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Will the Chevy Volt Succeed?

545 messages,  Last post on Dec 02, 2009 at 12:57 PM

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#413 of 545 Re: [tpe] by peralta Oct 02, 2008 (1:25 pm)
Replying to: tpe (Oct 02, 2008 10:58 am) With this single gear transmission what do you expect the rpms to be at 30 mph? Let's say around 1500. That means at 80 mph the engine would be turning at "4,000 rpms. It's hard to believe that using a single gear throughout this wide range represents efficiency. If it did you wouldn't have seen the evolution of automatic transmissions and CVTs resulting in more speeds that produced higher mpg ratings."   Remember, the twin drive has a simple start-stop system that can act as generator for low speed driving (series hybrid like the volt). Regarding RPM 1500-4000, you're probably at the ballpark but that's with the use of 1 L turbo gas engine.   I still stand by my assumption that once the battery is depleted, the VW will have a more fuel efficient arrangement.   Just like the depleted Volt, both will keep the charge + - 30%, get some juice on acceleration and give it back on steady speed or regenerative braking when slowing down.   The VW has the adventage of having a mechanical drive for better transmission efficiency from ICE.   The Volt has the advantage of having longer battery range by 10 miles.   Both are not yet on the market, the big question is how much will be the purchase price?
#414 of 545 Re: [peralta] by reddroverr Oct 02, 2008 (4:10 pm)
Replying to: peralta (Oct 02, 2008 9:48 am) what i read was....   "The electric motor provides sufficient torque to get the car moving up to 30 mph, at which point the engine takes over with a single gear ratio roughly equivalent to top gear in a conventional car.."   That was from your second link. I don't know if other articles dispute this point. If it can get 30 all electric and better petrol mileage by a decent amount than a Volt thereafter, it is a very close Volt competitor.. Replies to this message: peralta (Oct 02, 2008 4:24 pm) tpe (Oct 03, 2008 5:45 am) reddroverr (Oct 03, 2008 11:11 am)
#415 of 545 Re: [reddroverr] by peralta Oct 02, 2008 (4:24 pm)
Replying to: reddroverr (Oct 02, 2008 4:10 pm) Well, I did googled more information about VW twin drive and that is how I arrived with 87 hp e motor that is sufficient as sole traction even on highway speeds. Replies to this message: tpe (Oct 03, 2008 5:45 am) reddroverr (Oct 03, 2008 11:11 am)
#416 of 545 Re: [peralta] by tpe Oct 03, 2008 (5:45 am)
Replying to: peralta (Oct 02, 2008 4:24 pm) 87 hp e motor that is sufficient as sole traction even on highway speeds.   This vehicle will probably weigh about the same as the Volt, which is estimated to be around 3200-3300 lbs. A vehicle this size with an 87 hp motor as it's sole source of power would have anemic performance. So I'm sure the ICE would have to supplement this power occasionally even during the first 30 miles, which would make it difficult to burn zero gas. I wonder how seamlessly this would work. Let's say your driving down the highway at 65 mph powered solely by the electric motor. Now you hit the accelerator to pass. The ICE, possibly cold, will have to start and get up to 3000+ rpms before it can provide additional power. There'd have to be a lag involved and I'm not to sure how good it would be for the ICEs longevity.
#417 of 545 Re: [peralta] by reddroverr Oct 03, 2008 (11:11 am)
Replying to: peralta (Oct 02, 2008 4:24 pm) Looks like the second link may be a typo.   From the first link:   "The Golf Twin Drive's electric-only range is targeted at 30 miles."   So never mind. Though 30 EV does further limit the desirability...or where the bother (complexity and price) meets the utility.
#418 of 545 Re: 50 MPG Possible after battery depletion? [kdhspyder] by eaton53 Oct 04, 2008 (8:48 am)
Replying to: kdhspyder (Oct 02, 2008 4:55 am) "However it will also have the flexibility to be a gas-free vehicle for times around home ( or a recharging infrastructure ) where trips are short. "   There plenty of people in the Southeast who had a gas-free vehicle in recent days. Unfortunately they couldn't go anywhere!   If I were in GM marketing, gas stations with "no gas" signs would certainly be part of my ads in that part of the country...
#419 of 545 Re: Hurricane Proof? [edklein] by nedzel Oct 07, 2008 (7:43 am)
Replying to: edklein (Sep 17, 2008 3:25 pm) "To continue to operate a Volt, I'd have to have a gasoline powered generator at the house to charge it up each night. Not too promising."   That is not correct. If the battery is low, the gasoline engine starts up and you can continue to drive the car -- you are just using expensive electricity generated by the gas engine, rather than cheap energy generated by the grid and then stored in the battery.   If you can't recharge from the grid, the Volt just needs gasoline in the tank like any other car.
#420 of 545 Perfect by dms9 Oct 07, 2008 (3:08 pm)
I go 11 miles to work each way 90% of the time. If GM gets this close and makes it affordable and fun, I want one. I'd rather it have all the bells and whistles and be called a Caddy. I will take my wife's minivan if we go on a trip.   The volt may be more or less efficient than other cars, but the idea that I can avoid sending my money to Iran, Putan or Chavez makes all the difference in the world to me. Most USA electricity is created by Coal (not too clean, but from the USA), natural gas (USA, Canada and Mexico) or nuclear. Even if I don't save any money, those options sound better to me. And remember, most of us would recharge our cars at night, when the grid isn't being overtaxed. So, there is not likely going to be the need to upgrade the grid anymore than we have to already.   Now, GM, how about building it really really well and not disappointing us who are willing to put our faith in you again? I'm game, if you are! Replies to this message: morey000 (Oct 11, 2008 6:45 am)
#421 of 545 The Peoples Car? by reddroverr Oct 10, 2008 (3:39 pm)
GM is very close to bankruptcy.   I suppose there will be a bailout.
#422 of 545 Re: Perfect [dms9] by morey000 Oct 11, 2008 (6:45 am)
Replying to: dms9 (Oct 07, 2008 3:08 pm) dms9- your post is right on.   I just wonder if lower gas prices will kill the viability of the Volt, and that will be the end of GM. Or, will they start to sell SUVs again and be able to make some money?

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