Delray Beach Car Dealer Explains EAssist Hybrid Technology, Coming to More Buick Models

Almost every major auto maker uses some variation of hybrid technology. Sherwood Buick explains how GM has adapted it for use in upcoming Buick vehicles.

Delray Beach, FL (I-Newswire) August 1, 2012 - Electric vehicles, whether purely plug-in or some sort of hybrid, are either gaining popularity or will never get off the ground, depending on which car maker or industry analyst is reporting. The true outcome remains to be seen, but the fact remains that almost every major auto maker is introducing some variation of the technology. General Motors has adapted it for use in more of their upcoming Buick and Chevrolet vehicles.

The eAssist system is a different type of electric vehicle than most industry offerings. Not fully electric and with no plug necessary, the system has been referred to as a “mild-hybrid.” The eAssist system instead uses the battery and electric motor to help boost acceleration and to power the idle start-stop function and on-demand electric power steering.

The start-stop technology allows the car to shift from gas to electric and back automatically, as soon as the brake is pressed or released, conserving fuel while idling. The eAssist system also coverts and used energy from regenerative braking, which transforms the vehicle’s forward motion into energy when the car is slowing. This energy charges the lithium ion battery pack in the trunk, which is used to power the climate control, radio, and other accessories when the engine is running in auto-stop mode.

The display in the instrument panel of Buicks equipped with eAssist gives drivers visual proof of the system in action. It displays when the battery is charging, when the engine is using start/stop mode, and when the electric motor is actually in use. The ECO Gauge can also give feedback on how well the driver is managing fuel economy.

“eAssist is purposefully not trying to go head-to-head with our full hybrid competitors,” said Stephen Poulos, chief eAssist engineer. “We’re trying to redefine a base powertrain, which will be available at a lower cost, and offer better fuel efficiency than some other base vehicles.”

The software used to manage the eAssist system is the same used in the Chevrolet Volt extended range electric car. Poulos says that the system is more easily scalable to a broader range of vehicles than a full hybrid system, so it is easier to convert a tradition gas-powered car into an eAssist-driven one. It is already present in the Chevrolet Malibu Eco, Buick Regal, and Buick Lacrosse, and will be found in the new 2014 Chevrolet Impala. Poulos said the possibility exists to expand eAssist usage beyond just mid-size sedans.

Sherwood Buick GMC in Delray Beach, Florida has an inventory of General Motors vehicles equipped with eAssist technology, and professionals are available to demonstrate, provide test drives, and answer any questions.