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Weekly Clean Energy Roundup: Jan. 8, 2003
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Provided by EREN Network News
*News and Events
GM to Launch Hybrid Versions of Seven Vehicle Models by 2007 Ford Unveils "Model U," a Hydrogen-Fueled Hybrid Vehicle
Ford Agrees to Sell Think Nordic to Kamkorp Microelectronics
North America to Unify Energy Efficiency Standards in 2003
Fifty-Megawatt Solar Thermal Power Plant Planned for Nevada
New Mexico Adopts Minimum Renewable Energy Requirements
U.K. Company Reports Successful Tidal Energy Production
*Site News
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) *Energy Facts and Tips
U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Drop 1.2 Percent in 2001
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NEWS AND EVENTS
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GM to Launch Hybrid Versions of Seven Vehicle Models by 2007
General Motors Corporation (GM) announced on Monday that it will offer hybrid electric versions of at least seven vehicle models within the next five years and could sell as many as a million hybrid vehicles per year by 2007. GM will offer three types of hybrid electric configurations in up to a dozen vehicle models.
As announced in 2001, GM is planning to introduce hybrid versions of its GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado by combining a 14-kilowatt motor with a V8 engine and using a 42-volt lead-acid battery pack for energy storage. A so-called "mild" hybrid system, the motor will provide supplemental power to the engine when needed, but the engine will always run. GM expects a 10 to 12 percent increase in fuel economy in the pickups, which will be available later this year.
In 2007, GM will offer the same system for its Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon sport utility vehicles (SUVs), combined with a "displacement on demand" feature that will shut down some engine cylinders when they are not needed. That feature will add another 5 to 8 percent increase in fuel efficiency, according to GM. For more information, see the May 2001 GM announcements at:
http://www.gm.com/cgi-bin/pr_display.pl?2265
http://www.gm.com/cgi-bin/pr_display.pl?2263
In late 2005, GM plans to introduce a hybrid version of its Saturn VUE, a smaller SUV that runs on a 4- or 6-cylinder engine. The hybrid electric model will add twin 20-kilowatt electric motors and will operate as a "strong" hybrid: At low speeds, the vehicle will run on batteries alone. GM expects to achieve 50 percent gains in fuel economy while improving the vehicle's performance.
Starting in 2006, GM will begin selling its third hybrid system, which combines a belt-driven starter/alternator with a 2.4-liter engine and a 42-volt battery. Available on the upcoming Chevrolet Equinox SUV in 2006, the system will be applied to the Chevrolet Malibu sedan in 2007. GM expects to offer the system for both 4- and 6-cylinder engines, achieving an estimated 12 to 15 percent improvement in fuel economy.
GM made the announcement at the 2003 North American International Auto Show, now underway in Detroit. See the video of the GM announcement at: http://webevents.broadcast.com/gm/atpv2003
Meanwhile, Ford Motor Company is planning to begin producing a hybrid version of the Ford Escape SUV later this year. Ford will offer the hybrid Escape to commercial fleets this year, then offer it to consumers in mid-2004. See the Ford Hybrid Electric Vehicle Web site at: http://www.hybridford.com/faq/index.asp
Ford Unveils "Model U," a Hydrogen-Fueled Hybrid Vehicle
Ford Motor Company unveiled a new hydrogen-fueled concept vehicle on Sunday, but unlike most recent prototypes, this vehicle uses an internal combustion engine rather than a fuel cell. Ford's "Model U" concept car uses a supercharged engine to achieve a performance similar to a gasoline-fueled engine while using about 25 percent less energy. The engine also produces very low emissions, consisting mainly of water vapor and low levels of nitrous oxides.
The hydrogen engine is combined with a 35-kilowatt electric motor in a "strong" hybrid configuration, which allows the vehicle to run on electric power only at low speeds. In addition, Ford used a number of "green" materials in the car's construction, including Cargill Dow's corn-based polylactide for the "canvas" roof and carpet mats, and soy-based foams and plastics for the seats and tailgate.
The Model U, intentionally named to invoke Ford's Model T, was unveiled during the 2003 North American International Auto Show. Ford produced the Model U and two other concept cars as part of the company's centennial celebration. See the Ford press release at: http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=14047
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