New Hybrid Hummer Gets 100 Miles Per Gallon

by Kaiser Hwang on April 18, 2009 at 02:31 PM

We once asked a friend why they bought a Hummer and their response was, "If you're gonna go big, go big." Well, it seems that Raser Technologies, a company specializing in electric motoring, has taken those words to heart -- only it's going in the opposite direction. Set to be unveiled next week, the Raser H3 is a converted electrical-hybrid version of the gargantuan SUV retrofitted to get up to 100 miles per gallon. That's more than five times the paltry 18 miles per gallon (mpg) that the current H3 gets (on the highway, with a tailwind), and more than double the mileage of the current Toyota Prius.

So why did Raser choose a Hummer to start with? "SUVs and trucks are the number one selling vehicle in America," company vice president Jim Spellman told Wired. "Unlike the Prius, which is a mild hybrid vehicle, an eco-friendly SUV will get people's attention." Spellman also noted that the size of the vehicle came into play because of the required battery packs. "There was plenty of room in the back of the Hummer to install them, and they don't affect the ground clearance of the vehicle," he said.

Details on pricing and availability are still unknown, but Raser plans to release more details when their petrol-sipping H3 prototype is unveiled at next week's Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress in Detroit. [From: Wired]

Tags: cars, fuel efficiency, FuelEfficiency, hummer, hybrid, suv, top

Comments

Sam HApr 18th 2009 5:05PM

Highly Ranked

At a stop light:
Hummer Guy: "Hey douche, are you trying to destroy the environment?"
Prius Guy: (hangs head in shame)

It'll take some getting used to...

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rickApr 18th 2009 6:12PM

Neutral

COOL!!!

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derekApr 18th 2009 7:20PM

Neutral

This makes Chevy look like a scientist that after spending 15 years in his base, he comes out and says "Look!!! I created a storage device that can store up to 32 Megabites!!!"...in current time.

Chevy flaunts a 40mpg "hybrid" car that will "save" [GM].

bull.

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danApr 18th 2009 8:38PM

Neutral

I would be very surprised to see this thing get that kind of mileage using any of the curent technologies...anyone can say they are doing it, but they never sem to be able to make the numbers when they put them on the road...it would be cool if they could, but hard time accepting it right now. As for the Volt saving GM...it is designed to go 40 miles before ANY gas engine (plug in electric charged) kicks in, and it is primarily for recharging the batteries...a Prius can go about 3-5 miles at low speed before the battery gets gas engine assist...that is nearly a 1300% increase, it may not save GM, but it will open the door to newer technologies...nothing wrong with that...I think the Volt is rated at 60+ mpg in actual road tests...they claim up to 100 mpg in specific tests...

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libdamageApr 18th 2009 9:30PM

Neutral

How fast will it go?
Acceleration rate?
How long on one charge?
Size of payload with all those batteries installed?

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richman64Apr 18th 2009 10:40PM

Neutral

Uh yeah, who f-ing cares! I'll drive what I like, you drive what you like and we'll all get along fine. If global warming were real, and since plants and trees eat CO2, then by theory all plants and trees should be taking over the planet...but they're not since it isnt real, dumbazzez!

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jackdifyoupleaseApr 19th 2009 12:47AM

Neutral

How are plants and trees going to take over the planet and eat all the CO2 we produce when we are burning, razing, and paving every square inch of the earth?

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anneApr 19th 2009 8:57AM

Neutral

Earth Day is April 22nd. Save the planet. Plant a tree.

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al schraderApr 19th 2009 6:42AM

Neutral

richman & jackdif- Industry is not causing the massive CO2, we are - 6 billion humans exhaling CO2 (6,000,000,000) 24/7.
Most of the chlorophyl plants (ones that use CO2) are in the oceans not on land anyhow. And they are blooming especially from the increased nitrates that we humans are providing. And this inproves production of plankton, krill, etc & more fish for us to eat.
The earth is a very balanced eco system, so have another beer & enjoy life.Al Schrader

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WT GRANTApr 19th 2009 10:50AM

Neutral

How embarrassing for : GM, Chrysler, Ford, Fiat, Volvo, Mercedes, Peugeot......etc.
***** it---give 'em the x-prize---they just saved the day.

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SarahApr 19th 2009 11:59AM

Neutral

Nice but who's going to be able to afford that? Regular Hummers aren't cheap
and the gas savings won't make up for the sticker price.
I have to say I'm impressed though. Hopefully by the time I need a new vehicle I'll be able to get one that actually gets 100 mpg.
Isn't there some million dollar contest to see who could do this first?

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KenApr 19th 2009 1:33PM

Neutral

100 mpg... Down a steep hill, and off a Cliff.. Maybe..

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TonyApr 20th 2009 11:21AM

Neutral

We happen to own an H3. The 5cyl doesnt do to bad. This would be cool though if I could take it in for a retro fit. Now, where would I put the beach chairs, tent and baby stuff?

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