Hummer H3 Plugin Hybrid Gets 100 MPG, Kicks Prius Butt
While we wait to see if General Motors will go banko come June 1, Raser Technologies is hoping to change our minds about one of GM’s most iconic offerings: the Humvee.
During the upcoming 2009 SAE World Congress (Detroit, April 20 - 24) the company plans to unveil a Hummer H3 Range-Extended Electric Vehicle (ReEV) prototype. The vehicle is designed, first and foremost, as a purely electric vehicle with a drive train similar to the Voltec system in the Chevrolet Volt.
“We are resurrecting the Hummer,” David West, vice president of marketing for Raser Technologies said, adding that “It’s like a Volt on steroids.”
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So far, this zombie Hummer pretty sweet. The modded Hummer gets 268 hp, has a 40 mile all-electric range, and a fuel-efficiency of over 100 mpg.
“We’ve taken the worst environmental offender on the road and made it greener than a Prius,” West told Wired.com.
Seriously, can it really out-green the Toyota Prius?
“Yes,” explains West. “We took the challenge and here it is. The average driver starts off with a full charged battery with a 40 mile battery range. 75-percent of consumers live within that range and drive less than 40 a miles a day. So most people will never hear the gas engine come on.”
GM probably hopes so. GM was topdog for over 70 years until 2007 when they were surpassed by Toyota as the world’s No. 1 automaker.
“We are excited to be able to demonstrate an electric powertrain for larger vehicles such as trucks and SUVs,” said James Spellman, Vice President, of Transportation for Raser Technologies. “These are the best selling vehicles in America and can benefit the most from increased fuel economy and reduced emissions.” He went on to say, “Unlike the Prius, which is a mild hybrid vehicle, an eco-friendly SUV will get people’s attention.”
The vehicle is propelled by a 200 kW Symetron Enhanced AC induction motor hooked directly to the transmission, which is still connected to the all-wheel-drive system. According to Raser, it’s one of the most powerful passenger vehicle electric motors offered today and the whole system has near zero emissions. Also, the traction motor will support regenerative braking.
“If we put this powertrain in smaller vehicles down the road,” West said, “you could expect about 400 miles per gallon for the average (city) consumer.”
[...] 2.0 has me all WTF and GTFO today, as they announced Hummer’s plans to release a plugin hybrid H3 that gets up to 100 MPG. While I want to see vehicles get smaller, and use highway space more efficiently, no one can deny [...]
A truck that big that uses that much material to create ‘outgreens’ a much smaller car? Interesting idea, but I don’t buy it if anyone did an apple to apple comparison. Comparing these two is like apples to oranges; like comparing my bike to a school bus.
Amazing.
“We’ve taken the worst environmental offender on the road and made it greener than a Prius,” West told Wired.com.
40 miles of all electric range is fantastic. It’s impressive and makes a big statement, though I do hope to see this technology in smaller cars as quickly as possible- I’m sure there are many who would be into driving all electric who either don’t want a Hummer or can’t afford one.
Create EV1
Destroy EV1 in favor or gas sucking hummer brand
Make hummer smaller
make hummer smaller again
make hummer EV….
is it any wonder why GM is tanking?
“Create EV1
Destroy EV1 in favor or gas sucking hummer brand
Make hummer smaller
make hummer smaller again
make hummer EV….
is it any wonder why GM is tanking?”
I’ll add to the list:
Create Geo brand when gas is ~$1/gal
Kill Geo brand right before gas begins climb to $4/gal
Create Caprice/Roadmaster wagons that get 26 mpg highway
and has more cargo space than all but the largest SUVs.
Kill Caprice/Roadmaster wagons to make more SUVs.
They’re lying. Notice that the mileage drops as the distance driven is increased. That means they’re using the mileage of the electric side to prop up the mileage of the gas driven side. It’ll probably get better mileage (ie the 33mpg at 200miles/day) but the 100mpg is hype. I like the concept of the vehicle but it would go over better without the sales BS.
Bill, according to GM, 78% of American drivers commute less than 40 miles a day. At that range, and if the car was charged everyday, you would get UNLIMITTED MPG. I agree the 100 MPG is an attention getter, and it got just that.. attention. This Hummer would change the face of the SUV industry. However, for those long road trips, it’s still going to get 33 MPG. Much better than the 10-14 MPG the Hummer gets now wouldn’t you say?
This has all the earmarks of a great April fools joke. I hope the enviro-nuts target these things too.
GM should make more hybrid trucks, suv’s and plug in usv’s. there has been any good hybrids suv expect the escape.
This is a great application for the series hybrid; big vehicle, high torque requirements, and lots of space for battery/power-train storage.
I’d rather drive this than a Prius anyday.