GM To Bring Fleet Of “Fuel-Friendly” SUVs To Grammy Awards

by Michael dEstries January 23, 2008
Categories: Transport.

It has been announced that Chevrolet will provide a fleet of 100 Tahoes and Suburbans (consisting of a mix of E85-fueled flex-fuel models and Two-Mode hybrids) to transport celebrities to the red carpet for the 2008 Grammy Awards.

Ahem.

On one hand, this will reduce the amount of efficiency-challenged limos parading to the event. On the other, we’re still dealing with a fleet of massive SUVs. At best, we’re talking 21mpg with the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid. It’s commendable that a SUV can approach these levels, but do we really need more heavy, large vehicles on the road? Is this truly ‘eco-friendly’?

I guess I’d feel better about this whole promotion if smaller, fuel efficient hybrids were being used. Hell, even a fleet running on bio-diesel would sit well. Until E85 Ethanol is made from something other than corn, it cannot in my opinion be considered ‘eco-friendly’.

All of this banter might be moot anyways — since the Grammys are just as susceptible to the writer’s strike as the Oscars are. We might just have another super green awards show on our hands a la Golden Globes!

via autobloggreen

About Michael dEstries

Michael has been blogging since 2005 on issues such as sustainability, renewable energy, philanthropy, and healthy living. He regularly contributes to a slew of publications, as well as consulting with companies looking to make an impact using the web and social media. He lives in Ithaca, NY with his family on an apple farm.

View all posts by Michael dEstries →

Eco Mama

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! This is a joke article from “The Onion” right? Please tell me that Ecorazzi isn’t serious…
http://www.ecorazzi.com michael

Serious about what? That this is happening? Yes, if the Oscars go forward, this ‘supposed’ green event will happen. Hard to pull anything ‘green’ from this announcement.
Eco Mama

Why isn’t Ecorazzi against this absurd PR gimmick by GM? Why propagate this farce? Corn-based ethanol and there is only one public place to get it in San Diego County from what I’ve read. LOL! What happened to their Hydrogen Fuel Cell Equinox SUVs. I just can’t believe anything I read about GM anymore. It is why I bought the Honda Civic GX!! If you’re gonna Say Goodbye to Gasoline, natural gas is the best way to go. Don’t you agree Ecorazzi?

peace out Miguel
Pingback: The Jonas Brothers Help “Chevy Rocks The Future” // Archives // ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip
http://www.limelitelimo.com Mike

World’s First Hybrid SUV Stretch Limo
Published September 7, 2008

LimeLite CoachWorks of Santa Clara, Calif.—which builds a variety of stretch limos from Hummers and Escalades to Mini Coopers and Jaguar XFs—recently added more than 13 feet to a Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. LimeLite Business Development Representative Mike Williams told HybridCars.com that it’s the first hybrid limo off the line for the company, and was sold before it was finished being built. Zbest Limos of Baltimore, Md. will soon put the vehicle into service.

Williams noted that limo services historically have not paid much attention to fuel economy, but rising gas prices have given them new interest in the savings offered by hybrids. The company believes that using the Tahoe hybrid can yield up to 80 percent fuel savings compared to a comparable non-hybrid model.

When parked, all of the electronics in the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid limo run off the battery while traditional limos need to run the gas engine to power toys such as flat-screen TVs, Karaoke machines, full-service wet bars, and multi-color neon lighting. In the company’s first conversion, the usual purple neon lights were switched to green.

LimeLite has more hybrids on the way. Shop foreman Miguel De la Vega said the stretch of 160 inches in the first Tahoe was conservative—they now feel they can go to a more extreme 220-inch stretch. The company had no problems dealing with the high-voltage hybrid system, though De la Vega said he was “very careful.” All of the Tahoe’s hybrid system remains intact. In a standard limo, they would have added an additional battery and a beefed-up alternator.

Phil Restivo, president and CEO of LimeLite, told HybridCars.com that the hybrid limo business is just beginning. “The hybrid Escalade is coming in October,” he said. Since the standard Escalade is one of LimeLite’s big sellers, he thinks the hybrid version will also be popular.