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GM Unveils Sierra Hybrid Pickup

General Motors Corp. (GM) unveiled the 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid pickup at the Chicago Auto Show. The new full-sized hybrid pickup goes on sale near the end of the year and will achieve a 25% greater fuel economy.

This fuel-saving performance is derived from the vehicle's Electrically Variable Transmission and 300V nickel-metal hydride Energy Storage System which work with the standard 6.0L V-8 gasoline engine with Active Fuel Management and late closing intake valves. The Sierra can drive up to 30mph on electricity alone and the Vortec 6.0L V-8 engine operates in its V-4 mode for longer periods.

With GM's two-mode hybrid system, the electric power used to propel the vehicle is generated by the hybrid system itself. When the brakes are applied or the vehicle is coasting, the electric motors within the hybrid system create electricity that is stored in the 300V battery. This stored energy is used to move the vehicle and the regenerative braking cycle is renewed.

Land Rover LRX Hybrid Concept Debuts

Land Rover debuted the LRX hybrid at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The 2.0-liter turbodiesel hybrid can run on bio-diesel. Its new techniques reduce fuel consumption by 30%.

LRX's electrical drive system uses power stored in a dedicated high-voltage, high-capacity, lithium-ion battery pack, independent of the normal 12V battery. This is charged by a regenerative braking energy system, also working through the Electric Rear Axle Drive (ERAD).

The concept's integrated ERAD allows the use of the electric drive alone at lower speeds while retaining full sport utility ability in tough conditions. Unlike other hybrids, this vehicle retains mechanical drive to all four wheels.

Enova Delivers HEVs to Cox Communications

Enova Systems of Torrance, California, has delivered two service vehicles with Enova's unique post-transmission parallel hybrid drive system to Cox Communications. The GM 1500 Silverado Pickup and a Ford E250 Cargo Van join Cox's North American fleet of over 15,000 vehicles.

Enova's electric drive system can be installed as a "drop in," fully integrated turnkey into an OEM production line, or retrofitted in post vehicle production in a modular "as-needed" basis. The vehicle's charge sustaining system uses relatively small batteries which are maintained with specified range of State of Charge over the entire drive cycle. Battery charge is maintained by the on-board equipment and is not normally recharged from the grid except as needed for cell balancing.