May 30, 2003

GM Hy-Wire concept fuel cell vehicle. Click image to enlarge

General Motors Technology Tour brings hybrid and fuel cell vehicles to Ottawa
Story and photos by Grant Yoxon

General Motors brought a variety of advanced technology vehicles to Ottawa yesterday to demonstrate to government officials, journalists and opinion leaders that it is serious about reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency. By bringing the Technology Tour to Ottawa, GM also hoped to send a message to federal decision-makers, that government has a role to play in bringing advanced technology to consumers.

GM Hy-Wire Hy-Wire controls Saturn VCi, CVT GMC Sierra with Displacement on Demand E85 flexible fuel Tahoe Fiat Stilo clean diesel 2004 GM parallel hybrid truck GM/Allison Transmission-powered hybrid bus Click images to enlarge

The General Motors Technology Tour showcased hybrid and fuel cell technology - technology available soon and in the future - but also demonstrated advanced technologies that are available today from GM. Among the vehicles on display were the GM/Allison Transmission-powered hybrid bus, the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid that will go on sale this Fall, an E85 flexible fuel Tahoe, the Fiat Stilo clean diesel, a Vortec V8-powered GMC Sierra with Displacement of Demand technology, A Saturn coupe with GM's VTi continuously variable transmission and the GM Hy-Wire concept fuel cell vehicle, the world's first driveable vehicle that combines by-wire technology with a fuel cell propulsion system.

Michael Grimaldi, president and general manager of General Motors of Canada, said GM believes that hydrogen fuel cells "are the ultimate answer." Hydrogen fuel cells, said Mr. Grimaldi, "will take the automobile out of the environmental debate."

But viable fuel cell vehicles are still a decade away from reality. To get there, GM is implementing advanced technology to reduce emissions and improve efficiency in stages. In the near term, GM will add refinements to current technology such as continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) and displacement on demand (DoD). GM's first CVT debuted in the 2003 Saturn Vue. In 2004, GM full-size trucks with Vortec V8 engines will be available with DoD, a system that saves fuel by using only half of the engine's cylinders during most normal driving conditions. When loads are light, the control system automatically closes both intake and exhaust valves for half of the cylinders, cutting off their air and fuel supply. The valves are reopened to provide all-cylinder operation when the driver needs it for brisk acceleration or for hauling heavy loads. GM will produce 150,000 DoD engines in 2004, but hopes to ramp up production to 1.5 million units by 2007.

GM is focusing its fuel-saving efforts on popular, high volume vehicles - trucks and sedans, where the greatest fuel savings can be made across the fleet - rather than low volume niche vehicles where per-vehicle fuel savings may be greater, but the volume of sales is limited. GM intends to offer advanced technology vehicles that customers would want to buy, not what they would have to buy.

GM's mid-term strategy - hybrids - begins this year with the introduction of a parallel hybrid system on its full-size trucks. GM sees hybrids as offering the best opportunity for improving fuel efficiency until fuel cell vehicles become a reality.

The GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado truck's hybrid system links a 5.3 litre Vortec V8 engine with a compact 14,000-watt electrical motor and 42-volt lead acid battery. The electric power is supplemented by a regenreative braking system. When the truck is idling, the engine is shut off to save fuel and the battery provides power for accessories. Fuel economy is improved by 10 to 12 percent.

Beginning in 2005, GM will begin producing a Saturn Vue with an advanced hybrid system featuring a 2.0 litre DOHC Ecotec engine, a six-speed transmission, a battery pack for energy storage and dual motor electric drive. In 2006/2007 the Chevrolet Equinox and Malibu will be available with the Ecotec 4-cylinder engine, a CVT and a belt alternator-starter (BAS) system that will shut the engine down while idling. A 36-volt battery will power air conditioning and other accessories. GM expects a 12 to 15 percent fuel economy improvement over a conventional power-train. Also in 2007, GM will add DoD to its full-size hybrid pickups.

Consumers can expect to pay a premium to get these technologies; how much of a premium will depend on consumer demand. If there is wide acceptance, economies of scale will help reduce costs and lower prices, making hybrids more affordable and accessible.

To bridge the price gap, GM is looking to help from government and feels consumer tax credits would help make hybrid vehicles competitive with conventional vehicles and hasten acceptance of hybrid technology and the cost savings that can be realized through mass production.

GM is also looking to government to take a lead role in bringing fuel cell technology to consumers. Mr. Grimaldi said, "we need governments to assist in building market acceptance and help encourage the required infrastructure changes for the future. There is a price that comes with this new state of the art technology and we will be looking to government to play a key role in assisting consumers with the premium cost of new technology."

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