GM's dual mode hybrid advantage?
Bigger hybrids are better?Later this year GM's first dual mode hybrid vehicles are set to go on sale. The Chevy Tahoe hybrid and the GMC Yukon hybrid will be GM's first full hybrid passenger vehicles, and already many are claiming GM's dual mode hybrids are superior to Toyota's hybrids.
And they are right. Well, sort of. OK, maybe, in some circumstances, although no one really knows, to be quite honest.
---> Finish GM's dual mode hybrid advantage
Labels: Chevy Volt electric vehicle concept, Hybrid Vehicles, tahoe hybrid, toyota prius, yukon hybrid
posted by Dahcredyns at
9:08 AM
4 Comments:
Complete Story
Later this year GM's first dual mode hybrid vehicles are set to go on sale. The Chevy Tahoe hybrid and the GMC Yukon hybrid will be GM's first full hybrid passenger vehicles, and already many are claiming GM's dual mode hybrids are superior to Toyota's hybrids.
And they are right. Well, sort of. OK, maybe, in some circumstances, although no one really knows, to be quite honest.
First, GM's hybrid powertrain seems to integrate better in large vehicles. Thus, GM will not have a Toyota Prius contender for years, possibly not until the Chevy Volt. Second, GM's big advantage is the dual mode aspect and what it can offer in terms of hybrid performance, particularly during highway driving.
Toyota's hybrids, such as the Prius or the Highlander hybrid, are at their best in almost every kind of driving condition, except on the open highway. Here, the Hybrid Synergy Drive doesn't offer much to increase fuel efficiency.
GM's dual mode hybrids, on the other hand, offer a 'city' mode like Toyota's hybrids, but they also offer a highway mode. In addition, GM's dual mode hybrid powertrain offers far more towing capabilities than Toyota's hybrids.
So, there might be some advantages to the GM powertrain, in theory at least. Of course, there could be some disadvantages as well.
First, there is cost. How much are GM's hybrids going to cost? Some have speculated the difference between a conventional Tahoe and a hybrid Tahoe could be as much as $10,000. Is it still an advantage at that price? Second, GM's city mode might not be nearly as effective as Toyota's hybrid drive. Third, many have speculated that the dual mode powertrain will not scale down well to smaller vehicles, such as the Aura, very well - at least in terms of cost and effectiveness.
So, there are definitely plenty of questions left for the real world to resolve regarding GM's hybrids.
When it comes to large SUVs and those whom drive them, GM's dual mode hybrids might be superior to the competition. The towing capability alone provides a significant advantage for these drivers. Still, will the cost of GM's large hybrid SUVs with this capability justify the price?
We'll just have to wait and see.
The big advantage is use of Chevron's NiMH batteries. If GM-Chevron allows them on the dual-mode, they will have to sell them to EV converters.
It's wonderful that GM has decided to build vehicles that offer a semblance of "hydrid-ness." However, the approach they have taken is unacceptable in my opinion. The success of Toyota's Prius, Camry and Highlander demonstrates there is a market for highly efficient cars and SUV's. There was a time I was a devoted GM owner (5 cars, including 4 Oldsmobiles) but I will never own another GM product until they attain city gas mileage of at least 45 MPG.
I am pretty excited seeing this technology move into larger vehicles that can tow. If $10,000 seems like alot to pay (and it is) keep in mind that diesels may never pay back at the current $1/gal fuel cost premium vs gas. Also these trucks may burn $4,000 of gas a year. If you save $1500 of that the payback is not too different than a car. Done well the electric assist could narrow the torque advantage of deisels and at least they are another choice for consumers.
Post a Comment
<< Home