A Guide to Hybrid Pickup Trucks

For many hybrid owners, the full-sized pickup truck represents all that is wrong with the American vehicle: big, overpowered, and thirsty for fuel. But the reality is that pickups are immensely popular—mostly because many Americans need the hard-working hauling and towing capacities of a hybrid truck.

The Toyota A-BAT is a four-seat hybrid pickup with a four-foot rear bed and roof-mounted solar panels to charge its onboard accessories. The vehicle might appeal to all those other pickup drivers who seldom load lumber, but want versatility, roominess, sleek styling, and top-notch fuel efficiency.

An entirely new generation of hybrid trucks is in the works. Version 2.0 of the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and GMC Sierra Hybrid hit showrooms as 2009 models. The two-mode hybrid system going into trucks increases fuel economy by 25 percent to 18 in the city and 20 highway—far from Prius territory, but respectable for a three-ton truck with a 6.0L V8 powerplant under the hood. Dodge Ram Hybrid will use the same two-mode powertrain as the GM trucks, and is expected to get roughly the same fuel economy. And recently, auto companies have begun exploring the potential for a “lifestyle” pickup: a smaller, more fuel efficient unibody hybrid truck that offers a car-like ride combined with modest towing and hauling capabilities.

A List of Hybrid Trucks

Sort by:	Name	Combined MPG	Technology	MSRP	Available	Description
	Ford F-150 E85	11 MPG	E85 Ethanol	$22,100	Now	Ford's best-selling pickup truck offers flex-fuel capabilities.
	Chevrolet Silverado E85	13 MPG	E85 Ethanol	$29,400	Now	America's prototypical pickup is a natural fit for E85.
	Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid	21 MPG	Hybrid	$39,000	Now	GM phased out the ultra-light hybrid pickups that produced a 10-15 percent increase in fuel economy to make room for a full-hybrid version of the Silverado.
	GMC Sierra Hybrid	21 MPG	Hybrid	$39,400	Now	Breaks the 20-mpg mark to become the most efficient full-size pickup.
	Dodge Ram Hybrid	n/a	Hybrid	n/a	2010	Chrysler's hemi-powered hybrid system applied to the Ram pickup.
	Toyota A-BAT Concept Hybrid Pickup Truck	n/a	Hybrid	n/a	Concept	A kinder, gentler, and weirder vision for a pickup truck. And it's a hybrid.
	Phoenix Motorcars Electric Sport Utility Truck	n/a	Electric	$45,000	Discntd.	This all-electric truck offers a 1,000 pounds of payload capacity and 120-horsepower performance.