'Plug-in hybrid' - GM's another shot to win "Green" image

General Motors Corp. on Wednesday committed to build a plug-in hybrid vehicle, in its attempt to reduce car reliance on conventional engines thus reducing gasoline consumption and pollution.

Speaking at the opening of the Los Angeles Auto Show yesterday, General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner said the plug-in hybrid technology is precedence for the automaker. "This is a top-priority program for GM, given the huge potential it offers for fuel-economy improvement," he said.

However, referring to technical obstacles, GM CEO did not say when the new vehicle would go on sale. "The technological hurdles are real, but we believe they are also surmountable," he said.

Wagoner pledged his company would make the high-mileage gas-electric vehicles by using plug-in hybrid technology in their future vehicles, empowering them to go much farther on a gallon of gas.

Plug-in gas-electric hybrids would use larger, more sophisticated advanced batteries that could store significantly more energy and would provide greater range under electric power than existing models, consequently improving the gas mileage.

Plug-in hybrids, which have a gas engine and an electric motor, generate electricity with an onboard gasoline or diesel engine as well as by plugging into an electric socket. The batteries would typically be recharged at night.

Wagoner also expressed the company’s intention to put the plug-in hybrid engine in a future version of the Saturn Vue. However, it all depends on how fast GM and its partners develop a suitable battery for the vehicle.

Detroit-based GM has further plans to empower the Saturn Aura Green Line and Chevrolet Malibu sedans with the hybrid system in 2007.

Despite the facts that mileage advantages are huge in plug-in hybrids and they reduce the emissions by half, the automakers still seem slow to adopt this technology because of the added weight and complexity.

The conventional hybrids such as the Toyota Prius or Ford Escape use single electric motor that is designed to be the sole power source for only low speeds and short distances while plug-in hybrid needs two power trains capable of driving the vehicle at all speeds. Besides, it also needs a bigger battery pack and a more powerful electric motor, adding weight as well as cost to it.

Company CEO said GM will not cut the production of its conventional hybrids and fuel cell vehicles.

With its latest move, GM seems making efforts to shed its gas-guzzling truck maker image and win an image as a "green" car company.

The production of vehicles that run on a mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, as well as fuel-cell vehicles, which use hydrogen to create electricity and emit only water, are also, the companies says, are part of its plan to reduce the emissions and reduce U.S. reliance on imported oil, as well.