A mechanic named Scotty transformed his gas-guzzling 1991 Chevy pickup truck into a plug-in hybrid using Chinese-made components, achieving significantly improved fuel efficiency. Dissatisfied with the truck’s original poor mileage, Scotty sought a cost-effective alternative to purchasing a new hybrid truck.
His solution involved replacing the truck’s original transmission with a Chinese-manufactured dual-motor electric drive unit, essentially turning the rear axle into an electric motor and adding regenerative braking. He paired this with a battery pack, also Chinese-sourced, installed in the truck bed. The original gasoline engine remains functional, allowing for a hybrid configuration where the truck can operate on electric power alone for shorter distances or utilize the gas engine for longer trips and heavy hauling.
The conversion process involved extensive modifications, including integrating the new electric drive system with the truck’s existing systems and fabricating custom brackets and mounts. Scotty documented the project on his YouTube channel, sharing details of the installation process, parts used, and performance results. The project demonstrates the potential for retrofitting older vehicles with electric drive components to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions, even utilizing affordable parts from overseas. The modified truck now achieves significantly better gas mileage and offers the option of electric-only driving, showcasing a practical, DIY approach to vehicle electrification.
find the original article here: https://autos.yahoo.com/swapped-gas-truck-chinese-hybrid-042101877.html