Hydrogen, electric and hybrid cars at forefront in Detroit
Tue 09 January 2007
View all news
Media and official attention at the 2007 North Americal International Motor Show in Detroit has been focused on lower carbon cars designed to run on potentially cleaner fuels like electricity and hydrogen.
General Motors announced the battery-electric Chevrolet Volt concept sedan and said that production work has begun on a new generation of electric vehicles designed for Americans who live close to their workplaces. GM says that 78% of Americans have a commute of less than 20 miles a day.
The Volt is a battery powered electric car with a range of 40 miles after a six-hour charge from a household electrical outlet.The car also has a flex-fuel gasoline engine that extends the car's range to up to 640 miles by generating electricity to power the wheels.
Meanwhile, BMW displayed the Hydrogen 7, a flex-fuel vehicle that can runs on gasoline or liquid hydrogen fuel.
Detroit also showcased small cars, which have traditionally not been favoured by American buyers, and on hybrid energy technology.
American's have shown more interest in smaller, efficient vehicles following big rises in fuel prices at the pump which have been more dramatic in the US than elsewhere because of the low rates of fuel tax.
The Detroit Motor Show comes against a backdrop of financial difficulties for America's big three carmakers - GM, Ford and Chrysler. According to a report in The Guardian, the three companies are expected to lose well over $10bn (£5.2bn) in 2006 while their share of the US market has fallen from 73% to 57% in a decade.
Related Documents
Environment News Service news link - Detroit Show
Guardian news link - GM Volt
Guardian feature - US car industry problems
< Back to news list