Can Obama's Monster Limo Be a Hybrid? Yes It Can!
by Alex Pasternack, Beijing, China on 11.13.08
From Hybrid to Heavy
During the campaign he sang the praises of hybrids and rallied against SUVs, and switched his ride to a mix of the two.
But now it looks like the next President will be rolling in a much dirtier limousine. The Founding Fathers could have never imagined it: as the New York Times reported last week, rumored Obama-mobile is a brand new souped-up limo that looks like the typical (and soon-to-be retired) Cadillac DTS but is actually based on GM's line of heavy-duty 2500 trucks.
For obvious security reasons, we may never know much about this car, including how much mileage it gets, or if it has any awesome feedback monitors. But a non-souped up 2500 series truck gets an MPG in the single digits, and emits a whopping 16 tons of CO2 per year, earning it the worst possible climate change rating from the EPA. And this truck-limo hybrid will be so much heavier -- with 5-in.-thick glass, cell-phone-jamming equipment, and blast-proof ceramics -- that, as TruckTrend notes, "it probably guzzles more gas in a week than most people use in a month."
It may not rescue GM. And maybe it won't speed up the transition from oil. It may sound silly in the context of the collective. But can the Obamamobile be a hybrid? I say yes, it can.
How To Make the Limo-Truck More Efficient
Clearly the limo -- which is currently probably diesel-powered -- has to be super strong, bullet-proof, and fast. But why can't it also include a new drivetrain, electronics and some batteries? Ford made a conventional hybrid limo with the Mercury Mariner. If he needs something more militarized, can't Obama car get something along the lines of those hybrid Hummer upgrades he earmarked as a senator? He did after all once call for every government car to be a plug-in hybrid.
And after all, wouldn't a hybrid drivetrain help with accelerating such a behemoth? One commenter at CleanMPG speculates that the car might already be a hybrid for that reason.
Biofuels are off the table, and the limo wouldn't generate much electricity from Prius-style regenerative braking -- the President's limo is one of few cars that doesn't abide by traffic lights.
So the thing would optimally be a plug-in hybrid. And just in time. While Chinese battery maker-turned-automaker BYD may beat GM's Volt and everyone else when it debuts the first passenger plug-in vehicle this month, the recent US economic bailout package contains a juicy bonus credit for buyers of plug-in electric vehicles, up to $15,000 for vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds. The Office of Management and Budget would surely like the sound of that.
Still, one problem might be the threat of electromagnetic pulse (EMP), which might interfere with its electronics. The military might be able to take care of that.
Obama's Plane
Obama's other car of course is a Boeing VC-25. It's not the most fuel efficient thing, but when it's on the tarmac, it likely won't be losing much mileage due to underinflated tires. The plane's landing gear rubber is inflated with nitrogen, which leaks through rubber 40 percent more slowly than regular air. And the Secret Service is looking into upgrading the plane to a more fuel-efficient Airbus A380, but that probably won't happen until 2020. By that time, perhaps even the plane will be run on fuel cells.
More photos of the limo at Auto123. And the old Cadillac DTS Bush-era limousine at Serious Wheels. Video of one of GMC's 2500 trucks at YouTube.
Via New York Times and Truck Trend
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I don't much about this subject, but I guess now that he is president, performance takes on a new urgency. Especially if his car is ambushed and he needs to get out fast. I don't know if the hybrid cars perform as well as ordinary cars. Maybe somebody with more knowledge can comment!
Just the first of many things Obama said he would do but then he doesn't. Same ole Same ole. No Change. Politics and politicians are crooked and he is no different. Empty promises and pockets full of our money.
I love Hybrids, and I love Obama.
The fact of the matter is, that this heavy monster could in no way be a hybrid. At all. The bullet proofing in the doors, the blast shielding to keep explosives from tearing through it AND the glass... The weight is going to be ridiculous, adding batteries? Would just add more weight, and not be able to move it.
They've made Hybrid Limos, that is great. They also reduced the weight by almost 20% to get them to be more efficient and off-set the battery weight.
We're talking safety here, and I love the environment, and this planet, but when it comes to thwarting potential assassination plots on the Big O... Until the hybrids can over-come the raw power line, and not add a lot of weight... I'll be happy with what we can get.
It will likely use a diesel engine designed to burn JP-8, the standard military for fuel that is used in almost all military vehicles and planes.
As far as an A380 AFO, there is simply no way our President will fly around the world in a European made aircraft. If that happens I bet he he can count on losing Washington state next election.
As far as I am concerned I want Obama to travel in a rolling bomb shelter. If there is one vehicle that I am not worried about the mileage on it is this one. We need for him to stay alive to carry out his agenda, and I am sure there are plenty of right wing nutjobs out there right now planning how to stop him, permanently.
Remember, this car will be in a caravan of about 15 other white house vehicles, plus the multiple police escort cars. He won't be cruising around in the limo alone.. You might have 20-25 vehicles burning gas to really only move one important person.
I'm sure the full size suburbans and yukons in front and behind of him will cause a good wind break, maybe they'll implement drafting.
The GM "two-mode" hybrid transmission would certainly fit in that chassis, as it already fits in the suburban 1500-series chassis. Finding space for a battery and making sure it's protected might be more difficult.
Also, depending on the overall weight of this thing, they are probably using the 6-speed allison transmission, and the two-mode tranny might not be robust enough.
That said, if there's anyone that could make this car a hybrid, it's GM (with the help of Allison).
The proesident needs a larger, heavier, and inevitably dirtier vehicle for his protection. I'm all for hybrids, alternate fuels, and electric vehicles, but this small fleet that he will run is not the place to solve that problem. Well, actually, alternate fuels would work quite well there....I can accept that point. But when it comes to the purpose of the vehicle, he'll need fast, safe transport. And a Prius won't cut it.
Given that even garden-variety small arms fire will punch through the body panels of a Prius as if they were made of recycled milk jugs, I think we can cut the President of the United States a little slack on his limo. Besides, he wasn't the one who ordered it. The Secret Service did.
for as much as I'm for greener technology, we do have to remember the title Obama will have "President of the United States of America." His safety is more important then his footprint, especially in a car which doesn't have the freedom to move as easily as a plane/helicopter, though it would be cool if they started to use biofuel on his planes.
The limo, like previous limos is originally a car; but due to the extra weight, they use a truck frame for it durability. The engine I believe is the same as the DTS; as is most of the internals. Due to the added weight of the extra utilities + bullet/bomb proofing, it severely cuts down on the MPG, in reality the only hybrid vehicle they could look at would be a bio diesel model; as well to some degree; you want an engine which is less susceptible to EMPs
You're whining about MPG when the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES's LIFE depends on this limo? It's called priorities but sinking man hours and money into one limo that's needed in January is hardly green. Save the resources, use readily available and reliable technology, and work on it behind the scenes for 4 more years and hope it's ready in time for the next prez.
This is one of the dumbest posts I've ever seen on treehugger.
A "REAL" Electric Car coming to the market.
Safe, Reliable and Affordable.
CHECK IT OUT............
Article:
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tech-transport/electric-c100-vehicle.html
Video-YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=begreenadvocate&search_type=&aq=f
Jimmy Carter installed solar panels on the white house and Ronald Regan took them down. The president doesn't have to drive a hybrid to be green, but if he did some symbolic gesture that would be huge. If the car is diesel and some of it came from bio diesel that would be great to hear.
The post misses the biggest use of energy, this car is flown around the world with the president for his use. If you think driving consumes energy, think about it flying in the back of an airplane across with world with him.
Laurence and the last Anon miss the point. He's the FREAKING PRESIDENT. You know, the leader of the free world and such.
I know ol' Larry has his panties in a bunch because McSame/Wailin or Hillary lost, but let's be realistic about this. He's not the one making the call on this. It's a Secret Service controlled issue the President - regardless of who it is - is just along for the ride. It's not like he ordered the damn thing out of a catalog. Hell, even if it was the President's call - Obama didn't order it - he ain't the President yet!
As for anon's point, it would be FAR more expensive and wasteful to keep a Limo of that caliber in EVERY PLACE the President is expected to go in the entire world. Not only would you have to build and equip each vehicle, you'd have to have a permanent maintenance and SECURITY detail in each location around the World.
No, the best method of ensuring the vehicle and the President is safe is to bring the vehicle with them. That way, it's just the two (one's a decoy) and not dozens of identical vehicles scattered across the planet
Dude, no. What's the mileage on an M1-A1 Abrams tank with a vertical popemobile extension? If that's what it takes to keep a bicycle-loving, treehugging Obama alive for 4-8 years, the environment will thank us.
First, Obama won't be any different than any of the other Presidents or politicians have. He's talked big enough to get into the Big House. Now he's gonna pander to the elites and screw all of us just like his predecessors always have. It's not a question of whether they'll take all your money and screw you over, but rather how they'll justify it in their speeches and soapboxing.
As for Obama's limousine, assuming he actually does care about environmental issues (which I doubt), I don't see why the President's limousine can't be converted to all electric or an electric hybrid. Hell, Neil Young did it with a 5,000 pound Lincoln and it does 120mph!
This argument that it's "too heavy" is a bunch of crap. Electric motors have two major advantages over gasoline and diesel: torque. They make all-electric trailer hoppers that can move 20 tons of freight. Too heavy my butt.
The main reason it won't be done is because it can be claimed that it will be too costly. Once in a while, politicians will claim something costs too much. Rarely, but it happens.
"Still, one problem might be the threat of electromagnetic pulse (EMP), which might interfere with its electronics."
A hybrid or not, this would be a problem, but anyone creative enough to build a EMP device could just build a large bomb. An Abraham tank can be taken out by a big enough IED, so no "armored" car iscompletely bomb proof.
There are full size buses that are hybrids, so there is little technical reasons why an armored limo couldn't be a hybrid. ti would take time and money, maybe for the next president?
Can we give the guy a break here, please? Shesh!
Charlie-
We're talking one person here with extrodinary circumstances. Would you rather save a few thousand gallons of gas or have our president as safe as we can make him. Do you know how many death threats this man has received?
I'm American more than I am Democrat or Republican. He is our President, fair and square, and I'm going to support him 100%, at least for four years.
You've got to be kidding!!!! NO IT CAN'T!!! I have a hybrid and no fu*kin way "taxpayers gotta buy me a new ride" is a hybrid. Didn't you know? His main ride had a hemi under the hood? The only time he ever used a hybrid was when he was running for office. PR, ya know. Sacrifice for the cause.