What type of engine does Chevy use?
Chevrolet uses multiple engine types—gasoline, diesel, and electric propulsion—depending on the model and year.
Across its lineup, Chevy relies on the EcoTec3 gasoline engines for most light-duty cars and trucks, Duramax diesels for trucks and larger SUVs, and battery-electric propulsion for its BEV lineup including the Bolt and Silverado EV. Availability varies by model, trim, and market, reflecting the brand’s broader move toward electrification as well as traditional internal-combustion options.
Engine Families
Chevrolet groups its propulsion systems into a few broad families. The following list highlights the main categories Chevy uses in its current production vehicles.
- EcoTec3 gasoline engines: a family of gasoline direct-injected engines that includes 2.0L and 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinders, as well as larger 4.3L V6, 5.3L V8, and 6.2L V8 variants used across many light-duty cars, trucks, and SUVs.
- Duramax diesel engines: a line of turbo-diesel options including 2.8L inline-4, 3.0L inline-6, and 6.6L V8 variants that power Chevy pickups and heavy-duty trucks.
- LT small-block V8 family (Gen V): a high-performance V8 line (including variants like LT1/LT2) used in Chevy performance models and certain trucks/SUVs, delivering strong power and torque.
- Electric propulsion: battery-electric powertrains used in Chevy BEVs such as Bolt EV, Bolt EUV, and the Silverado EV (with continued expansion into other models like the Blazer EV).
These engine families collectively illustrate Chevrolet’s approach to providing a range of powertrains—from efficient daily-driver engines to capable diesels and high-performance V8s, with a growing portfolio of electric motors for zero-emission driving.
Summary
Chevrolet employs a diverse mix of propulsion systems: EcoTec3 gasoline engines for many models, Duramax diesels for demanding hauling and towing, Gen V LT V8s for performance-oriented variants, and battery-electric propulsion for its BEVs. The exact engine type you’ll encounter depends on the specific model, trim, and year.
