General Motors demonstrates its global portfolio of alternative propulsion vehicles this week at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum 2007 in Shanghai, China. GM’s participation underscores its global leadership in using a variety of technology strategies to reduce dependency on oil, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and boost fuel efficiency. The Challenge Bibendum is an international forum where automakers, policymakers, media and other stakeholders discuss the future of sustainable transportation and demonstrate current and future vehicle technologies.

“GM is committed to offering sustainable transportation options to customers around the world,” said Elizabeth A. Lowery, GM Vice President, Environment, Energy and Safety Policy.

Because no single technology will address vehicle energy and environmental issues in every part of the world, GM is investing its global resources in a range of technologies. These include advanced engines, transmissions and biofuels such as E85 that help reduce oil consumption. GM, with more than 2.5 million E85 vehicles on the road in the U.S., expects to sell a further million such vehicles in 2008.

In the hybrid sector, General Motors is introducing four new vehicles, including the world’s first two-mode hybrid passenger cars that boost fuel economy by 50 percent in city driving and 25 percent overall. By the end of 2008, GM will have the most hybrid models on the market, with eight. Another key element of GM’s advanced propulsion plan is a commitment to electrically driven vehicles, including range extender variants. This also includes the innovative E-Flex architecture, which GM has presented in various electric cars such as the Opel Flextreme at the 2007 IAA.

The difference to conventional hybrids is that the additional gasoline, diesel or fuel cell power unit is not connected to the wheels. It is on board to create additional electricity to charge the battery and extend the vehicle’s range when necessary.

In the U.S., consumers, celebrities, government officials, media representatives and others will drive 100 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles during the next year in Project Driveway, the world’s largest everyday test of fuel cell vehicles. In addition, 10 GM HydroGen4 fuel cell vehicles will be tested in Berlin/Germany next spring as part of the Clean Energy Partnership Program.

The European-built vehicles presented by GM in Shanghai include the Opel Corsa 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX, Opel Zafira CNG and Saab 9-3 BioPower. The Corsa, with the world’s smallest common-rail turbo-diesel engine, emits just 119 g/CO₂ per kilometer at a consumption of just 4.5 liters per 100 km. The Zafira CNG's propulsion unit produces 80 percent less nitrogen oxide than a diesel, and between 15 and 20 percent less CO₂ than a diesel or gasoline model. The Saab 9-3 BioPower can run on E85, super unleaded gasoline, or any combination of the two fuels.