Chrysler announced the first Hemi hybrid vehicles, combining the brute force power of a V-8 with the leading fuel efficient technologies. The 2008 Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs will include dual electric motors and have the ability to shut off half of the 8 cylinders when they aren't needed.
These improvements will increase fuel economy in the vehicles by 25 percent, or to approximately 20 miles per gallon. While a 20 mpg SUV or truck might seem like nothing to crow about, if you look at the amount of fuel the vehicles will save they are more important to our fuel independence than sedan hybrids.
Because SUVs and trucks use the most gas per mile (outside of a few sports cars), even an incremental change in fuel economy adds up in a hurry. Based on 15,000 miles driven per year, the new Chrysler vehicles will save about 170 gallons of gasoline per year. That's more than any other new hybrid on the market except for the Toyota Prius.
So to all of you heartland patriots who profess concern about our use of foreign, make your next truck or SUV or hybrid and you'll do us proud. And with gas prices headed toward $3.50 this summer, you'll probably be saving money too.
Source: Detroit News
