General Motors recently made an announcement about changing its focus from all-electric vehicles to include more hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. At the Beijing Auto Show, General Motors showcased a new car called the Chevrolet Equinox Plus, which is a plug-in hybrid SUV for China. There’s a chance this car might also be available in the United States.
This new car is a result of a partnership between General Motors and SAIC-GM. It has a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that produces 177 horsepower. It has an electric motor with 188 horsepower, giving it a combined output of around 365 horsepower. The car can go from 0 to 62 mph in just under seven seconds.
The top variant, called Activ, can travel up to 96 miles on electric power alone, according to tests in China. It comes with a 24.4-kWh battery pack, while cheaper versions have a smaller 16.5-kWh battery pack and can go up to 63 miles on electric power. These numbers might be lower if tested under EPA standards in the United States. The Activ model also has a feature that allows it to act as a temporary generator or power external devices.
Even though plug-in hybrid cars make up only a small part of electric vehicle sales in the United States, they had their best year in 2023. More carmakers are considering plug-in hybrids as a good alternative to fully electric cars, especially due to the limited charging infrastructure in many parts of the country.
The Equinox Plus has just been introduced in China, and there hasn’t been any official word from General Motors about it coming to the United States. However, since it shares the same body and chassis as the recently redesigned gas-powered Equinox that will be available in the United States, it could be relatively easy and affordable to add the plug-in hybrid powertrain to the American version.
Considering General Motors’ plans to offer more hybrid cars and the increasing popularity of hybrids, it’s likely that the Equinox Plus could come to the United States in the future.
