The HUMMER H3 has long been criticized as the epitome of impractical, fuel-gulping SUV. But Raser Technologies of Utah wants to use technology similar to that found in the Chevy Volt to make the HUMMER a 100 MPG fuel sipper.
Details are sketchy, as Raser plans to debut the prototype later this month (April 20 – 23) at the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress in Detroit. But Raser is saying that using their E-REV (Extended-Range Electric Vehicle) powertrain technology, the HUMMER plug-in hybrid will run up to 40 miles per day on its battery alone, then a small 4 cylinder combustion engine will kick in to generate more electricity and keep the HUMMER running.
A plug-in HUMMER hybrid that gets up to 100 MPG? Who would have seen that coming? Maybe a little too late to save the brand though.
Source: Raser Technologies
Press Release:
FEV, Inc. to Unveil Hummer H3 with Raser Technologies' Range-Extended Electric Vehicle Technology at 2009 SAE World Congress
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- FEV, Inc., (FEV) a leading developer of advanced powertrain and vehicle technologies, announced today that it will unveil the Hummer H3 Range-Extended Electric Vehicle (ReEV) demonstrator at the upcoming 2009 SAE World Congress, held at Cobo Center in Detroit on April 20 - 24. FEV partnered with Utah-based Raser Technologies (Raser) in the development of the H3 ReEV, the first vehicle equipped with Raser's range-extended electric vehicle technology. The H3 ReEV will be on display in the FEV booth. The unveiling of the H3 ReEV comes one year after FEV and Raser first showed the technology as a concept at last year's World Congress. The announcement was made jointly by Gary Rogers, FEV, Inc. president and CEO and Jim Spellman, Raser VP of Business Development.
"Our goal in exhibiting this particular vehicle is to demonstrate that electric vehicle technology is a viable solution for a variety of vehicle platforms," said Rogers. "Needs of consumers will continue to vary, and the Hummer range-extended electric vehicle shows that fuel economy does not necessarily mean sacrificing power and utility."
The Hummer H3 ReEV is the first range-extended electric vehicle based on a full-sized SUV. The Raser scalable plug-in series hybrid design provides 40+ mile all-electric range and 100+ mpg fuel economy. FEV performed the full vehicle integration including electrical and mechanical design. Additionally, FEV developed all software for the hybrid control unit and in-vehicle graphical display.
Propulsion comes from Raser's 200 kW traction motor mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Raser's 100 kW generator, driven by a 2.0L SIDI turbocharged engine, provides electrical power. Although a full-sized SUV, the concept has been achieved with only minimal sacrifice of acceleration performance, cargo space, or towing capacity.
Additional utility is provided by the availability of exportable AC power generation, making the vehicle ideally suited for use as a utility company service truck or emergency service vehicle.
About FEV, Inc.
The FEV Group is an internationally recognized powertrain and vehicle engineering company that supplies the global transportation industry. FEV offers a complete range of engineering services, providing support across the globe to customers in the design, analysis, prototyping, powertrain and transmission development, as well as vehicle integration, calibration and homologation for advanced internal combustion gasoline-, diesel-, and alternative-fueled powertrains. FEV also designs, develops and prototypes advanced vehicle / powertrain electronic control systems and hybrid-electric engine concepts that address future emission and fuel economy standards. The FEV Test Systems division is a global supplier of advanced test cell, instrumentation and test equipment. The FEV Group employs a staff of over 1,800 highly skilled specialists at advanced technical centers on three continents. FEV, Inc. employs approximately 300 personnel at FEV's North American Technical Center in Auburn Hills, MI.
About Raser Technologies
Raser (NYSE Arca: RZ) is a publicly-traded, environmentally-focused technology licensing and development company operating in two business segments. Raser's Transportation and Industrial Technology segment focuses on using Raser's award-winning Symetron(TM) technology to improve the efficiency of electric motors, power electronic drives and other applications. Raser's Power Systems segment is seeking to develop clean, renewable geothermal electric power plants and bottom-cycling operations, incorporating licensed heat transfer technology and Raser's Symetron(TM) technology. Further information on Raser may be found at: www.rasertech.com.
