THE 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid has been voted “Green Car of the Year” by the Green Car Journal as it is one of the foremost models which reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. The car was displayed during the three-day exhibition of the second World Future Energy Summit (WFES'2) held in Abu Dhabi at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC). GM plans to offer eight different hybrid models worldwide by the end of 2008 and another 16 models over the next four years. The company has adapted and refined a 2-mode hybrid system offering more capability and increasing the fuel efficiency by up to 30 percent compared to the non-hybrid Tahoe. “We realize our impact extends beyond those who drive our vehicles, who work here and who live in our communities. We also know that our actions today can positively affect the future generations. It is a huge responsibility, however also a great opportunity,” said Rick Wagoner chairman and CEO of General Motors in UAE. “Being a leading company in developing hydrogen fuel cells which produce zero emission, GM believes that the best emissions strategy is zero-emissions. This offers many eco-friendly options for GM to explore. In fact, in the United States, 100 such vehicles are already being tested and it may not be too long before they are seen here in the Middle East,” Wagoner stressed. Wagoner quoted the words of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE vice president, when he said that the UAE government's concern is to go hand in hand with development plans to improve the environment of the country. The Concept Chevrolet Volt adopts the GM E-Flex Propulsion system. The system uses a high-energy battery and a range extending onboard power source which can run on fuel, ethanol or bio-diesel to recharge the battery while driving. For someone who drives less than 65 kilometers per day, the Chevrolet Volt will produce zero gasoline emissions representing an ecological friendly way to drive. The Active Fuel Management (AFM) in GM's vehicles uses only half of the engine's cylinders over a light load driving. Seamlessly, it switches to all cylinders when needed for a brisk acceleration or for haling heavy loads. Thus, the engine generates power when needed, and minds the environment when driving conditions don't demand the full power of all cylinders. AFM helps GM to achieve segment-leading fuel efficiency in larger vehicles like the Chevrolet Tahoe. The fuel efficiency in Tahoe Hybrid and in other GM's hybrid vehicles is all about striking a balance between the environment and ones commute. The hybrid engine provides more fuel-efficient models by employing powertrain advances such as turbocharging, 6-speed transmissions, variable timing and Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI). The result is a range of vehicles which show fuel efficiency and are environmentally friendly.
