Chrysler will be introducing a two mode hybrid for model year 2009 with the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid.  The two mode hybrid was created by General Motors, DaimlerChrysler (now defunct) and BMW.  The companies together created the Joint Hybrid Development Center which is headquartered in Troy, Michigan.  Chrysler is now producing its first vehicle using this technology.  What exactly is a two mode hybrid? 

• The two mode hybrid allows vehicles to use different modes at different speeds.  The three options that are available to the two mode hybrid are electric only, a combination of gas and electric or gas only.

• At speeds up to 25 mph, the electric only mode is used.  The electric motors power the acceleration.

• Gas only mode is used when the vehicle is cruising on the highway and when the vehicle is towing a trailer or climbing a hill.

• The two mode hybrid increases the base horsepower of the vehicles that it is used in as compared to a traditional hybrid model.  In the case of the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid, the two mode model gives the vehicle an additional 40 horsepower.

According to the Chrysler email release on the two mode hybrid, “The two-mode system can use the electric motors for acceleration to improve fuel economy, or for regenerative braking to recapture and store energy that is normally lost during breaking and deceleration.”

Fuel economy increases aren’t as high as I would have expected, averaging a 40% increase in city fuel efficiency but only a 25% overall fuel efficiency increase.  Granted the vehicle is capable of towing up to 6,000 pounds but for the increased expense of the Chrysler Aspen over similarly-equipped non-hybrids, I’d expect a bit more fuel efficiency. 

Other Two Mode Hybrid Vehicles

The Chrysler Aspen Hybrid isn’t the first vehicle to use the two mode hybrid.  The Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierras are all two mode hybrids currently available.  Model year 2009 vehicles expected to be released with the two mode hybrid include the Saturn Vue and Mercedes Benz ML 450 Hybrid SUV.

As car manufacturers realize that the demand for hybrid and other alternative fuel vehicles is only going to rise, it is likely that systems like the two mode hybrid will continue to be refined offering even greater fuel efficiency to consumers.

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