Several articles in the press yesterday (Wednesday) gave significant publicity to GM's chairman and chief executive G. Richard Wagoner Jr. announcement at the Los Angeles Auto Show that GM plans to build a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Wagoner called the plug-in hybrid technology a "top priority" for the automaker. Citing technical obstacles, he didn't say when the new vehicle would go on sale. GM is working to put the plug-in hybrid powertrain in a future version of the Saturn Vue. He claimed that timing depends on how soon a suitable battery can be developed for the vehicle. He claimed that affordable battery technology doesn't exist yet.
Wagoner said the new Vue will be the "launch platform for the first front-wheel-drive version of our advanced 'two-mode' hybrid system in 2008." Its first plug-in hybrid will be based on the 2008 Saturn Vue, a redesigned crossover-utility vehicle that goes on sale next year. Eventually, the Vue will be sold in three hybrid versions: as the Green Line that used a mild hybrid system, as a vehicle that uses GM's more efficient two-mode hybrid system, and as the plug-in hybrid.
According to GM, the Saturn plug-in hybrid will include lithium-ion batteries, two interior permanent magnet motors, and a 3.6-liter V-6 gasoline engine with direct injection and variable valve timing. The 2-mode hybrid system will be altered for use with plug-in technology. It maintains two driving modes - one for city driving, the other for highway driving - and four fixed mechanical gears to maximize efficiency while maintaining performance.
According to some reports, GM is expected to show off a concept plug-in hybrid next month -- dubbed the I-car within the company, or iconic vehicle.
I'm still skeptical that GM will walk the walk, but they're throwing out actual years when stuff will happen and it's soon by automotive standards. Kudos to some risk taking from one of the Big 3.
Mike
Posted by: Mike@HCVN | November 30, 2006 at 01:12 PM
While I applaud them for at least talking about hybrids, how about getting realistic with the rest of the vehicle. A 3.6L V6 ? How about replacing that with a diesel running at constant speed (minimum emissions and max efficiency) ?
Thus far hybrids are just power assist devices to make the already powerful SUVs go faster. They are only paying lip service to fuel economy.
Posted by: someguy | December 01, 2006 at 01:19 AM
Traditional automakers are still in denial and hoping EV goes away. However, it is not going away and the lead in this disruptive technology will come from outside the industry. In the meantime, spending time complaining and lobbying the federal government will only accelerate their demise. Companies like Tesla will lead the way and be the Southwest Airlines or Nucor Steel of the auto industry. No new technology is required, only improvements in current technologies INCLUDING battery and/or energy storage systems.
Maybe the GM ostriches will take a page from the music and suit their customers.
In 2010,there will be close to a million
EV's in fleets and in niche consumer markets
and the spoils will be reaped by new victors
Posted by: vslance | December 01, 2006 at 02:24 PM
A very interesting new technolgy is available. www.omnivalves.com says their new omnivalves intall in any 4 stroke engine and make it into a hybrid? How, well they say that the 4 stroke motor will generate torque at a very low RPM like 200 RPM and that is much lower then a hybrid. Worth a look I think, www.omnvalves.com
Posted by: Mike Tieman | December 14, 2006 at 01:04 PM