December 5, 2007
Two modes for one greener future
A few years ago, General Motors challenged itself to come up with a new way to make a greener car. The result was nothing short of extraordinary.
A revolutionary two-mode hybrid system was created, allowing an engine to run both on electricity and gasoline.
The system automatically switches between two modes, the first one being designed more for city driving and the second one developed specifically for highway driving.
In the first mode, which is used primarily at low-speeds, the vehicle can operate three different ways: electric power only, engine power only, or any combination of engine and electric power.
The second mode optimizes fuel consumption at higher speeds, while providing full engine power when conditions demand it, such as trailer towing or climbing steep grades.
The result is a system that fits into the same space as a conventional automatic transmission, minimizing packaging, cost and weight issues, while offering exciting performance and outstanding fuel efficiency for vehicles of any size.
The first vehicles to benefit from this new technology were GM buses, which were released in 2002 to reduce emissions and boost fuel efficiency where it was needed the most - on city roads.
Today, General Motors of Canada offers one of the most affordable hybrids in the market - the Saturn VUE Green Line, and will be releasing hybrid versions of the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon in 2008, which promise a considerable increase in city driving fuel economy.
The two-mode hybrid system is just one more solution that GM of Canada is providing to the environmental challenges facing today's automotive industry. Visit Green By Design to learn more about GM's two-mode hybrid system and other environmentally friendly technologies, such as Active Fuel Management®, E85 FlexFuel and Hydrogen Fuel Cells.
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