Dodge's HEMI Most Eco-Friendly Engine In A Half-Ton

Using EPA carbon footprint figures, SAE peak horsepower and torque, and published engine displacement, we evaluated the popular engines available in every half-ton truck to determine which engines offer the best compromise between power and environmental efficiency.

Dodge's "gas-guzzling" 5.7 HEMI came out on top because it produces significantly less carbon annually than engines with similar size and power.

In an odd note, the Chevy Silverado Hybrid 6.0 produces the exact same amount of carbon annually that Dodge's HEMI produces, yet it offers drastically less power. Chevy's own 5.3L, based largely on 1960's technology, produces less carbon than the 6.0 Hybrid while delivering similar performance.

Since the Chevy 5.3 is nearly as powerful as the Hybrid 6.0, and produces less carbon annually, what exactly is the point of the Hybrid? Yet another example of marketing wining out over science.

Check the link to see the data for yourself.
Read Article

truckman - 9/28/2009 2:25:45 PM

-3 Boost

Goes to show how great hybrids are, I hear that the EMFs on hybrids are worse than cel. phones, maybe electric vehicles are not the way to go, we will be cooked from the inside out, eyes are first to be cooked.

Joe_Limon - 9/28/2009 2:31:22 PM

+2 Boost

What is the hybrid for? It's for people who want the fuel economy of a similarly powered car with the capability of a truck. Not for producing less carbon... ffs quit breathing and you'll stop producing world destroying evil carbon...

truckman - 9/28/2009 2:59:33 PM

+2 Boost

Did you read the article Joe, the Dodge had 58HP more than Chevs hybrid and produced the same carbon foot print, and you are right hybrids are supposed to save on fuel but not in this case.

Joe_Limon - 9/28/2009 3:16:33 PM

+1 Boost

I read the article and that's why I was dissing the carbon footprint, it tells you nothing. The silverado hybrid gets 21mpg combined with 332hp/367ftlbs compare that to the Camaro with it's 300hp/273ftlbs and 22mpg combined. Or the Nissan 370z with it's 21mpg combined at 332hp/270ftlbs. Like I said, the hybrid option is for people who want the utility of a truck with the fuel economy of a similarly powered car.

tundrahq - 9/28/2009 9:09:54 PM

+2 Boost

If it's all about fuel economy, Chevy's 5.3, Ford's 4.6L 3V, or Toyota's 4.6 would all be better choices. They offer the same amount of power as the Hybrid Silverado along with the same (or better) towing and payload rating. I get what you're saying, but there's no fuel economy or environmental justification for buying a Silverado Hybrid.

Joe_Limon - 9/28/2009 9:44:56 PM

+1 Boost

Let's analyze that comment.
Silverado Hybrid: 21mpg combined, 332hp 367ftlbs
Silverado 5.3L: 17mpg combined, 320hp 340ftlbs
F-150 4.6L: 17mpg combined, 248hp 294ftlbs
F-150 5.4L: 15mpg combined, 320hp 390ftlbs
Tundra 4.6L: 17mpg combined, 310hp 327ftlbs
Tundra 5.7L: 16mpg combined, 381hp 401ftlbs
Ram 4.7L: 15mpg combined, 310hp 330ftlbs
Ram 5.7L: 16mpg combined, 390hp 407ftlbs

The only trucks with higher power ratings then the hybrid silverado also get 5mpg less...

truckman - 9/29/2009 4:45:39 AM

+1 Boost

Joelemon-Stats speak louder than assumptions,lol you are right about the Chev hybrid getting higher mileage, then again you have to spend more $$ to buy the chev hybrid, so in the end with the hybrid you don't save anything, you just get zapped by the Electro Magnetic Field, I must research that, anyone heard anything about hybrids and EMFs?

Joe_Limon - 9/29/2009 10:24:43 AM

+1 Boost

EMF... doesn't that stand for electromagnetic frequency? I thought light was an electromagnetic frequency... these claims sound an awful lot like the dihydrogen monoxide scare. But back to the silverado, the hybrid starts at $35,000, and while the base base model starts at $27,000 the model with almost as much power as the hybrid version also starts at $35,000.

theman440 - 9/28/2009 3:28:55 PM

+2 Boost

Makes you PROUD to be a Chrysler guy - doesn't it ?

bfghemicuda - 9/28/2009 6:00:49 PM

+1 Boost

Long live the pushrod hemi.

bfghemicuda - 9/28/2009 5:57:46 PM

+2 Boost

I enjoyed the article

tundrahq - 9/28/2009 9:10:40 PM

+2 Boost

Thanks!

thstone - 9/28/2009 7:06:31 PM

+1 Boost

This is silly. The Most Eco-Friendly Truck would simply have the lowest CO2 footprint. Period.

tundrahq - 9/28/2009 9:14:39 PM

+1 Boost

By that standard, a golf cart with a pickup bed would be the most eco-friendly "truck." Obviously, that type of simple analysis doesn't account for the fact that trucks are needed to do things...like haul, tow, etc. Since trucks are needed to do work, truck engines need power...and the lowest footprint standard fails that test. Instead we have to talk about "carbon efficiency" to reflect real world truck needs.

bfghemicuda - 9/29/2009 2:14:51 PM

-1 Boost

Most 4&6 cylinder trucks have no business carrying 1000 lbs

theman440 - 9/29/2009 6:40:47 PM

+1 Boost

Invisible - put your money where your mouth is and put a 1/2 Ton payload in the bed of a small 4or6 cylinder PU and drive it around. Lets get real here !

bfghemicuda - 9/30/2009 11:07:34 AM

+2 Boost

Invisible...You missed the point. Most 4&6 cyl trucks dont have frame strength, brakes, steering etc to SAFELY carry a 1000 lbs. As far as cars are concerned maybe not todays cars but I know a 1966 Dodge coronet could carry a 1000 lbs in the trunk and still be safe. I know from past visits to pick-a-part.

thstone - 9/29/2009 2:26:46 PM

0 Boost

My point remains the same - the most Eco-Friendly Half Ton Truck is the one with the lowest C02 footprint. Period.

Yes, a golf cart with a bed might have a smaller CO2 footprint but its not a half ton truck.