Hatch: Save the Hummer ... for the Environment

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted May 21, 2009 12:12 PM CDT

(Newser) – Many Republicans won’t touch fuel economy issues, but not Sen. Orrin Hatch. He’s been an advocate for alternative-fuel vehicles for a decade, and yesterday got behind the wheel of the most muscular hybrid ever, reports Dana Milbank of the Washington Post. A company from Hatch’s native Utah has created a plug-in Hummer that gets 100 mpg. Just two problems: General Motors is jettisoning the Hummer brand, and Hatch apparently can’t drive.

The Republican bumbled around a parking lot with the million-dollar prototype, asking questions like, “It’s already on? Squeeze that button? I’m going to miss the curb? Is there a reverse?” He called the gas-sipping monstrosity a “major national victory,” and said he was fighting to keep GM from selling the brand to China. “If this goes to China, so does the technology,” he lamented, “and China is a very aggressive country.”

A Hummer is on display at Herb Chambers, Friday, May 15, 2009 in Danvers, Mass. (AP Photo/Lisa Poole)

Hummer vehicles with reduced price tags sit in a dealer's lot in Omaha, Neb., Friday, Feb. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

In this photograph provided by ABC News, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, appears on "This Week" at the ABC Studios in Washington Sunday, May 3, 2009. (AP Photo/ABC News, Freddie Lee)

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justme

May 22, 2009 12:09 PM CDT

Having driven a Toyota hybrid, I have to disagree with the woefully underpowered remark. It was not a sports car but it accelerated well onto the highway. I'm sure American car companies can build such vehicles if there was sufficient incentive. Apparently survival is not a sufficient incentive but government bailouts might be.

spdavid

May 21, 2009 6:30 AM CDT

I'd have to believe that this vehicle would suffer the same issues as others like it...woefully underpowered to the point of being dangerous around other vehicles.I agree with the premise but we've got a ways to go before we get to practical hybrids for all conditions.Like it or not the Prius will get you run over on interstates and highways unless you live where those roads are nonstop gridlocked and if you do then no mileage figure is helpful.

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China • Senate • General Motors • Utah • Orrin Hatch • hybrid car • Hummer • Hummer H3

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Senate Warns China of Sanctions Over Currency

But measure is likely to die on the House

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Electronics maker to do more than just provide batteries

China's SAIC Eyes Big Stake in GM

Move could pose dilemma for Treasury

Sen. Orrin Hatch Backs 'Ground Zero Mosque'

'I'd be the first to stand up for their rights,' Utah Republican says

GM Now Sells More Cars in China Than US

Sales jumped nearly 50% in the first half of the year

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