Chevy
Tahoe hybrid: A real American revolution?
Tuesday,
June 12, 2007
Finally,
an American hybrid
I won't call it a freedom-fighter - that takes, minimally,
40 mpg. Nonetheless, I'll call the Chevy
Tahoe hybrid an incredibly important step in the
evolution of the American automobile. I might even call it
an American revolution.
The Chevy Tahoe hybrid, as well as the Yukon
hybrid, will not just be the first dual mode hybrid
vehicles, these hybrids
vehicles will be Made in America.
Unlike Ford's hybrids, such as the Escape
hybrid, the Tahoe hybrid will also not be built under
any sort of licensing agreement with Toyota. This is not a
Japanese hybrid powertrain in disguise - no offense to
either Ford or to the Japanese - this is a new, more
American spin on hybrids.
In contrast to Japan, the U.S. is a huge land mass - a
huge land mass filled with a massive network of highways
and freeways that Americans often use to traverse great
distances. Some of us travel hundreds of miles every day,
not just on holidays and summer trips. Nonetheless, many
of us spend countless hours on the open road every year.
While Toyota's hybrids, such as the Prius,
work exceptionally well in urban congestion - the bulk of
Japanese driving - they don't offer as much fuel economy
help on America's highways. Considering that America is
becoming significantly more congested, hybrids, such as
the Prius, will always be ever important.
Still, the highway is yet an essential part of the
American car culture. While the Tahoe hybrid, and all GM's
dual mode hybrids, also utilize many of the tricks the
Prius uses to be so efficient in congestion, they also
offer some additional tricks on the highway - an important
American consideration.
Now, it is my belief that Toyota's hybrid technology will
still be more fuel efficient than GM's dual mode hybrid
technology in urban driving, in congestion, etc. However,
for drivers whom spend much of their driving time on the
highway or freeway, the Tahoe hybrid makes a lot of sense
for today's large SUV drivers - especially considering how
important that vehicle segment is to GM.
If everyone driving a conventional Tahoe or Yukon
converted to a hybrid version of these vehicles, a
significant amount of fuel would be saved. That's a great
step forward, and a great investment in GM's hybrid
projects.
Now if we can only get GM to offer a dual mode Malibu
hybrid a bit sooner.
posted
by Dahcredyns at
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