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L.A. Auto Show: Plugging Into Show’s Environmental Offerings
Nov 19 2008 by Sara Lacey
As mothers, we see the future every day in our kids’ faces. I can’t help but imagine the looks on my children’s faces when I tell them about all the cars I saw that get their power from something other than gasoline.
I loved seeing the super-small plug-in cars from a Chrysler company called Global Electric Motorcars (I know, Chrysler!). Chrysler also showed off a few top-secret electric vehicles from its ENVI division. And I saw with my own eyes an electric Town & Country (from all of you out there wanting an alternative-fuel minivan, can I get an “Amen!”) and an electric Jeep Wrangler. There also was an electric sports car from Dodge. Chrysler is looking to get its electric cars out on the road for the 2010 model year.
I spoke with Britta Gross, GM’s manager of hydrogen and electrical infrastructure commercialization, about the Chevy Volt, an electric plug-in car that’s due out in 2010. One of the aspects she highlighted about future all-electric cars is their safety and cleanliness. Imagine never having to go to the gas station again; no more touching gunky gas pump handles and using shady gas stations in weird corners of the world.
But there are other alternative-fuel cars at the L.A. auto show, too. BMW and Chevy are featuring their hydrogen cars, the Hydrogen 7 and Equinox Fuel Cell, respectively. They aren’t new cars, but it’s great to see them on display. It shows that BMW and Chevy view hydrogen as a viable option in the search for more efficient cars.
Volkswagen showcased its clean diesel technology in the Jetta TDI. The automaker said it’ll offer a Tiguan TDI. VW’s clean diesel cars meet emission standards in all 50 states, and the rally racecar-inspired Touareg TDI really caught my eye.
Audi’s nod to diesel is its diesel Q7, which took part in Audi’s Mileage Marathon, in which a host of Audi diesel cars made their way across America and tracked their mileage along the way. The Q7 got upward of 28.2 mpg. See? You can have a family-sized vehicle that gets great mileage.
Of course there was hybrid technology around nearly every corner, including the Ford Fusion Hybrid, the Mercury Milan Hybrid and the Chevy Silverado Hybrid. But I’d really love to test-drive BMW’s X6 Hybrid concept, if you’re listening BMW!
Stay tuned for more green unveilings from the L.A. Auto Show.
I love plug-in cars as much as the electric cars. It’s more economical to use than those fuel-dependent ones..isn’t it? gosh, that’s really expensive. well, no wonder why it gone the price that far. just a glance on this one is a quick blast to every enthusiasts. maybe it has a colorful interior, how about bluish floor mats?