General Motors today announced that they'll be making available a plug-in hybrid version of their Saturn VUE SUV (they already make a standard hybrid version). What's special about a plug-in hybrid, you ask? Well, like all hybrids, it has the ability to supplement its gas-burning engine with an electric motor which is charged while the engine is over-generating energy, resulting in some improvement in fuel efficiency. A plug-in hybrid, however, can be plugged in to an in-home electrical outlet to charge when not in use, therefor relying on both the power grid and the gasoline motor for electricity and improving efficiency a bit more. General Motors will be the first auto manufacturer in the world to offer such a vehicle (assuming another manufacturer doesn't announce, say, tomorrow and then get it to market faster).
They also announced a slew of other hybrid vehicles to be available in the near future ranging form midsize sedans to fullsize pickups and SUVs, reiterated support for their E85 ethanol vehicles already on the road, and confirmed their plans to have a small fleet of Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicles on the roads in 2007. The hybrids and E85 vehicles are general public offerings while the fuel cell vehicles would be available to corporations and institutional customers.
There was no mention of new engines to take advantage of the new low-sulfer diesel the entire US diesel supply has been changed over to.
All in all, since greener cars seem to be what all the cool kids are driving, this growing commitment to alternative drivetrains and fuels seems like it'll generate more sales for GM in the near future (meaning more American jobs), reduce our dependance on foreign oil, and hurt our environment just a little bit less.
Further details about General Motors announcements today at the Los Angeles Auto Show are available here.
They also announced a slew of other hybrid vehicles to be available in the near future ranging form midsize sedans to fullsize pickups and SUVs, reiterated support for their E85 ethanol vehicles already on the road, and confirmed their plans to have a small fleet of Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicles on the roads in 2007. The hybrids and E85 vehicles are general public offerings while the fuel cell vehicles would be available to corporations and institutional customers.
There was no mention of new engines to take advantage of the new low-sulfer diesel the entire US diesel supply has been changed over to.
All in all, since greener cars seem to be what all the cool kids are driving, this growing commitment to alternative drivetrains and fuels seems like it'll generate more sales for GM in the near future (meaning more American jobs), reduce our dependance on foreign oil, and hurt our environment just a little bit less.
Further details about General Motors announcements today at the Los Angeles Auto Show are available here.
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