Chevrolet Volt

[KILLER74Z28]

GM road-tests batteries for Volt electric car
Lithium-ion batteries being put into specially-equipped sedans for driving tests.

WARREN, Michigan (AP) -- The lithium-ion batteries to be used in General Motors' Chevrolet Volt electric car will soon be installed and tested in specially-equipped versions of the Chevrolet Malibu, the company said.

This will allow the automaker to test the batteries in actual driving situations, the company said during a media event in the Detroit suburb of Warren.

According to GM's plans, the Volt will be produced as a mainstream electric vehicle that can be recharged by being plugged into a household outlet. It will have a small gasoline engine that will be used only to recharge the vehicle's batteries if they run down while driving.

Because of the extreme power demands involved in driving a car in the real world, the vehicle would be powered by lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are lighter and can store and release more power than the nickel-metal hydride batteries used in today's hybrid cars.

Fully charged, the Volt should drive about 40 miles without using any gasoline, according to GM (GM, Fortune 500). The small conventional engine would extend that range allowing the car to get as much 150 miles per gallon, depending on the distance driven.

The Volt will be a four-seat car. Not having a center seating position in the back will allow room for the car's battery to run longitudinally down the center of the car while keeping the roof low for better aerodynamics, according to a GM press release. The T-shaped battery will also extend out under the back seats.

"After extensive aerodynamic testing of the Volt, the vehicle now has a coefficient of drag that is 30% lower than the original concept," said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, Global Design. "It's not easy, but it is a necessity."

The Volt concept car was unveiled at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show.

GM also announced a new computer algorithm to speed laboratory-based durability testing of the batteries.

"Production timing of the Volt is directly related to our ability to predict how this battery will perform over the life of the vehicle. The challenge is predicting 10 years of battery life with just over two years of testing time," said Frank Weber, global vehicle chief engineer for the Volt.

GM recently announced that it will begin using lithium-ion batteries in mild-hybrid vehicles such as the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and Saturn Vue Hybrid. While those vehicles will still run under gasoline power, with just an assist from electric motors, using lithium-ion batteries will greatly boost fuel economy.

The company also expects to release a plug-in hybrid version of its Saturn Vue Green Line in 2009. Unlike the Volt, the Saturn Vue plug-in will operate like a typical hybrid car, with a gasoline engine and electric motor working together to power the vehicle.

First Published: April 3, 2008: 1:38 PM EDT

[GTAHVIT]

^ Awesome!

Looks like it wasn't a bluff afterall.

GM

[Scotsman]

The Chevy Volt Interior and How it Will Start

It has been a whirlwind day through the Volt battery lab, wind tunnel, VR studio, and design studio. Lots of information to get out there. Considering I was in the accompaniment of 80 other journalists, expect a flurry of articles from many sources.

The first new thing I wanted to share was what we were told about how the Chevy Volt will start. First of all, the design freeze has essentially been reached. the exploration phase is over and only minimal changes could take place from now on. I saw a large photo of the finalized interior, and it is beautiful. Lines will sweep out from the center display, and will give a spacious and comfortable experience. It is futuristic, high-tech, and speaks eloquently to the electrical nature of the car.

To that end the car will start uniquely. There will be no key or ignition!

You will have a fob, and the car will recognize you as you approach, it will give forth visual and audio signals, "come to life" as designer Tim Creig says.

Once inside you will push a start button on the enter console, which will depress. To begin driving, there will be a paddle-type shifter in the console. One squeezes the lever and engages the drivetrain.

The interior will feature ambient lighting, and use a bounty of recycled and recyclable materials, and conceivably biofabric seat covers.

The center display I saw showed options for radio, back-up camera, navigation, and internet access. The seats will be wider apart then the conventional delta compact platform to accommodate the battery pack running down the center of the car from front to back.

Overall a very pleasing and exciting interior. Sorry, but they would’nt allow us to take in any cameras.

http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/03/the-ch...it-will-start/

[Camaro68]

Originally Posted by Hunter330123

im not much of a fan of hybrids but it the best one ive ever seen, ide drive it

nice post

it is the best one (concept) out there

[Scotsman]

Straight from GM:

FOR RELEASE: 2008-04-03


Chevrolet Volt Development Charges On


E-Flex Technology Briefing Press Kit

* Battery engineers develop new computer testing procedure, leverage global resources to accelerate development of extended-range electric vehicles (E-REV)
* Engineers integrate T-shaped battery into vehicle structure
* Designers improve aerodynamics to lower energy consumption

WARREN, Mich. – Engineers at GM’s battery test facilities have developed a new computer algorithm to accelerate durability testing of the advanced lithium-ion batteries needed to power the Chevrolet Volt for up to 40 miles (64 km) of electric-only driving.

This advanced computer program duplicates real-life vehicle speed and cargo-carrying conditions, and compresses 10 years of comprehensive battery testing into the Volt’s brisk development schedule.

The battery cycling equipment is used around the clock in GM test facilities in Warren, Mich. and Mainz-Kastel, Germany. It charges and discharges power from the prototype batteries based on the Volt’s approximately 40-mile electric-only drive cycle. Results from this test data will help predict the long-term durability of the battery.

“Production timing of the Volt is directly related to our ability to predict how this battery will perform over the life of the vehicle. The challenge is predicting 10 years of battery life with just over two years of testing time,” said Frank Weber, global vehicle chief engineer, Chevrolet Volt and E-Flex systems. “The battery team is able to utilize human and technical resources around the globe to reduce testing time.”

Testing the batteries in the laboratory provides a predictable environment to compare technologies under controllable situations. The batteries will soon be integrated into “mule,” or test, vehicles with other E-Flex system components for on-road tests.

“Extensive analysis in our battery labs is an important step in proving this technology. We expect to further validate these batteries when they are integrated into engineering development vehicles,” said Weber. “The conditions in a vehicle – where the battery is exposed to shaking, moisture and rapidly changing temperature conditions – are much more extreme than the controlled settings of the lab.”

Vehicle engineering

Engineering an electric vehicle with a battery roughly 6 feet long (1.8 m) and weighing more than 375 pounds (170 kg) requires innovation. The T-shaped battery will be located down the center tunnel of the vehicle and under the rear seats. This integration requires the battery to be treated as part of the vehicle structure. Simulation data also indicates that the center placement provides greater protection to the battery.

“The battery is more than just an energy carrier; it’s a structural component that affects many other aspects of the vehicle,” said Weber. “It’s an integral part of the vehicle that interacts with the vehicle’s thermal and safety systems and chassis components.”

Engineering innovations are also required to maximize the Volt’s 40-mile electric-only range and minimize the use of its range-extending internal combustion engine. To reduce mass, the Volt is being engineered with a relatively small fuel tank. This reduces weight, but still provides a driving range in excess of 400 miles between fill-ups.

Designing the interior

The battery placement created interior design opportunities that led to several creative solutions that improve aerodynamics and overall comfort.

“We made a conscious decision to make the Volt a four-passenger vehicle to keep the roof low, an important aerodynamic enabler,” said Bob Boniface, design director, E-Flex. “As designers, we must be sensitive to the energy efficiency gains that can be achieved by optimizing aerodynamics, whether it’s occupant packaging or overall styling. This not only contributes to improved fuel economy or extended range, but can produce beautiful exterior body shapes and innovative interiors.”

The battery pushed the occupants outboard, or to the sides of the vehicle, so the design team had to get creative with the sections of the roof structure to enable aerodynamics and provide adequate head room. The interior will accommodate a 6-foot 2-inch (99 th percentile) male comfortably in the front and rear seats.

“By having the battery in the middle, we were able to move the occupants apart and give them more space,” said Tim Greig, interior design manager for the Chevrolet Volt. “We also shrink-wrapped the interior, particularly the doors, for comfort and spaciousness. There is no wasted space.

“Being an electric vehicle with a battery down the middle presented unique opportunities to our design team,” he said. “The net result is a very creative and innovative design, appropriate for an electric vehicle.”

Reducing drag

Aerodynamic drag, or wind resistance, accounts for about 20 percent of the energy consumed by an average vehicle, directly reducing fuel efficiency.

GM’s aerodynamics laboratory, located in Warren, is the center of expertise for optimizing airflow. In addition to fuel economy, range, emissions and acceleration are all affected by aerodynamic drag. The cooling of components like brakes is affected by airflow, as is cornering capability, crosswind response, directional stability and on-center handling. GM’s aero lab allows for the testing and development of each of these characteristics.

Aerodynamics development begins with a 1/3-scale model where basic shape and major features are defined. The model includes a highly detailed underbody and engine compartment. Radiator and under-hood cooling flow are developed with computational fluid dynamic models. Simultaneously, computation development takes place to determine the aerodynamic drag of design alternatives. Development continues with full-scale models, where shape is refined and optimized for low wind noise. The development process concludes with a vehicle prototype validation of the math-based analysis and physical testing.

“After extensive aerodynamic testing of the Volt, the vehicle now has a coefficient of drag that is 30 percent lower than the original concept,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, Global Design. “It’s not easy, but it is a necessity.”

The ongoing development of the Volt is just one part of GM’s commitment to displace petroleum use in the auto industry through a range of propulsion alternatives, including:

* GM is the leading producer of E85-capable biofuel vehicles, with more than 3 million on U.S. roads today. GM has committed to having 50 percent of annual sales volume E85-capable by 2012.
* By the end of 2008, GM is expected to offer more hybrid models (eight) in the United States than any other automaker.
o The Saturn Vue Green Line, Saturn Aura Green Line and Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid will feature GM’s mild hybrid technology.
o GM’s two-mode hybrid technology is available in the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid, and will be added later this year to the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and GMC Sierra Hybrid, delivering highly efficient performance and full functionality.
o Going into production later this year is the front-wheel-drive Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode Hybrid, expected to deliver up to a 50-percent improvement in combined city and highway fuel economy compared with the current non-hybrid Vue XR, based on current federal test procedures.
* Earlier this year, GM launched “Project Driveway,” the largest market test of fuel cell vehicles in the world, lending 100 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles to everyday drivers. GM engineers will analyze customer feedback and use it to develop the next generation of fuel cell vehicles.

Additionally, GM provides more vehicles that achieve 30 mpg on the highway than any other manufacturer in the U.S. market. GM is also a member of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a group of global companies and non-governmental organizations that support an economy-wide, market-driven approach to reducing carbon emissions.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 266,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit , GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 35 countries. In 2007, nearly 9.37 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayS...12&docid=44828

[Chevyrocker]

The EV-1 was destroyed and GM produced the H2 in it's place. The oil companies control a lot of the automotive industry.

Anyhow, the Volt has gotten the go ahead from GM and will be built in the United States and Australia. The production version will look nothing like this and the vehicle should be available as a 2011 model.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by jsenn

The EV-1 was destroyed and GM produced the H2 in it's place. The oil companies control a lot of the automotive industry.

Or maybe people didn't want to compromise when they bought a car? The EV-1 was a break through for electric cars but it was still far behind regular vehicles in terms of practicality. There was very little public demand for electric cars then. If it wasn't for California it probably wouldn't have been built. The people didn't want that car. Sure some did, but most would rather have a regular car and so thats what people bought. There weren't people going to saturn dealerships accross the country demanding to get one, a few yes but not very many. I believe that GM destroyed the EV-1s because of long term issues with them though I'm not 100% sure on that.

Its funny you should mention the H2. They built it because people wanted a smaller, less expensive, and more fuel efficient hummer. Its better on the environment than the H1

[DGthe3]

Here is a video that wasn't meant to be taken. It was from the day that GM invited members of the press to see the volt. http://www.wwj.com/pages/1946424.php...tentId=1833560

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

There's still 2 and half years to go. They'll figure something out. Plus, this could have been taken out of context again, like his "Premium" statement regarding our car. He said they'll be taking a loss on each sale of this car earlier last month, so maybe they'll be taking a 18,000 dollar loss; 48,000 is really how much each costs to make? Just throwing it out there.

But I will say this, despite a high pricetag, this car's goal is to revolutionize the buisness, not just shift more sales to GM. I think it will do that incredibly well.

I really hope you're right. I want to see this car succeed.

[Mr. Wyndham]

VOLT CONFIRMED FOR AUSTRALIA!!!

GM's Volt confirmed for Australia
By JOSHUA DOWLING - SMH | Monday, 07 April 2008
The company that killed the electric car - and then resurrected it - has confirmed its next generation "plug-in" hybrid will be sold in Australia.

Californians will be first to get the car that can be recharged overnight from a home power point. The Chevrolet Volt will then be sold to customers in Washington "for political reasons" and then Florida, New York and elsewhere on the east coast of America.

Once the car is up and running successfully in left-hand drive, right-hand drive versions will follow quickly.

The vice-president of General Motors, Bob Lutz, told Australian journalists at the New York motor show that a right-hand-drive version of the Volt would follow "within months" of the US version going on sale.

But the company wanted to make sure the technology was bulletproof before exporting it to other markets.

The Volt is about the size of a Holden Astra and can run for up to 64km on battery power alone. A small petrol-powered generator, which recharges the battery rather than drives the wheels, extends the range to about 400km between recharges.

It was shown in concept form at last year's Detroit motor show. The production version is yet to be revealed but GM is close to finalising the design.

"The show car, while it had a very interesting design and was very interesting looking, from an aerodynamic standpoint it was a complete train wreck," Lutz said. "We had to fundamentally start over and we reshaped the vehicle for aerodynamic efficiency and made sure the Volt graphics, the grille and headlights are there and the dropped belt-line on the side is still there.

"I think it is still going to be a very attractive car - it is just going to be a slight shock for people who expect it to look exactly like the show car."
Lutz, who described the Volt as a "Prius-buster", said the company was working around the clock to meet the on-sale deadline of 2010.

"It is being engineered in right-hand drive, left-hand drive, and is being developed to meet all safety standards, pedestrian-protection requirements, exterior and interior protrusion - in other words, worldwide requirements are being taken into account, so I'm sure it will be sold in Australia," he said.

"Initially the production is going to be pretty low as we ramp up and make sure the battery suppliers can [meet demand] but at a very early stage we want to build about 60,000 a year, and then it's 'you name it'."

GM says the Volt is being developed alongside the companies working on the battery technology. The battery is formed in a T shape and is fitted lengthways under the car between the front seats, where the transmission and drivetrain would normally be.

Lutz, who is 78 and has no desire to retire, said the Volt was the highlight of his automotive career. He also admitted he was wrong to dismiss the Toyota Prius hybrid as a marketing stunt. "I took the blame for the whole company," he said.

He said GM "did the numbers" on hybrid cars 10 years ago (about the time Toyota introduced its first Prius) and figured the extra cost outweighed the benefits, and so scrapped any further development.

"If you run the numbers of what the additional cost is versus the fuel saving, [hybrid cars] still don't make any sense," he said. "Having said that, it proved once again that the automobile business is not about hard facts and rational decisions. It is mainly about emotions."

Lutz said if he could "rewind the tape" he would have pushed harder for GM to build a hybrid car a decade ago.

"We could have gone to the board and said: 'This is not a profitable proposition. It is break even at best. In fact, it is probably going to lose us money but it is something we have to do because our No. 1 competitor is going to do it. If they do it and we don't, we are going to be seen as environmental laggards, so we urge you to say yes to this project even if it is going to lose money.'

"The board probably would have said, 'That makes sense, try not to lose too much money."'

'Prius Buster'

There are some interesting thoughts from Lutz at the end there.....

[DGthe3]

"If you run the numbers of what the additional cost is versus the fuel saving, [hybrid cars] still don't make any sense," he said. "Having said that, it proved once again that the automobile business is not about hard facts and rational decisions. It is mainly about emotions."

thats what I figure too

[Mr. Wyndham]

At Last: Behind the Wheel of Volt Test Mule
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman

This week we announced that the GM Board has approved the Chevrolet Volt program. Yes, development work has been going on in earnest, but now it’s official. In fact, recently, at GM’s Milford Proving Ground, I drove an official “engineering development vehicle” with the 16-kwh lithium-ion battery pack we’ve been testing for our E-Flex System and I have to say – pun half-intended – it was electrifying.

The first impression of the day, however, was made before I even got into the vehicle. It hit me on the drive out to Milford, as I passed gas station after gas station with prices for regular unleaded hugging the $4 mark: This makes the importance and potential of our all-electric glide through our proving ground roads even clearer.

Now, don’t run to the Chevy dealer and order your Volt yet: The “test mule” I drove – a previous-generation Malibu – wasn’t calibrated properly, and there are an awful lot of tests that this battery must pass before it’s cleared for production. Our battery teams in Warren and in Germany are working hard in our battery labs to determine that these batteries will work for the life of the vehicle. Still, the conditions in a real-world environment – where the battery is exposed to shaking, moisture and rapidly changing temperature conditions – are much more extreme than the controlled settings of the lab.

But I think it’s important to point out that in the six months since we’ve received the battery pack, we’ve tested it in the lab, then on the dynamometer, and now on the track. Eventually, if and when we settle on the right battery, our E-Flex System engineers will have a lot of integrating, tuning and tweaking to do before the Volt is ready for prime time. And we’ll keep you informed of our progress every step of the way.

Upon future drives, when the vehicle is closer to true calibration, I’ll have more driving details. But I will say that, while the car is still most definitely a work in progress, the thrill of driving electrically — that instant, silent torque — is certainly present and accounted for! Of course, as you can imagine, I miss the throaty roar of an engine. Once we get this whole battery thing perfected, our friends at XM Satellite Radio may have to start an Internal Combustion Channel.







http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives....html#comments

This is exciting

[Muscle Master]

beat me to the punch dragon, but yeah good stuff

[MerF]

I really like this dude:

Originally Posted by Lutz

Of course, as you can imagine, I miss the throaty roar of an engine. Once we get this whole battery thing perfected, our friends at XM Satellite Radio may have to start an Internal Combustion Channel.