GM's hybrid powertrain director gives PHEV update
A row of Saturn Vue PHEVs in Milford's building 16 garage
GM may have been late to the party when it came to hybrids, but they are now throwing resources at a bunch of different parallel paths that including electric drive. There are already cars and CUVs with mild hybrid systems and full-size SUVs with Two-Mode hybrid systems. Later this fall pickup trucks and Saturn Vues will also get the Two-Mode system. Then there is of course the E-Flex Chevy Volt. Sometime around the end of 2009 GM's first plug-hybrid should debut also in the shape of the Vue. At the Plug-In 2008 conference Larry Nitz, the Executive Director of the hybrid powertrain engineering at GM provided an updated on the Vue PHEV program. After initiating development with nickel metal hydride batteries, the team based in Building 16 at the Milford proving ground now has 11 plug-in Vues running with lithium ion batteries. If the PHEV Vue makes it by the end of next year it will likely be the first commercially available plug-in hybrid from a major carmaker. The Vue is expected to have about 10 miles of electric driving range on a full charge.
[Source: GM Fastlane Blog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kert 10:07AM (7/24/2008)
wow, that is way more significant than Volt pie in the sky sometime 201x.
what are the estimates for production numbers ?
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paulwesterberg 12:47PM (7/24/2008)
10 miles max? yuck. sounds like more lazy engineering at GM.
The prius can probably do that now with an electric only mode button.
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Sam Abuelsamid 12:58PM (7/24/2008)
Have you ever actually driven a Prius (or any other hybrid)? Unless you are facing downhill continuously, a Prius will go about a mile on the battery alone even with an EV mode button. Even the plug-in converted Priuses only get about 10 miles with a lithium ion battery.
Driven 1:35PM (7/24/2008)
10 miles is more than enough for my commute round trip...
Serge 1:27PM (7/24/2008)
10 electric only miles is not bad first step. For those with access to electric outlets at both ends of daily commute, that's 20 electric miles a day. For customers, it's an opportunity to start experiencing electric driving (and saving) as early as 2009. For GM, it's an opportunity to get in the game earlier and get some real-life testing before the Volt rolls out.
Let's go!
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Steve Tharpe 2:21PM (7/24/2008)
Anyone remember the EV-1? What happened to all that real world research info, General? I'm betting that Toyota, not GM, has the first real world PHEV available in the U.S.
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Sean 5:44PM (7/24/2008)
While I agree with your irritation toward GM for their handling of the EV1 program, due to past laziness and ostrich-like behavior, they are now depending on PHEVs (and the E-Flex system ultimately) in order to survive. In short, they need this to succeed even more than we want it to.
As for only 10 EV miles, while I also agree that this seems like just a token, let them start somewhere. Being first to market has huge advantages. As tech improves, GM will also have to improve or they'll get their lunch eaten again, and I think they understand this now.
Besides, as the public gets used to PHEVs, they'll try to maximize the use of the limited EV range and become more efficient drivers in the process (much like has happened to many a Prius driver, myself included.) That and their appetites will be whetted for a longer-range EV (i.e. that many more future sales when the Volt becomes available.)
Euros make cars also 9:50PM (7/24/2008)
Sam,
"If the PHEV Vue makes it by the end of next year it will likely be the first commercially available plug-in hybrid from a major carmaker."
What were 100 copies of the Audi Duo?????
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Peekoyle 11:38AM (7/25/2008)
10 miles .. lol
I'll wait for my iMiev.
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Mike 10:27AM (7/25/2008)
I'm lost! 10 miles? The EV-1 got almost 10 times that amount of miles and how many years ago is that. Even if technology was at a standstill, GM still has the resources to go at least 70 miles electric. We shouldn't accept these pitiful
numbers from them and be grateful that their trying. They can easily do better.
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Derek 12:14PM (7/27/2008)
The EV1 was also a million dollar (or more) car with two seats and very light weight.
Chris M 6:54PM (7/27/2008)
The EV1 had a larger battery pack storing more energy, and was much more streamlined and lighter than the Saturn Vue, in spite of the heavier battery pack. The EV1 battery also cost more, and the 10 mile range for the Vue PHEV reflects a smaller less expensive battery that keeps the cost affordable. Better a 10 mile PHEV that most average drivers could buy than a 100 mile PHEV that only a few could afford.
But the EV1 didn't really cost a million each. Consider that the Tesla Roadster, also a two seater with twice the range and extensive use of costly carbon fiber is selling for $100,000 - with a substantial profit margin. Considering the cost of materials and assembly, the EV1 could have sold for about $50K and still turned a profit.
BeGreen 3:54PM (7/27/2008)
America needs to stay FOCUSED, AWARE and EDUCATED.
Focus:
History reminds us that every time oil prices peak and the North American market/consumers start to discuss alternative energy sources, the oil exporting countries start to trim down their prices. History also tells us that the oil exporting nations have been very successful in the past and in fact, we have lost our enthusiasm and dropped many of our alternative energy initiatives after oil prices are reduced.
WE need to stay focused this time.
1) Al Gore and his energy initiative is on course.
2) T. Boone Pickens and his wind power initiative is on course.
3) The BG Automotive Group mass production electric vehicle program is on
course along with renewable solar energy charging option.
4) Richard Branson from the UK is on course w/his environmental programs..
5) The Gas Reduction Act of 2008 might not be the most environmentally sound
solution, but yet it shows that Congress has finally realized that we have an
energy crisis (again), and a real threat to our national security.
The continued dependence on foreign oil is a threat to our long term democratic values. We must become an energy independent nation, and with this, some sacrifices will have to be made by the American consumer.
Be aware!!
We are exporting approximately USD $700 Billion dollars per year of U.S. currency. The majority of this money is being transferred to the Trillion dollar “sovereign wealth funds”. This is USD $700 Billion not being spent on America’s educational system, health care and security.
The “sovereign wealth funds” are directly buying major interests (large blocks of stock) in U.S. companies, including most of the major banks. Also, billions of dollars of “sovereign wealth fund” money is being invested in our hedge funds, private equity firms, and the investment banking industry. A few of these firms are directly and indirectly investing large sums of money into our “gas combustion” automobile industry. Do we want our auto industry in the direct or indirect control of the firms that are supplying us oil? This is an interesting topic for an investigative reporter.
There are automotive consulting companies in Michigan (heart of our auto industry), lobbying States and our Federal Government, NOT to subsidize the Electric Vehicle industry. The latter seems to be contradictory to what the American public would like to see from our automobile industry. After the billions (excess of $20 billion) the automotive companies have lost in the past 6 months producing gas combustion vehicles, you would think they too would change course. Changing course is not adding 2-4 miles per gallon w/Hybrids. Drastic measures in our auto industry must take place and NOW!
Do not let the temporary reduction in oil prices push us off course….AGAIN.
Educated:
Read, Read- Stay on top of the issues. Let’s not be fooled again.
STAY FOCUSED, AWARE and EDUCATED!
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