eAssist Fuel-Efficient Technology

The new Buick eAssist technology first appeared in 2012 on the Regal and LaCrosse models. The technology is specifically designed to increase the fuel efficiency of a vehicle with very little input from the driver. The eAssist technology in use today is actually derived from a hybrid system that General Motors (GM) developed several years prior for specific models of Saturn and Chevrolet vehicles. The newest eAssist systems are far superior and provide better mileage and added power.

The main component of the eAssist system is an electrical motor under the hood. The motor attaches to the combustion engine through a belt system. The engine shuts down whenever the driver engages the brakes. The electrical motor restarts the engine as soon as the brakes are released. The shutting down of the engine whenever the car is stopped helps to conserve fuel. The system can increase fuel efficiency by up to 25 percent over time. The starting and stopping of the engine does not require any action from the driver.

Another feature of the eAssist system is the inclusion of a 65-pound lithium-ion battery in the truck of the car. The battery takes up very little space. The most notable addition to the trunk is a small electric fan that provides cooling for the battery. The battery stores power that keeps everything in the car operating while the engine is shut down during braking. The battery can power the radio, air conditioner and other electrical systems like headlights. Drivers do have the option to engage a more efficient eAssist mode where the air conditioner will stop when the engine is off.

The eAssist technology uses regenerative braking in order to keep the lithium-ion battery charged. Regenerative braking technology uses devices attached to the brake system in the vehicle. The motion of the car creates kinetic energy. The system captures this kinetic energy as the car stops and stores it in the battery. An added advantage of regenerative braking technology is that is helps to keep the car from rolling when stopped on an incline. The battery has the ability to provide some extra power to the engine. This can be up to 15 additional horsepower.

The entire eAssist system is displayed to the driver through two small gauges on the dashboard. The first shows whether the battery is fully charged or charging. A second gauge has a small arrow that moves to the left and right based on how the car is driven. The arrow indicates the estimated fuel efficiency of the car based on how the vehicle is being driven. Gradual braking and other factors will move the arrow. Keeping the arrow in the center of the gauge means the car is operating at peak fuel efficiency.