Holden Australia has played
with this alternative fuel source way back in 2000 but never made it
into production.Now the Commodore is riding a crest of a wave
with sales and even though Toyota stole their thunder (to be the
first to announce a hybrid
Australian car) Holden Commodore is gearing up to hit the market, in a
time that will be the most changed market since the development of the
carburettor.
It is believed GM already has the Hybrid transmission that uses
two motors, three planetary gear sets and four wet plate clutches.
The Petrol electric vehicle has been confirmed, but after diesel,
LPG and E85(ethanol) types are tried. Give it to Holden to try and
bridge the technology gap needed to finalise a whole new engine type.
The dedicated LPG alloytec V6 should be ready for 2009. 2009 also
should see the turbo diesel in the form of a 2.9 V6 . This model Holden
may have in its sites for the export Dollar. However Diesel is not
getting any cheaper and the quantities available are getting less.
Petrol engines in 2009 will not disappear as Holden has been hard
at work getting ready the alloytec V6 with direct injection from the
Cadillac CTS which will definitely boost power output and economy. Keep
in mind that some petrol engines especially in open road application
will deliver almost the same economy as a hybrid.
The dedicated LPG in the perfect world is appealing and this will
be ready for 2010. This engine will be manufactured in the Port
Melbourne plant. Just referring back to the perfect world comment it
will be hoped that LPG pricing remains reasonable and it will also be
hoped that LPG availability will improve in country and remote
locations. Unlike petrol/LPG when you run out of gas you RUN out of gas,
just call the tow truck.
Alternative also is the E85 engine , really ethanol now is
becoming a poor replacement with argument world wide about the amount of
food sources being utilised to make fuel and the labour and fossil fuels
needed to manufacture ethanol. Good luck to any manufacturer who put all
their eggs in this little basket.
The argument now is the expense incurred in Hybrid vehicles but
logic states just as history has shown prices do come down with demand
and mass production. Prius in 2009 will look at the lithium-ion battery
and Nissan in 2012 with the help of NEC will be manufacturing theses
batteries on mass. This technology as it improves will give a reliable
powerful source of electricity into motor vehicles.
Today is like the introduction of black and white television and
this technology will only improve not only with electric but other
alternative fuel sources.
|
Australia.
