After making a determined push towards an all-electric future, General Motors announced that it will take a step back and expand its efforts to include more hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. The automaker’s recent display at the Beijing Auto Show gives us a look at how these efforts could take shape, as it unveiled the recent Chevrolet Equinox Plus, a plug-in hybrid SUV intended for the Chinese market that may come to our shores in some form.
While we call it a GM effort, the company notes that it is a product of the SAIC-GM partnership. Its 1.5-liter turbocharged engine produces 177 hp, supported by a 188 hp electric motor, for a total output of approximately 365 hp (272 kW). Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes less than seven seconds, and the range-topping Activ variant offers an all-electric range of up to 155 km on the Chinese CLTC test loop. It comes with a 24.4 kWh battery, while cheaper configurations provide a 16.5 kWh unit with a range of 102 km (63 miles). On Environmental Protection Agency test cycle, these numbers would likely be lower. The Activ version is also equipped with a vehicle-to-load function, which allows it to function as a momentary generator or to power external devices.
Although plug-in hybrid vehicle sales are only a fraction of U.S. electric vehicle sales, 2023 saw its best year ever. This growth could accelerate in 2024 as more automakers relax their plans to introduce pricey recent electric vehicles. They also provide a solid alternative to battery-only models, providing a buffer between owners and the sometimes lacking charging infrastructure across the country.
The recent Equinox Plus has only just gone on sale in China, and GM hasn’t said anything official about the Plus coming to the US. However, it appears to share the same body and chassis as the recently redesigned gas-only Equinox coming to America. So it would seem that adding a powertrain to the US version would be relatively basic and inexpensive. Taking all this into account, along with GM’s stated plans to offer more hybrids and raise their sales, it seems quite likely that the company will bring them to the United States.
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