The [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] '''Stir-Lec I''' was a [[Concept vehicle|concept]] [[Hybrid electric vehicle|hybrid electric]] car based on the [[Opel Kadett]] body in 1969.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bangshift.com/blog/General-Motors-Hybrid-Car-from-1969.html |title=General Motors Hybrid Car from 1969! |access-date=2009-07-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630051549/http://www.bangshift.com/blog/General-Motors-Hybrid-Car-from-1969.html |archive-date=2009-06-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The power plant consists of 14 [[Lead-acid battery|lead-acid batteries]] in the front of the car which transfer energy to a rear-mounted [[3 phase]] [[Induction motors|electric induction motor]], in turn [[Rear wheel drive|driving the rear wheels]]. The Stir-Lec I had a top speed of {{convert|55|mph|km/h||abbr=on}}. While the car is running, the batteries are constantly recharged by a small [[Stirling engine]] in the rear. The engine was allegedly so quiet it was hard to determine if it was running or not, just by sound. Since the Stirling is an [[external combustion engine]], the exhaust has virtually no odor and pollution levels can be made very low.
Another hybrid [[electric car]] GM experimented with in 1969 was the [[GM XP-883|XP-883]] which featured a similar, but reversed drive line to the Stir-Lec I (using [[front-wheel drive]], with a front-mounted motor and engine, along with rear-mounted batteries).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.finkbuilt.com/blog/hybrid-car-ready-in-1969/ |title=Hybrid Car Ready in 1969 |access-date=2009-07-21 |archive-date=2007-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509084247/http://www.finkbuilt.com/blog/hybrid-car-ready-in-1969/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The Stirling was successfully tested in an Opel Kadett and an AMC Sprint. The clean exhaust of this engine was due to its "continuous and controllable combustion process." It was reported that a [[fuel efficiency]] of better than 70 miles per gallon could be realized for a 3,500-pound car. Congressional testimony also asserted, in 1980: ..."if the engine is switched one for one for a 1980 [[internal combustion engine]], a 30% improvement will be realized."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.eurobuch.com/buch/isbn/9786131653179.html | title=9786131653179 - GM Stir-Lec I: General Motors, Concept car, Hybrid electric vehicle, Opel Kadett, Lead-acid battery, Three-phase, Automobile layout, Induction motor - Frederic P. Miller, Agnes F. Vandome, John McBrewster }}</ref>
And in 1984: "These engines met or exceeded the miles-per-gallon found with standard internal combustion engines and demonstrated environmental acceptability with a variety of fuels including gasoline, diesel, kerosene and alcohol." The Stirling "would propel a vehicle further on a given amount of fuel than any other engine."
• As of 1972, there were several hybrid electric cars developed by major car companies but never produced. *GM built three experimental vehicles prior to 1972, the Electrovair, Electrovan, and Stir-Lec 1. The Electrovan was a converted GM van which utilized a "hydrogen oxygen fuel cell," and had a maximum range of 100 to 150 miles. *The 1968 GM "Stir-Lec" hybrid was a "converted 1968 Opel Kadett with a small 8-hp Stirling engine as its battery charging unit." Pollution was almost negligible, top speed 55 mph, range 150 to 200 miles.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/690074/ A Stirling Electric Hybrid Car] Agarwal, P., Mooney, R., and Toepel, R., "Stir-Lec I," SAE Technical Paper 690074, 1969
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gm Stir-Lec I}} [[Category:General Motors concept cars|Stir-Lec I]] [[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]] [[Category:Electric concept cars]]
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