Detroit 2008: Saturn Vue Green Line plug-in hybrid
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At the Detroit Auto Show today, GM is providing the first concrete details on the new Saturn Vue Green Line plug-in hybrid since the battery development contracts were announced last spring and the vehicle itself was announced in late 2006. Prototypes of the new PHEV Vue are now running with lithium ion batteries and apparently getting more than 10 miles on a full charge. A full charge of the pack takes about 4-5 hours on a normal 110V household circuit. The PHEV Vue is based on the Two-Mode hybrid Vue also launching today. If GM makes their target of having the plug-in Vue on sale for 2010, it will likely be the first commercially available plug-in hybrid in the world. The GM press release is after the jump and we should have live pics of the Vue later today.
[Source: General Motors]
SATURN VUE GREEN LINE PLUG-IN HYBRID SUV MAY BEGIN PRODUCTION IN 2010
Expected to be First Commercially Available, OEM-produced Plug-in Hybrid
DETROIT –Saturn announced today at the North American International Auto Show that production will may begin as soon as 2010 on a plug-in hybrid electric version of the Saturn Vue Green Line, expected to be the first regular production plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Depending on a consumer's drive cycle, the Vue plug-in hybrid will be the most fuel-efficient vehicle offered by a major automaker.
This Vue Green Line will use a modified version of GM's two-mode hybrid system and plug-in technology, a lithium-ion battery pack, highly efficient electronics and powerful electric motors to achieve significant increases in fuel economy. When the lithium-ion batteries are fully charged, the Vue plug-in hybrid will potentially double the fuel efficiency of any current SUV. After electric-only propulsion depletes the lithium-ion energy storage system to a specified level, the battery is replenished by utilizing the two-mode hybrid system's electric motors and regenerative brake systems.
"We announced late in 2006 that a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle was a top priority, and the fact that we're now announcing production timing to bring the industry's first plug-in to market, while tackling many technology hurdles along the way, demonstrates our commitment to diversifying from petroleum and reducing emissions," said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak.
In early testing, the Vue Green Line plug-in hybrid is capable of electric-only propulsion for more than 10 miles at low speeds. At higher speeds or when conditions demand it, such as brisk acceleration, a combination of engine and electric power or engine power-only drives the vehicle.
The vehicle's lithium-ion batteries can be fully recharged in four to five hours by simply connecting the vehicle to any standard 110V household electrical outlet. The connection port on the vehicle will be integrated into the front fender. By recharging rather than refueling, the Vue Green Line plug-in hybrid reduces petroleum consumption.
A plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle differs from a non-plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle by offering extended electric-only propulsion, additional battery capacity and the ability to be recharged from an external electrical outlet.
The two-mode hybrid system to be introduced on the 2009 Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode will be altered for use with plug-in technology. In addition to plug-in capabilities and the modified two-mode hybrid system, the Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid SUV's powertrain will feature two interior permanent magnet motors within the two-mode transmission and GM's 3.6L V-6 VVT gasoline engine with direct injection. The lithium-ion energy storage system will be replenished by utilizing the two-mode hybrid system's electric motors and regenerative braking systems.
The Saturn Vue Green Line plug-in maintains two driving modes – one for city driving, the other for highway driving – and four fixed mechanical gears to maximize efficiency while maintaining performance. In addition, special controls will be utilized to enable higher speeds during electric-only propulsion and maintain electric-only propulsion for longer periods of time.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick 1:00PM (10/07/2008)
10 miles doesn't do it for me! What are they thinking??? that the electricity fairy will come down and charge their vehicles for free?? That will cost more than gas!!!
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EP 9:32PM (10/05/2008)
Uh...didn't GM have an electric car over a decade ago? Why is it taking soooooooo long to re-introduce another vehicle? Does GM need to make sure all patents are in line first so no one can modify the vehicle to get even better range? Batteries are already advanced enough to allow a vehicle to get 200 to 300 mile range on one charge.
The land of; you are free to do as we tell you. Check out http://www.grassrootsev.com for a little more information.
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Tim 8:59AM (1/14/2008)
WOW! 10 whole miles! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
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Tim 8:59AM (1/14/2008)
Can we REALLY trust GM to deliver on their E-Flex promises?
AFS Trinity Energy Corp had taken a stock Saturn View hybrid SUV which seats 5 and created a Volt style E-REV-40 that can cruise in excess of 80-mph in all electric mode for over 40 miles! AFS Trinity Energy Corp has NO affiliation with big oil, but they are willing to license their technology to the car manufacturers. The XH-150 prototype is running right NOW and has been featured on CNN and CBS!
Dr. Joseph Romm, Assistant Secretary of Energy, US DOE 1995-1998 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_J._Romm has appeared in their videos and endorses their technology.
Here are some more interesting videos including an graphic showing exactly how the ingenious system works: http://www.afstrinity.com/video.htm
No more wondering IF the Volt’s battery will work. AFS Trinity’s XH-150 E-REV-40 SUV is ready NOW using “off the shelf” components.
GM? BS!
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Dad 9:30AM (1/14/2008)
"target of having the plug-in Vue on sale for 2010, it will likely be the first commercially available plug-in hybrid in the world"
Wow! Nice job. The first one. When will Toyota catch up with PHEV?
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Dad 9:32AM (1/14/2008)
"2. Can we REALLY trust GM to deliver on their E-Flex promises?"
Yes.
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Mike Z 9:40AM (1/14/2008)
"Depending on a consumer's drive cycle, the Vue plug-in hybrid will be the most fuel-efficient vehicle offered by a major automaker."
That 10 mile range will make the VUE a Prius beater, good enough for me.
I'm sorry that this is a major thing, in fact the biggest news out there. Those who down play this or criticize GM on it just have no sense of reality IMHO.
Just about any company can build a PHEV or REEV or EV---Its quite another thing to figure out how to mass produce them, build them reliability, and build them affordably.
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Taser 10:03AM (1/14/2008)
I agree mike. Battery longevity and safety are a big concern using "off-the-shelf" products.
Hopefully, GM will have the hybrid system in place so that when the battery technology matures, plug in hybrids will flourish.
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Benson Leung 10:56AM (1/14/2008)
Mike.
Sure, you talk about how it's important to mass produce, build reliably, and price affordably, but from my observations so far, GM hasn't proven themselves on any of those criteria when it comes to hybrid cars.
GM so far has produced only a handful of hybrid cars, and competitors domestic and abroad have had more experience producing and selling the cars than GM has.
Talk about domestics just for a moment... Ford has sold more hybrids than GM at this point
GM talks a big game, but to me, the reality is, they haven't shipped enough and the said reliability of a car like the Volt hasn't been proven, unlike the Prius, which has been on the road for more than 10 years now.
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virgil 10:59AM (1/14/2008)
BFD!
Yet more hot air from GM. If you're gonna make a car that drives on a power source that is somewhat marginal to begin with, why choose a big-fat-SUV as the starting point. The fact that GM is producing so many hybrid SUVs really shows how little they know about EVs. They argue that "the public wants SUVs" whenever challenged, and fail to realize that the public will buy whatever is put in front of them. You put SUVs in front of them, and they bought them! Give them small cars and they will respond!
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Mike Z 11:23AM (1/14/2008)
While I agree that I won't be won over by GM's efforts until I can walk into a showroom and buy a PHEV/EV, but lets cut the crap and face facts right now:
GM is the ONLY major car maker (aka one with any history of making cars, not just vaporware) to make a public commitment to bring a PHEV/REEV to market, period, end of story.
Toyota is only experimenting with a Prius with a 7 mile EV Range and making no public commitment to producing a PHEV.
Ford indicates that they do not feel that Li-Ion technology is ready to bring to market yet.
Honda has rejected PHEVs and is focusing on Hydrogen and Diesels
Chrysler is unveiling prototypes but as far as I know making no commitment to developing the battery technology to produce them.
Bottom Line, as much as I hate to say it, if you're in favor of Plug-in Hybrids, GM right now is the only real game in town.
I just find it hard to be negative against the only company that is willing to take on the risk of developing a PHEV/REEV.
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Chris 12:12PM (1/14/2008)
Ummm.. Ford already has PHEV Escape Hybrids on the road in California.(Ref:http://www.technologynewsdaily.com/node/8672 and many other sites) I know it's not in consumers hands but its further along than the VUE PHEV is.
While I applaud GM for saving a little gas here and there, their BAS/mild hybrid system is a joke when compared to all other non-performance targeted hybrids. Very little gas saved and no emissions reductions outside of turning off the engine while stopped. Take the current VUE hybrid, it gets a 6MPG increase at a cost of $2,920. Now compare that to the Ford Escape Hybrid that picks up 11MPG at $3860 and is a AT-PZEV ultra low emission vehicle. Now factor in the $3000 tax credit on the Ford versus the $1550 credit on the VUE for 2008. (http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=176409,00.html) So after the tax credit, you pay $860 for +11MPG on the Escape or $1370 for +6MPG on the VUE.
The only thing GM has that is a true hybrid is the two-mode and good luck finding one on the road. Even the two-mode technology hasn't been street proven like Toyota, Honda, or Fords.
GM talks a good game but has yet to show me they can put wheels on the road...
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Chris 12:21PM (1/14/2008)
...and for the much hyped Malibu hybrid, you'll get a whopping +2MPG at a final (after tax credit) cost of $1495. That's a lot of green ($) for not very much green.
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Taser 12:58PM (1/14/2008)
It took GM a while to get in to the Hybrid Game but with the two-mode hybrid now starting to arrive in its SUVs and mid-size cars, people will be taking a good look at them.
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Throwback 2:06PM (1/14/2008)
Virgil, small cars are and have been available in USA for a long time and they sell well, just not as well as SUVs. The fact is we Americans (that is the collective we, not me personally) like SUVs. Why do you think Toyota just introduced a new SUV that is NOT a hybrid? Because their customers are looking for something in between the RAV4 and Highlander and they don't want them going elsewhere. Gm is smart to put this into SUVs ,because that is the most popular segment for them and every other auto maker. This also allows them to charge closer to what the tech costs. I find it interesting that after 10 years of increased sales, Toyota has yet to sell another hybrid only vehicle. They plan to show 2 at the 2009 auto show. Lastly check out how many CRVs, Pilots and MDXs Honda sells. Same for Toyota. GM's strategy will either work or fail, we will know soon enough. 2009 will be here soon enough.
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quagmire 3:42PM (1/14/2008)
Chris, the Two Mode system has been on the road for a few years now in GM's hybrid buses. It is just now that they downsized it to fit regular consumer vehicles.
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Emil 4:01PM (1/14/2008)
First of all - long live GM for making a full hybrid.
No. 9 - Toyota hasn't done a lot of PR about the next Prius - doesn't mean that they sleep...
No. 3 - There is plenty of time until 2010.
No. 5 - I would agree, if you called VUE a "Ford Escape beater". But not Prius !
And finally Tim ( No. 1 ): It's better to have a car with 10 miles EV range mass produced, than a car with 40 miles EV range as a concept.
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Tim 5:03PM (1/14/2008)
Emil (#15)- The people demand cake so GM tosses us some flour. They CAN do so much more! They MUST do so much more!!!
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