100 MPG In An SUV?

[steven johnson]

$50,000 for a Hummer that gets 100 MPG in the city, 33 MPG on the highway seems steep. But it in in the planning stages.

Move over Prius, we're talking Hummer. But it's not some gas guzzling energy hog. It's a plug-in hybrid Hummer. And Raser Technologies says it will average 100 miles to the gallon in the city, and 33 on the highway.

The electric Hummer is the next generation hybrid. Instead of a gas engine with an electric assist, the H3 has a big electric motor that will run the SUV for 40 miles on a four-hour 220 volt plug-in charge. A smaller gas engine serves only to recharge the batteries if you're driving a long way on the highway.

And Hummer, Raser Technologies, and FEV are betting Americans will still need big trucks, even after the President's new mileage and emissions standards kick in.

http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=86135&catid=158

[SKKY]

1. YAWN...

[Mythsaje]

2. How is a Hummer a "big truck?"

It's not as though it has even the utility of a pickup. It's a glorified human carrier with some grocery space. Even IF one wanted to throw yard waste in the back, it's just not something people do with something that expensive.

100 on the Highway, 33 in the city? Damn... A real road trip vehicle the size of a canyonaro. Gawd, why?

[imdjh]

4. It qualifies as farm machinery according to the IRS

Or is that the Humvee? Is there a difference?

[Mythsaje]

8. There's a difference...

The humvee is an ACTUAL military vehicle, while the Hummer is just a replica.

Farm machinery? I suppose, though why any farmer would use such a thing is beyond me.

[NYC_SKP]

3. Lipstick on a pig. Very, very, few people need an SUV, nobody needs a H3.

It's a shitty example of an SUV, not at all practical.

And even as an electric, it's still wasteful and 5X less efficient than other passenger vehicles.

Interesting article, nonetheless!

:hi:

[imdjh]

6. That's like saying that few people need a station wagon

The SUV is the station wagon of today. Sure, you can still buy a station wagon- but they are all little ones.

[NYC_SKP]

12. Not the same, not at all. I had a Camry wagon--seated seven, 30 MPG plus.

There is quite a difference.

Few families must have an overweight 4wd behemoth. It is a status symbol, a fad, a "I'm bigger than you" vehicle.

It's heavier weight and higher profile guarantee worse fuel economy than a wagon.

The Camry was discontinued in the US market in the 90's, but not in other markets.

I love wagons.

It is not the same.

And those who argue about all-weather capability can get a Subaru.

:donut.

[imdjh]

17. I loved the Camry wagon, but as you said, it's not available

It's also not a full sized wagon. I seriously doubt that any light duty SUV like a 2wd Ford Explorer weighs as much or uses as much gas as our old Mercury Montego wagon.

My objection to what you have written in this post is the broad brush. A Volvo or Mercedes station wagon is a status symbol. A Jeep Patriot or a Ford Explorer? Maybe in Mexico. Not all SUV's are clinically bovine.

[Jennicut]

5. The only positive thing I saw in this article was the fact that

the new technology they came up with could be used to power "pick-up trucks, delivery vans, FedEx, post office delivery vehicles". That WOULD be good for those types of vehicles, but not for Hummers.

[imdjh]

7. I think perhaps they did the Hummer to show it can be done.

AFter all, if you can make a Hummer efficient then anything is possible.

Next up- all electric F350. (not holding my breath)

[Jennicut]

10. I suppose you are right. I want hybrids in every type of car!

I drive an SUV right now but I didn't buy it. My Grandmother gave it to me a few weeks ago because she wanted an easier, smaller car to drive. I gave my Honda Civic to my sister in law because the transmission in her car just went kaput. My husband said it would be crazy not to take it, its a 2002 Honda CRV with low mileage and it is totally paid off. But I was used to not filling up my tank in the Civic often. And I feel horribly guilty for driving one of these things. I swore I would never drive a freakin SUV. Oh well.

[imdjh]

11. Isn't it amazing how these things work out?

My old truck needed work, more than I was willing to pay. A week later, my nephew tells my mom that he is going to return the car she loaned to him two years earlier when he wanted to move out of the dorms- so she gave me her van. I traded my truck for a much needed repair on my house.

[Jennicut]

19. See? I'm not the only one who has musical cars, switching all around.

We really wanted to give my sister in law's little sister her car but I think the transmission is just too expensive to fix. We could have had 3 cars traded down.

[flvegan]

9. 40 miles?

Congrats Raser, you've almost hit mediocre.

:eyes:

[NYC_SKP]

13. That's 40 miles. Downhill.

With a tail wind.

[BlooInBloo]

14. In a hurricane (so the commercial went).

[NYC_SKP]

15. Down, down, into the Tar Pits, gasping for it's last dino breaths...

...for footure hoomans to discover eons later and wonder...

What the Fuck is this stupid ass piece of shit? :wtf:

[Blue_Tires]

16. that defeats the whole purpose...

like a 'diet' all-you-can-eat stuffed pizza and cheesecake buffet

[Orsino]

18. It makes a mockery of all our troops who fought for Iraqi oil.

They are dying for our right to consume. We should honor that sacrifice.