Frequently Asked Questions: Fuel Economy & Alternative Fuel Technology
- Q: What is GM doing to improve fuel economy and reduce vehicle emissions?
- A: GM has a comprehensive strategy in place to increase fuel economy and reduce vehicle emissions. GM is currently improving the traditional internal combustion engine with advanced technologies that save fuel such as Active Fuel Management, Six Speed Transmissions and Variable Valve Timing. In addition, GM offers a number of flexible fuel vehicles that can run on E85 ethanol, a cleaner burning alternative fuel.
- Q: Why doesn't GM improve the fuel economy of its vehicles?
- A: Continually improving the fuel economy of our vehicles is a top priority for GM. And we've made a lot of progress in this area. In fact, GM leads the auto industry in providing the broadest array of fuel-efficient cars, trucks, SUVs and vans. For the 2011 model year, GM offers more vehicles than any other automaker that achieve 30 miles per gallon or better on the highway, according to EPA estimates.
- Q: Does GM offer any hybrid vehicles?
- A: Yes. GM's plan is to offer a full portfolio of hybrid vehicles that offer consumers a choice in terms of fuel savings and cost. Several models are already on the road. For the 2011 model year, GM is offering hybrid versions of the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon Denali.
- Q: What is GM doing with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles?
- A:
GM continues to see hydrogen fuel cells as the best long-term solution for reducing dependency on oil. Our goal is to design and validate a fuel cell propulsion system that is competitive with current combustion systems on durability and performance, and that ultimately can be built at scale affordably.
We are a leader in developing fuel cell technology and have demonstrated our fuel cell vehicles around the world. In 2007, we launched the largest market test of fuel cell vehicles in the world called "Project Driveway." This entailed the loan of 100 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles to everyday drivers, celebrities and other dignitaries to gauge interest, consumer reaction and vehicle performance.
