Updates on the Chevy Volt

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Also, its my understanding that the batteries will protect themselves so that there will be no noticible degragation in performance until after 10 years. So, the batteries won't be dead at that point, they'll just get worse and worse from then on. They could easily be usable for 15 or 20 years, they won't retain a full charge but you should still be able to go 20-30 miles on electricity.

Also, while it doesn't make too much financial sense with US gas prices (Canadian as well), that won't always be the case. I think I heard that GM is preparing for gasoline to be $5/gal in the US within 5 years. Couple that with lower costs for the Volt and a lot of people could save money with the Volt.

That's correct. As I understand it, the Volt's battery actually only runs on a percentage of its total output in order to increase battery life.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Paul SS

What about the range of the Tesla? I know it's way more expensive and a sports car, but they seem to have it figured it out.

You answered your own question on that one

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Paul SS

What about the range of the Tesla? I know it's way more expensive and a sports car, but they seem to have it figured it out.

While the Tesla Roadster is a pretty cool car (I would buy one if I could), they have their fair share of problems, even at such a steep price point. They had originally advertised a range of 250 miles...but that dropped significantly two times, and I believe it hovers somewhere near 220 right now. If you drive the car like most of us drive our Camaros, you'll be lucky to get 75-100 miles on a charge. If you drive it like a Prius, you may see the full 2xx marketed range.

They also had trouble with the transmission, as the electric motors were too powerful for the original unit.

This is still a very new arena. But it's exciting!! (To me anyways)

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by Paul SS

What about the range of the Tesla? I know it's way more expensive and a sports car, but they seem to have it figured it out.

It is a 2 seater and very light weight compared to a Volt. This would increase range, but basically you have a somewhat impractical vehicle (Sky cough, Convertible). The Volt seats 4 comfortably and luggage.

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

That's correct. As I understand it, the Volt's battery actually only runs on a percentage of its total output in order to increase battery life.

Bad things happen to batteries if they are over charged or deep drawn.

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

While the Tesla Roadster is a pretty cool car (I would buy one if I could), they have their fair share of problems, even at such a steep price point. They had originally advertised a range of 250 miles...but that dropped significantly two times, and I believe it hovers somewhere near 220 right now. If you drive the car like most of us drive our Camaros, you'll be lucky to get 75-100 miles on a charge. If you drive it like a Prius, you may see the full 2xx marketed range.

They also had trouble with the transmission, as the electric motors were too powerful for the original unit.

This is still a very new arena. But it's exciting!! (To me anyways)

The ran two Teslas on Top Gear. Both broke down and required repairs and only delivered 55 miles of very spirited driving.



You have to keep in mind as long as you want "Jed Clampett" oil (shoot a hole in the ground and oil bubbles up) or CHEAP, very few new technologies can compete with that. But if you want to truely use no fuel you need an EV or Fuel Cell etc. So the advantage is patly emotional.

But if you drove exaclty 40 miles per day round trip and that's it, the 40 mph Cruze would cost you $3 per day or about $750 per year. A Volt would be significanly less than that to nearly 0 if you charge off hours. So in 10 years you would have saved $7,500 compared to the Cruz.

Also, there is a 7,500 tax credit for the Volt and further, GM has not announced the price. There was a $40,000 talking point probably to gauge reaction more than anything else.

But if it were 40,000 less the 7,500 you are at 32,500 subtract the Fuel savings and you are at 25,000. When the Cruz Eco and Volt pricing are announce my guess is (really only a guess) is that they will be very close in the end.

Oh and I think if I remember correctly in charge sustaining mode, GM is talking significanlty better mileage than the Cruz Eco, so even with the ICE running, it is still more economical than the Cruz Eco.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

While the Tesla Roadster is a pretty cool car (I would buy one if I could), they have their fair share of problems, even at such a steep price point. They had originally advertised a range of 250 miles...but that dropped significantly two times, and I believe it hovers somewhere near 220 right now. If you drive the car like most of us drive our Camaros, you'll be lucky to get 75-100 miles on a charge. If you drive it like a Prius, you may see the full 2xx marketed range.

They also had trouble with the transmission, as the electric motors were too powerful for the original unit.

This is still a very new arena. But it's exciting!! (To me anyways)

I'd take a ZR1 first ...

[FenwickHockey65]

The next application for Voltec powertrains?



http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f...7/#post2036737

Volt MPV.

[chevydude26]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

I excuse the cost of the Volt based on three reasons:

#1) It's still VERY new...I'm honestly shocked it's going to come in around $40k before the credit.

#2) This is the first step on a long road to the electrification of some automobiles. (Note I did not say "all"). It's a big step, but from here on out, they will get less and less expensive, making them more and more practical from a consumers standpoint, but:

#3) This car is not designed to save you money. NO electric car will be able to do that for another 15-20 years. This car is designed to significantly reduce our oil consumption, and significantly reduce vehicle emissions....that's it. And if it's a cause you value, then you'd better be prepared to cough up the $$, because it's an expensive initiative.

That's why these Eco cars are dumb they really don't save you money and your not going to change the environment not to mention the "carbon" argument has practically been debunked with the whole climategate issue and scientists lying and manipulating data. For 40 gs there are much more comfortable nicer options. I'll take a lacrosse over this car and save money and have a nicer looking car

[DeathChill]

Originally Posted by Number 3

The ran two Teslas on Top Gear. Both broke down and required repairs and only delivered 55 miles of very spirited driving.

Are you talking about when they pushed it off the track? Because they faked that part.

[HeatherR]

I think a lot of the importance of the Volt is improving the public's perception of GM as a whole. As a green company using cutting edge technology...

Toyota (prior to their current issues ) was perceived as being a green company because of the Prius, but they sell monster sized vehicles too...

I personally think that if you're looking at $ savings only going with a Cruze is the way to go, but just looking at $ a Prius wasn't the best choice for people...they made that choice to save the Earth lol and then looked down on the rest of us