Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, GM
Plug it in, plug it in: GM likely to debut plug-in hyrbrid at Detroit show
The Detroit News reported today that General Motors will likely unveil a prototype plug-in hybrid at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit come January. The news is a bit surprising to some, considering that GM is credited as being one of the homicidal maniacs that killed the electric car when it cancelled its own EV1 program back in the '90s. It's not known whether the prototype's internal combustion component will be a gas- or diesel-powered engine, but Andrew Frank, a professor at the University of California-Davis who is credited with developing the first plug-in hybrid, believes it's likely to be a series hybrid rather than the more common parallel-type hybrids that are sold today. This means that the internal combustion engine on board will not be directly attached to the drivetrain, but act merely as a generator to fill the batteries up with juice when they're low. This advanced technology is common on large locomotives, and some have suggested it will be used in the future on heavy duty pickups to greatly increase torque ratings.
If GM's listening, we say go with a small on-board diesel motor and really wow the crowd with an extended driving range that makes the Prius look like a gas-swilling pig. We should learn more about the technology that GM will be using in this prototype at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month where Rick Wagoner is scheduled to give a speech.
[Source: The Detroit News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
tbss_in_the_D 2:38PM (11/10/2006)
This is great news. I remember reading a few weeks ago that the American car companies are so far behind becasue they could not develop a car that parks itself. Well here you Jap loving clowns go...
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joe 2:50PM (11/10/2006)
Diesel + hybrid = 60 mpg +
SOLD. Where do I sign....
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Kurt B 3:08PM (11/10/2006)
What's a "Hyrbrid"?
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Greg Murphy 4:12PM (11/10/2006)
I'm impressed. Hopefully this is not all smoke and mirrors. Yes I agree, a diesel in this configuration, WOW a real winner.
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Daniel 4:20PM (11/10/2006)
This should be a no-brainer! There are several huge advantages to a full plug-in series hybrid power train and the company that markets this system first and best will be in the cat birds seat for some year to come. By combining the full plug-in series hybrid with a small "BioDiesel" engine these full size cars and pickups would get up to 80 MPG and produce much less pollution.
The revolutionary advantages are: (1) Greatly enhanced national security by reducing or eliminating the need for foriegn oil, (2) much better for the environment, (3) new jobs for Americans here at home, (4) more demand for U. S. agricultural produces for biodiesel feed stock, (would you rather send your $$$ to American farmers or Middle East Oil Shieks who support radical anti-American religious schools?), (5) better safety of cars through computer controlled power to each wheel with all electric drive (as in super, super handling AWD "iDrive"), (6) reduced drive train complexity and parts (eliminates transmission, drive shaft and differentials - replaced by a main generator and four drive motors/generators for each wheel), (7) better reliability with fewer complex parts, (8) proven technology - these have been used in diesel-electric trains for a half century, (9) max torque at zero RPM with electric drive, (10) ability to handle significantly higher torque loads for better towing etc. with electric drive, (11) all options for location and layout of engine/generator, (12) potential for growth as technology develops in future automotive applications.
This would be a real revolution in the automotive industry and the company that leads this transformation to the future will be a winner.
Will this winning company be an American firm or will it be from overseas?
Come on GM and FoMoCo show some vision and good old American inventiveness.
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Andy 4:29PM (11/10/2006)
GM's VUE Green Line was attacked by The Los Angeles Times for being a cheap, primitive, and half-hearted effort to build a hybrid vehicle. General Motors can take the bad review to heart and make a better effort with this plug-in concept.
As for diesel/electric hybrids, they would never find a sizeable audience in America. Diesel vehicles make up less than 4% of total vehicle sales in the United States. When you consider the fact that diesel is less clean than petrol and costs more per gallon (though that can be made up by mileage), diesel won't make a big impression in the US market.
I do hope diesel takes off. Diversified energy sources are what America needs.
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AMcA 4:58PM (11/10/2006)
Ah, GM puts to use decades of know-how from its Electromotive locomotive division. Gee, isn't that what the MBAs of the world call "synergy"? GM could use a little of that.
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Paul 5:22PM (11/10/2006)
why would anyone trust an american designed and made hybrid. they cant get the simple ones right.
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Jim 5:22PM (11/10/2006)
So, in remodeling my house I put a solar array on the roof and wire the garage to charge a vehicle such as the one described here, made by GM. I don't care if it has a gas or diesel engine. Sunlight is free. What's not to like in this equation? Bye-Bye, Prius! GM is finally getting it - and it does not involve hydrogen. Thanks, GM, from a long-time customer.
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Ron 5:38PM (11/10/2006)
Hey Paul, you seem like an optimistic trusting type of guy. Just go buy your Kia and settle in with paperback from the airport.
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RZ 5:39PM (11/10/2006)
I do not get this. Why is everyone going ga-ga over this? GM is way way behind Toyota, Honda and Ford in Hybrids so they have to make statements like this. They have to show the shareholders that they are at least trying. This is what this is, a PUBLICITY STUNT. If it wasn't, if GM really was ready to sell these kinds of vehicles i am sure some news would have leaked long ago about the plans and what cars and where they will be build. Something would defiantly would come out, but nothing ever did.
Also to all those trashing Prius do you ever stop to think that you are trashing an EXISTING car over a car that MAY OR MAY NOT ever be made.......by GM….a carmaker without any hybrids on the road....a carmaker that is 5-6 years behind Toyota and Honda,… a carmaker that is deep in the red….carmaker that is constantly attacked for making gas guzzlers…a car maker whose big cheese made fun of efficient cars (Bob Lutz) claiming they would never take off……. not to mention a carmaker that has been introducing hydrogen to US market since late 70's early 80's. IT’S ALMOST 2007
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Whydrive 6:10PM (11/10/2006)
Folks like RZ only jumped onto the Hybrid bandwagon after everyone else did. But when GM came out with the first electric vehicle in the EV, where were they? Oh yeah, learning kanji and how to bow.
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Chivo 6:21PM (11/10/2006)
RZ... GM a carmaker without any hybrids in the road? Hmmm, well, wasn't GM the FRIST carmaker to put a HYBRID TRUCK in the road?
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RZ 6:29PM (11/10/2006)
Ohh, i see, another one of those "If you drive a Hybrid, you hate America" posts.
Also, there was a DEMAND for EV, remember GM killed it, even thou there was a strong demand from costumers.
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papluh 6:29PM (11/10/2006)
GM already had an plug-in concept ... or they would have it if they didn't kill it too. Maybe because it came from Saab, the stepchild in GM family.
In spring '06 there was a Saab Biopower Hybrid Concept convertible unveiled at the Stockholm Motor Show, it featured a full E100 2.0 turbo Biopower engine FWD front and electric engine RWD. And there were signs that it had plug-in feature ... it was mentioned in first press release that was leaked from official sources and then removed in next press documents. Way to go GM ...
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tbyron 7:22PM (11/10/2006)
ISE Corp is already selling heavy duty series hybrid systems, for transit buses, military vehicles and other HD uses. www.isecorp.com
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RZ 7:31PM (11/10/2006)
#13 Dude, how long will this charade continue. SIERRA and GREEN LINE are not hybrids.
No one BUT GM classifies them as Hybrids, because they are not.
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far jr 8:50PM (11/10/2006)
7. Ah, GM puts to use decades of know-how from its Electromotive locomotive division. Gee, isn't that what the MBAs of the world call "synergy"? GM could use a little of that.
Posted at 3:55PM on Nov 10th 2006 by AMcA 0 stars
AMcA, I believe GM sold EMD (Electromotive Division) a few years ago. Perhaps they kept a few of the engineers and put them on automotive projects?
"This advanced technology is common on large locomotives, "
John, Perhaps the technology is similar, but most railroad locomotives generate electricity directly from the diesel engine...more amps requires more revs.
These locomotives do not store electricity in batteries which it turn drive the electric traction motors. Battery storage for rail locomotives is just beginning to become avaliable.
http://www.hybrid-vehicles.net/unionpacific-hybridtrains.htm
Locomotives can move extreme loads with relatively small amounts of horsepower (imagine moving a one ton car with one or two horsepower). Granted some of the phsics are different, but this would be a good technology for trucks of all sizes.
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Bob 10:33PM (11/10/2006)
A key concept is that the energy from the electric grid is American produced. Most daily commutes will become largely domestic powered with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The cost of a gallon of "electric gasoline" is less than a dollar. C'mon GM - work on making the internal combusion engines in the PHEVs flex fuel. Imagine electric power supplemented by 85% ethanol and only 15% gasoline resulting in hundreds of MPGs of gas. C'mon Congress - subsidize this to minimize plug-in hybrid price premiums for national security reasons. It's not the job of GM, Ford and Toyota to guarantee our national security. Once plug-ins gain market share, efficiencies of scale will reduce costs and therefore reduce the need for subsidies. Net result: energy independence,improved trade balance,and cut off of the gravy train to the Jihadofascists.
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Joe 10:41PM (11/10/2006)
I can not believe all the anti GM reports that comes from the media. What's the matter with these people,do they think we are not smart enough to built an excellent car? We are smart enough and we do!! Just about all the great car inventions come from the good old USA. Take the new Corvette like the one I own it is about the most advance car in the world at a price no other manufacturer can approach. This car can do almost do 200 miles an hour an yet get easily 28 miles per gallon on the highway. Can Toyota do that? No! They would like for you to think so. My neighbor owns a Toyota and twice he's complained to me about problems with his car. He should buy and American car and if he did, I'm sure he'd love it.
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