GM DELIVERS ADVANCED VEHICLES
GM DELIVERS ADVANCED VEHICLES
General Motors strengthened its commitment to developing a family of advanced vehicles with the unveiling of a hybrid electric bus for New York City and the announcement of a demonstration fleet of hybrid electric full-size trucks next year.
GM President and Chief Operating Officer, G. Richard Wagoner, Jr., was on-hand here today to deliver the hybrid electric bus to representatives from the MTA New York City Transit (NYC Transit). He announced the full-size truck program in a speech to reporters attending the New York Auto Show preview days.
"Hybrid electric vehicles represent a potential near-term solution for improving fuel economy, and in most cases, improving emissions," said Wagoner. "GM's Allison Transmission Division is developing hybrid systems for commercial vehicles, like transit busses, where the greatest impact can be realized in urban centers. And, we're working on real solutions for vehicles in the hottest segment of the automotive market, full-size trucks."
The NYC Transit bus features a GM Allison Transmission-designed series hybrid system, which combines a 160kW-traction drive system and a diesel-fueled 100kW auxiliary power unit. The system provides a 40 percent improvement in fuel economy and a 70 percent reduction in emissions over conventional heavy-duty powertrains.
Wagoner said the hybrid full-size truck demonstration program would begin in New York and California later next year. The fleet of 10 pickup trucks - some Chevrolet Silverados and some GMC Sierras -- will feature a conventional powertrain and driveline with an electric motor integrated between the engine and transmission. Low-voltage lead acid batteries will power the motor.
"GM has been an industry leader in delivering technically significant and innovative solutions for transportation challenges," said Wagoner. "Our commitment to the environment is unparalleled. I don't know of any other manufacturer that has devoted the resources and committed to developing the range of solutions that we're working on at General Motors".
Written by: General Motors Corporation
RELATED LINKS:
| * * * IN-HOUSE RESOURCES * * * |
|---|