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Saturn to Launch SUV Plug-In Hybrid by 2010

by Alon Avdi on January 18, 2008 at 12:37 PM



In an effort to keep up with foreign car manufacturers, GM has announced that it hopes to begin production on a Saturn SUV hybrid that will be equipped with a plug-in feature and a Lithium ion battery. Working in tandem with the battery and plug-in technology, the Saturn Vue Green Line automobile will use "a modified version of GM's two-mode hybrid system" to double the fuel economy of any SUV on the market today.

The system will rely on the lithium ion energy source for power until the battery drains to a certain level. At that point, the battery will be recharged using the two-mode hybrid system's electronic motors and regenerative braking system. Using the plug-in to charge the battery at home should take four to five hours. Any 110 Volt electrical outlet will do the trick.

GM has disclosed that initial testing of the car shows that it can traverse a maximum of ten miles "at low speeds." It will use engine or electric power, or both, to allow it to travel at higher speeds or achieve faster acceleration. The biggest differences between plug-in hybrids and non-plug-ins are that the former offers more battery capacity, the at-home charging feature, as well as an increase in electric-only driving capability.

Consumers may find the prospect of buying the plug-in Saturn dubious, considering that GM omitted any mention of a price for the hybrid. Also, what GM hopes and what GM delivers may also be called into question, as 2010 production may be offset by typical delays, especially as it lags behind hybrid-makers like Toyota.

From Autoblog Green Via Engadget

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Tags: car, electric motor, ElectricMotor, General Motors, GeneralMotors, GM, Green Line, GreenLine, hybrid, lithium ion, LithiumIon, plug-in, plug-in hybrid, Plug-inHybrid, Saturn, Saturn hybrid, SaturnHybrid, SUV

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