GM to make lithium standard in mild hybrids

Lithium-powered by 2010

With the launch of the Saab 9-X BioHybrid, GM has now demonstrated the future of its mild hybrid powertrain currently used in vehicles like the Chevy Malibu hybrid.

It's all lithium.

With lithium, the new hybrid powertrain will offer increased power and voltage, increased electric boost, increased regenerative braking, increased fuel economy, improved vehicle acceleration, and easier global integration for all of GM's mild hybrid vehicles.

In terms of global integration, the Next Generation GM Hybrid System can be combined with downsized turbo, biofuel and diesel engines. In fact, the new GM Hybrid System will help alleviate turbo lag and knock at the low end by utilizing electric boost, which should result in a nice combination of fuel economy and performance according to GM.

GM plans to offer the new GM hybrid system in as many models as possible - maybe even all models. By 2010, GM is hoping to make as many 100,000 next generation GM Hybrids, in addition to dual mode hybrids, the Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid, and even the Chevy Volt.