From AutoBlog Green. GM's hybrid powertrain director gives PHEV update - AutoblogGreen "If the PHEV Vue makes it by the end of next year it will likely be the first commercially available plug-in hybrid from a major carmaker. The Vue is expected to have about 10 miles of electric driving range on a full charge."
My favorite part ... where now, they're: " . . . initiating development with nickel metal hydride batteries ..." Too bad they sold Ovshinski's nickel battery patents to Chevron ... they had the best, now they have to re-invent the wheel. Serves them right. Won't someone PLEASE fire Wagoner?
I like the VUE. This car was high on my list for a family mover (that is 2 adult monkeys, 1 monkey infant, and two civilized beings (german shepherd) in the back). Unfortunately this people mover is too small for the civilized part of our family. I wish the trunk area was larger (more like the Mazda 5). Other then that I think this will be an interesting car; better then the behemoth highlander that even though it's a hybrid doesn't get better mileage then a volvo station wagon and costs a lot more. I hope this forces Ford to release a better hybrid too. In my mind the Mazda 5 would be a perfect candidate for hybrid. Hybrid owners seem to like "practial" not over-sized cars and it fits great as a people mover.
So, the electric range has gone from 40 miles to 10. That would seriously reduce the real life fuel mileage. Many of us have a commute of less than forty miles, but not a lot of us have a commute of under 10 miles. Bummer.
Toyota had previously mentioned a nine-mile range and was scoffed by those who INSISTED on no less than 300 miles per charge. But that was in 2006. Surely no one remembers that anymore. Green Car Congress: Toyota Ratchets Up Plug-In Prius Talk
And no one can understand why the General is in financial difficulty! Although Ford is determined that GM not be #1 there either, they just posted a $8.7 billion loss! As of last month, I own a Prius, avg 50 mpg so far, and it will supposedly improve once its broke in! Anyone want to buy a Jeep, cheap?
My wife works at tmmk in ky and i own a 2009 toyota camry hybird,a 2002 sienna van that i just converted to run on gas and hydrogen and she has a 2006 corrola.I had some sad feelings for gm and their downfall untill i seen who killed the electric car.Now i feel they have it comming and deserve all that is happening to them.I think everyone should see the movie,i found it verry informative.
Wow, a 10 mile EV range doesn't seem very stellar. Doesn't the current Prius with the EV mod get more than that? I also have the same question as Rybold.
No. I'm lucky if I can travel about one mile of flat terrain in EV. If/when I can add some gliding, I can do a mile. But constant EV on flat terrain, no. Also keep in mind that the Prius EV mode disengages at 34mph.
The Hymotion pack for the Prius is 5kw (3-3.5 usable?) and they claim 30-40 miles mixed mode. That would be about 15-20 miles all EV. Rob
Perhaps even 5 miles is optimistic. If the current Prius has a 1.3kWh battery (good for maybe 1 mile from a dead stop) I don't think the Vue will be going much further on a 1.8kWh battery! Source: Toyota Prius - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
That's probably the 2-mode non-plug in hybrid battery size. They are aiming for 10 miles all electric for the VUE which I think is good for an SUV, although I doubt I'll ever buy an SUV.
