GM Demonstrates Hybrids And Fuel Cell Vehicles In Tour De Sol Competition

NEW YORK - General Motors Corp. will showcase hybrid and fuel cell vehicles at a grassroots competition that begins today in Burlington, New Jersey and ends here Tuesday.

"We are pleased to be a part of this event because we share a common goal, educating consumers about the environmental benefits of alternative fuel vehicles," said Larry Burns, vice president of Research Development and Planning.

"Demonstrating hybrid and fuel cell vehicles to the public and governmental officials around the world gives us the opportunity to verify our commitment to developing these technologies and the benefits they provide in reduced emissions and improved fuel economy."

This year, more than two dozen vehicles representing major OEMs and student teams will compete for cash prizes and a trophy in the 16th annual Tour de Sol. Tour de Sol is open to the public and runs from May 21-25 during National Transportation Week.

GM will showcase several vehicles at these stops:

The GM Hybrid Truck: a full-size pickup truck that promises up to 13 percent improvement in fuel economy and significant reductions in carbon dioxide without sacrificing performance or capability.

The GM HydroGen3 minivan: a prototype based on the five-seater Opel Zafira, HydroGen3 demonstrates how fuel cell technology can be optimized for existing automotive packages, bringing fuel cell technology a major step along the road to production.

The GM Allison Hybrid Bus: The 40-foot hybrid transit bus is powered by clean hybrid technology, one of the first "roadworthy" commercial parallel hybrid systems capable of dramatically lowering emissions and improving fuel economy in commercial-duty trucks and buses. A fleet of 12 of these buses are in service in Philadelphia resulting in reduced emissions of more than 90 percent, with more on the way. Seattle's King County Metro Transit will have 235 of these buses in service by the end of this year, accounting for fuel savings of almost 750,000 gallons per year.

"Technology based on hydrogen really holds the promise for a future that can eliminate many of the emission concerns that we have today as well as provide energy that can be renewed," Burns said. "In the meantime, GM is improving the efficiency of the internal combustion engine using short and mid-term technologies, including Displacement on Demand, advanced transmissions and hybrids."