GM's hybrid vehicle plans finally confirmed, or just pie-in-the-sky public relations?
Yesterday, after hearing Rick Wagoner describe the future for GM I wrote, "Unfortunately, however, GM's future plans are still pie-in-the-sky. Almost everything is still something GM is working on. When you consider that GM has been working on fuel cells for about two decades, how seriously can you take the automaker?" (more)
For example, GM announced they were working on a Saturn Vue Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle, yet they gave no timeline for when such a vehicle might be available. In fact, Wagoner said such a vehicle would be dependant upon clearing some technological hurdles regarding lithium-ion batteries.
Bob Lutz, product guru for GM, sees lithium-ion technology still about 3 to 4 years away. So, was the LA Auto Show a publicity stunt meant to achieve some positive P.R. while also providing a 3 - 4 year window where nothing has to happen?
Sure, Wagoner did describe plug-in hybrid vehicles as a "top priority" for GM, but he also gave himself a back door by noting the serious technological hurdles of plug-in hybrid technology.
While, GM is also close to finally offering its dual mode hybrid vehicles, it appears that GM is extremely committed to SUVs and is using hybrid technology, including plug-in technology, to provide green credentials for even its largest SUVs.
Consequently, I'm not sure if I'm really any more optimistic about GM than I was before I began to hear the I-car rumors. Nonetheless, I'm willing to give GM the benefit of the doubt - for now.
GM is supposed to go into more detail regarding these new developments at the Detroit Auto Show. There, hopefully, we'll also catch a glimpse of the new I-car.
If the I-car is actually a car and not an SUV, I'll be very impressed and much more hopeful.
For example, GM announced they were working on a Saturn Vue Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle, yet they gave no timeline for when such a vehicle might be available. In fact, Wagoner said such a vehicle would be dependant upon clearing some technological hurdles regarding lithium-ion batteries.
Bob Lutz, product guru for GM, sees lithium-ion technology still about 3 to 4 years away. So, was the LA Auto Show a publicity stunt meant to achieve some positive P.R. while also providing a 3 - 4 year window where nothing has to happen?
Sure, Wagoner did describe plug-in hybrid vehicles as a "top priority" for GM, but he also gave himself a back door by noting the serious technological hurdles of plug-in hybrid technology.
While, GM is also close to finally offering its dual mode hybrid vehicles, it appears that GM is extremely committed to SUVs and is using hybrid technology, including plug-in technology, to provide green credentials for even its largest SUVs.
Consequently, I'm not sure if I'm really any more optimistic about GM than I was before I began to hear the I-car rumors. Nonetheless, I'm willing to give GM the benefit of the doubt - for now.
GM is supposed to go into more detail regarding these new developments at the Detroit Auto Show. There, hopefully, we'll also catch a glimpse of the new I-car.
If the I-car is actually a car and not an SUV, I'll be very impressed and much more hopeful.
Labels: bob lutz, GM, Hybrid Vehicles, i-Car, plug-in hybrid vehicles
posted by Dahcredyns at
8:48 AM
1 Comments:
HYBRID AUTO'S SOON OBSOLETE?
"rev the engine up to 300 RPM and take off"
Las Vegas, NV September 28th ...... In two days, the local manufacture of the OmniValve automobile intake valve, brings to the floor of the SEMA show, what they say "will make hybrid's obsolete" their latest version of the OmniValve. The new design has higher lift and is designed to go the distance 100,000 miles or more.
Hybrid technology uses electricity generated by the engine to do the low speed driving in the city with lots of starts and stops. Electric motors can generate very large amounts of torque efficiently to get your car moving. This is where Internal Combustion engines are the most inefficient. Using this arrangement, hybrid cars today get city mileage greater then they do highway mileage. However with the cost of gasoline in decline so are sales of these hybrid autos. Saving money owning a hybrid, even with $3.00 a gallon gasoline, which was with us just a few months ago, is not a guarantee. The auto itself is much more expensive and the batteries are quite expensive to replace. The life span of the batteries varies but if your not careful you could be buying 3000 dollars worth of batteries after just 3 years of using the car. That is 1000 gallons of gasoline, more then offsetting any fuel savings. So, the hybrids future is unclear at this point, so says OmniValves of Las Vegas.
OmniValves say there is a better solution, if you use there patented intake valve, you can create the low end torque similar to that of an electric motor for your autos city driving needs. This would do away with the need for an electric motor and more importantly the batteries.
An OmniValve V-8 engine can idle at 200 RPM, creating enough torque to run the A/C the Alternator, water pump and the power steering, then just rev the engine up to 300 RPM and take off. This is a significant improvement in low end torque. It is basically unheard of for a cars engine to idle at 200 RPM. For example a hybrid car would normally idle at 700 RPM. OmniValves also say that an auto with their technology generates far less pollution than a hybrid. The amount of, heavy metals like Lead and Zinc that is used in making and running Hybrid's makes it not very environmentally friendly, says OmniValves.
OmniValves say they will save the most precious resource there is ..................... Money! Saving money is the same as saving the environment, according to OmniValves. "While the Hybrid cost is up to $15,000.00 more then a conventional car of the same size and style, the auto that uses the OmniValve is about $150.00 more, which will be saved in about 3 months of driving" says OmniValves.
"Then you have the savings in R&D and tooling to make these new hybrid models, your talking 100s of millions saved and passed on to the consumer, it is a win, win scenario" says OmniValves.
OmniValve is so satisfied from their testing and that there is no doubt what so ever this technology works and works extremely well and they are so comfortable with their broad patents and patents pending, that they are offering to engineers, manufactures and even some individuals, free sets of the OmniValve. To qualify for a free set, you must be either a potential customer or someone who can advance the technology or someone willing to do advanced testing. Further details can be seen at www.omnivalves.com or Booth 51008 at 2006 SEMA in Las Vegas The Valves can be seen in person also in the Grand Ballroom New Products Showroom.
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