One of the things many people here have expressed interest in is the possible use of GM’s Voltec extended-range electric drivetrain in the form factor of a truck.
GM already has 2-mode hybrid pick-up trucks that achieve 25% better fuel efficiency than conventional models and offer considerable towing capability.
AutoBlogGreen published the account of an interviewer from PickupTrucks.com named Mike Levine who interviewed GM’s truck vehicle line executive, Gary White.
Levine was interested in how these GM trucks will evolve. The current 2-mode hybrid pickup truck offers about 6000 pounds of towing capacity. White noted that “we think we can raise towing by up to 50 percent more than today’s (hybrid) trucks. For us, it just makes sense that we want to improve the trailering capability. It’s one of the top reasons people buy a truck.”
Levine wondered how GM could improve future towing capacity to 9000 pounds and fuel efficiency at the same time. The answer…
“E-Flex is an option that’s on the table. I don’t know if the current system, the one that’s in (today’s) trucks, could evolve enough. One of the things you might consider is E-Flex,” said White.
The next generation GM hybrid pick-up trucks are expected to arrive in 2013.
(PickupTrucks.com) via (AutoBlogGreen)
