Here, a 6.2-liter V8 DI engine is paired with an electric motor drive assembly powering the front wheels and a self-charging 1.9kWh lithium-ion battery.
The 6.2-liter V8 of the Corvette E-Ray produces 495 hp and 470 lb-ft with the available Z51 Performance Package. However, the electric drive unit gives an additional boost of 160 hp and 125 lb-ft, supplied to the front wheels. With this, the combined power output of the e-AWD powertrain of the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray stands at 655 hp.
With the Stealth mode, one can drive the Corvette E-Ray in the pure electric mode for 3-4 miles at speeds up to 45 mph. The Corvette E-Ray was the quickest production Corvette at its launch. It claims 2.5 seconds for the 0-60 mph sprint, 10.5 seconds for the quarter-mile run, and a top speed of 183 mph.
| Specifications | 2023 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Full-Hybrid |
| Type of hybrid | Full-hybrid |
| Maximum power | 655 hp |
| Maximum fuel economy | 19 mpg (city) / 24 mpg (highway) |
| EV-only range | 4 miles |
| Top speed in EV-only mode | 45 mph |
2. Chevrolet Silverado
(2004-2008) Chevrolet Silverado Mild-Hybrid
- It was the first-ever Chevy hybrid vehicle.
- Power came from a 5.3-liter V8 engine with an integrated electric starter-generator motor.
- The system also had three 14V batteries to supply power to the starter generator.
Based on the first-generation GMT800 Silverado, the Silverado Hybrid was the first-ever Chevrolet-badged hybrid vehicle. Instead of getting a full-blown hybrid powertrain, the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid had a 14kW electric starter-generator motor in its transmission’s flywheel, making it a micro-hybrid system.
The sole purpose of this electric motor was to restart the engine in case the truck came to a halt in auto start-stop conditions by seeking 42V power from the three 14V lead-acid batteries. These batteries were placed beneath the rear seats and were charged by regenerative braking. The electric motor used this gained charge to start the engine.
With this micro-hybrid system paired with the big 5.3-liter V8, the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid delivered 1-1.5 mpg higher fuel efficiency than the standard Silverado. Power and torque remained the same as the Silverado without a hybrid system – 295 hp and 330 lb-ft.
| Specifications | 2004-2008 Chevrolet Silverado Mild-Hybrid |
| Type of hybrid | Micro-hybrid |
| Maximum power | 295 hp |
| Maximum fuel economy | 18 mpg (city) / 21 mpg (highway) |
| EV-only range | NIL |
| Top speed in EV-only mode | NIL- |
(2008-2013) Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid
- It was the first and last-ever Chevrolet full-hybrid truck.
- The 6.0-liter V8 was paired with two 60kWh electric motors and a nickel-metal hydride battery.
- In pure EV mode, this Silverado Hybrid could be driven at speeds up to 30 mph.
The micro-hybrid powertrain in the first-generation Silverado Hybrid served as a good base for developing the second-generation version of the truck, which came with a full-blown hybrid system. The new GMT900 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid was available exclusively in the Crew Cab configuration with both rear and four-wheel drive versions.
The 6.0-liter V8 gas engine of this Silverado 1500 Hybrid was paired with two 60kW electric motors and a nickel-metal-hydride battery placed beneath the rear seats. Chevrolet claimed a maximum power output of 379 hp with this powertrain. It could be driven in pure-EV mode at speeds up to 30 mph.
| Specifications | 2008-2013 Chevrolet Silverado |
| Type of hybrid | Full-hybrid |
| Maximum power | 379 hp |
| Maximum fuel economy | 21 mpg (city) / 22 mpg (highway) |
| EV-only range | NA |
| Top speed in EV-only mode | 30 mph |
(2016-2018) Chevrolet Silverado eAssist Mild-Hybrid
- Chevrolet made only 500 units of the third-generation Silverado Hybrid.
- It featured the same e-Assist mild-hybrid tech as the Malibu ECO and Impala Hybrid.
- The 5.3-liter V8 was paired with a 9.7kW motor and a 0.45 kWh battery.
Many might not know this, but hybrid technology returned in the third generation Chevrolet Silverado in 2016 with the e-Assist mild-hybrid tech. Chevrolet made only 500 units of this version of the Silverado Hybrid and sold all of them exclusively in California. It appeared to be a pilot project from Chevrolet, which couldn’t go in the “full swing” mode due to a lack of interest.
The 5.3-liter V8 gasoline engine in the Chevy Silverado Hybrid worked in conjunction with a 9.7kW electric motor and a 0.45kWh lithium-ion battery. The power and torque outputs remained the same as those of the regular Silverado without the e-Assist tech – 355 hp and 383 lb-ft.
| Specifications | 2016-2018 Chevrolet Silverado Mild-Hybrid |
| Type of hybrid | Mild-hybrid |
| Maximum power | 355 hp |
| Maximum fuel economy | 18 mpg (city) / 24 mpg (highway) |
| EV-only range | NIL |
| Top speed in EV-only mode | NIL |
Related: Cheapest Used Hybrid Cars
3. Chevrolet Malibu
(2008-2009) Chevrolet Malibu Mild-Hybrid
- First-ever inline four hybrid from Chevrolet.
- The 2.4-liter inline-four powertrain of the Malibu Hybrid claimed 164 hp and 159 lb-ft.
- It had a mild-hybrid technology with a belt alternator system.
With the launch of a hybrid variant of the seventh-generation Malibu, Chevrolet followed the same strategy as it did with the first-generation Silverado Hybrid. The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid also had the General Motors’ belt alternator starter (BAS) system, in which an internally integrated electric motor performs mild hybrid functionalities like idle start-stop, regenerative braking, and power assist.
The 2.4-liter inline-four gasoline engine of the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid produced 164 hp and 159 lb-ft, with the electric motor giving the engine an additional assist during launch and wide-throttle conditions. It was the first time Chevrolet introduced an inline-four hybrid engine, which it shared with the then-available Saturn Aura.
| Specifications | 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu Mild-Hybrid |
| Type of hybrid | Mild-hybrid |
| Maximum power | 164 hp |
| Maximum fuel economy | 24 mpg (city) / 32 mpg (highway) |
| EV-only range | NIL |
| Top speed in EV-only mode | NIL |
(2012-2015) Chevrolet Malibu ECO
- It debuted Chevrolet’s new e-Assist mild-hybrid system.
- The powertrain included a 2.4-liter inline-four engine, a 15kW motor, and a 0.5kWh battery.
- The engine shuts off during deceleration, during which the electric motor propels the powertrain.
By the time Chevrolet had evolved full-hybrid and even plug-in hybrid tech with the Volt, it was also working to have a more advanced mild-hybrid system for its cars. In 2012, it launched the e-Assist mild-hybrid tech, with the seventh-generation Malibu becoming the first-ever car to have this newly developed system. This version of the sedan was called the Chevrolet Malibu ECO.
The new e-Assist system was a significant evolution of the original battery-alternator system, which also made its way to certain Buick hybrids. It cuts off the fuel supply while decelerating, and at this point, the electric motor propels the powertrain. When the brake pedal is released, the fuel supply to the engine is resumed, and the gasoline engine comes into action once again for the required acceleration.
The Chevrolet Malibu ECO had a 2.4-liter inline-four gasoline engine, a 15kW electric motor, and a 0.5kWh lithium-ion battery, which gets charged during regenerative braking. The combined power output was rated at 182 hp and 172 lb-ft.
| Specifications | 2012-2015 Chevrolet Malibu ECO |
| Type of hybrid | Mild-hybrid |
| Maximum power | 182 hp |
| Maximum fuel economy | 25 mpg (city) / 36 mpg (highway) |
| EV-only range | NIL |
| Top speed in EV-only mode | NIL |
(2016-2020) Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
- It was the first and last version of the Malibu to have a full-hybrid system ever.
- It had a 1.8-liter gasoline engine with two electric motors and a 1.5kWh lithium-ion battery.
- In pure EV mode, the Malibu Hybrid had a top speed of 55 mph.
In its ninth-generation version, the Chevrolet Malibu got a full-hybrid powertrain for the first time and not the mild-hybrid tech offered in the sedan’s previous hybrid versions. The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid had a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.5kWh lithium-ion battery.
Having a continuously variable automatic transaxle, this powertrain claims a combined power output of 182 hp in the Malibu Hybrid. The Li-ion battery also allows it to be driven up to 55 mph in pure-EV mode. Beyond this speed, the gasoline engine works in tandem for the additional power required.
This system was entirely different from the plug-in hybrid powertrain offered in the second-generation Volt, which was discontinued alongside the Malibu Hybrid in 2020 owing to their declining sales.
| Specifications | 2016-2020 Chevrolet Malibu Full-Hybrid |
| Type of hybrid | Full-hybrid |
| Maximum power | 182 hp |
| Maximum fuel economy | 49 mpg (city) / 43 mpg (highway) |
| EV-only range | NA |
| Top speed in EV-only mode | 55 mph |
Related: Top Used Hybrid Vehicle Picks
4. Chevrolet Tahoe
(2008-2013) Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
- It is the only full-size hybrid SUV from Chevrolet to date.
- It had the same 6.0-liter V8 with two 60kW electric motors and a 288V battery as the Silverado Hybrid.
- It claimed a maximum fuel efficiency of 20 mpg.
Alongside the second-generation Silverado Hybrid, Chevrolet launched the Tahoe Hybrid with the same powertrain as the former. The Tahoe Hybrid’s base was the GMT920 platform, a revised version of the GMT900 platform developed exclusively for the SUV range.
Like the Silverado Hybrid, the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid had a 6.0-liter V8 with two 60kW electric motors and a 288V nickel-metal hydride battery, giving it a combined power output of 379 hp. The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid had aluminum body panels and driveline components to keep weight in check.
Making it more exclusive, Chevrolet also gave the Tahoe Hybrid a 42V power steering, LED tail lights, and 300V climate control, all of which were better than the bits in the regular Tahoe. With 21 mpg fuel efficiency, the Hybrid Tahoe was relatively more economical than the regular Tahoe.
| Specifications | 2008-2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Full-Hybrid |
| Type of hybrid | Full-hybrid |
| Maximum power | 379 hp |
| Maximum fuel economy | 21 mpg (city) / 22 mpg (highway) |
| EV-only range | NA |
| Top speed in EV-only mode | 30 mph |
Related: What’s the Real Difference Between EVs and Hybrids?
5. Chevrolet Volt
(2010-2016) Chevrolet Volt Plug-in Hybrid
- It was the first-ever plug-in hybrid vehicle from Chevrolet.
- The primary power sources were a 111kW electric motor and a 16kWh lithium-ion battery.
- The Volt also had a 1.4-liter gas engine with a 55kW generator that acted as a range extender.
This was a landmark moment for Chevrolet, indeed. Debuted in 2010, the Volt was the first-ever plug-in hybrid car from Chevrolet.
Unlike other hybrid vehicles from Chevrolet that came before it, the Volt was the first Chevrolet hybrid car to function as a battery-electric vehicle until the battery’s charge drops to a predefined point. After this threshold, the internal combustion engine starts powering the electric generator, thus acting as the range extender. Meanwhile, the primary source of power here was an electric motor.
The Chevrolet Volt debuted with an Opel-sourced 1.4-liter 80hp gas engine paired with a 55kW motor, which served as the range extender. Power to the wheels came from an electric motor, which claimed 149 hp and 273 lb-ft. The 16kWh lithium-ion battery delivered an electric-only range of 35 miles. A mid-life update for the Chevrolet Volt launched in 2013 saw a new 16.5kWh battery replacing the 16kWh battery, which hiked the pure EV range to 38 miles.
| Specifications | 2010-2016 Chevrolet Volt Plug-in Hybrid |
| Type of hybrid | Plug-in hybrid |
| Maximum power | 149 hp |
| Maximum fuel economy | 37 mpg (gasoline-only combined) |
| EV-only range | 38 miles |
| Top speed in EV-only mode | 100 mph |
(2016-2020) Chevrolet Volt Plug-in Hybrid
- The second-generation Volt came with a larger 18.4kWh battery.
- The pure electric range went up from 38 miles to 53 miles.
- It also had a new 1.5-liter 101hp engine with a 48kW motor for range extender setup.
The success of the first-generation Volt encouraged Chevrolet to up the ante, which it did with a flashier-looking and more advanced version, the second-generation Volt Hybrid. Along with a heavily revised exterior and interior, the second-generation Chevrolet Volt Hybrid also had a new range-extender setup and a larger battery, resulting in improved performance and fuel efficiency.
The second-generation Chevrolet Volt came with a 1.5-liter 101hp gas engine, which, unlike the previous-gen’s 1.4-liter engine, could run on regular gasoline. Along with a new 48kW motor for the range extender setup with the new engine, the second-gen Volt also had a new 87kW electric motor and a larger 18.4kWh lithium-ion battery for its primary powertrain. The larger battery pack resulted in a higher pure EV range of 53 miles.
| Specifications | 2016-2020 Chevrolet Volt Plug-in Hybrid |
| Type of hybrid | Plug-in hybrid |
| Maximum power | 149 hp |
| Maximum fuel economy | 42 mpg (gasoline-only combined) |
| EV-only range | 53 miles |
| Top speed in EV-only mode | 100 mph |
6. Chevrolet Impala
(2013-2020) Chevrolet Impala eAssist Mild-Hybrid
- It was the last Chevrolet car to get the eAssist mild-hybrid technology.
- It had the same 2.4-liter mild-hybrid powertrain with a 15kW motor and 0.5kWh battery as the Malibu ECO.
- The Chevrolet Impala claimed 182 hp power, 172 lb-ft, and 28 mpg.
In the early 2010s, sedans still enjoyed more popularity than SUVs and crossovers. So, it was natural for Chevrolet to consider a sedan as its next vehicle for the e-Assist system, and that’s how the Chevrolet Impala Hybrid was born.
After the Malibu Eco, the Impala was the next Chevy to receive the e-Assist system. It was the last-ever generation of the Chevrolet Impala and had the same 2.4-liter mild-hybrid powertrain as the eighth-generation Malibu.
Like in the Malibu Eco, the Chevrolet Impala e-Assist also had a 15kW electric motor and a 0.5kWh lithium-ion battery paired with its 2.4-liter inline-four engine. Along with the entire functionality, even the power and torque figures were the same as the Malibu ECO with e-Assist – 182 hp and 172 lb-ft.
| Specifications | 2013-2020 Chevrolet Impala Mild-Hybrid |
| Type of hybrid | Mild-hybrid |
| Maximum power | 182 hp |
| Maximum fuel economy | 24 mpg (city) / 35 mpg (highway) |
| EV-only range | NIL |
| Top speed in EV-only mode | NIL |
Also Read: Best Used Hybrid SUVs
FAQs
Q1. Does Chevrolet make a hybrid?
Chevrolet made all types of hybrids, including mild-hybrid tech in Silverado, Tahoe, Malibu, and Impala, full-hybrid in Silverado and Malibu, and plug-in hybrid in Volt.
Q2. Why did Chevy stop making hybrids?
Chevrolet discontinued most of the hybrids over the period due to declining sales.
Q3. Is the Chevrolet Silverado a hybrid?
The first-generation Silverado was offered with micro-hybrid technology, while a full-hybrid variant of the second-generation Silverado was sold briefly. Meanwhile, a few units of third-generation Silverado with the e-Assist mild-hybrid tech were also offered exclusively in California. Currently, the fourth-generation Silverado isn’t available with a hybrid powertrain.
Q4. How many miles per gallon does a Chevy Hybrid get?
The mild-hybrid Chevy hybrid cars usually returned 5-6 mpg more than their non-hybrid versions.
Q5. How does a Chevy hybrid work?
Chevrolet mild-hybrid and full-hybrid systems included a gasoline engine, a motor, and a small battery setup. Meanwhile, the plug-in hybrid Volt had an electric motor with a battery as the primary power source and a gasoline engine with a generator as a range extender.
