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Archive for the 'PHEV' Category

Argonne Study Suggests Chevy Volt Would Get 157 MPG

June 14th, 2009 | Posted in: Efficiency, PHEV, Research with 119 Comments

Researchers at the Argonne National Lab studied four plug-in hybrid car configurations and determined the fuel economy they would get using real-world driving cycles.
The four configurations studied were a 4 kwh and 8 kwh PHEV and a 12 kwh and 16 kwh EREV.
The researchers modelled the cars’ fuel economy if they were driven over cycles [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 119 Comments

GM Terminates Malibu and Vue Hybrids: Promises Newer Better Hybrids in 2010 and 2011

June 13th, 2009 | Posted in: Hybrid, PHEV with 96 Comments

GM has announced that the Chevy Malibu mild hybrid will be discontinued. They have also terminated 2-mode strong hybrid Saturn Vue.
2010 Malibu hybrids are no longer being produced because of low sales volumes and a glut of 2009 models on dealer lots.  Estimates suggest only 2142 Malibu hybrids were sold from its release in [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 96 Comments

Hummer to be Sold to Chinese Company, May Make Electric or Hybrid Version

June 4th, 2009 | Posted in: Brand, PHEV with 113 Comments

It has recently been disclosed that GM is in advanced talks with Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer Sichuan Tengzhong to purchase the Hummer brand. Shedding Hummer has been an important aspect of GM’s reorganization plan to be able to bring the automaker down to its four core brands, Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, and Buick.
Much has been [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 113 Comments

Toyota Says Plugin Car Demand as Low as 3500 per Year, GM Says Low Demand Could Affect Volt Program

May 19th, 2009 | Posted in: Marketing, PHEV with 200 Comments

Toyota has been known to throw water on the fire of Volt enthusiasm ever since the concept was first unveiled.
Speaking to a National Academy of Sciences panel, Bill Reinert, who is Toyota’s U.S. national manager for advanced technology, said the annual demand for plugin electric cars could be 50,000 at the most and even as [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 200 Comments

GM’s Unnamed 2-Mode Plug-in Hybrid to Enter Test Fleets in 2011

May 6th, 2009 | Posted in: PHEV with 141 Comments

Tom Stephens has taken over Bob Lutz’ role as GM vice-chairman and VP of product development.  He recently made a statement about GM’s plug-in future beyond the Volt.
As we know, the Saturn brand will be brought to a close by the end of this year, and reports indicate a few parties are interested in buying [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 141 Comments

Saturn May be Dead but GM’s 2-Mode Plug-in Hybrid Program Lives On

April 30th, 2009 | Posted in: Brand, PHEV with 123 Comments

GM first announced its intentions to build a plug-in hybrid Saturn VUE in late 2006, months before revealing the Volt concept. All along we have heard development of those plug-in VUEs has continued and remains on track. Although initially launch was expected in early 2010, the most recent plans state the car would [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 123 Comments

2010 Prius Gets 50 MPG, Will Top Out Over $30,000, and Will Have Plug-in Version in 2010

March 3rd, 2009 | Posted in: Competitors, Hybrid, PHEV with 168 Comments

Many people continue to debate whether the 2010 Prius or the 2011 Volt will be the better choice. We know the Volt will cost close to $40,000 but be eligible for $7,500 in tax credits already approved.
We now have more information about the new Prius which will go on sale in the US in May [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 168 Comments

GM Remains Committed to the Plug-in Saturn VUE Program

February 21st, 2009 | Posted in: Brand, Financial, PHEV with 108 Comments

One of the provisions of GMs restructuring plan was to reduce its brands and focus on its core. As we heard yesterday, Saab was set free to attempt restructuring in Sweden’s courts. Hummer will be terminated or sold by the end of March, and Pontiac will be reduced to a niche brand.
Saturn too shall soon [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 108 Comments

EXCLUSIVE: Ford Says No to E-REV’s and Explains Why

February 6th, 2009 | Posted in: Competitors, PHEV with 225 Comments

Nancy Gioia is Ford’s Director, Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs. I had a chance to speak with her recently about Ford’s view on the Chevy Volt E-REV design. Ford has announced it will bring a 100 mile range battery electric vehicle sedan on the market in 2011, and plans to bring [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 225 Comments

Status of the 2-Mode Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Saturn VUE

January 8th, 2009 | Posted in: Hybrid, PHEV with 75 Comments

An important vehicle going forward with GM’s plans towards energy diversification is the 2-Mode Hybrid Saturn VUE. This is the first instance of GM’s strong hybrid powertrain, so-called 2-mode because it has both low speed and high speed electric motors, being married to a crossover sized vehicle. It is already in production in [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 75 Comments

The 2009 Detroit Auto Show Should be Electrifying

January 6th, 2009 | Posted in: Competitors, E-Flex, E-REV, PHEV with 128 Comments

The Chevy Volt has started a revolution.  Not just for GM, but really for the entire automotive industry.  Perhaps the credit might go to Tesla, but certainly the widespread Volt marketing message has convinced nearly all the automakers that electric cars are the way to go.  Maybe our effort here had a little something to [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 128 Comments

Mercedes-Benz BlueZero E-Cell Plus, E-REV or PHEV?

December 13th, 2008 | Posted in: Competitors, E-REV, PHEV with 106 Comments

Several automotive sites have reported on a story written in German. The story indicates that Mercedes-Benz plans to unveil a series of three electric concept cars at the Detroit Auto Show in January.
The luxury carmaker has given a nod to the Chevy Volt by emulating the range-extender concept as well, although keeping it in parallel.
The [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 106 Comments

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