Inside the soon-to-be-released two-mode hybrid system
If you're curious how the much-heralded two-mode hybrid system being developed by GM, DaimlerChrysler and BMW works, check out this explanation at AutoSpeed. Co-written by engineers from all three automakers, the tech feature not only goes into the mechanics of the hybrid systems but also the economic factors that drove its development. I saw this system for the first time about 18 months ago at a GM Powertrain preview and was very impressed with the product's versatility. At that time only the large version, which will be used in SUVs, was shown. But now I can see a smaller model that will used in luxury cars. Some may wonder why a version for compact cars doesn't have early priority. GM has long professed addressing vehicles with the worst fuel economy. That's why the two-mode strategy was first tried out in bus fleets. I don't know the exact numbers, but a single hybrid bus probably saves more fuel each year than a few dozen Prius models. Also, premium and higher-priced vehicles can help offset early development costs. Cynics will scoff at a 25 percent increase in fuel economy for a vehicle that only gets 15mpg to start with, but in the long run the two-mode can make a difference.
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[Source: AutoSpeed]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike Z. 12:03PM (11/14/2006)
Increases the MPG of low mpg cars is the BEST overall strategy.
Overall Taking a 15 MPG car and improving it to 18.75 would result in 1,333 Gal saved over 100,000 Miles
For a Prius (using Corolla as baseline) the improved mileage from 38 ->51 was only 670 gal over the same time.
In other words the fuel saved with converting a 15 Mpg car into a 18.75 Mpg car is the equivalent of converting a 38 Mpg car to 80 Mpg.
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Peter 12:17PM (11/14/2006)
Or you could just drive the Corolla instead of the Tahoe, resulting in a gas savings of over 4000 gallons ($12,000 at $3 a gallon!).
And if you really need more space and off road ability, you could get something like a Forester (22/29) and still save about 2500 gallons. And you might actually enjoy driving it.
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DB 4:17PM (11/14/2006)
You both bring up good points. As the original commentary said, increasing the mileage on something like a bus or UPS truck through hybrid tech creates far greater fuel saved than the same tech applied to several (if not dozens of) sedans.
Reality check: you'll never see $1.00 gasoline again. Seriously. Never. The prices are only going to get more expensive with time. The real question is how quickly will they continue to rise?
Therfore, within a few years, any city that isn't buying NEW fleet trucks (ie. new garbage trucks, fire trucks, etc) with hybrid technology will be wasting huge amounts of $$$. Same goes for freight delivery trucks. UPS, Peterbilt tractor trailer delivery trucks will enevitably all go towards hybrid tech because they'll be burning away money if they don't.
This spells out huge fuel savings. Take one UPS truck that normally gets say 8 mpg and drives 80,000 miles per year and diesel gas at $3 (avg over next several years). That's $30,000 in fuel costs per year. Now if that same capacity truck is getting 12 mpg thanks to hybrid tech, that's $20,000 in fuel/year= $10,000 savings. If they save $10K a year and a truck usually lasts at least 10 years, they're saving at least $100,000 per truck.
AND, they're saving 3333 gallons of fuel per year PER TRUCK. Multiply the yearly savings of $10,000 and 3333 gallons of fuel per truck times the number of trucks they have on the road (tens of thousands) and you get alot of money and fuel saved.
That's UPS alone. Imagine the Postal Service, shipping freight, and other heavy duty trucks. The savings in total fuel used would be enormous with large scale hybrid tech in the shipping industry. That brings down the demand for fuel, therefore helping the cost go down too. Win-win.
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MikeW 11:21PM (11/15/2006)
How about GM put 6 speed automatics into their big suvs/trucks
ie the new suburban with 4 speed automatic & 4.1 axle ratio
1st-2nd 40mph
2nd-3rd 75mph
how about 6L80 6 speed automatic & 3.73 axle ratio (can be done yesterday)
1st-2nd 30
2nd-3rd 55
3rd-4th 90
Same engine, superior performance. The craptastic 0-60 of 10 seconds & 1/4 of 17.3@83mph be gone.
The quarter would be ~16@90
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ksmith 9:49AM (11/16/2006)
I hate the websites that ask you to pay to view an article. Thankfully, they have a weak-ass security system in place. Just google for 'autospeed two mode hybrid', then click the 'cache' link on the autospeed result. Presto, full article, and now you're not $4.61 poorer. Bastards.
http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:keru6erpGXEJ:autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_3088/article.html+autospeed+two+mode+hybrid&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=2
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