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GM Announces its Next Generation Hybrid System: Includes Lithium-ion Battery
GM currently builds cars using two different hybrid powertrains, the 2-mode hybrid, and the belt-alternator-hybrid system (BAS). The latter is found in current Malibus, Auras, and VUEs and gives a 10 to 15% efficiency improvement. This relatively low cost system replaces the belt and alternator with a small electric motor and a 36 volt NiMh battery. The system works by shutting down the engine while idling, recapturing kinetic energy from braking, and applying a power boost during certain portions of the driving cycle.
Today GM CEO Rick Wagoner has announced in Geneva that this system will be upgraded for 2010.
The new system will use a lithium-ion battery pack that will allow more power output, increased regenerative storage capacity, and low speed electric-only driving.
This system should allow for 15-20% increased fuel economy over standard combustion versions of the vehicles. GM is expected to deploy these on a wide scale with initial production numbers of greater than 100,000 units.
One significant point of this news is that its yet a another sign of GMs commitment to the lithium-ion battery pack, a much larger version of which will power the Volt.
Press Release:
GM Announces Next-generation GM Hybrid System
· Plans to roll out, across our brands and regions, starting in North America in 2010, and we expect high volumes, far exceeding 100,000 units annually
· This technology will use a lithium-ion battery and deliver nearly three times more power than the system it replaces.
· Increased power will allow the next-generation GM Hybrid System to be used in a wide range of global powertrains, including naturally aspirated engines, new high-efficiency turbocharged engines, bio-fuel engines and diesels.
· The next-generation GM Hybrid System will build upon the current technology available on the Saturn Vue Green Line, Saturn Aura Green Line and Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid.
· By building on a proven system design, GM will be able to reduce engineering costs and ease vehicle integration, helping to make the next-generation GM Hybrid System more cost-effective and expand its application in GM’s global vehicle portfolio
· Estimated overall fuel economy improvements for vehicles using the system of 15 to 20 percent, depending on engine and vehicle application
· Help optimize fuel efficiency and reduce emissions by:
· Turning the engine off at idle
· Offering brief electric-only propulsion
· Using a more powerful electric motor to enhance engine efficiency
· Extending fuel cutoff during deceleration
· Extending regenerative braking to recapture more energy
· Performing intelligent hybrid battery charging
· This new system is a key part of GM’s comprehensive strategy to reduce vehicle fuel consumption and emissions
52 Responses to “GM Announces its Next Generation Hybrid System: Includes Lithium-ion Battery”
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March 4th, 2008 at 9:29 am
First, economy of scale is a good thing. Second, 20% increase means that an SUV that gets 20-mpg normally will get 24-mpg with this system and a 30-mpg “econobox” will get 36. I’m just giddy with anticipation, BUT I need to know exactly how much more will it cost than a standard system so I can calculate how many decades it will take to recoup my investment since I will STILL be a slave to the gas pumps. On second thought, with $4.00/gal. gas, I’ll just buy (or convert) an electric car or buy a Volt (it they are less than $30K) as my daily driver. Maybe I’ll rent a “smoker” when I need to take one of those occasional trips, or perhaps I’ll take the (hopefully electric) train. By the way GM… No plug? NO SALE!!
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March 4th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Thanks for capturing this press release, Lyle! I surmised from GM’s webcast a few minutes ago from Geneva that this was the "major hybrid announcement". As I understood it, it will generally follow the original BAS architecture, which is extremely simple & inexpensive, but increase the electric motor power by ~3x (and presumably the battery size as well).
The simple BAS system in the present Saturn Vue works well enough (& is inexpensive enough) that GM is able to claim the Vue gets better highway mileage and is less expensive than "any other hybrid SUV" (including Ford’s Escape Hybrid & Toyota’s Highlander hybrid, which both use the MUCH more complex Toyota hybrid "synergy" system). This sounds almost too good to be true and if the 3x more powerful upgrade to this simple architecture doesn’t cost TOO much more, it’s a very smart strategy because it could allow GM to stay competitive in performance and mileage AT A LOWER COST!
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March 4th, 2008 at 10:07 am
#2 nasaman I agree , This just makes all kinds of sense.Baby steps Bob ! If you need to test a few million li-ion battery’s then throw them in a car thats already cruising the roads , plus you get to add MPG , smart move in my book.
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March 4th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Also Ultrcaps cost is coming down and Maxwell is predicting a considerable decline in ultracaps cost by 2010. So instead of using a 1kwh Lithium ion, they can use 0.3kwh of ultracap with highly improved performance in electric only driving, we can even expect a V6 like performance from a four banger. Ultracap modules(0.3kwh) provided by Maxwell are small enough to be fitted into the car. Also ultracaps will allow comparatively smaller ICE to get the same performace as acceleration part will be taken care by high current and high efficient Ultracap and the best apart about them is they outlast life of the car and can also work at -40c, not a chance with Lithium ion. Hybrids usually have a lousy resale values bcos of batteries, ultracaps could change or even improve that increasing the value and customer satisfaction. Advantages are many, just GM need the will to do that.
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March 4th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Looking at the performance schematic above, it appears that the BAS+ system will become more "hybrid-like", with extended use of the electric drive and regenerative braking.
I looked at the EPA site for mileage, and the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid with FWD is rated 34 city/30 hwy. The Saturn Vue Hybrid with the BAS system and FWD is rated 25 city/32 hwy. This is with a 4 speed auto. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/
With the new BAS+, a 6 speed auto, and perhaps a direct gasoline injection engine, I’m sure this mileage could increase by more than 20%.
With these types of improvements to conventional cars, I wonder if the advantages of the Volt will be diminished.
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March 4th, 2008 at 11:04 am
>> I looked at the EPA site for mileage, and the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid…
Look again in 7 or 8 months. A major upgrade is coming.
Of course, it doesn’t matter. Comparing ASSIST hybrids directly to FULL makes no sense anyway. They are fundamentally different, having little in common they way they actually operate.
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March 4th, 2008 at 11:33 am
I welcome a hybrid system like this. Being relatively in-expensive and less complex then a "full hybrid" system, GM can spread the fuel efficiency increases over a wider spectrum of customers. Meanwhile, as another poster here mentioned, Lithium Ion batteries are getting proven and tested on a wide scale, customers are saving fuel and money, and pumping a few less tons of emissions into the atmosphere to boot.
I would suggest to take this hybrid concept one step further in a few years and make this a "standard" on their vehicles vs. just an "option" as it currently stands. The system could become as ubiquitous and ordinary as Air Conditioning and Power Windows are on vehicles now. Anyone else feel that way?
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March 4th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I like the GM is pushing on all fronts. Who knows what cost / benefit point consumers will prefer, so GM is offering many different approaches at various cost / benefit points.
No one can doubt GM’s commitment and leadership on these mileage improvement systems.
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March 4th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
It’s good to have different variations on a theme. One assumes the ‘options boxes of the future’ will have a tiered hybrid system choice.
The graph does seem familar:
http://www.wbcsd.org/web/images/prius-graph-how-works-large.gif
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March 4th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
I applaud GM for moving forward. But it must be me, I just don’t get excited about a 15-20% gain in MPG when it only adds a few miles to the MPG. I do realize they have to start somewhere, and this is good start. But for me, I isn’t thrilling news. The Volt is really a huge step forward when it will get about 50 miles to gallon, if needed. My 2¢
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March 4th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Why is the new system only 5% better than the old one (10%-15% vs 15%-20%)? The bigger capacity Lithium battery is supposed to be able to capture more energy, so I would expect a mode substantial difference. Also how do old and new battery capacities compare?
I don’t think that the new system’s 20% improvement is even close to being competition to Volt. Clearly someone shelling out a lot of money for Volt will use almost no gas, so comparison is not valid.
The proper comparison is between this new system and the next Toyota and Honda hybrids. Say Toyota Camry, using that gov site is:
Camry 2.4L 4 banger 29 mpg combined
… and from green hybrid site …
Camry hybrid 36 mpg
24% improvement
Of course, Camry hybrid is probably more expensive than GM’s similar car due to a more complex synregy system, so ….
Anyway more competition is good. I just hope GM’s new hybrid have a greater upside due to a bigger battery. Also I hope it is a decent battery size, not a 1/2 kWh toy.
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March 4th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
NEWS FLASH!!!
Background: Since the CES announcement of the Caddy Provoq in early January, GM has said the Provoq has a 9KWH Li-Ion battery & could run 20 miles in EV-only mode. As a result, I’ve been bugging everybody I could think of at a decision-making level at GM about the plug-in Vue ….which is almost exactly the same size & weight as the Provoq. For example, in a follow-up fax (after my phone call) to Jill Lajdziak, Saturn’s General Manager, I said….
"….the Provoq has two HUGE hydrogen tanks under/behind the rear seats that the plug-in VUE will not have. The Provoq uses a 9KWh Lithium Ion battery pack under the center tunnel that’s said to give it a battery-only range of 20 Miles. This tells me there should be space for Saturn to up-size the plug-in VUE’s battery to AT LEAST the Chevy Volt’s 16KWh pack by adding a "T" section under the rear seats as with the VOLT, which should give the VUE ~35 miles/charge (not 10)!"
GM has consistently said that the plug-in Vue would have an electric-only range of 10 miles, so Bob Lutz, Larry Burns & a couple other executive-level people in Detroit also got messages similar to the excerpt above, along with my calculations, Provoq & Vue cutaway drawings, etc., to make the case for an ~35mi EV range. In each of those messages I said I thought a 10 mile EV range must be an oversight & that the plug-in Vue should be capable of about 35 miles EV-only. Don’t misunderstand me —I’m not taking credit for the increase in announced range from 10 to 34 miles. GM certainly would have discovered the oversight in due time. But it makes me feel good that GM apparently really does listen to us!!!
Here’s the exact quote (from a lengthy Saturn advertising section in the April Motor Trend (I just got my copy)….. "The plug-in Vue Green-Line Hybrid displayed at the recent North American International Auto Show and planned for 2010 production is capable of running up to 34 miles using all-electric, emissions-free propulsion."
It looks like the Volt’s drive-train technology has already significantly influenced the design of another GM vehicle due in 2010!
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March 4th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
PS: Now I have another problem….. I’ll have to chose between 1) a plug-in Vue CUV with a 35mi EV range that has lots of space for hauling my stuff and can tow my boat, or 2) a sexy 4-door sport sedan with a 40mi EV range that’s destined to become an iconic classic?!? Guess I’ll have to get one of each!
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March 4th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Nasaman,
I think 35 miles all electric for Vue is only at low speeds unlike Volt.
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March 4th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
That’s good news nasaman, but I don’t think the Vue will be capable of highway speeds in electric-only mode.
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March 4th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
VUE doesn’t stay in electric only mode, but switches back and forth due to driving needs. 10-mile range remains maximum, and mpg improvements will be about 50% combined over standard VUE. See my interview with the plug-in VUE chief engineer Bob Reuter: (LINK)
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March 4th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Hmmm,
I believe there was a recent article that emphasised most pollution was caused at engine start. It was not clear to me if they were only refering to a cold engine.
That makes the turn off and on systems not so attractive if your reason for purchase is the enviroment.
I could easily be wrong.
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March 4th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
16 Lyle
You’re right and thanks for the reminder, Lyle! Based on your input, I’ll try to suggest that GM add an "EV-only" switch (one that the car can automatically override if the battery state of charge drops too low) on the Vue dash, right after I commend them for stretching the 10mi range to 34mi at the Javits Center in a couple weeks.
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March 4th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
17 bruce g
A primary contributor to polution caused by ICE startup is that a catalytic converter must HOT to be effective. Another of my questions at the NY Auto show will be…. "are you aware that a German firm has a catalytic converter that’s effective even when COLD?"
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March 4th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Ah…very interesting Nasaman.
I was thinking taht the next generation of cars may be tailored to the philosophy of the buyer.
We know there are at least four motivations for the move to electric.
Reduce dependancy on oil, it hurts the pocket.
Save the planet.
Reduce the influence of OPEC.
Own an iconic car.
Possibly they are four diffent car designs, not one car fits all.
Enjoy Javits you lucky devils.
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March 4th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
One giant baby step for GM. While it is making some progress, why don’t we hear anything from GM about what Trinity has done with its use of ultracapacitors and Lithium Ion batteries with the plug-in Extreme Hybrid Saturn Vue?
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March 4th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
18 nasamanYes, an EV only button would be great! I purchased an ‘06 Prius (please forgive the foreign purchase, but they’re good cars and I couldn’t wait for the volt
) and the fact that the US models don’t have an EV only mode is a little frustrating. I know that mods are readily available to do it after market, but to not give the option seems wrong (I believe it was done for warranty issues on the battery).
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March 4th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I feel like the plug-in Vue would need more than just a "EV only button" to let it run like a Volt for ~30 miles. Are the electronics currently specced for the vehicle even powerful enough to push it adequately at highway speeds? I think you would need at least a similarly powerful motor and battery, if not more powerful than the Volt. Somehow I doubt the Vue’s design is set up for that…but I guess I don’t know for sure.
Does anyone know how fast the Vue is designed to go in EV-only mode?
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March 4th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
What?????????
So they add a bigger motor and a lithium-ion battery to slightly increase the efficiency of a gas guzzling, carbon spewing, hybrid and call that a "major" announcement?
I’m soooo depressed.
I guess when they announce delivery of the Volt it will be a "super duper, way cool, far out, major announcement".
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March 4th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
#22 Scott. By adding the EV only button as an after market kit, the battery warranty would no longer apply.
Are you really sure you want to do this?
#12 nasaman, really well done. Sounds like the EV ball is unstoppable now.
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March 4th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
On a related subject A123 issued this press release today.
Watertown, Mass. – March 4, 2008 – A123Systems, developer and producer of Nanophosphate™ lithium ion batteries, today announced that U.S. patent 7,338,734 entitled “Conductive Lithium Storage Electrode” has been granted, adding to one of the industry’s most comprehensive high-power lithium ion patent portfolios. This landmark patent protects A123’s unique Nanophosphate battery technology, which offers an advanced combination of power, safety and life.
They go on to say:
A123Systems has filed over 160 US and international patents and has raised $148 million to develop the Nanophosphate technology since its discovery at MIT. To commercialize the technology and develop new products, the company has grown to over 850 employees globally, with facilities in Massachusetts, Michigan, Canada, China, and Korea.Bart Riley, CTO and Vice President of R&D, added, “This key patent recognizes the seminal work at MIT that was the foundation of A123. Our current team of 191 engineers and 58 scientists will continue to innovate and push the boundaries of energy storage technology strengthening our position in the industry.” Source: http://www.a123systems.com/#/news/news110
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March 4th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
I have been too bleeping busy to post any worthwhile comments (assuming any of mine are!) the past few days, but I am following what you are doing, and it is great as always.
Keep it up Lyle and bloggers. You are the best.
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March 4th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I think the big picture here is being missed. The best news in the article is not the specifics but the evidence it provides in the DIRECTON the world is heading.
In the past gasoline pushed the car.
Then gasoline pushed the car and batteries helped.
Then more models incorporated the helping batteries.
Then the batteries help MORE!
Then (Volt Debut) the batteries drive the car and the gasoline occasionally helps.
Then the gasonline engine begins to disappear all together and we tell stories to our grand children about how cars use to run on gasoline and only had a battery to start it!
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March 4th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Looks like general motors developed this hybrid system in partnership with Hitachi Japan. Reuters link supports the same. Hitachi is also providing the lithium ion batteries to GM. Below is the link
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/BREAKING%20NEWS/1164074/
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March 4th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Mike G,Nice analysis,What have we achieved after 100 years of progress?We have made it back to the start.Grandma Ducks Electric vehicle which was, as it happens, a Detroit Electric.
lol
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March 4th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Post #14 Talks: "I think 35 miles all electric for Vue is only at low speeds unlike Volt."
Post #15 Brian M: "…I don’t think the Vue will be capable of highway speeds in electric-only mode."
Sorry, guys, I overlooked these two posts. Here’s my comment….
GM has described the plug-in Vue as based on the "2-mode" Vue preceding it, which they’ve describe in part as follows: "…the two-mode system maximizes city and highway fuel economy by integrating two electric continuously variable modes with four fixed mechanical gear ratios. The system consists of twin, active-cooled 55-kW electric motors integrated into the 2MT70 automatic transmission." I can find no reason why both 55-kW electric motors can’t be used at any road speed. This would provide up to (55 kW x2 x 1.35) = 148 HP, which should be more than enough to propel the Vue at Hwy/Fwy speeds (until the battery discharge limit is exceeded). It’s simply a matter of tailoring the electric motor/transmission control algorithms to meet the vehicle’s & driver’s needs.
Also, I don’t believe the latest GM ad for the plug-in Vue (pg 26 in April’s Motor Trend) would claim it is "….capable of running up to 34 miles using all-electric, emissions-free propulsion." —without any qualification if it were actually limited only to low-speed travel in EV mode. But I’ll ask for confirmation of this in NY in a couple of weeks.
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March 4th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Rereading the posts I think it has been a great day, as Nasaman suggests we may be loking at a 35 mile Saturn Vue.
The cost will be …high…, comfortably above $35,000, but at least it is on the road in 2010.
I await with bated breath.
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March 4th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
I’ve gotta’ say that this is better news than more gas guzzling pure ICEs coming to market, but truthfully, I’m not much interested in hybrids. The good part though is proliferation of Li-ion which will help to bring the price down.
Who was it that said "you’ll never see much more than 50 miles range from a battery electric vehicle"? I don’t think anyone is buying that.
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March 4th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
I will be missing the NY show because of timing, though if Bob Dylan plays in NY after his Souh America Tour we may be there to see him.What has that got to do with the Volt? Well he appears for the Escalade so GM must like him.Curiously, he has just redone "Blowing in the wind" as a very emotional rendition.Now if that isnt an ecological statement what is?All he needs to do now is redo "The times they are changing" in time for the Volt release."
Just thought I would share that with you….
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March 4th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Mike G , I agree, Its hard for some to step back and see how all the little details fall into place over the next 2 years . Grizzly , I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Volt running 65 to 75 miles at production date , as long as Battery tech keeps up at this brake neck pace.
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March 4th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
If the batteries are exceeding expectations it may be a possibility to move on and consider a larger vehicle such as the malibu for electrification.
Trade range for size, in other words. A glance the the Camry versus Corolla performance suggest it may require twenty percent more energy to drive a mid sized saloon. Is that like trading a fifty mile range for a forty mile range?
hmmm…
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March 4th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Bruce G:
I suspect that WRT BEVs the answer is no, the delta is even less. This is another reason I don’t think the Smart roller skate will ever sell in this country. This is a vehicle that has cut size and weight to virtually nothing for the sake of gas mileage. The fact is, not only will the Volt seat 4-5 plus cargo, it’ll blow the Smart away at the stoplight and get better mileage even while running the ICE. BTW the ICE in the Smart is also 1 liter and a 3 banger.
So I think it’s safe to say that varying the size of a BEV will affect mileage but I’m positive that it won’t be on the same scale as gasoline vehicles.
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March 4th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
I don’t know if GM is stupid or they just think we are, but to pretend that the 25/32MPG VUE is better than the 34/30MPG Escape is idicative of their general spin on fuel economy.
So the non-hybrid Aura gets 22MPG, the Aura Hybrid gets 24MPG, and the next gen Aura Hybrid will get 25.5(?)MPG.
Notice to GM: We know you have to sell your crap, but we don’t have to buy it.
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March 4th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Grizzly,
Yup,
I think i follow that logic, it explains why the bubble cars dont do 100 miles to the gallon, or anything like it.
And the corollary is that electrifying the mid size sedan is not a big challenge when the need arises.
I recognise the Volt will take four to five adults but it is still an astra and the mass market probably still lies with vectras or malibus.
imho
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March 4th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
sorry to burst your bubble, but the electric range print in motor trend is a miss print. Vue plug-in is still expected to get 10mpg
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March 4th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Bruce G #39
No they don’t get 100mpg, not at all. That car is so small I could lift the front end well off the ground and with 2 people in it I doubt you would have room for a grocery bag. You would think it would get 80+ MPG. Nope, 40 city and 44 highway…big woop, about the same as the larger and more complex Prius.
This is just another reason why the Volt is indeed a "game changer".
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March 4th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
40 john d
Great! I’ll be able to sue GM for false advertising & win at least enough to buy BOTH a plug-in Vue AND a plug-in Volt!!!
PS: I’ll need your reference to cite when I give my deposition.
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March 4th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
GXT,
GM does’t always make the perfect decision, but they certainly aren’t stupid. I don’t know if GM thinks you are stupid, but from the tone of comments you certainly leave me with some suspicions.
The Vue 25/32 mpg provides better highway mileage than the Escape at 34/30 mpg. If a person were doing mostly highway driving, this would favor the Vue, versus someone doing city driving would favor the Escape.
Note that the 2008 Vue mileage is based upon the current BAS hybrid system. With the new Li-ion BAS system just announced, these numbers would be higher.
Notice to GM: I have owned numerous vehicles in my lifetime including my first car, a 1969 Toronado, several imports, and other US and GM products. The GM vehicles, over the long haul, have been by far the most reliable and dependable vehicles I have owned. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to the Chevy Volt. I expect it to be a great car, and I’m glad that those who are lower on the intellect scale and who aren’t deserving won’t buy it.
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March 5th, 2008 at 1:49 am
#BillR I have also owned GM product most of my life, and after 17 years of driving them I never had any major problems. Now three years ago I sold my old faithful (85 S-15 gmc 2.8l) for a ford sport tract but at the time GM had nothing to offer in a mid size 4 door truck . Had I known at gas was going to raise the day after I bought this truck I would have gone a different route, I am so ready to off load this gas guzzling monster but that is the only down side to this truck and if gas was still $1.25 I would drive it until the doors fall off.
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March 5th, 2008 at 6:05 am
http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/05/news/companies/bigoil_hydrogen/index.htm?section=money_latest
Here is another news release where a GM exec is stating late 2009 roll-out and "is expected to cost about the same as a typical Chevy compact sedan."
Great, now I can afford 2 volts and get them in 18 months!
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March 5th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Lyle, Please ask- When is the Tahoe going to get the advantages of Li. Thanks.
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March 5th, 2008 at 9:34 am
#18 Nasaman
#22 Scott and other bloggers.
In my previous post #26 in the post "Production Chevy Volt in late 2009 ?", I was referring to the Belgian Imperia Roadster.
See : http://www.imperia-auto.be/en/
The conceptors of the Roadster write :
"The principle of PowerHybrid propulsion according to Imperia During a journey, the driver can decide at any time, via a selector, the type of propulsion required: electric or hybrid. Using another control, the driver decides whether he/she intends to run the batteries down completely (in order to recharge them on the mains, having reached the destination), or wants to keep a reserve to be used when entering urban traffic. These functions enable you to optimise your use of the Imperia GP by adapting to circumstances."Clearly, the possibility to drive in E-mode at anytime exists provided the charge left in the battery is sufficient.
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March 5th, 2008 at 11:18 am
This is a major announcement. Currently, GM is the only company that offers a hybrid system that cost less than $2000 as an option, and that is the system that they are talking about here. I own this system and I find that it offers much improved mileage – better than the GM claims, so I’m excited to see that it is being improved to be an even better system. The key here is that the system is not expensive – about the same as a navigation option, and that means that it is affordable, and that will mean that it can be widely applied to lower priced vehicles and even high mileage vehicles. As you know, it’s difficult to recoup the cost of a full hybrid system on a fuel efficient vehicle because, well, they don’t use very much gas to allow for savings. If they can keep the cost of this system similar to the system that is on the Aura (my car,) and Malibu, they will have a system that will produce a payback in about 10K miles, and on a very fuel efficient car like the small Chevy’s and Saturn Astra, they could get the payback in maybe 20K miles. That’s a real home run!
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March 5th, 2008 at 11:35 am
36 bruce g:
Well maybe, but the hybrid Camrys are selling like cold cakes here, and Honda gave up on the hybrid Accord.
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March 5th, 2008 at 11:54 am
GTX – My Saturn Aura Hybrid has achieved 38.1 MPG over the last 14,500 miles.
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March 5th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Wise Golden, the hybrid aura is a great little ride as is! Comfortable quiet (especially at traffic lights w/ the engine off). I’ve seen similar fuel economy during hybrid friendly driving (consistantly). You can pretty much count on 30+ mpg w/ much effort (city or highway). I think with this BAS+ program we will see some very appealing fuel economy numbers at a great cost! I’m excited about everything that GM is pumping out in regards to hybrids.
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March 5th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
50 Wise Golden:
Well to be fair about it, the new Automobile magazine points out that the cost of the hybrid option on the new Malibu is not much more that the tax credit, "so it’s almost like getting it for free."
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