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More automakers climb aboard hybrid bandwagon
By Mark Glover - mglover@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, March 28, 2008
Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A8
Domestic and foreign automakers are producing various alternative-fuel vehicles now and working on more variations to produce for the mass market in the near future.
Toyota's Prius passenger car is generally considered the state of the art among gas-electric hybrids, which have an electric motor (or multiple motors) to propel a vehicle at slow and startup speeds and a gasoline engine that takes over when the car is traveling at higher speeds or climbing hills.
Late last year, GM rolled out its two-mode hybrid system. Like single-mode hybrid systems now used by Toyota, Ford, Honda and others, the two-mode runs without the gas engine at low speeds. But at higher speeds, the electric motor in the two-mode hybrid contributes more power. The system also is better for towing.
Plug-in electrics and hybrids are on the horizon. General Motors hopes to have its plug-in Chevrolet Volt on the market by 2010. The Volt concept car that GM has shown at auto shows around the world can travel up to 40 miles on electricity from its rechargeable battery, but also has a three-cylinder gasoline engine to recharge the lithium-ion battery pack that would extend its range.
The vehicle could theoretically drive 640 miles on a 12-gallon tank without having to stop to refuel or recharge.
Gas-electric hybrids on the U.S. market
Passenger cars: Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid, Lexus GS 450h, Lexus LS 600h, Nissan Altima Hybrid, Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Toyota Prius
Light trucks: Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, GMC Yukon Hybrid, Lexus LS 600h, Lexus RX 400h, Mazda Tribute Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Gas-electric hybrids confirmed and reportedly to be marketed by 2010
Passenger cars: Ford Fusion, Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKX, Mercury Milan, Mercury Montego
Light trucks: BMW X6, Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, Chrysler Aspen Hybrid, Dodge Durango Hybrid, GMC Sierra Hybrid, Ford Edge Hybrid, Porsche Cayenne Hybrid
Plug-in electric expected by 2010
Passenger car: Chevrolet Volt
About the writer:
- Call Bee Auto Editor Mark Glover, (916) 321-1184.
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