2016 Chevy Malibu – The Most Recent of a Chevy Hybrid Tradition

 

It’s finally 2015, and while the Chevrolet dealers in KY may not have cars that can run on garbage – yet – we are getting pretty close through the leaps and bounds in gas efficiency and hybrid technology that companies like Chevrolet have made.

Just take a look at the new 2016 Chevy Malibu, which features a two-engine drive train that maximizes fuel efficiency in its gas engine and complements with its electric engine to deliver a whopping 48 miles per gallon combined. Plus, with further fuel-saving technology like an exhaust gas heat recovery system, which warms the cabin using reclaimed heat from the exhaust, this model was truly built to outstrip its competitors.

The 2016 Malibu also sets itself apart from the field because it doesn’t have a charging port – meaning you don’t need to plug it in to charge its electric battery. The secret is in Chevy’s regenerative braking technology which captures the kinetic energy generated by the brakes during normal use and stores it in the Malibu’s 80-cell, 1.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

The 2016 Chevy Volt

 

This impressive performance puts the 2016 Malibu at the head of Chevy’s pack of hybrid vehicles, with its new 2016 Volt – on which the Malibu hybrid was based – not far behind. At an impressive 41 miles per gallon in extended mode and a range of about 50 miles on electric power alone. And the Volt makes driving on just electric power easy, unlike the Malibu which always combines the two engines for maximized fuel efficiency. For most volt drivers, this means the gas engine won’t even be activated for most daily driving.

The 2016 Chevy Spark EV

 

These each come alongside the new 2016 Chevy Spark EV, a pure electric vehicle featuring an electric propulsion system drive unit paired with a lithium-ion battery. Because this powerful little vehicle lacks a transmission, it actually has impressive torque – an estimated 327 lb.-ft. It takes only seven hours to fill the battery or, with the Spark’s available DC Fast Charging option, up to 80 percent in just 20 minutes. With an 82-mile range per charge and an estimated economy of 128 MPGe city and 109 MPGe highway, this all-electric Chevy is perfect for everything from a day drive to a daily commute, leaving all fill-ups behind.

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Previous Chevy Hybrids

The 2013 Silverado 1500 Hybrid

 

Chevy really started making waves in the hybrid market with its 2013 Silverado 1500 hybrid, one of the first work trucks to hold the hybrid title. With a powerful dual-engine powertrain capable of switching between electric, gas, and a combination of the two, this pickup got an incredible 20 miles per gallon city and 23 highway, better than any competitor. This model also featured Chevy’s regenerative braking, meaning that drivers do not need to be near an outlet to charge their hybrid Silverado.

The 2013 Tahoe Hybrid

 

That same year, Chevy also released its 2013 Tahoe hybrid, which stormed the SUV market by offering a whopping 21 miles per gallon combined thanks to its twin electric motors and 6.0-liter gasoline V8 engine. This efficient SUV could still provide up to 379 horsepower. This was the sixth year in a row Chevy had released a hybrid Tahoe, and the line saw notable popularity in its time.

 

With these vehicles, Chevy has shown it is capable of doing some really impressive work in the hybrid field. And with fuel-economy regulations on the rise, this could signal a Chevy hybrid as a sound and earth-friendly investment for the future.

Tags: Chevrolet Hybrid, Chevrolet Volt, Chevy, Chevy Malibu, Chevy Spark EV, fuel efficient vehicles, silverado
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