The Saturn Vue Green Line steps away from conventional thinking -- and the associated cost of the electric side -- by keeping things simple. It dumps the starter and alternator and replaces them with an electric motor/generator that's capable of churning out 115 pound-feet of torque. There's also a 36-volt nickel metal hydride battery capable of delivering about 10 kilowatts of peak power (it does not replace the conventional 12-volt battery). Collectively, these components combine to form the battery/alternator/starter system (BAS).

The Vue Green Line's electric side also differs from the norm in that it cannot drive the wheels. Rather, the electric motor drives the engine through a large belt. The easiest way of thinking about what happens was coined by a colleague who likened the BAS to a supercharger. When the electric motor spools up, it gives the engine -- and, therefore, performance and fuel economy -- a needed shot in the arm.

A welcome safety measure is the hill start device that holds the Vue momentarily to prevent it from rolling back as the engine springs to life. It also makes efficient use of regenerative braking to keep the main battery charged under coasting and braking situations. This means there's no need to plug the Vue Green Line in.