GM pluggable hybrid reality check wanted

The world's largest automaker has scored PR points by announcing plans to produce a pluggable version of its newly-announced Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid that has the potential to achieve double the fuel efficiency of any current SUV.

But some question just how excited the world should get over the announcement.

Speaking at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Rick Wagoner, GM Chairman and CEO, called the technological hurdles "real, but we believe they are also surmountable. I can't give you a production date for our plug-in hybrid today. But I can tell you that this is a top priority program for GM, given the huge potential it offers for fuel-economy improvement."

He refused to speculate on dates given that "production timing will depend on battery development," he said. (ed.: perhaps he's not familiar with Altairnano's batteries, which can supposedly propel electric vehicles hundreds of miles and charge in ten minutes.)

The hybrid SUV is to use a modified version of GM's 2-mode hybrid system to be used in the Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid, due in 2008, and plug-in technology - powered by a Lithium Ion battery pack - plus more efficient electronics and electric motors to achieve significant increases in fuel economy.

A plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle differs from other hybrid-electric vehicles by offering extended electric-only propulsion, additional battery capacity and the ability to be recharged from a conventional household electrical outlet.

The Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid is expected to offer electric-only propulsion for approximately 10 miles. At higher speeds, or when conditions demand it, such as brisk acceleration, a combination of engine and electric power or engine power only are to propel the vehicle.

Other all-electric vehicles are promising considerably longer ranges. For instance, Nissan's rumored all electric cars - expected within three years - are to travel some 200 km between charges.

Most industry watchers are cautiously optimistic, but concerned how long it will take for GM to deliver.

"I do think there's legitimacy to what they're doing, but just how much we'll have to wait and see," automotive analyst Bruce Harrison of Global Insight told the Cleantech Group.

Others are openly skeptical of the announcement.

Tom Incantalupo of Newsday has criticized the previously announced hybrid version of GM's Saturn Vue as a mediocre vehicle, calling it "just another also-ran, a day late and a dollar short."

Columnist Tyler Hamilton of the Toronto Star wrote in his blog that "it's a safe bet for any company to say they'll come out with a plug-in hybrid when that technology is ready", noting similar claims from automakers regarding fuel cells. (ed. that said, Honda's FCX appears close to commercialization.)

Environmentalists, critical of the industry's apathy about fuel economy, also somewhat derailed GM's pluggable announcement.

Matt Leonard of the Rainforest Action Network, took the stage after Wagoner's speech at the L.A. Auto Show to demand GM pledge to become the world leader in fuel economy by 2010.

Wagoner refused to sign, stating "I think my speech spoke for itself," and gave the protester a gentle shove to get him to leave the stage.

Cleantech developments making news in the past 24 hours

• Qteros claims 15-fold improvements in cellulosic ethanol yield
• Solairedirect raises €20M to move into commercial solar
• Intel, Numonyx open $20M water treatment plant in Israel
• Booming data-center business creates troubles for India

View the last week of cleantech developments here | Subscribe to full feed