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GM Simplifies the Two-Mode Hybrid Transmission, Maintains Functionality for FWD Application

Green Car Congress

GM has simplified the two-mode hybrid system for application in front-wheel drive vehicles—the Saturn VUE being the first instance ( earlier post )—while retaining its functionality and capability, according to Mark Selogie, Senior Manager Power Electronics, GM Powertrain, speaking at the SAE Hybrid Symposium in San Diego (11-12 Feb).

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GM and Honda to establish industry-first $85M joint fuel cell system manufacturing operation in Michigan

Green Car Congress

The co-developed new generation stack builds on the compact size and high-performance of Honda’s current generation stack in the Clarity ( earlier post ) by achieving significant cost reductions. With the next-generation fuel cell system, GM and Honda are making a dramatic step toward lower cost, higher-volume fuel cell systems.

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NC Transportation Center

Plug In Partners

Cost is a big factor for making the batteries available to the average consumer, and Easley said with the proper research that the department can bring the cost of the battery from $10,000 to $3,000 and make other improvements. General Motors is also on the plug-in bandwagon with its Saturn Vue Green Line.

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The Beast in the Rumble Seat

Plugs and Cars

Hybrid doubters — who once railed that the batteries were sketchy, the costs of the so-called hybrid premium unrecoverable, the mileage gains overstated, and so on — are beginning to look like the Flat Earth Society. Electric motors are clean, lightweight, maintenance-free and powerful. "Run

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GM Previews First Two-Mode, Front-Wheel-Drive Hybrid Transaxle

Green Car Congress

At the recent SAE 2009 World Congress in Detroit, General Motors engineers presented the first front-wheel-drive (FWD) iteration of their two-mode hybrid transaxle, termed the 2MT70 ( earlier post ), scheduled for its first application in the Saturn 2009 VUE 2-Mode Hybrid light sport-utility vehicle later this year ( earlier post ).

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Plug-In Hybrids (or Plugin Hybrids)

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

Its like having a second fuel tank that you always use first -- only you fill up at home, from a regular outlet, at an equivalent cost of under $1/gallon. Lifetime service costs are lower for a vehicle that is mainly electric. At $3 for a gallon of gas, driving a non-hybrid car costs 8-20 cents/mile (depending on MPG).

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How Carmakers Are Responding to the Plug-In Hybrid Opportunity

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

Plans Saturn Vue PHEV-10. Aims to get Saturn Vue on road in 2010; no production goal. Carmakers response to real and specific concerns about battery lifetime, up-front costs, and safety issues is to focus on engineering and testing for an unspecified number of years. Plans Cadillac Converj, Opel Ampera, other versions.

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