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Hybrid Vehicles Chevrolet Volt Article Comments - 2011 Chevrolet Volt First Look
46 messages, Last post on Oct 22, 2008 at 4:38 AM
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2011 Chevrolet Volt First Look - The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is both more conventional than you might have been lead to believe and quite a bit more advanced than most potential buyers will know. (more)
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Concerning the EPA test I wonder how this will play out. Very interesting. Ever since the Chevrolet Volt appeared as a concept last year, debate has been hot and heavy over exactly what it is. Although many call it a hybrid because it has a battery and an engine, GM prefers to call it an extended range-electric vehicle (ER-EV). That poses a problem for GM when it comes to emissions and fuel economy testing. With its 40 mile electric only range the Volt could complete the US06 test cycle that is part of the current EPA test regimen without ever running its engine. So far this doesn't sit well with the EPA which considers the Volt a hybrid and expects it to complete the test cycle with a charged battery. GM and the feds have been going back and forth on this for months. Reports out this morning on Bloomberg and the Detroit Free Press indicated that GM and the EPA had reached an agreement that would potentially see the Volt as the first car classified with a 100 mpg rating are erroneous. We called spokesman Rob Peterson to get the scoop, and it turns out that GM has reached an agreement with the California Air Resources Board, (CARB) on a unique classification for the Volt. Peterson told ABG that this classification would reflect the Volt's true capability, essentially treating it as an EV. According to Peterson, "the classification helps us to optimize the Volt for what it does do, instead of being put into the category with a normal hybrid." This will potentially allow GM to run the Volt with the planned charge sustaining mode rather than having to run the engine to fully recharge the battery at the end of the test. The agreement with CARB gives GM a bargaining chip in its talks with the EPA, but Peterson cautions that the automaker and the federal agency "still have a long way to go" to finalize any agreement. The Volt may yet get that magic 100 mpg rating, but it's not there yet. |
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Replying to: larsb (Sep 24, 2008 10:25 am) What is known as of today: The EPA apparently agreed to give the Volt a 100 mpg rating !!! ( larsb's post avbove ). The Volt will charge on a 120 outlet in about 8 hrs, or in about 4 hrs on a 240. The Volt will be able to go about 40 miles gas-free on a full charge. After 40 miles of gas-free driving, in perfect conditions, with only the driver, on dead flat terrain the battey will stop charging the e-motor. At that point the battery will reach its lowest allowed SOC at about 30% ( like the Prius ) At which time the ICE ( gas or E85 ) will kick in and charge the battery to keep it near the minimum charge +some 'buffer' SOC. The battery can be charged somewhat by regen braking. There is NO point in fully recharging the battery using expensive gasoline when inexpensive electricity will do the same function. The ICE will drive the vehicle and charge the battery after the 40 mi gas-free period is finished. Depending on the size of the fuel tank the vehicle might be able to go 200-400 miles before running out of gas like any other car. Before that happens it might be wise to fill up and continue on. The vehicle can drive from NY to LA to NY to LA to etc indefinitely just by filling up with gas or E85 when the 'E' light comes on. Oh...the vehicle is likely to be offered at about $40000 !!! less a $7500 Tax Credit ( Senate bill yesterday ). Of course as many have found the ugly head of AMT may rise up and gulp the entire credit. |
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Replying to: larsb (Sep 24, 2008 12:06 pm) For my mega-miling commutes neither the Volt nor the Prius PHEV makes much sense without an charging infrastructure in place such as tpe suggests. 40 miles gas-free would save me about 25% of my annual gas bill plus then the cost of electricity. If the cost is anywhere north of $30000 net, after Tax Credit, it's not a good buy for me at this time.
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Replying to: kdhspyder (Sep 26, 2008 3:35 pm) The Volt is going to be much wider than those cars. Gives it more stability and a better look. Two inches wider than the Prius, and also 2 inches longer.
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Replying to: coldcranker (Sep 26, 2008 5:02 pm) "In outside dimensions if's about the size of a Corolla/Civic." Volt outside dimensions as per GM's press release 177.0" OAL 70.8" OAW 56.3" OAH From Edmunds herein on the Corolla outside dimensions 178.7" OAL 69.3" OAW 57.7" OAH Thus.............. The Volt is about an inch and a half shorter an inch and a half wider an inch and a half lower In other words "In outside dimensions if's about the size of a Corolla/Civic."
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Replying to: kdhspyder (Sep 26, 2008 6:59 pm) You forgot to mention the Civic. And, like I said, the Volt will be wider. Thanks for proving my point. Width means a lot where roominess is concerned. 
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Replying to: coldcranker (Sep 27, 2008 5:40 am) |
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Replying to: kdhspyder (Sep 26, 2008 3:35 pm) Unless the vehicle you are currently driving gets over 50 mpg you'd save more on gas driving a Volt than the person who typically only drives 30 miles a day. There's no one vehicle that is perfect for everyone. I believe either the Accord or Camry are the best selling car in the country however I can think of a lot of reasons why they wouln't be suitable for certain people. Something like 14 million vehicles will be sold in the US this year. And this is a terrible year. You don't need to appeal to a high percentage of buyers to sell out the relatively small number of plug-ins that will be available the first few years. The hope is that as production of these vehicles ramps up the price will come down and a charging infrastructure will take shape. Seems reasonable to me. |
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"The real production Volt will come with [...] a door on the front fender for the recharging port" "The recharging port is supposed to be hidden under this trim piece. Unfortunately the standard plug port chosen by government regulators is too big to fit." (picture captions) HUH?? Where are they getting their info? http://www.gm-volt.com/e/volt_port.jpg |
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40 miles of electric drive range will allow me to get to work and back everyday without ever having the need to switch to the gasoline engine. So the question is.....why not making a full electric vehicle for city drivers without the need for a gasoline engine? The other question is, what problems will my gasoline engine experience over time by not being used very frequently?
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