General Motors is preparing to expand its hybrid strategy as hybrid sales continue to rise in the U.S., after the automaker largely missed the recent growth in demand. GM’s current hybrid offerings are limited to expensive Corvette models, including the Grand Sport X, which starts at around $110,000.
GM Signals a Hybrid Strategy
Asian automakers with extensive hybrid lineups, including Toyota and Hyundai, have benefited from the shift toward hybrid vehicles. GM, however, appears ready to respond to changing customer demand.
Mike Anderson, GM’s vice president of propulsion engineering, told CNBC that “it’s fair to say that [hybrids are] part of the plan.” He also said GM is not “tone deaf” to its customers and is preparing to meet demand.
GM did not disclose further details. However, AutoForecast Solutions said the Michigan-based automaker could begin offering plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or PHEVs, in late 2027 to early 2028, with an electric-only range of around 70 miles.
GM Could Expand PHEVs Across Its Lineup
According to AutoForecast Solutions, GM’s potential PHEV portfolio could stretch from the Equinox to the Silverado. The automaker has remained cautious about moving forward as customer preferences have shifted.
At one point, the transition to electric vehicles in the U.S. appeared inevitable, helping explain why GM developed an extensive EV lineup. But EV sales have fallen sharply since the $7,500 federal tax credit expired last year, leading automakers to reconsider their strategies.
How GM’s PHEVs Would Work
Plug-in hybrid vehicles combine a combustion engine with electric motors and a battery that can be recharged by plugging into an external power source. That setup allows drivers to continue using gasoline after the electric-only range has been exhausted.
Most PHEVs primarily rely on AC charging. Models such as the Range Rover PHEV and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV are exceptions because they also support DC fast charging.
GM confirmed in January 2024 that it would bring PHEVs back to North America. A few months later, CEO Mary Barra said the first models were expected in 2027.
GM’s all-electric models, including the Chevrolet Silverado EV, Cadillac Lyriq and GMC Hummer EV, arrived first. That left the automaker with a noticeable gap as demand for hybrids increased.
Silverado PHEV Could Join Electrified Truck Market
If Chevrolet launches a Silverado PHEV by 2028, GM would join its direct rivals in offering electrified full-size trucks.
Ford already offers the F-150 PowerBoost, which combines a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor to produce 430 horsepower. Ram offers the mild-hybrid eTorque system.
Ram is also preparing the 1500 REV, a range-extended EV that uses hardware similar to a PHEV. Unlike a conventional PHEV, however, its combustion engine serves only as a generator rather than directly powering the wheels.
Fuel Prices Add Pressure for Efficient Vehicles
For now, high fuel prices stemming partly from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East are encouraging buyers to choose smaller, more efficient vehicles, including hybrids and sedans.
Those are segments where GM has largely been absent, adding further pressure on the automaker as it prepares to expand its electrified vehicle strategy.
