Chevy Volt Concept: A New Kind of Electric Car
By Beth Lowery
GM Vice President, Environment and Energy
I was proud to participate in the unveiling of the Chevy Volt electric car concept today. What a cool-looking car! As you may know, GM has worked on electric cars for years. We’ve taken a lot of heat for some of our past decisions on that front, and we’ve been paying attention to our critics. We get it – we’re not perfect, but we’ve learned a lot. The Volt incorporates many of those lessons and represents a giant leap forward.
For instance, we’ve added a range extender using a system we call E-Flex. Basically, it works by using the onboard engine to generate additional energy for the battery. On a long trip, this system would continually charge the batteries, even after the initial battery range is passed.
The range extender can be used with any type of onboard engine, whether it is powered by gasoline, ethanol, electricity or hydrogen – hence the “Flex” in E-Flex. This system will make the Volt the most versatile electric car when it comes out, virtually eliminating gasoline use for those who only take their cars for short distances, such as back and forth to work, while providing the ability to recharge while driving.
Sounds good, right?
It sure sounds good to GM … but the big challenge now is for us to turn this concept into reality – no easy feat, but one we are deeply committed to.
The Volt clearly isn’t the only solution to our reliance on petroleum, and some solutions may work better in some areas of the world than in others. That’s why GM is working on a whole range of technologies to address petroleum dependence, including hybrids, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, Flex Fuel vehicles that run on either ethanol or gasoline, and biodiesel-fueled vehicles. That said, we believe the Volt is a huge step in the right direction, and as technology continues to improve, so will our solutions.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
More about the Chevy Volt
Add the Chevrolet Volt video to your site
To see more photos of the Volt, check out our Flickr galleries.
- Posted in Auto Shows, Volt
andy
Looks remarkably like the Aero X and did not SAAB have the plug in first!!
Jeff
Please build this car!! It is absolutely awesome! I will be the first in line to buy one. This car should be out in less than two years for GM to really jump ahead of the competition
Ryan
It looks good and is a good idea. I’d like to also have a really impressive high performance version of it too. Bring them to market!
Denny
The electric car will return to GM, and it will be a vehicle real people can actually live with. Thanks for putting the Chevrolet brand on this, the name the world, I’m sure, will come more and more to know as the leader in quality, economy, safety and value, as well as for performance and style. And thanks for turning the present backwards hybrid concept around to a more logical and economical orientation. This is much closer to a destination design for energy independence, not merely a rest stop along the way. What’s good for the world will be good for General Motors. Sign me up!
This (the Chevrolet Volt) will call for a new documentary: Who Saved the Electric Car?
Notwerk
It’s an interesting idea and a much better take on the hybrid, technologically. But the design needs a bit of work. I was underwhelmed with the interior, which still has commonplace, domestic bar-style dash. A car that modern deserves something more ergonomic, something that envelopes the driver more. A shorter wheel base might also look a bit better. And please, Detroit, lose the chrome. All of it. It looks cheesy. That grill would look better if it was just a bit more sophistacated and bit less “Grillz”
Paul
Make a five door version with a diesel engine and I’ll buy one in a heartbeat.
getalifeagain
What a cool looking car! You’ll sell a million.
Dankoozy
Nice concept but the car is extremely ugly.
Pat Albrecht
Please please please start putting powertrains like this in vehicles that people can buy as soon as possible. If you can pull off the Camaro in a few years from concept to reality (so far . . .), you *should* be able to start delivering cars with plug-in hybrid powertrains by 2011. I mean, you still are the world’s largest automaker, right? (Bob, stop reading now). When the CAFE standards get raised despite all your lobbyists efforts to the contrary, you’ll already be ahead of the fuel economy pack with a fleet of plug-in hybrids!
Gillis
As an economist, I’m actually hopeful that the bean counters at GM are finally starting to get it with this one. This could be a win-win-win for GM. If you will just build them at the economic sweet spots and sell (not just lease) them ASAP, you might even make some money.
Da Fonz
Hey Notwerk, then don’t buy one!! And “lose the chrome”, the only chrome on the car is the grill. The other 99% of the population will more than offset those who will always find something to complain about with this vehicle.
I’m looking forward to the day it goes on sale. The only thing that I would change is that I want Blue instead of Silver.
Paul, “Make a five door version with a diesel engine and I’ll buy one in a heartbeat.”
Sorry it’s only a four door with a rear liftgate and since it’s not a hybrid why would you want a diesel (which costs more per gallon). I guess that the 100MPG & 640 mile range is just not good enough for some people.
GM, BUILD IT
(AND THEY WILL COME!)
Bob Larson
Obviously if you could bring this car out immediately, you’d jump the market and could probably sell half a million the first year. Unfortunately, Toyota and possibly Honda are probably working on very similar capabilities, and the battery technology is still in development. I don’t have to tell you you’re in a moon race–I’m just hoping you can surprise us for a change and win!
That said, great job on the concept. I doubt the gunslit windshield is practical, but this is not the car people will ever buy so it doesn’t matter.
Jack Pritchart
Please keep the beancounters away from this car. For once in your careers, have the wherewithall to build a truly class LEADING car instead of “whatever we can get away with” cost and corner cutter. Load it with all the latest technologies, safety and creature comforts and make the designs truly workable, and not too “George Jetson-like”. Tell your buyers that vehicle sales should be the goal, not lowest price wins. You MUST get rid of that mentality at GM. Whoever is behind the cheap is good and cheaper is best mentality should be shown the door. Continuing down this misguided path is NOT your way to profitability. You must put money into the product and look to be a market leader, not follower. You have the opportunity here - don’t follow the normal development path where lowest cost is the driving force. Take a stand and let the design and engineering and product development teams specify the best class leading technologies. GM must be willing to buy the best if you ever expect to re-gain market share and stake your claim on a piece of the market. This is your second chance to do it right. Detroit certainly doesn’t need another team to strike out.
Cory Cardwell
This car looks awesome! It is about time for US companies step up to the plate. This one looks like a homerun. Get it into production within two years with keeping the price under 30K and this car will certainly be a top seller. I hope to be driving one soon!
Jeff
From an automotive business point of view, the Chevy Volt probably makes GM one of the leaders in the “concept market” of hybrid passenger vehicles.
Like most people, I enjoy visiting car shows to look at the concept vehicles. However, I’ve always taken home a production passenger vehicle at the end of the show. If feasible (it does not share the traits of the NASA space shuttle), I suggest that GM should move this vehicle to the “production market”; so the general public can drive it.
David Serafini
I can’t wait for you to get this one on the road so I am converting and S-10 to electric now. Should be ready to go by the end of the month. Get this into production and I will trade in my other ICE for and Volt. Let’s make middle east oil irrelevant!
Alan
Very cool! It would be nicer if the car had a longer drive range with the batteries before the generator kicked in… such as the Tesla Roadster, which has a 250 miles a charge. Even if it were 100+ mile range, that would be great!
Diesel could be a fuel option.
And it looks pretty good… a lot better than a fugly Prius.
terryb
Great concept. This one needs a fast track approach.
Personally, I’d like a 2-door wagon like the Nomad, something I could work out of, or haul the kids if I had to. With a ladder rack on top, it would replace my pickup.
Felix Kramer
Thank you, Beth, for posting this, and all of you for starting to bring this car into being. Here’s how The California Cars Initiative, promoting plug-in hybrids since 2002, responded to the news (see the entire statement at
16 Points about GM’s Plug-In Hybrid):
“We commend GM for being the first out of the starting gate in the Great Plug-In Car Race of 2007. GM’s announcements are the biggest victories yet for CalCars.org and other PHEV advocates. Now our campaign is in third gear. We’ll work with the auto industry, government, fleet buyers and advocates to get to the day — soon, not in a decade — when customers can buy PHEVs as easily as any other car.”
The California Cars Initiative is a Palo Alto-based nonprofit startup. We’re a group of entrepreneurs, engineers, environmentalists and consumers, since 2002 promoting plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). CalCars.org is itself a hybrid, focusing both on public policy and technology development. CalCars was first to convert a hybrid to a 100+MPG plug-in hybrid in 2004.
Edward Hayes
Congratulations!
On the Saturn Aura and Chevy Silverado NA Car & Truck of the Year.
On you sales success in China and Asia.
On the phenomenal Chevy Volt.
You know being you #1 fan just got a little easier.
Chris
The concept is wonderful, but I have to ask: Is GM making this car to get into the good graces of the ‘environmental’ public? Knowing that if they make it so ugly that no one will buy it? Very conspiracy theory, I know, but I think we are all wondering how intrenched automakers are with the gas companies??? [But maybe they'll surprise us all and make a great hybrid car that gets 3 digits to the gallon, and it (or a version of it) will look like any other car on the road?!]
Michael Bender
Da Fonz, “Why would you want a diesel” if it costs more per gallon?
Maybe because diesel engines are 25-40% more efficient than gasoline engines?
Or maybe because biodiesel (or even straight vegetable oil) has almost 30% more energy content than ethanol AND takes less energy to produce?
Or because if the playing field were level (as it might become if more diesel engines existed), diesel fuel would cost LESS than gasoline?
Or because diesel engines are far superior and longer-lasting than gasoline engines?
Hmm, other than those reasons, you’re right — I can’t see why I would want a diesel engine in this or any other car!
Regardless…
GM, you’re on the right track — now just start making them, anticipate advances, and perfect the technology as the numbers increase. Please and thank you.
Gereon Langlitz (Germany)
Wow. I was absolutely speechless, when I saw the Chevy Volt for the very first time on Sunday.
Of course we urgently need those car in Europe, either, since we are paying up to 7$ per Gallon.
I think there’s no need for further discussions. I just took part in the Chevrolet Volt Survey. So far there voted about 99 percent of all people for the production of the Chevy Volt. The earlier, the better!
Paul
Vern
This would be the only car that I would be interested in from GM even though most of my past cars have been GM. If they do build this car it would be trouble for Toyota. Toyota does not get this concept.
Matt Meadows
I gotta have this car! It is what I have been looking for! Hope you guys can really make it work! GM has got to get back in the game. MAKE US WANT TO BUY AMERICAN AGAIN! We invented the car, lets be the best again!
Gereon Langlitz (Germany)
In addition to my previous comment:
If it’s technologically possible and viable, as far as production costs are concerned: What about the integration of solar cells in the Chevy Volt’s roof and hood, at least as an option? This might deliver significantly more electricity for recharging the batteries, especially in those countries/regions, where’s more sunshine in the average. As I believe this could be potentially interesting to those nations in the Middle East, Southern Europe, Australia and, of course, many areas in the USA.
WMM
This is extraordinary. GM is showing some real leadership. I am not a car guy. I am much more concerned with energy security and the environment, so I have been unimpressed by GM’s decision-making for a long time. But if GM does a good job with this technology, this car will have significant geopolitical impact…the kind that we can use more of. Do the right thing, GM.
Mike
GM — please build it and I’ll gladly dump my Prius.
Eric Andersen
I would be willing to make a down payment to get on the list of first ones to get this car. Even if the production date is a little open-ended. How about a refund if it does not go into production within 3-4 years? I’m absolutely serious about this and am sure there are many others that feel the same. If GM wants to see what kind of interest there will be in this vehicle - they should start up a pre-puchase program.
edvard
This concept is right on the money in my opinion. Sort of like reversing the current hybrid and making it a mostly electric car.
If you can actually deliver this technology to viable and sensible vehicles, it will do A LOT for GM’s image in current markets. You need to gain back your East Coast/West Coast customers, who are hooked on VW’s and Toyota Priuses. and by showing them you have the ability to produce such a car, then you won’t be able to produce them fast enough.
My only qualm is that I would probably dampen the extremity of the design down a bit. I understand this is simple a concept car shell to showcase new technology, but when and if you produce a car like this, you need to make it pallatable to a wide consumer.
chibesa
I am so tired of people bashing gm all the time.Excuse me,they have made a great car exceeding all your expectations as far as EPA is concern and you still have something bad to say.What a banch we have become.
Toyota,honda or volvo,benz or what so ever have not announced a car like the volt so lets give credit where its due.GO GO Go GM!!!!!
Bob Rice
About time GM saw the light! Ugly car! You don’t need a grille on a EV. The EV-1 was a far better looking car. Just reserect that as a 2 and 4 door, even a wagon. You would sell more than you could make!
I don’t really care how ugly the car is. But that it be electric to spare the air and keep our money in USA. Not supporting people who hate us.
Chitowncarl
The Volt is a good start at serial hybrid production but the high performance configuration negates any reduction in potential energy conservation impact, after all a joule is a joule no matter where it came from and Force still equals Mass times Velocity.
How about a fast track program to get serial hybrid technology in to an enviromentally concious platform like the Aveo or Cobalt where their light weight would fully leverage the energy conservation advantages of serial hybrid technology?
TomT
BUILD THIS CAR! This is a car a lot of us have been waiting for. GM needs to get this car out in 3 years or less. Oh, and how about making this powertrain available on the 2009 Camaro as an option. If you could make it perform like a V6 and get 50-100 mpg city, you’d sell a bunch, and have a one-up on it’s closest rival the Mustang.
tomloy
I expect to see GM produce this about the same time UFO’s land on the white house lawn. No use getting excited about something just presented at a auto show just to try and boost GM’s popularity.
Chris Barron
I have money ready to buy a practical PHEV, 40 miles electric range is more than acceptable…….An all electric version with longer range created by replacing the ICE with batteries would catch my eye too.
Les Hunter
I knew G.M. wasn’t sleeping. Great Car & I will buy one.
martin
The Volt looks terrific, and a firm step towards a practical, electric-based vehicle. The overall approach is a vast improvement over the initial electric vehicles (good thing Al Gore isn’t running GM).
However the key is to get the package to first work in a Malibu-sized vehicle, one that weighs about 3300 lbs. If a vehicle this size & weight could get 100-120 mpg of gasoline –plus electricity– and it can be brought to market by 2010 or 2011, then GM has hit the mother lode. Fuel cell technology can later applied with it and scale to all sized vehicles. End of oil dependence. Let the power companies scramble to provide more electricity. There are plenty of ways to create electricity, including hydro and wind. It would be ironic if the Government, which has such a disastrous record of managing & protecting our energy sources, should be bailed out by the very industry it hold in such complete contempt.
But we’ll see. The car still has to be delivered to the showroom. But deliver this type of styling, and the mileage, and the Prius will become a latter-day AMC Gremlin.
noel park
Well I hope to be second in line to buy one behind Jeff! These are some great comments - thanks bloggers. Notice how positive almost all of them are? I think there’s a message there. I even have to agree with Da Fonz, for once!
Bob Larson is right about this being a race with Toyota and Honda. The same LA Times article yesterday which announced the Volt made reference to the rumor we have heard so often that Toyota is getting ready with a 90 mpg Prius. Please make it happen, sooner rather than later, Mr. Lutz and Co.
I also second the motion of Denny, thanks for making it a Chevy. We are the Chevy faithful. If a high tech, high mileage, GM car actually materializes out of all this, our family will be at the head of the line with Jeff to buy one, even if it’s a Saturn. but a Chevy would be 100 times better.
Also, this is a much more appropriate size of car than a Vue for this effort. If we have learned one thing as road racers, it is that weight is the enemy. Part of the appeal of the Prius is that it is a step up in size from the “B” sized cars that are so hot right now, but the hybrid system allows superior mileage anyway. My wife is afraid to drive an Aveo in LA city traffic, but she would drive a Cobalt or ,God forbid, a Prius. Even so it would substantially smaller and lighter than a Vue, which is all to the good.
On the subject of weight, I think gtjeff will be pleased with the composite body panels. Absolutely, play to you strength and hard won experience. I have a cool book showing the original molds for the 1953 corvette body. 54 years of experience has to count for something. Can you use that in your marketing?
Dean
Beth,
The Volt looks great. Now, let’s get those batteries developed and get this into production ASAP. If you can do the Camaro by Model Year 2009, this needs to be in dealers in Calendar Year 2009. Great work and good luck.
Matt
It’s great to see a major automaker finally moving forward on what small companies have been proving possible for several years (see Energy CS, CalCars and HyMotion). But while the announcement is exciting, GM still isn’t giving any solid timeline on WHEN we can see these cars on the road or HOW MANY cars are actually going to be produced - at best they say 3-4 years if the battery technology is available. There is a demand for plug-in hybrids NOW - there are hundreds of cities, counties, utility districts and fleets already placing “soft orders” for such vehicles. Such early-adopters of these vehicles would provide test markets for GM to refine the technology and build public confidence and interest in these cars.
I have to admit I’m a little concerned that they will use the announcement of these concept cars more to clean up their image than clean up their product line. There is a lot GM can do between now and when we may see these concept vehicles actually on the road.
We all know increasing fuel efficiency is the direction automakers need to head - so let’s get past the hype of a handful of concept vehicles and look at what they are doing with the rest of their fleet. Overall average fuel economy from the Big 6 is worse today that it was 10 years ago and GM is still heavily dependent on its gas guzzling truck lines. In addition to that they are still fighting tooth-and-nail against increasing fuel economy regulations, suing states that try to limit greenhouse gas emissions, and in December argued before the Supreme Court that carbon from tailpipe emissions was not even a pollutant. GM is still planning to expand their Hummer line to become 25% of their overall sales. Consumers still have limited options to find fuel-efficient cars that are affordable, well-built, and fun to drive. There are plenty of things automakers can do today to increase fuel economy - and I’m tired of being shown distracting concept cars that we won’t see for 3-4 years if ever.
I’ve been working with the Freedom From Oil Campaign to make automakers honestly prioritize fuel economy and move beyond oil - check out what we do .
Raymond
GM at it’s Best !!! Excellent concept, I am ready to make GM number one again, when can I buy it ? make that when can I buy two
Bill Warner
I hope these go on sale soon. The genset takes care of the range problem with electric vehicles. Using a bigger battery pack to increase electric range would be great. Use nimh batteries in it.
Bill
OhmExcited
You created the GM EV1 Series Hybrid prototype in 1999. While the specs are not as good as the 2010-2012 Chevy Volt, it is not radically different. There is no reason you could not have produced these already using NiMH batteries. Please minimize the delays, and don’t make perfect the enemy of the good.
noel park
I agree with Eric Anderson, 1/8/07, 12:14 PM.
I too would make a down payment now to keep the faith and get on the “pre-purchase” list.
Where do I send the check?
Bill Robbins
Great looking car! I drive a 2004 Prius. I have $30K in CDs in the bank that will come due in the fall of 2009 which I will use to buy my next car. I am not wedded to Toyota, I am wedded to getting a plug-in hybrid. So if the Volt is the only plug-in hybrid available then (i.e. 2010 model year) I WILL buy it. Thank you for pursuing this technology, this is where we need to go! Thanks, -Bill
libertarian
GM has talked the talk. Let’s see if you folks can walk the walk.
The serial hybrid (Volt) is a game-changer. Prius and co. will need to do serious catchup if you can pull it off. My money and my cheers to whichever company can do the 100mpg production car first.
Daryl Anderson
This is very exciting. I just bought a compact (Scion XA) car, but only because I can’t get a Plug Hybrid. When they are available, sign me up. I’d rather by electricity and batteries from the U.S. than oil from OPEC. I very much like the “series-hybrid” approach. Seems much less complex…
Arthur Keller
I currently drive an electric-only Toyota RAV4 EV, so I know electric cars are practical vehicles for most of our every day driving. A plug-in hybrid vehicle, like the Volt, would make it practical for practically all of our driving. The technology is there to make the car today. So rush it into production right away and see how people rush back to GM. Consider making an expandable battery pack an option, so people can buy extended electric-only range if they wish. It is also feasible to have the extended range be an option for the driver, so that the extra batteries can be added as needed for longer trips. As someone who has never purchased a GM vehicle, if you build and sell a production plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, it could be the first GM vehicle I will ever buy. Make it a five-seater, so that it can be everyone’s family car. And make a minivan version for all the “soccer moms” and dads among us.
Benjamin Howard
E-Flex is a great concept and it’s what everyone has been asking GM to do and that’s what makes this so disappointing.
I was hoping for a production vehicle, something that would be on sales at dealers 6 months form now not another “maybe by 2010 car if there are better batteries”. Come on the EV1 was a 2 seat car and it could go 140 miles are you seriously telling us that in 2007 with the improvements that have been made in batteries that GM’s engineers can’t build a 4 seat car with a 40 mile range?
If the batteries really are still to heavy for a car build an E-Flex Chevy Colorado and/or GMC Canyon. Just build something that people can actually buy.
Every time GM builds one of these concept cars with no solid production plans you’re critics get stronger.
jim stack
too heavey, not aerodynamic and not as usable space inside as the Prius. Also only a concept. Wheres the 50+ mpg cars that lead up to this great idea.
I’m disappointed, again.
Keith
I am very supportive of this design and would absolutely love to buy one. The sooner we see this, the better. If there’s a mailing list to get updates on this, please sign me up.
Vernon
This is the car I have been waiting for. I just wish this was a product announcement with a delivery dates.
As for as a battery that is available now, why not use the nano-Titanate NanoSafe battery by Altair Nano. It has a battery life of 15,000 cycles and a power density of 4 KW/kg. The cycle life looks a lot better than the A123system battery. Give me one that’s going to last.
I want to become a GM family again. I would be glad to dump my Lexus for a Volt that is reliable and will last.
Thanks, GM. You are on the right track.
Chris Hayne
Hello,
In several previous posts, I have mentioned that perceptions take a long time to form and often longer to change. Well, the times they are a-changing.
Here is a quote from CNN.COM regarding the Volt and in reference to Toyota:
“Hard to imagine (and even harder to type) but based on {what} we have seen thus far, GM has an upper-hand in the Hybrid stakes. “.
Here is the link:
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/autos/0701/gallery.detroit4/index.html
Just thought I would share this.
Thanks,
Chris Hayne
LOVENIT
AWESOME CAR ! EVERYHOME HOME WITH SOLAR PANELS ON THEIR ROOFS ARE GOING TO BUY THIS CAR. NO POWER BILLS, SAY GOODBYE TO GAS STATIONS AND BEST OF ALL HELP SOLVE THE GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE CRISIS!
THANK YOU… PLEASE SELL THEM SOON !
Greg Guldenschuh
GM,
Well, I think you’ve come as close to my perfect vehicle as anyone could who didn’t actually read my mind! Electric propulsion, and a flex-fuel generator to keep the batteries charged! Would you consider offering an option of maybe an amorphous PV array that is permanently connected to the battery charger to allow the sun to assist in charging while driving and more importantly when the vehicle is just sitting in the parking lot? That would be one simply incredible option!
Sue Lyons
Great! Build it - But how about lots of mass production hybrids that get better than 50 mpg. Right now I drive a fuel efficient Chevy Prism. I know it’s a Toyota Corolla with a Chevy label but I wanted to buy car made in the U.S. and the Prism was made in California. I will be in the market for a new vehicle within the next year. I’m only looking at vehicles that top 40 mpg which leaves out the Saturn VUE. Right now the only companies that have the vehicles I want are Toyota and Honda. I know GM can catch up. Please do it before next year when I buy my next car!
Rick Lupori
Ms. Lowery: The Volt looks great
terryb Jan 7 10:13 PM: I was thinking the same thing - the Volt would be perfect powertrain to go with the Nomad concept version of a few years ago.
Noel Park: The Volt is about the size of the Astra 5-door which should be perfect for your wife. And if it had the 53-54 Vette styling and utility of the Nomad Concept with optional extended cab style rear doors it would sell.
Hopefully GM will create a line of “Volt” models -
from 2 door to 5 door with at least one hatchback.
Paul: Looks like GM is going to build your car.
I am guessing the production version will be “toned down” a bit and have at least 5 passenger capacity and plenty of utility.
Hopefully, a diesel will be an option as Beth hinted but as usual the real culprit to no diesel is the overly strict emission standards.
Gereon Langlitz: Great idea with the solar panels, if I am not mistaken Mazda used one to power a interior ventilation fan on a vehicle a few years back - so it should work on the Volt.
As far as the critics, where is Toyota’s plug-in? They brought overweight, inefficient pickup to the show. One that gets 4 MPG LESS than the Silverado/Sierra even with a 5-speed and much less power.
Don’t see any concepts from anyone else either.
Please bear in mind that 2010-2012 is only 3-5 years away and is within the typical auto industry development time for a entirely new product.
GM does need to really bring the E-Flex platform into production. May I suggest building the car with the best batteries available in a real world product development program like the GM Fuel Cell Vehicle.
Looking around the web, especially the “green” sites, the Volt is getting a very positive reception with most reservations centered on whether GM will actually build it.
Do me a favor, one of my diehard Toyota co-workers actually said that he would buy a Volt for his wife. Build it so I can see if he is being sincere.
Cor van de Water
This looks very promising. If GM executes this concept (and they should be able to do that in about 2 years) then they can become great again.
But I am skeptical. It may be another smoke and mirror show to hide the killing of the previous EV for some positive PR, but I will laugh in their faces when the ZEV mandate that was recently approved in California and 10 other states does kick in in 2009 and Toyota or Honda has their line of EVs ready to roll, while GM is still waiting for batteries. That part of the story is bullcrap, as there are hundreds if not thousands of EVs on the road today with batteries that go 125 miles per charge. Take 1/4 or so of those batteries if weight and cost is an issue - 30 miles range is plenty if you have the engine onboard to recharge them while you go. No waiting for a recharge.
Sweet part is that IF you have 6 hours (like drive to work, plug in, drive home, plug in) you never have to go to the gas station again!
Until it becomes clear if GM is serious about this concept, I will continue to drive my S-10 electric truck to work every day and for long distance use my ‘gas guzzling’ Prius.
Steve Gelmis
I didn’t know this blog existed before setting out to find a way to communicate my reaction to the Volt announcement with top GM executives. I can make due with this forum.
Gentlemen: In my 49 years of life I’ve never been a GM customer. The company simply never made any products which spoke to me. Currently I’m a Toyota driver, but I’ve owned many vehicles from VW and BMW, to Volvo, Alfa Romeo, Honda, Isuzu and Range Rover (my SUV phase).
The Volt completely changes the game however. If it is truly representative of GM’s new direction it will make a loyal lifetime customer out of me. I’ll also teach my young children what’s great about the thinking behind this idea when they’re old enough to appreciate it. That’s a promise (two actually).
I hope you’ll follow through and be in production soon.
Best regards
John Acheson
This platform reminds me of the world’s first hybrid.
Porsche’s hand built vehicle back before 1900 also was a series hybrid. It was his 2nd design and was 83% efficient. The Prius that came along 100 years later doubled the other billion cars roaming earth to 37%…What about the Volt?
All the diesel-electric hybrid trains that built America are series hybrids. So are the nuclear-electric series hybrid submarines. Even most of your gas-electric driers are hybrids.
The Volt is a hybrid, not an electric car, yet…Why did it take so long to get back to Porsche’s 106+ year old design and make a leap forward in efficiency?
The Volt is probably more efficient than the Prius and could be the most efficient car on Earth, if released to showrooms…
A prosperous year and much luck getting it through safety and smog testing GM.
I applaud your vision!
Gray
“we’ve added a range extender using a system we call E-Flex. Basically, it works by using the onboard engine to generate additional energy for the battery.”
Excuse me pls, Ms. Lowery, but that’s not the description of a technologically advanced electric car, I think the public already knows the concept under the name ‘hybrid’ since some years…
“When the lithium-ion battery is fully charged, the Volt can deliver 40 city miles of pure electric vehicle range.”
Hmm. I’m underwhelmed. Pls compare your specs with those of another, really electric, car that’s already in production:
“The Tesla’s giant lithium-ion battery pack gives it the power to hit 60 in four seconds, to run 250 miles without a recharge, and to charge rapidly at its home charging base (a one-hour charge will take you 80 miles; it takes a 3.5-hour charge to go 250 miles).”
http://www.slate.com/id/2154425/
The Volt generally sounds like a good idea, but why can’t GM cope with the product of an obscure little company that sells only a few hundred cars a year? Try harder. Right now you’re only second winner behind Tesla Motors, if at all.
Arthur Keller
Part of GM’s discussion around batteries claims that they are not ready for prime time. The limited production GM EV1 had a 150 mile range with NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries and 1998 technology. Similarly, the Toyota RAV4 EV (also 1998 technology) has a 120 mile range. (GM EV1 is past tense, because they were all removed from service and crushed; Toyota RAV4 EV is current tense, because there are still hundreds on the road, including hundreds owned by individuals such as this commenter.) In mass production, those NiMH Ovonics batteries can be placed inexpensively in a Volt TODAY.
Alternatively, GM can license the technology for combining a bunch of Lithium Ion cells into a battery pack from AC Propulsion. AC Propulsion is using that technology today to convert Scion xB cars into all-electric eBoxes.
Again, in mass production, the Lithium Ion batteries can be built inexpensively.
Tesla Motors has created similar technology with Lithium Ion cells to build a car that can go 250 miles on a single charge. With GM’s manufacturing prowess and volume, battery packs one-quarter the capacity could be quickly adapted and inexpensively built to power the Volt TODAY.
Bottom Line: there is no need to wait for better batteries. Make a car with the acceptable batteries available now, and then upgrade to better batteries as they become available.
Right now, for this car, GM stands for “Good Marketing.” Please change that quickly into “General Manufacturing.”
Michael
While a 40 mile range will probably be acceptable to many folks, there are also many of us that have a longer daily commute. Could you PLEASE make available an option to increase the mileage available under EV only mode, perhaps in 20 mile increments. I know that battery cost can be rather high, but if it’s an option, then we’ll be the one’s deciding how much we’re willing to pay for the increased range.
Good start, although my personal preference would be for a vehicle that’s a little more practical, such as a CUV.
Jay
I and my family have decided to not purchase a new vehicle until we can purchase a plug in or more efficient vehicle. The volt or anything built on the Volt concept would get us into the new car market instead of purchasing used vehicles. I WOULD buy the best vehicle for my needs with this technology.
Build it.
John Dodge
Very cool. When will it be built?
Bob Larson
My second post on this, but I have a question for GM: If the E-flex concept is flexible on the “source of electricity” end, couldn’t you also make the battery pack modular in a way that it could keep up with emerging battery technology? I say this not only to make the car more obsolete-proof, but thinking that you could target a Volt to appear sooner (like 2010) which uses proven battery technology like from EV1, and maybe have a 20 mile electric-only range.
If you could produce the EV1 so many years ago, I would think you could do a Volt like this now, at least for warmer climates. Then when your joint ventures produce superior battery modules, consumers would have the option of making the swap. This would also allow you to announce a targeted on-sale date, which would give you a lot more “greenie” points than a “just you wait and see, someday!”
As for me, I currently commute less than 10 miles a day, but if I drive our GMC XUV I still use about a gallon of gas each day, because of the short trips in local driving. So I could definitely stay all-electric most of the time with existing technology. And even for those who drive longer distances, they would still end up using a lot less fuel than they do now, based on your Volt specs, even compared to cars like the current Prius.
You just know a plug-in Prius is just around the corner, and Toyota will be hailed once again as the Savior of the World by most of the media. GM needs to be there at the same time with something to deflate Toyota. You did it with the full-sized trucks, now you need that same urgency with your E-flex car. I’m really hoping you’re just being sly about the Volt and you’ll surprise the marketplace with a car that beats Prius at its own game, by 2009.
Larry Hayes
>
With all due respect, Beth, many of us remain unconvinced that GM “gets it” when it comes to being truly competitive and committed to environmentally friendly vehicles. Proof? One has only to read GM VP Bob Lutz’s recent blog of just two weeks ago in which he goes back to basically begging our government to help save GM from the big bad Japanese, who apparently have eyes on the full-sized truck market now, the last bastion of Detroit supremacy in the automotive market–and the source of most of its profits–to see that the game hasn’t changed.
It will take far more than a concept car and a bunch of verbal promises IMO to undo the damage GM has done to date through its constant (and ongoing) fight against improved fuel efficiency and clean air standards that most Americans consider crucial today in cleaning up our environment and getting us out from under OPEC’s grip.
Sorry, Beth, but GM can’t have it both ways. Either it truly commits the company to these goals consistently across the board and in a steadfast manner, are it is once again blowing smoke up our proverbial keesters.
Larry Hayes
Manager
Google Groups Tidalforce Owners Forum
Tom W.
Beth,
The Chevrolet Volt is a pleasant design and a very welcome suprise concept. Great work designers! I would like the wish GM the best of luck with the new lithium-ion battery development contracts. I would also like to wish Denise Gray all the best in her role of director of hybrid energy storage systems and hope her collaborative research with the (USABC) yeilds the results to put the Chevrolet Volt on the FAST track to production.
GM has heard the call loud and clear, and for that I thank all the hard working men and women making the hybrid future happen today.
Comsumers want a true real world hybrid with the features shown on the Volt.
Now follow through and sweat the details to produce a world class vehicle.
Lead the way GM!
SuAlfons
Hey Matt Meaddows… No American invented the car!
It was invented by Carl Benz (a three wheeler) and a bit later also by Gottlieb Daimler (a coach-type car). The two later on found Daimler-Benz, known today as DaimlerChrysler.
PS: Diesel is cheaper or equal to gas in all European countries (for tax reasons).
noel park
What a crew of bloggers! I love it! Come on Bob, make it happen!
Did anyone see “Hybrid autos save money in long run, study finds”, Los Angeles Times, January 8, 2007? This story got a lot of play on the radio news in LA yesterday, so I assume it must have gotten some national coverage.
A good summary might be the following paragraph:
“But a new study by Intellichoice.com, which specializes in automotive cost-of-ownership data, says that hybrid buyers are still the winners when you factor in costs of financing, fuel, insurance, state taxes and license fees, repairs, maintenance and depreciation.”
They include a table of the “lifecycle” costs of avaiable hybrids compared to similar conventional cars and trucks. Even the Silverado/Sierra hybrids come out less expensive. Amazing! Who knew?
OhmExcited
GM Executives:
You should consider expanding the product offerings on this line of technology. You might be surprised what premium early adopters are willing to pony up, giving you essentially beta testers who pay you!
The broad “glass” roof of the Volt is perfect for integrating cheap thin film solar from nanosolar.com (up and running soon). Consider parterning with them to at least produce concept vehicles for the next generation.
Also, consider making some battery only models. Fine tune the A/C induction motor and electronics. Open a branch R&D facility in Silicon Valley. Make a Corvette that either beats the Tesla or is cheaper.
So much of GM’s recent decisions can be explained by you needing cash and needing it now (therefore taking government contracts to focus on hydrogen, or selling off the EV battery patents to Texaco-Chevron). The type of things I mentioned cost money, but will have profound effects on your employee morale, creativity and productivity, and will lay a foundation to reap benefits for the future. It’s all about attitude.
Tim
Just makes my heart go pitter-patter and brings a tear of joy! GM and America can still lead!!! This is certainly a global game changer. I feel like it’s my first prom all over again. Yes, I have a long memory!! Anyway… Questions:
How much will it cost? Can I purchase, or will they only “lease” it to me? Can I take delivery in 2008? Can I have the option regarding all electric range (40-60-90-120 miles) at extra cost when I purchase. Can I use it as an auxiliary power source for my home in case of emergency and for power tools, toys etc. with 120/240vac plugs under hood, in the trunk and maybe under the front seat? The skateboard evolves! We can again be proud to be American!!
Tracy Talley
Dear Beth and GM.
I decided some time ago that the next vehicle I purchase would have to have the ability to plug in to the electrical outlet that is in my garage where my electric assist bicycles now reside. I’m taking a stand on this and am telling everyone I know why: to save our planet and to get out from under the control of other countries who supply us with the fuel we desperately need in this country to exist as a free country who must have the ability to travel to do anything. We can drastically cut down on this dependency through the plug in hybrid car. I hope GM follows through with the plug in quickly so that I can be one of their customers again.
robert
can you put an S-10 body on the Volt frame? i love my mini pickup, extended cab version. I almost did an EV conversion of my S-10 before this announcement.
I am willing to put a deposit or “soft order” in on one at my local dealer of $500.
I also bought a bunch of GM stock.
The hopes and livelihoods of thousands of folks ride on the success of this.
BT
Love this concept! Quick thought…not an engineer but couldn’t you use some kind of wind-power to help keep batteries charged? Little fans in the grille that act like wind turbines..spin while you drive creating electricity…that kind of thing?
A Faltakos
The Chevrolet Volt has given me a reason to start using my GM Visa card once again.
Joe OBrien Jr
PLEASE, built this vehicle, I will buy it CASH, no financing needed. This is the vehicle I have been waiting for.
I had completely gave up on American vehicles, and was waiting for the imports to release the first modern day EV.
I was content to let GM and the rest of the American auto industry rust away to nothing as all they ever sell is just a redesigned/rebadged gas guzzler.
Finally, I can tell myself to buy an American car again only if you sell this vehicle.
I will be paitently waiting with cash in hand for a vehicle like this to be sold.
I’m waiting………
-Joe O’Brien Jr.
Anup
Please check out the discussion generated by Volt on Green Car Congress.
Patricia Roberts
I will not buy another vehicle until I can get a fuel efficient flex fuel plug-in hybrid. The Volt sounds like the one but I will buy the first such vehicle that becomes available regardless of brand because of the urgency in dealing with global warming and oil dependency.
control box E
I think GM should get this car on the road as soon as possible. The EVI was the “stereotypical EV car” it wasnt sleek and stylish like the volt. The E-Flux is very creative and smart. I would get it in black! People will buy and you’ll make $ and also help contribute to a better world. GET THIS CAR ON THE ROAD!
-Andrew-Nashville, TN.
motorman
if everyone buys this car the pollution moves from the car to the power plant that generates the electricity to charge the batteries. since the “greens” want cars like this BUT they do not want non polluting nuclear powered electric generating plants what do we gain?
MellotronGirl!
Bob Larson would like a Volt pick-up truck, and so would I. Design it along the lines of the Chevy SSR, and GM will have a winner there, too. It sould be a lot more of a winner than the original SSR…a gas guzzler if there ever was one…
Patrick
The VOLTS drivetrain rocks!!!! I’m in complete DISBELIEF seeing this concept coming from GM , full aware of GM’s dark past with the Ev’s???
I sincerely hope and PRAY that GM and all americans will start Winning soon with the immediate production of the volts or volts drivetrain with many different style vehicles . GM Please Pledge all your time and recources in MASS PRODUCING a Plug in hybrid , even if it’s a Geo Metro plug in hybrid ….I’ll buy IT!!!
Like many other bloggers upgradeable batteries later is fine, even options for different qaulity battery packs and offering base models that can be purchased by most americans , Lets just get this in the publics driveways soon. Before I’m driven to buy toyota and Honda as I understand there are a few companies now that are converting The PRIUS into Plug in ….
timbo
Re: Battery availability
The only issue with batteries for the Volt is cost. The Li-Ions exist (A123, Altairnano, etc), but they’re expensive today.
So, GM, instead of pressuring Congress to lower CAFE standards, why don’t you get them to enact a $6000 tax rebate for plug-in hybrids (ones with an all-electric range of over 30 miles). That’d mitigate the battery cost and you could get this thing on the road sooner.
Everyone knows that Toyota’s planning a Li-Ion hybrid for 2009. You’ve got a great chance to take the lead here, but waiting until 2012 is going to make you an also-ran at best.
EJ
The Volt concept raises a lot of questions.
For instance: if I drive from San Francisco to LA (a distance of 400 miles) at 80 miles per hour and the battery runs low after 40 miles, does the little gas engine produce enough juice to keep me going at 80 MPH?
Kirk
I’ve never bought an American cars because they’re mostly garbage compared to Japanese models (despite the spin, this is absolutely true). I’ve also made the decision to put off my next car purchase until I can buy electric. Build the Volt and I will absolutely buy it. I would have bought a used EV1, but you crushed them all. So silly.
Please build the Volt and lets stop burning dead dinosaurs to get around. The future is electric - wind farms, solar power - it’s just a matter of time.
And please forget that ridiculous idea of fuel cells - I’m sure your petroleum buddies will figure out some other way to make money, but don’t encourage them will this ludicrous technology. Just build an electric car and let’s get on it with it already!
You’ve made some unbelievable mistakes over the last 10 years trying to placate the oil industry. They’ll survive - let it go. Start building electric cars and you’ll take a big step forward on being forgiven.
Paul Stockley
I have never owned a GM vehicle but if you produce this car that could very well change. I think this is a very pragmatic solution to reducing our dependence on oil and reducing our CO2 emissions. Plus, just imagine, if everyone drove this kind of car, the air and noise pollution in our cities would be considerably less. Please just produce this car in a reasonable time frame and make it reliable. I don’t mind paying a little extra if it means a better quality product will be the end result. However, I will warn you that you have a race on your hands. I will buy the first plug-in car (with electric range of 30 miles or more) from a major manufacturer that comes to market.
Barry
Awesome baby! I’d buy one. I hope you find a way to commercialize this even if it is in a run of 5000 vehicles. If GM can’t do so profitably in house, outsource the commercialization. Do what IBM did with the first PC nearly thirty years ago with a small skunkworks project. GM’s been busy. Need I say you are stealing the Detroit Auto Show. I’ll be there this weekend and can’t wait to see the GM displays.
Majeasy
build this car asap
then create an after market business in product updates.
add a CD reader to each car so that when updated components are purchased a CD can included to reflash/reprogram the cars computer. this way the car can be personalized for each drivers needs. then send me mucho dinero for this great idea.
Stan
This is such a brilliant concept by GM and I am thankful they have the guts to show it. The styling is not that great and I think for such a ground breaking car they should make it a more iconic small car to match the Beetle and Prius 2. The body does not fit such a unique concept.
Still this sets the stage for the future of the car. Start perfecting the electric drive system and controls. Introduce electric steering and remote electric breaking. The car will become almost solid state with no fluids and hydraulics. Only the little gasoline generator heart will remain until the battery tech improves. Then the space for the engine can be replaced with that 500 mile charge battery. All other components are the same. A beautiful evolution!
I wonder if they will develop this with BMW and Mercedes like the hybrid project?
Dick
The Volt definitely captures the excitement of the real 66 Olds Torondao (”My Dad’s Oldsmobile”) and the Malibu SS (the first new car I bought).
Dad is up there in special spot of Heaven for 70 year 100% loyal GM customers saying “That’s a REAL CAR!”
EJ
The Volt concept makes me wonder about a lot of things.
For instance: if the Volt is a “no compromise” vehicle, the little 1L engine must be good enough to keep you going under extreme conditions: battery empty, driving 80 MPH on a freeway (or 70 MPH up a freeway incline) with airconditioning on.
In fact, if this is true, then even without the large battery this car should be very appealing. If you leave off the large, expensive battery and only put a small battery, you would still have a very appealing vehicle, if it gets 50 MPG this way, right?
If a small 1L engine is good enough, then why do conventional cars have such big engines?
Along this line of thinking: why do we need to wait for the arrival of large Lithium batteries, if today you could already make a Volt with a small NiMH battery, with 1L engine, that gets 50 MPG? You could just leave the large battery and plug-in feature for the next version. And you would have an immediate competitor for the Toyota Prius.
What do you think?
André
Why not make a more rational battery that doesn’t cut north-south the interior of the car and takes away any possibility to seat people on the middle of the car (hey, think about 5, 6 passenger seating to maximize the number of people carried by a PHEV). Instead, make it a flat one under the floor that passengers step. By making this, you’d also lower the center of gravity and make it more spacious, creating a 100% flat floor all around (allowing the center passengers to stay with their legs closer). And also, it’d be great if we can have solar panels to keep the batt full without using the combustion engine the more we can. Hey, it’d be great to leave our hypothetic Volts under the sun and, instead of dealing with a hotter-than-hell ride, meet one very fresh (because the solar panels, with the car stopped, would also feed the ventilation to cool it while parked, and also filling the batt up to go another 40 miles or more without gasoline.
bcjohnso99
Does having an engine that runs at a constant RPM mean than emission regulations can be met cheaper/easier????
If so, get this type of platform (diesel-electric) rolling for bigger vehicles with one of the great ECOTEC diesels from Europe…
Jeff
May I suggest a vehicle name for the Saturn brand…”ION”. It appears the current vehicle with this name is scheduled to be discontinued. Also, the new “ION” could be available with a “LI” package (ION-LI).
noel park
Timbo, 1/9, 11:07 PM:
Right!
If the Feds can subsidize the Prius to the tune of $3500+ per car for the first 65,000 units, they can d*** well do this.
Marc Geller
Thrilled with GM’s Volt announcement. However, GM has already proven that a Gen 1 Volt could be produced very quickly with NiMH batteries. Early adopters would flock to an early release, until Lithium pack is ready for mass commercialization. We can’t afford to wait for “perfect,” which never arrives, anyway.
plugsandcars.blogspot.com
Nigel Gamecock
Plug in electrics sound great — if you live in a house with your own garage.
But what if you live in an apartment with a big open parking lot?
How do you recharge them on a trip when you’re staying at a motel or hotel? How much will those motels charge to let you recharge your car?
It seems part of the needed infrastructure will be for places such as apartment buildings and motels to provide facilities for recharging.
Diesel-electric hybrid
In some respects the Volt will be similar to diesel-electric locomotives that use diesel engines to turn generators that in turn supply electricity for traction motors at the wheels.
When the batteries are depleted, will the Volt
operate like a true series hybrid, with the engine (gasoline or diesel) turning a generator to supply electricty to the drive wheels?
If that’s the case, why not use a small, efficient diesel instead of a gasoline engine? A diesel engine that does nothing more than turn the generator could operate extremely efficiently in a narrow RPM range.
There are already plenty of small, clean diesel engines in Europe. I hope your plans to wait for development of an efficient and cost effective Lithium-ion battery pack also include plans to develop a small, clean, efficient diesel to go with it.
Beth said,
Actually, there is nothing innovative about that. That is how diesel-electric train locomotives have operated for decades.
A looming lithium shortage?
If the wave of the future in personal transportation involves lithium-ion batteries, will there be a day when we become just as dependent on lithium as on fossil fuels? Has anyone investigated whether there will be enough lithium to do this?
And speaking of lithium: Wasn’t Capt Kirk’s starship the Enterprise powered by dilithium crystals?
jnaggs
i like the design, the wheels are pushed all the way to the corners. this car might not be a beast in a straight line but there is no way it wont handel well with that low wide stance.
the powertrain is great, it eliminates most of the complexity, weight and cost of a hybrid while providing most of the benefits. by using fuel to extend range you avoid most of the problems with pure electric cars. you can fill it up anywhere, instead of sit and wait while it charges.
this might be the first look at the car of the future. a true electric car that makes sense in the real world at a price that makes sense for the consumer.
Perry Kravec
Ever since my two day rental of the EV1 while on vacation in LA I’ve been waiting for a car like this!!!!!
BUILD IT!!! NOW!!!
The electic drive is the only way to go. The hybrids out today are over complicated inpractical, unreliable and extremely expensive to own.
The electric driveline is extremely reliable and in the long run much less expensive to own.. and most of all.. they don’t need gasoline.
All we have to do is give GM a level playing field.. stop giving unfair advantages to it’s foreign competitors and we will see the best cars ever built.
GOOD JOB GM…
GOOD JOB GM ENGINEERS!!
mulad
Congratulations on creating the most buzzed-about concept vehicle at this auto show. I hope it gets built without too many compromises. As far as I can tell, the biggest things holding back production of this vehicle are the cost of the battery pack and its potential impact on safety. If those concerns can’t be completely met by the time model year 2010 rolls around, I hope you’ll consider releasing the vehicle with a downsized battery pack (hopefully still with the option of a full pack for those who can afford it) until the remaining issues are worked out.
As your company pointed out with previous concept vehicles like the Hy-wire, electric drivetrains allow designers a great deal of flexibility in what they create. I’m disappointed that it took General Motors until now to realize that this was possible with series hybrid designs and not just hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, but better late than never!
Making it a plug-in vehicle is a nice touch, and I think many of your engineers have already realized that electrical distribution is more efficient overall than hydrogen is ever likely to be. The Chevy Volt is an elegant 80/20 solution to the problem of transportation. Get 80% of the people to their destinations on electricity alone 80% of the time, and use other sources the other 20% of the time.
Barry above just mentioned the “skunkworks” IBM PC project, and I’m sure the Volt will be regarded in many ways like the PC was as a disruptive technology that helped legitimize a whole new way of doing business. Whether or not GM reaches the market first, the Volt concept has enlightened many to the fact that plug-in hybrids are a great next step in restoring the energy balance of the human race. Thanks, and good luck!
(Oh, and I grew up riding and driving in Chevys. I’ve got myself a VW Jetta TDI at the moment, but it’d be nice to have a bowtie in my parking space again in five more years.)
JW
I know a lot of people here are saying, “build the Volt and I will buy one.” Sometimes consumers say something and then the product comes out and no one buys it. BUT I THINK IT’S DIFFERENT IN THIS CASE!!!!!
The Environmentalist have been asking for Plug-in cars and Electric cars for years now. They go out of their way to get their cars converted to run on batteries. THEY WANT THIS CAR.
And then there are others, who want to become less reliant on middle-east oil. They say, give me something that uses less fuel and doesn’t compromise.
Then there are others, who want the latest technology (ie. Prius, I-pod, I-phone, blackberry, bluetooth, NavSystems). They would all want to buy this car to show off!
There’s yet another group. Those that just want a better mousetrap. Get them from Point-A to Point-B without spending a lot of money. They’d be happy with a 40mpg car out of GM, much less one that might never use a gallon of gas.
Then there is the last group. Those that want to give GM another try. GM fans. They would flock to this car, because they could show all their Toyota and Honda friends how progressive GM actually is.
I’ve talked to 20-30 people about this car, and all of them said if it were reliable and styled right, they’d buy one, if not for the whole family, at least as a second car.
YOU WOULD OWN THE MARKET. Everyone could live with this car, and most would want to! Could you imagine!?!?!?!?!!?!!?!?!?!
Build 4 to 5 vehicles off this platform . . . a midsizer, a high roof car looking crossover, a 2-door and an SUV-looking crossover and you will not be able to make enough of them, guaranteed. At least get one out! Think of the eventual part sharing and economies of scale, and consider if these were sold in North America, China, Europe, South America and get this . . . . Japan! You could sell 5 million off this one platform. And if all the talk is true, you could always swap in the Fuel Cell in the future.
But DON’T WAIT! The cat is now out of the bag, and if Toyota or Honda or Hyundai or Ford or DCX or Nissan or anyone else thinks this is a good idea, how long do you think it will be before they come out with one and OWN THE MARKET? You may miss your opportunity and you may never recover. I only pray that I’m not looking at a Toyota version of this technology on the road 3 years from now, thinking, “What were all those positive comments about GM about on the internet back in 2007?”
Again, the cat’s out of the bag. Put the current battery technology out there and start building. Gen-2 can get the latest batteries, and Gen-3 can get even later battery technology. Figure out how to upgrade people’s battery packs or convert them to Fuel Cells as new technology emerges. Make it easy for people to settle on this one now and not worry that you won’t get them something better for relatively little cost add or inconvenience.
I’d buy one today if it were available and only got a 20 mile range. My roundtrip to work is only 35 miles. If I knew that in 3 years, I could upgrade my battery pack for say, $2000-$3000, I wouldn’t think I’d even have to be concerned about current technology battery life. People upgrade their computers every 3-4 years too.
THIS COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING, AND I’VE NEVER BEEN SO IMPRESSED WITH GM. BUT THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG. THE CLOCK IS TICKING. Good luck, GM! I’m pulling for you.
Rick
So Awesome. Please make it happen and make it affordable for all of us. We have seen so many concepts and so many that we can never have. Please do it fast and let the oil producing countries choke on their crude.
zfw
Many company is researching and developing this kind car. GM should put this car to market asap!
Ohiofan
A strong move into GM’s (and the industry’s) future that must be accomplished in time for the 2012 model year. 2011 would be better.
Growltiger
Get this car on the road ASAP.
Use this type of powertrain for all future GM vehicles.
Paul
Yes, but they always seemed to have trouble with them at the most inopportune times…
Frank Jungman
If anyone is still reading this far down the page…
The technical challenges are not huge here, but still, we should not trivialize the technology. Let GM make this perform as well as its legendary lines of automatic transmissions for smoothness and the responsiveness the small block is famous for.
But, while I understand the idea of a concept is to attract attention and the car is beautiful (I own a DB7, so I know beauty), this is not a car for the masses. This car needs to be for the masses to make an impact. Put this drivetrain into the next Malibu, Impala, Colorado and Sivarado.
The Concept shows strong DNA to the Camaro, but a LOT of people that aren’t in the Navy or are not 16-year old boys, don’t find the Camaro attractive. The Camary is perennially one of the ugliest cars on the planet, yet they can’t keep them on the lots. Also, I highly applaud keeping the car’s interior that of an actual car, unlike the popular hybrids today.
I hope, even if you sell them at break-even in the first year or two until battery prices fall, you still build it to advance the technology. There will be new and surprising sources of electricity (soon) for those OEMs that have found a way to properly harness the electron.
Jonathan Cassidy
Right direction, Can GM pull it off as good as Toyota? My ext 2 cars will be max mileage and minimum body.
Gerry
I love the idea that GM is taking a lead in alternative fuel studies for the future, but I worry this will become another EV1: a project GM puts effort into, and then loses interest. I already see that with the Sequel. I thought hydrogen power was where the General was focusing its effort.
Dan Redmond
We are having our home converted to
PV solar electric next month. The first
company to bring a Plug In Hybrid car to the public will get our business.
Don Francis
At last some hope. I am a former EV1 driver who had assumed that our family’s next vehicle would have to be a Toyota. I just hope that this is not just hype. I seem to remember seeing a vehicle called the Triax at some of the auto shows in 1999 that was also a PHEV. Never again saw the light of day. I am waiting but not much longer on GM to produce a vehicle like this. Your call……
Joy
I want this car. Please build it as soon as possible. I am anxious to park this wonderful American car amongst the Prius throng at my yoga class!
W Plummer
The next car I buy will be a PHEV. I hope it’s yours!
Gary Dikkers
Ah, lithium-ion batteries.
Hope GM has checked with Apple, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and Sony and gotten their opinion on them. All had problems with overheating and exploding lithium-ion batteries in their computers during 2006. (Would really ruin your day to being going down I-5 at 70 mph when the lithium-ion battery pack decides to go critical mass.)
Will there be enough lithium?
The really big question though is will there be enough lithium to support a world-class company using great numbers of large, heavy-duty lithium-ion batteries for propulsion? (I’m sure GM hopes the numbers will be in the hundreds of thousands or even millions. And GM isn’t the only auto company with an eye on using lithium-ion batteries. Renault has also announced their intent to develop hybrids using lithium-ion batteries, and does anyone think Toyota, Honda, and the others won’t be close behind?)
So will there be enough lithium? That’s a thorny question, and the probable answer is troubling:
Lithium is a strategic commodity with most of the world’s supply coming from Chile and Argentina. (Brazil apparently also has some reserves.) World production and demand are now closely balanced and there is little excess supply to meet the already growing demand for smaller lithium batteries to supply consumer electronics. A world-class company deciding to use massive amounts of lithium will surely put big smiles on the faces of the lithium speculators of the world.
Part of GM’s challenge will not only be hoping their supplier can develop a practical, low-cost, reliable (one that doesn’t tend to overheat and explode), lithium-ion battery, but also to keep the price of lithium from shooting through the ceiling as they get closer to the rollout date of the Volt. (Perhaps GM has already been secretly buying Chilean lithium mines?)
Let’s also hope Chile, Argentina, and Brazil don’t decide to become the Organization of Lithium Exporting Countries (OLEC) - we’ve already had more than our share of problems with OPEC.
Could it be we will some day curse “Big Lithium” as we now curse “Big Oil?”
gtjeff
I can see some design elements from both the Saturn Curve and Chevy Nomad concept cars in the Chevy Volt. Speaking of Nomad, why isnt it in your lineup-a home run hitter sitting on the bench?
The Volt is an interesting concept. I like the plastic panels, Bob. I would bet a lot of Saturn owners will be interested for this reason as well. The EV1 had an aluminum chassis, the Volt should also, since it would reduce overall vehicle weight by 100-200 pounds. The Honda Insight was built with an aluminum chassis as well.
Imagine what the weight reduction would be on an aluminum chassis, plastic paneled Silverado or Escalade? GM has two of its four spaceframe plants half empty. No other manufacturer could even come close to the unit volume GM could produce. That technology could be a game changer, with the right product mix.
GM should consider using the Kappa platform instead for Volt. A spaceframe will minimize overall vehicle weight, while maintaining 5 star crash ratings. Kappa has a much better rear suspension and rear brakes than what is proposed for Volt.
Be first to market and you will have a hit on your hands.
earl j.
Am now commuting in a GM-built S10 electric truck and my wife just bought a prius. I would trade both in a heartbeat for a less-bulging version of this vehicle.
Ed
The Volt is a great idea. I may buy a Cherolet someday. Please don’t make it look too futuristic.
Michael
I would like to 2nd (or 3rd) the vote for adding an option for the nanosolar thin film cells on the roof. Should cost GM practically nothing as it would only be provided to customers willing to pay.
Gene DeJoannis
I like the power train concept. But the body style is not what I’m looking for. I want a good looking car but I really want a practical body style more. That means a wagon style. Next best is a hatch-back. One of the reasons the Toyota Prius has done so well (and why I bought one) is not just because it is a high-MPG hybrid, but because of the cargo-friendly body style and and many interior niceties. You should keep in mind that for a big ticket item like this I want more than a pretty face; in fact practical features are more important to me.
timbo
More on my previous post (that the batteries are already here, and that it’s just a cost issue), see:
http://www.calcars.org/calcars-news/653.html
Tax breaks are the way to get the initial cost down. This car will actually reduce the amount of oil this country needs to import. If that’s not worthy of a tax break, I don’t know what is. You’ve got a receptive Congress who’ll be happy to see the break go to an American company. Let’s do it!
Arnold
Suprize us and get this out in 2008 or SOONER!
david
GM is on the right track with this one, but they need to take it one step further. Is it that difficult to create an all electric vehicle with a plug-and-play option for longer trips? Removable power sources with a better controller would be a more flexible design.
Michael R
I don’t understand why an electric car has such a big grill, but other than that all I can say is build it build it build it.
Dan Abbott
I would love to see this technology applied to a pickup truck with a real towing capacity of say 5000 or more pounds. To be able to commute under electric power, and have enough torque to pull a boat, would be a dream come true for me. I’ll start saving right now for such a driveway mate for our Prius.
Jim Barracca
The Volt is the answer now.Since 1983 I have only purchased GM products usually every 3 or 4 years.That would continue indefinitly if GM would produce the Volt before another company beats you to the market.This is your baby make it walk.
peter wolken
The people are unanimously in favor of getting this car to market ASAP! Suggest you get your dealer network to start taking advance orders so that you can accelerate the introduction. All I see is upside for this solution.
David
Fantastic concept car! I’ve been a GM credit card holder for 15 years and have used the savings he purchase my last 2 vehicles. I used to be a stockholder too, but have been discouraged with GM’s direction for some time. Since before the EV1 I’ve followed electric power for cars. It didn’t take much reading to determine that technology available back then did not Support all electric consumer autos, but it was capable enough for hybrids (or range extenders if you prefer). I expected to see something like this from GM a while ago, but am pleased by GM’s commitment to build E-flex vehicles. I only wish GM would commit to build them sooner, with technology available today. The hybrid Saturn Vue, Silverado, and new efficient Tahoe and Yukon show GM has listened some and they are commendable. I am willing to buy another GM, but the next car I buy in 2-3 years will be a plug-in.
E-flex is a great idea, especially for a global company like GM. That’s what an electric drivetrain allows for, tremendous flexibility. 50mpg using a 50Kw generator sounds very efficient. Is this genset currently available or is there some development needed for this component too?
The Volt concept raises a lot of questions. For instance: if I drive from San Francisco to LA (a distance of 400 miles) at 80 miles per hour and the battery runs low after 40 miles, does the little gas engine produce enough juice to keep me going at 80 MPH? - Posted by: EJ
It would definitely be good to hear some more about the Volt’s design and especially more detail about the controls. The Volt’s specs do show the generator capable of 53KW peak output. Traveling 80 MPH would consume approximately 13kW. AC load is relatively minor, so there shouldn’t be a problem going 80 uphill. Acceleration may be limited at times but it appears they don’t intend to drain the battery completely and it sounds like they intend to charge the battery with the generator. I hope they also plan to power the motor directly too, without going through the losses of the battery as much as possible.
Some have expressed concerns about battery charging just moving pollution from the tailpipe to coal fired power plants. While pollution from power plants is a legitimate concern, it should not be one boo plug-ins. Only 23% of energy production in she US in 2005 came from coal (http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/pdf/pages/sec1.pdf) and a lot of the charging energy will come from existing excess grid capacity. Grid capacity is sized for peak demand, which occurs during the day while most business are operating. Additionally, newer plants (of all fuel types) are much cleaner than previous versions. An even better reason to support plugins, is the flexibility they provide that GM is so vociferously touting. Currently there is a tremendous amount of investment in solar PRODUCTION (not research) capacity (several hundreds of millions of dollars, perhaps in the billions)! Electricity can come from many sources, including your home’s roof!
So, GM, instead of pressuring Congress to lower CAFE standards, why don’t you get them to enact a $6000 tax rebate for plug-in hybrids - Posted by: timbo
Excellent idea! How about start at $4500 for 10 mile battery and increase $500 for each additional 10 miles of battery capacity. Incentives to buy products work best.
Please don’t forget to include ample outputs, 120v and/or 240v. Home gensets cost a lot and there are a lot of folks along the coast that would love to have the 50KW generator for backup power, hot to mention as a remote power source too. If this could be done and the tax incentive too, then I could afford to spend $10-15K more for the Volt than for a conventional auto. And that’s before considering operational cost savings.
Can I have the option regarding all electric range (40-60-90-120 miles) at extra cost when I purchase. Can I use it as an auxiliary power source for my home in case of emergency and for power tools, toys etc. with 120/240vac plugs under hood, in the trunk and maybe under the front seat? - Posted by: Tim
If the E-flex concept is flexible on the “source of electricity” end, couldn’t you also make the battery pack modular in a way that it could keep up with emerging battery technology? I say this not only to make the car more obsolete-proof, but thinking that you could target a Volt to appear sooner (like 2010) - Posted by: Bob Larson
In mass production, those NiMH Ovonics batteries can be placed inexpensively in a Volt TODAY. - Posted by: Arthur Keller
Take 1/4 or so of those batteries if weight and cost is an issue - 30 miles range is plenty if you have the engine onboard to recharge them while you go. - Posted by: Cor van de Water
Come on the EV1 was a 2 seat car and it could go 140 miles are you seriously telling us that in 2007 with the improvements that have been made in batteries that GM’s engineers can’t build a 4 seat car with a 40 mile range? - Posted by: Benjamin Howard
What everyone is saying here (I apologize to all those who had similar comments that weren’t included) is that a Volt or some iteration of the E-flex system can’t come soon enough and the technology is already available to design a sellable car now. Another consistent theme is to include as much “flex” in E-flex as is possible. There are better high power energy storage devices available today than LI. Unfortunately, the one’s practical for cars have low energy density but they can be coupled with a LI or more convention battery to augment peak power during acceleration. Thus, you could start with a 10 mile pack and not sacrifice performance or utility.
E-flex is a bold step, TAKE IT NOW!
David
A couple of things left off earlier post.
A seldom discussed pollution issue with cars is break dust. This is another benefit of electric drivetrains and regenerative breaking. So, not only does economy improve and break component maintenance gets reduced, but pollution also is reduced. I’ll take the clear skies over the red haze any day.
One high power, lower energy density technology for augmenting acceleration and allowing smaller battery packs that I’m sure GM is well aware of is ultracapacitors (see http://www.maxwell.com/ultracapacitors/products/modules/bmod0063-125v.asp). They have tremendous cycle life and efficiency, perfect for capturing regen break energy and for acceleration loads.
Don’t induction motors generally get more efficient as they get larger, more powerful? Would a 190-210kw motor make sense if it were more efficient and only weighed a few pounds more. This would allow for a single drivetrain to be used in more applicationS, more flexibility. Along the lines of increased flexibility and power is mode selectable performance when it is appropriate. Upon engaging the car, the user could select max efficiency, max performance, or max range. Of course the mode could be changed during operation too.
Of course, all of this is much easier said than engineered.
Good luck and shoot for 2008 for production.
David
Oops, 2005 US electric generation was 50% not 23% from coal.
Danny Anker
Im what you probably would call a “treehugger” living in Denmark. I own a company developing energy saving devices and I try to use public transport whenever possible.
I have always had small, fuel efficient cars (mainly FIAT) and would NEVER buy an American car!
UNTIL NOW!
Get the Volt to market faster than a.s.a.p. and I would love to be the first to drive one here in Denmark!!
Remember that this country is only some 200 x 200 miles, so the range of the Volt would be sufficient for most people here.
GREAT concept and cool design.
Get it out to us now and don’t get overtaken by the Japanese!
Regards,
Danny
Michel
Don’t wait, build the Chevy Volt now. You must also bring back the EV1. And this time forget the renting and sell it.
While waiting for a GM EV,
I will continue using my 1999 Ford Ranger EV NiMH battery pack.
Marian
Just had to mention (if anyone has been reading ALL the comments) that “force equals mass times acceleration” and “impulse equals mass times change in velocity”.
I teach science here in Michigan and am happy to see that the Volt has instilled some hope in Michigan being seen as an automotive leader. I recently heard Tesla is “coming to town” as well. The more, the merrier. The “green” people around here have gone beyond the idealism of environmental husbandry and into a practical realism that I think the public can really latch onto.
I’m glad GM has seen this, and seems to be working on practical solutions. My humble advice is to do this quickly, but do it right. The last thing ANYONE needs is for consumer confidence to plummet because of problems due to the need to get-it-out-quick.
The time-line of getting out a spendy sporty version in 2008 and making available a practical non-buggy under 30K version in 2010 is fine with me.
Jolly
The first company to market a reliable all electric will get my business. For a daily driver to a from work at 70miles a day I am sold the moment its out. Reliable and first…It could look like the Aztek and I would still buy it.
Oh yea, the volt looks fine to.
Da Fonz
Yo Bender,
1. A diesel generator vs. a gasoline generator is only 24% more efficient (remember this is not a parallel hybrid).
2. Currently diesel is 16% more expensive than gasoline (lowest cost today).
3. Gasoline is 12% more efficient than E85 (but contains 600% more petroleum products!!)
Therefore, if ‘the name of the game’ is to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil then you’ll have to put your money where your mouth is and buy the Volt and run it on E85.
And Gary, the batteries in the Volt are Nanoscale LI and are not subject to the thermal runaway problems associated with conventional Hi-Power Lithium-Ion batteries found in laptops and the like. (read more, blog less)
While Chrysler has sold out to the Germans and Ford has been passed over by the Japanese, GM is the only one keeping the flag from being trodden on. So either ‘get the picture’ or ‘get the shaft’!
GM, GREAT CAR!!
CAN’T WAIT TO DRIVE IT.
CAN’T WAIT TO BUY IT.
Sarath Kotelawala
Great looking car but you need to accelerate the time line. Too much of the market share is being lost to the Japanese. Why not produce some cars right now and let consumers drive them on an experimental basis like your EV program, this should give GM an early introduction date.
Also how about the same concept and platform on a luxury car like the Cadilac.
John Payne
Great concept.
Forget lithium based batteries due to skyrocketing raw material cost, safety and liability risks, and endless engineering challenges of dealing with inherently runaway checmical reactions.
My advice: check out Firefly Energy batteries instead and get this car to market ASAP. Who knows how much time we have? Come on … get a move on.
JP
Emma
I am waiting for a plug in flex fuel vehicle. I hope you come out with the vehicle first! I can’t imagine that Toyota and Honda are not almost there!
We waited for GM to fix this awful lack of imagination and environmental concern for a long time. It would be wonderful to be able to go back to GM.
Paul
Biodiesel is less energy intensive to create than ethanol, does not alter performance of diesel engines, and is more readily available. That’s why I want a diesel car. I know where I can get biodiesel nearby. To get E85 I’d have to use half the tank just to get home.
og
I’ve been reading about the wonderful success of GM in the Detroit auto show and now that they may bring back an electric vehicle makes me think twice after Toyota introduced its larger and more standard powered Tundra. I think the big two (Ford and GM since Daimler-Chrysler is foreign owned now) really might want to consider joining forces, because if you don’t, it could mean the end in America for the American Dream. I don’t know, it depends on the share holders considering the joining of two companies that hold junk-bond status doesn’t seem lucrative, but we’re talking about the future success for both companies with electric car technology and continuing to stand the last ground in American manufacturing industry. It can’t hurt either Ford or GM to share technology together in the electric car or other development even if they still stay as two seperate entities. If you think this shouldn’t happen, just play Allentown by Billy Joel.
Og
Michael
It’s time to stop saying that the vehicle is still waiting for the battery technology before it can be produced. Use the 35kw battery pack that AltairNano is providing to Phoenix Motors! This will give the Volt a range of over 100 miles on electric only. Having this much “EV only” range available would be great for those of us with a long daily commute, and I’ll bet would be acceptable as ‘good enough’ until an even better battery is available (perhaps if this one ever needs to be replaced).
Get it done and let us start taking advantage of the opportunity.
Richard Poor
Is there enough Li in the world for enough batteries?
Wind is a cube function…how about a more aerodynamic body and better visibility for safer driving?
Hope the electronics are better than standard GM…If the acceptable failure rate for GM electronics had been stringent, GM would probably be making money now.
Dan Abbott
How about this technology in large pickups and SUVs? Bigger impact on overall fuel use and great torque for hauling. Not to mention having a generator at hand for remote job sites.
Steve Weckel
Bling makes it swing, style’s worthwhile, but while everyone’s being cute the planet’s goin’ down the chute.
Make a plesant looking “everyman’s” car that will get you to and from faster than a brisk trot and JUST DO IT!
rene
This is a graet car Gm should take into production right now and i don’t know where they are waiting fore because the batteries the Volt needs are already there delivered by Altairnano Abbat A123 and electrovaya. Take also a look at the 640hp Mini QED constructed by PML .success wih this braketrough concept.
Ali
I think this car is way less visually appealing than the EV1 - tone down the techno design!!
But what REALLY matters is that GM is moving in the right direction (after swaying so terribly wrong). Electric vehicles are the way to go, if we as a nation also invest in alternative electrical plants (wind, solar)- I am driving a 2003 diesel jetta now - and fill it with 98% biodiesel - but would love to trade it in for a plug in due to the unsustainable practice of soycropping….
We American consumers are awake and environmentally aware - Glad to see the Car Companies are finally catching up!
Boyd Nance
This car is what I want - I live if North Ogden, Utah - Cold winters - Hot summers - I would love to test one ASAP. Let me know if you need testers for extreme climates - Put me on your list of buyers…
Luka
Build it. I want to drive a clean car!!
Dale Harmon
If this car does what you say it will do, you have changed the world. The E-Flex propulsion system is an elegant design. I would love to see this in an Opel Astra body style. What about a pop-up recharging nozzel that you drive into a receptor basket that is installed in your garage. Kind of like an in-flight refueling connection.
Cameron Dawson
Please, please, please build this car, or one similar to it.
The only things I would change is that I would try to bring the side glass up a little bit, so that it is in line with the “belt line” of the greenhouse.
Other than that, the car is absolutely stunning, and the concept is stunning. I know everyone in my family would seriously consider buying one. I know almost for sure I would.
I am so excited about the prospect of being able to go virtually gas free!
Build it, Build IT, BUILD IT!
Adrian
I hope you build this car and begin selling by the end of 2010. I’ll be the first of many to buy this vehicle to do the right thing:
- make american car makers great again!
- save our enviroment to save our children
I just hope this is not a project that will come to reality when I am 40-50 years old, and I’m only 25!
Rich
It’s about time!
You better hurry… Toyota is leading the way. My next car will be an EV and I hope it is a Chevy Volt.
Peter B
I can’t wait to buy a Volt! I hope it’s out in a few years. Sign me up! I’d pay up to 35k for this sweet car. I hope GM can deliver on this car as it would be a great step forward.
Robby
I am currently on the market for this exact vehicle. Too bad it won’t see the light of day for a while. Well, I’m off to buy a Toyota or a Honda. Cya
Sean McNeely
It seems to me, that if American companies want to survive in this industry, then they better da**ed well start being the leaders in developing, and bringing to market truly eco-friendly cars, or they may as well pack it in…’cause it’s a comin’ with or without you.
If this car came to market tomorrow, and was priced competitively (I would be willing to pay a premium), I would buy one tomorrow…sign me up.
sergio
I agree with the above comments. Please build this awsome car. It is super cool!!!
Michael Flanary
This is a great idea for a car. I hope you start building them soon. I would buy one in a heartbeat.
Darcy
I’ve been a car guy for a while and I’ve never seen a reaction like this. Further, I’ve never personally had a reaction like this.
THIS IS THE ONE. DO IT. DO IT NOW.
This vehicle could change everything, but please don’t wait for perfection, because you’ll miss a huge opportunity. As soon as you have something reliable, that won’t break down, put it in the showroom. We know the tech is still in the development stage and consumers if advised of the facts before purchasing will buy even while there are still weaknesses. There is an insatiable hunger out there. The messages above indicate you’ve got green conscienciousness, oil dependence/security fears, and good ole nationalism just waiting for a champion. Embrace it, we beg you.
Put a basic version on the road as soon as you possibly can and add options, other models, try out and perfect all the different fuel variants after. You could make headlines every 3 months as the newest upgrade comes out for what could be one of the most marketable powertrains ever. As is mentioned above, you leave a space for an extra long range battery, add the solar panels (even if the actual power produced is only a mere drop in the bucket, it would be a marketing coup, imagine racing stripes of solar panels!!), start with a simple gas or diesel and add the E85, biodiesel, and fuel cell variants as you go. How about a commitment to have a E-flex option available for every Chevy or GM model within 10 years. On a side note for any Canucks, Alaskans, or Nordic nations friends who might read this, we’ve already got block heaters and battery warmers plugged in for 2-4 months of the year. It might as well be filling the tank. I realize the batteries up north would be much less efficient but with the warmers, and that optional extra we’d do just fine.
I’m working overseas and I’d buy right now just to have it when I come back. Hell, I’m into pro touring and would love to stick a powerful variant of this under the hood of my 70 Nova. You’ve given us hope, now make us believe.
Larry
Hey GM, great concept. I’d buy one in a heartbeat if it went into production. My only suggestion is to also make a 4 door version. Now all you have to do is find enough testicular fortitude to get out of bed with the oil companies and do it. Let’s not hear any more excuses about how “no one is interested in it” as was done with the EV.
Dana Olson
Hi,
I drive an electric truck every day and love it. I can’t wait to see the Volt.
1. How about using two motors, 1 per drive wheel and eliminate the differential, and the oil.
2. Front drive, so the regen braking can really work.
3. Get GM into the electric motor design as a core competency. Hey, they don’t outsource the key gas engine designs.
Very exciting drive architecture, MUCH better than Toyota or Honda designs.
Todd Smith
It’s good to see our beloved Chevrolet and Gm manufacturing partners are listening to the people who put the profits in thier pockets! Give us back an electric vehicle with no emissions and lithium ion battery technologies. Add solar recharging capabilities for at work recharging and you have success. It is possible to build and market and two to four seat vehicle with a range of 120 or more miles at an affordable cost with profits for GM. When you build it we will all come and buy one, none of us like pollution and import oil dependancy I would plop down a 50 percent deposit in a minute if you made the cars available.
Michael J
Now all you need is retractable solar panels in the trunk to recharge the car while parked.
tim
I just saw “who killed the electric car” which documents how GM and other car companys took working electric cars off the road. It is good to see that GM is learning from their mistakes and again looking into producing an electric car. But stop looking and start selling it.
Mark Button
Let’s roll with it. The look is good! Do something bold by integrating solar collection into the paint job or glazing or both. If everyone in China soon becomes a motorist, then our planet will thank you.
Jimmy
I didn’t have time to read everyone else’s post, so forgive me if I am repeating something. The “Flex” idea in E-Flex is brilliant! GM - This is what you need to do: Put this type of vehicles into the market quick, before Toyota and Honda do. Also, make sure that the cars are quality and live up to your reliability. Poor reliability and nothing new is what is killing Ford. Also, keep the price in mind - in order to sell volume of these cars, the technology can not cost more than the gas it doesn’t use. As great as the Vue-Greenline is, the extra cost does not pay for the gas it saves unless you keep the vehicle for more than 5 years or gas is consistently about $3 a gallon. This is fantastic innovation, keep it up. One last thought - keep as much production in the states as a lot of people buy cars from you because you provide American jobs.
dan
This is a great change of direction from hybrid technology. Electric cars make far more sense the the current brand of hype hybrid. I just hope that this vehicle can be in production soon.
Charles Anderson
What do you call an American electric car? Answer: a concept car. What do you call a Japanese electric car? Answer: a production car!
I’m very confident that GM won’t build this car, but I’m very excited to buy the Japanese version. Seems like a modified Pruis could drive the first 40 miles on electric only. Maybe in the 2009 or 2010 Prius model? Oh what a feeling!
Pertti
This eflex is clearly all hype - Volt is a just a concept car. I am buying a new car soon and technology leader is Toyota - they actually sell hybrid cars that work! 40 miles with lithium batteries sounds too little. Make it 80 miles like in EV1 and then i do not need to buy gas at all. I would rather plug it in and save in than visit gas station.
Barry Mulvaney
If you build it I will buy it.
I have never bought a GM product but I would buy this in a heartbeat. In light of our dire situation wrt global warming, this vehicle is a huge step in the right direction. 90% of my day to day driving is over distances of less than 30 miles (50km). With this vehicle, I would rarely be burning fuel, my impact on the atmosphere would drop significantly. I believe that within 20 years everyone in the US in Canada “should have to” drive this type of vehicle. We had to make the change from leaded to unleaded gasoline in the 70’s in Canada. The change to an electric car is significantly greater than adding a catalytic converter, but it is needed. If our politicians are really serious about dealing with climate change, these kinds of technologies are needed now. Maybe governments should encourage their purchase, how about no sales tax when you purchase a Volt?? Way to go GM, now just make it affordable.
gary
If you build this car and others like it, that run on electric, with range extender flexibility,, you will take back the #1 position from Toyota/Honda/Nissan and the rest of the foreign answers to high gas prices. Build it and we will come– buy it. Sorry, corny but true.
Jerry Perry
Great design and concept. To bad it will never see the light of day if the oil barons can stop it.
Dale
As the owner of a Highlander Hybrid Limited, I think you have a great concept here. When the concept is ready for production (sooner the better) I would like to see it available in more models (i.e., mid range sedans and crossovers). It sure is nice to have some roominess, creature comforts and all wheel drive, while still conserving fuel.
One of the biggest mileage killers in the Highlander Hybrid, is during the winter when the gas engine doesn’t shut down to maintain heat in the vehicle cabin and maintain the gas engines operating temperature so it is “ready for duty”. I believe your concept overall will be way more energy efficient than current hybrids.
Can we do this in a sports car concept? The instant torque out of an electric motor is phenomenal !!
Good luck and hope to see these products available to buy as soon as possible. I will be a very interested future buyer. I sincerely would like to be buying American again!!
Tom
I like the looks and the specs. My car needs to have some capacity to carry stuff. Perhaps another model on the same platform, with a design similar to the Mazda 5. I see others have already suggested 5-door and Nomad bodies. Ohm-ad?
The inductive hookup for charging was a cool feature of the EV1. I hope the Volt, and variants, have the same setup.
Boyd McClure
A protype for this was published in Mother Earth News several years ago. An Opal (? memory problems) was converted to electric propulsion using a 48v motor, a mechanical modulator to control power, and a 48 volt lead acid battery pack. An 18 hp gasoline engine and generator was used to charge the battery while underway. I cannot remember all the details, but it had a reasonable range of 30 to 40 miles extendable with the generator and a top speed of 60 mph.
The Volt would be perfect for all of my local driving and you can put me on your list of prospective customers.
Dan
BUILD THE VOLT IMMEDIATELY!!!
GM needs to make money, this car will do that. If GM is unsure if they can get Li-ion batteries or have to wait till 2010, they should use NiMH until they can use Li-ion. There are NO EXCUSES anymore. Both batteries are viable now… not later. The RAV4 using NiMH are still going strong, the same could have been said about the EV1 using NiMH.
Plus, they should increase the 40 mile electric range to 50 or 60 even 100 miles. It is possible to get the 100 miles especially with the Li-ion. That would get those with an hour/50 mile commute there and back on electric.
GM’s only hope is to make this happen.
Terry
Maybe if you had not killed your first electric car, GM would be the number one car seller in the world again. Bad choice to substitute the Hummer for the EV. Bad choices kill companies. Maybe you can still redeem yourselves and our country.
Bobby
BRAVO…..That pretty much sums it up. Way to go GM!
Robert
I am “just” a middle-class American consumer. Here is what I look for in the order I look for it and yes I want it all:
1) Safety for my family
“Earth Stewardship”
2) Reliability
3) Efficiency
4) Cost Effectiveness
- Initial Cost
- Use Cost
- Maintenance Costs
- Resale Value
5) Utility/Flexibility
6) Comfort
7) Performance
9) Visceral Appeal
10) Support for the Ideals I love and believe in … those of the founding fathers.
I believe a conscientious effort to serve will result in a “best possible solution” which excludes greed, but encourages and rewards innovation and creative service.
I have long waited for a return to American principles that will accomplish these goals. I am a pragmatist in the since that I know man’s base nature is NOT good, but I am a dreamer full of hope knowing that Jesus can redeem each of us and set us back on the path of service and love of our neighbor in its myriad manifestations. He changed and continues to change my life every day as He changes those of countless others everyday.
Ken
The underlying concept is a good one. One of the major problems with switching to an alternative fuel is infrastructure (ie: you don’t see many hydrogen stations around for fuel cells). The idea of building a car to support multiple fuel types can help to bridge the gap.
However, GM really needs to fire their entire design team. Every car looks like a copy of another manufacturer. The retro looks from Dodge in particular. GM has been uninteresting from a styling perspective for years. Even the Corvette looks like a shadow of its former self.
Dave
Please start building this car immediately!! I just bought a new Passat but I’d ditch it in a heartbeat for one of these. I know I wouldn’t be alone either!!
Ed
When will it be available to the public to buy? I’d buy an electric car over a gas car any day. It is a much better idea than hydrogen fuel cell cars and ethanol.
PuddinTane
This thing is ugly, I would be embarassed to be seen driving it. Those wheels are freaking huge, and whats the deal with the wanna-be custom chop top look? Quit trying in vain to be “cool”. Being a GM product, its reliability would also be in question, as would its real-world efficiency, or rather lack of it. No doubt the typical 30 to 40 somthing idiots drool over this tacky trainwreck.
Jim Chapman
WOW! This thing looks like one of the Batmobile models. Can I get one in black?
Hurry up!
This idea is much more intelligent than relying solely on plug-in power. In our rural area of TN, there is very limited bus service (as in almost none), so everyone pretty much has to have a car. I drive at least 30 minutes in commute time each day just to get to where I work.
I would love to buy this car! I currently have a 2001 chevy prizm (101,000 miles), and it has done well, but i would like to get a bit more gas mileage!
GO VOLT!
Howard
I am 6 ft 3, and weigh 240. I hope I can fit in the volt. If I can, I’ll buy. I have bought an astro, malibu, 2 pickups and an Aztec. I bought a 2500 hd, hopefully the last pure gas/deisel I’ll ever buy. Build it, and America will return to GM.
Julian Willoughby
Please make this car!!!!
I just finished watching “Who Killed the Electric Car,” and shame on you GM, for not supporting and growing the community of electric car buyers. The only way I see redemption for GM is if they bring this car to market. Not just in a limited and difficult to puchase method, such as that used to sell the EV-1, but to all comsumers nationwide. The Volt addresses the only problem with the EV-1. That is, many consumers can only afford one car that must be flexible enough for the occasional long trip. The EV-1 max range on a single 6+ hour charge was about 100 miles, therefore limiting a single-car consumer’s travel to rely on planes, trains, cabs, or friends. The Volt can solve this issue, and remain environmentally friendly, and protect US interests by also running with E-85.
My only concern is the extra weight added by having a combustion engine severely limits the efficiency when just running off of electricity. I think that consumers should be able to buy an electric only version for less money. This way in a multi-car household, the electric only could be the work and grocery commuter, and the “plug-in” hybrid could be the flexible, long trip machine.
To learn more, go out and rent a copy of “Who Killed the Electric Car?” today!
Jonathan
This is the coolest car I have ever seen. I love the fact that you can go 40 miles on just the batteries and then plug in the car to a 110volt outlet therefore possibly never having to use gas again!!!! Also as an added bonus provide you provided a 12 gallon E85 gas tank!!! This car can’t get any better in my opinion!!!!
Jonathan
Why is GM going to wait 3 - 5 years before they release this??? I know they want to make sure that the Lithium-Ion battery technology is where it should be, but just look at the Telsa Motors Electric Car, i think that prove that the technology is there. I think if they wait 3 - 5 more years that may hurt them because it might give ford and such a change to come out with an electric car in 2 years. I think use the current lithium ion technology available it can give them 40 miles right now. Then every year afterwards work on improving the technology so that every year they can get more miles out of the battery. 1st year: 40 miles, 2nd year 60 miles, 3rd year 80 miles, etc. Im personally going to wait until this car comes out and then buy it. I might wait until the year after it comes out (if my car lasts till then) in hopes that they can increase the range from 40 to 50 of 60 miles. Also if they keep the interior the way it is ….. OMG!!!!! That is the hottest interior in a car i have seen!!!! Although they probably will change the way it looks but if they could keep one thing i think i would want it to be the dashboard and such. Those gauges are so 2032 Star Trek like, thats hot!!!!
The only thing i would ask for them to change in the car is this:
Currently if you want to rapid charge the battery and don’t have access to a plug to plug it in you can put the car in park and charge it that way.
Why not instead of PARK, NETURAL?? That way when i’m stopped at a red light or in traffic i can slip the car into and out of NETURAL a lot faster then PARK.
So in summary:
Come out with the Volt a lot faster then 3 - 5 years.
Improve milage from 40 to 50 miles.
Don’t change interior
At least keep the dashboard
Change rapid charge from PARK to NETURAL
GM Keep up the good work, i look forward to owning the Volt!!
steve roten
Fantastic idea but will it work on the road in a real commuters daily drudge?
I am willing to try it out and give you the needed feed back from a consumers point of view. My travel is approximately 26 miles each way with a mix of highway and city driving. Please let me know if this is an interesting concept for creating a new car that people would want to purchase.
Thanks
Steve
Ricky
I’ve served overseas twice with the military. I suspect many problems of ours and the world could be solved if the importance of crude oil could be reduced to that of any other resource. We have to start somewhere. Put me on the waiting list.
Aaron Love
This is definitely a doable concept. PLEASE consider this concept for mass-production. Unlike the totally electric EV1, this “flex” technology may be easier for the public to embrace and therefore may save you some hassle with demand issues. Also, the fact that it would be capable of long trips will keep it sensible for anyone to buy. PLEASE start production of these immediately so that you will be able to handle the demand, and PLEASE let us OWN them and not just LEASE.
Morgan Wadsworth
People often say that Safety and other features are at the top of their list when they purchase their vehicles, but when asked very few people actually take the time to do any research except for the star rating…which again most people don’t know what that rating represents.
With this in mind, can we not just presume that all vehicles produced by the major manufactures are to be safe and get past that as an issue.
Another problem North Americans have is that they believe larger is safer. What they don’t think about is how unsafe that large SUV is to other drivers in smaller vehicles. Stop thinking so selfishly.
My opinion on the volt…great, bring it out…the sooner the better, make the fact that it’s a hybrid transparent…I look forward to the point that people just expect their vehicle to be a hybrid (at least a hybrid).
I look forward to seeing the action that GM takes to show show its commitment to “our” environmental problems.
Travis
You should only offer leases on these and then shred them after a few short years. Then you can pretend like you’re working on another new concept for years while mother earth pays the price.
rob walker
Build the electric car. I will buy one!
allison kinney
why didn’t you build this 10 years ago. If you built it, it would be a huge hit. build it and i will sell whatever car i am driving and buy this one!
hurry and build it!
Seth Steen
I would be happy to buy this car as is! Bet I would also like to see you reach your full potential. The EVs GM made in the early 90s got over 200 miles a charge and later had the ability but no desire to give them 500 miles per charge. Why with better technology are we only getting 40 now?
Amy
Very cool! Great new look for GM. Electric option is fantastic for GM — shows they’re catching up to the other automakers. But get it to market fast. GM has some cool concepts, but many times, they never make it to market before the other guys. Don’t mess up this one.
And the body type is very slick — looks somewhat similar to the new Camaro. Don’t want to long to get this body to market — what about introducing a gas engine model.
Klaus from NJ
Nice looking vehicle. I was thinking of buying a new vehicle in the next year or so. I will now hold off until this *concept* becomes a production model.
Chuck Voeltz
I have worked on electric lift trucks since 1966 and it is about time some one makes a car that is practical and will be a great polution stopper. I would like to have one but will it work in Minnesota. I donn’t think I will have trouble maintaining it with my experience.I am 64year’s old. HENERY FORD made a car that every one could afford can you?
Justin 26 in Scottsdale Az
I would love to buy an American car, and support an American company. The reason this has never happened is that they have been unreliable, unsightly, and poorly designed cars for longer than i have been alive (which accounts for their comet-like depreciation). If GM can build this car (and by ‘can build’ i mean not cut corners), we will sell the Acura and the Lexus, and stand in line for the inevitable, demand generated, 6-12 month waiting list to buy two. It truly is nice to see that GM has pulled its head out of the sand and remembered why and how it got to where it once was, by being an innovator. The new generation of Tahoe is a great opener; now build this car, because its time to get your lost market share back from Toyota…
Nate
I have only ever purchased Japanese cars. However, if GM actually made this car I would have no trouble purchasing it.
Chris
What a great Idea that is overdue.
I have been doing research on building my own EV. http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/4214/links.html#EV%20Parts
The problem is, after sinking $8-10K into a used vehicle, I will most likely have a 2 seater that will need new lead acid batteries every 3 years (or sooner) and it will be far less efficient than a factory built EV or Hybrid, and much less reliable, but I can do it NOW with off the shelf parts. Obviously Lithiom Ion will make a huge difference in weight, size, and how long the charge will last, as we as consumers have seen with laptops and battery powered tools. Safety has to be an issue, especially with recent recalls on laptop battery issues, (and thats obviously a much smaller battery pack), So how does it fare when in an accident at high speed? I understand GM’s need to evaluate and test, especially products produced outside of their control, (batteries, tires, etc.). Tires for an EV need to be harder and have less rolling resistance, but how does that equate for traction and safety?
I want a dependable, safe vehicle that can haul my family of four and accessories.
I will replace my commuter vehicle with the Volt when it is produced in a Heartbeat! It can get back home, if the charge is not enough, unlike the ev-1, and it will be produced by GM, so I know it will be safe and reliable.
Please GM, build this vehicle soon, and help us keep our $$’s here, versus overseas, (in oil expense, and vehicle competition).
vincent
nice car, nice shape, nice idea.
this car may make money and bring GM back up since alot of people buy toyota prius, and the prius look like crap.
Victor Pizarro
I would love to se the Chevy Volt build.
Paul
I’m ready to buy it! Please build it!
Mary F. Johnson
Where can I buy this car?
I can’t find it anywhere, I am ready to buy a car and what to know where I can purchase it!
Please continue on the good work that will leave us independent of the oil countries.
Mary
Keith B
If someone from GM would contact me I would like to place a deposit. When you make this car I will buy it.
B.Kentner
I am a middle of the road kind of guy who is not given to blog postings but when it comes to the electric automobiles I am passionate about them. Anything we as a country can do to reduce our dependence on foreign oil is a good thing. I am no far fringe commune living guru I work hard for the dollars I earn and always seek to spend them wisely. To me this would be a excellent and wise investment in our country’s future and could actully pull me away from purchaing another Toyota Prius. Please do not let this electric auto be “killed off” like past attempts have been by others.
Have the vision to go forward with this, have the backbone to say “this is what’s right to do” and give us here at least the choice of buying such a fine automobile from an american company instead of looking to someone else for such a product. Thank you.
Tim Drager
Darn, I just built an electric car. It’s a 1971 Fiberfab Avenger. It’s a piece of junk compared to the Volt, and I am furious with automaters because they did not offer a pure electric drive auto at a reasonable price. It’s about time a large company have the guts to produce a modern car. It’s about time we evolve from Ford Model A technology of reciprocating pistons and use the clean smooth power of electricity.
Now, please build it. I will help you. If you need any EV electrical engineers / project managers, please contact me.
Paul Gawronski
Hi there, The Volt is a nice step in the right direction. Please check out the Tesla at http://www.teslamotors.com Now that is the future. Don’t get left behind again. All electric on lithium ion batteries!! I know you can do it. Don’t let the oil companies stop you! Good luck
Michael De Lazzer
I must be the cynic, chuckling mildly in the hallway. I seriously doubt you will build this car, or anything like it for a long, long time.
This is a concept car. We’ve seen this before, and not just from GM. They roll out an idea people like, wait four or five years, then go to market with some watered-down version and wonder why people aren’t as excited as when you showed the concept.
For the record, GM already built this car, and slaughtered it in 2003. It was called the EV-1. The only reason GM built that car in the first place was the California Air Resources Board held a gun to the automakers’ collective heads and told them to make it or get out of the state. We all know how that turned out. Automakers and big oil ganged up on the committee and pressured them into repealing the Zero Emission Vehicle act. Which they did, followed promptly by every automaker pulling their EVs from the market.
The problem is we need a car like this today, as in, right now. If it were on the market, it would sell, and herein lay the problem. By putting an in-demand car like on the road, they’d threaten the profitability of the oil companies, put companies like Midas and Jiffy Lube out of business, and please an environmental lobby that no one seems to like, including environmentalists like myself.
No, GM will get its toes wet and create some gawking buzz, but in the end won’t have the guts to actually market and sell (as in, not lease) the car. If GM killed the electric car program in 2003, why would they now revive it? What credibility could they possibly have? What trust must they build with consumers that they won’t simply pull the rug out from under our feet as they did just four short years ago?
I dare you to produce this car and prove me wrong.
Ron
I think that GM could hold the number one spot, as far as auto manufacturers goes, simply by building this car!
You know that if GM does not build an electric vehicle, Toyota will.
Please build this car.
Ted Koz
I just invested $38,000 usd on a solar electric system to light and power my home.
Beside the green impact ,I feel very good about it because i no longer buy power that is made from imported oil. Given the chance, I would be very happy to drive a car made in the U.S.A. and powered by electricty that I make at home. Please build me an all electric car.
James Stewart
As an owner of three Priuses I have been anxiously awaiting a pure serial hybrid. The first is replaced by a Malibu Maxx, the second was a victim of hurricane Ivan and the third one is a joy. Especially when you see the factor of two on the gas milage.
Because of the Japanese connection I offer the following haiku to urge you on before it’s too late:
At Detroit Auto Show,
Chevrolet Volt announced.
Will it ever be ours?
My worry is that GM is about to pin this project on the Li-ion battery.
But what about the Ni Metal hydride of the Prius?
Or the http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/search- bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=ptxt&s1=6,979,513&OS=6,979,513&RS=6,979,513
Firefly foamed graphite lead acid battery out of Catterpillar?
At 76 I can’t wait to be able to buy Amercan again.
Carole Lemos-Wade
First of all, I can only hope that this is a sign that an American car company has woken up to today’s market.
As for the gas, E85, diesle, biodiesel debate, the biodiesel would be the greenest of the fuels. It can be made from the oil extracted from mashed soybeans that are fed to cows and as such wouldn’t compete with a food source like E85 does. It is currently priced similar to petrodiesel yet is only adding a tiny amount of carbon to the ecosystem that wasn’t already there. Plants fix the carbon through photosynthesis, then we use the carbon as fuel, then the plants fix it again. If only electricity and transport vehicles were clean. E85 is certainly better than gas, but its distilation process still requires a lot of energy and it isn’t petroleum free.
A suggest for the diesel model from someone who lives in New England: put in a fuel injection pump heater and return unused hot fuel to the tank. Biodiesel has a tendency to jell in the cold weather and this method worked wonderfully on a VW diesel Jetta running on biodiesel. It starts on even the coldest winter days here. For the Jetta, this is only an option with the primium package, the Volt should have it standard.
Please, don’t let there be a movie entitled “Who Killed the Electric Vehicle, Again”
Jon Peacy
Please make this VOLT by Chevy
available soon as I want to live to buy one? I am 71 with the cash in hand now and 3 degrees in engineering so I would like you to beat out Honda who will have a diesel powered 100 mpg car available soon built in Indiana at their new plant they are building now! So please hurry the VOLT into production!!!
Jon PC = Jon Peacy
Kenneth Frank
I just started reading about it today, what about solar cells (on the roof) so you can also get away from pluging it in to charge it up.
Please don’t wait, get it in production and take the lead
Larry Milloy
Lets See, Its been 20 years since i stopped buying Gm Products…They had no style ,a Buick looked like a Chevy Ect, you get my drift!!!…BUT IF this is the new GM ,with all these new and exciting products coming out.. Hey all i can say is watch out Toyota..the General IS BACK,,,If you build the VOLT,,I dont think you will be able to make enough…thank you Beth
Nick
I am ready to put a deposit down on this car. I applaud your effort to make a more environmentally friendly vehicle.
Tommy D
I own a 2005 Prius now, and have driven 31,000 miles in 1.5 years. I love the technology inside the car so I hope the Volt improves the interior by making it more futuristic and quirky with secret useful features (such as a power outlet in the back for electric coolers, etc.)
It should definitely implement a great stereo and Navigation system and I would buy this in a second. It’s a much sexier car than the Prius and I hope it feels stronger too.
PLEASE build this car and don’t abandon this electric vehicle GM!!! Also, I still see those EV parking outlets all over at Costco’s, etc…. California still has that preliminary infrastructure built in… maybe this could be used for cars like the Volt as well?
pridesix
Great Idea. The American Auto industry should take the lead. Either make it work soon and affordable or have the Federal government do it in a “Manhattan Project” type program. It is that important to the future of this country.
ElectricMike
Finally! An American automaker that is actually going to implement a design similar to one that was described in an American magazine over 20 years (where a small gasoline engine was going to operate a generator to recharge the batteries on an electric mini-van with small independent electric motors at each wheel). Hmmm… what took so long?!
However, I really have to question why such a large combustion engine (1.0-litre turbo) is needed to run a generator. There were vehicles in Japan and Europe back in the ’80s yet that used gasoline engines smaller than 660cc to drive 2-seater and 4-seater cars, sporty little 2WD and 4WD turbo cars, and even small 4WD mini-vans.
I understand the efficiency of using a turbo engine, but certainly a smaller turbo engine could be used to drive a measely little generator… after all, it’s not actually putting power to the wheels, just to a generator.
I would certainly be more interested in buying it if it had a smaller engine and smaller saddle fuel tanks since it would take less fuel to operate, and thus, be a greener vehicle. I’m sure the reduction in weight would add a little to the overall mileage as well.
JOHN
awsome!way to go GM
Tony W
Go 40 miles with not gas, nice! The fuel economy absolutely rocks. Electricity is cheap compared to gasoline. Something like 1 cent per mile vs 10 cent per mile. Forget hydrogen, it is a distraction, the infrastructure will never be there. I am an EE and this solves several problems, (foreign oil, emissions, etc) and can work economically, also. The styling, I’m not sure about. Keep the price under $28K and you will sell a ton of these. I would buy one of these if the price was right.
Cliff
GM: Shut up and GET IT INTO PRODUCTION. I love GM, Chevrolet first out of the family, but am tired of seeing concepts that never come to fruition, then the damned Japs come out with a product first and make themselves look better than the Americans. Want to keep your market share - GET OFF THE DRAWING BOARD and INTO OUR HANDS!!!!!
As for cool cars… why in the “H-E-Double Hockey Sticks” did it take years before the Camaro (which still isn’t available) to get into production??? Oh, yeah, let Ford Run amuck with 3-4 years of Mustang Sales and let Chrystler bring out it’s bad boys before releasing it.
Enough. If you get anything out of this posting it is: GET IT INTO OUR HANDS. Remember continuous improvement is better than postponed perfection.
Stop screwing around. AND DO NOT PURCHASE CHRYSTLER. Look at automotive history, anytime two manufacturers merge, they go out of business summarily!!! Get out of bed with Opel as well…. they’re a corporate leach!
If GM was metaphorically my kid, I’d have one heck of heart to heart with it.
Long Live the General, and may America reimerge in the media spotlight as being superior to foreign competition (as it truely is).
Cliff Peters
Current owner of 6 GM vehicles, and will never purchase another brand.
Erik Egle
GM,
Please read the comments above and seriously take to heart ALL of the comments from your consumers. BUILD THE VOLT and learn from your mistakes with the PR nightmare that you presently have on your hands (EV1 and related issues). Like the one person suggested above - KEEP THE ACCOUNTANTS AWAY FROM THE CAR. Build it, don’t depart too much from the concept, don’t make it cheaply….and I wish you the best.
CONSUMERS - You should buy or rent the DVD “Who Killed The Electric Car?”.
Thank you.
J P
It’s a great concept. However, the reason I don’t own a hybrid or something similiar is because hybrids don’t get the great gas milage where it’s hilly (or they lose power). Also, I use my equinox to haul stuff all the time. The volt doesn’t look very big at all, but it would suit my purposes of getting to and from work in good weather. I wish Chevy would come out with something like this, but in more of an SUV form (I also have trouble getting in and out of a lower sitting car.) I just wonder if it would be feasible for an AWD version?
chevyman
You’ve hit a grand slam with this prize! Let’s put it on the market!
Ken
Can GM really do it…I hope so.
Edward
If anyone reads this that has a say and some part in the future of this car, please push for this car to be produced like it is your dying wish cos we need people with a real say in this to give all of us (the public with money to buy this car) a voice that will actually be heard!
Dick Thompson
Love the concept. Now if built in a Mini-Van style [sliding side doors w/removable rear seating leaving a flush flat floor]with leather seating & front/rear AC and Heat…why I’d be your first customer.
My primary “passengers” are 2 German Shepherd dogs, “stylish” or not, the small van model is the only way to go. Don’t really need seats except for the front buckets.
Richard Anderson
Locomotives have been this way for years. Bring the Volt out now with Li-ion, 10 min recharge 100+ mile range charge. AT least 3 companys have that technology now!
Then once restuarants, hotels, shopping malls and auto dealers get a network of standard chargers dump the eflex engine and extend range with new-tech batteries/solar panels. Forget alternate fuels, it’s a bottomless money pit. Electric is the flex-fuel of the future!
Gary
I think the volume & tenor of responses on this blog should provide you with all the information you need on the importance of this program. Getting this out quick (even if “generation one” battery packs come up short of the 40 mile goal) will provide GM with huge intangible benefits beyond the revenue/margins associated directly with this product (which will sell at list by the way):
- You can’t buy the kind of marketing and visibility this product will provide, not only with media coverage but also the evangelical promotion of customers and fans of this “electric” vehicle (Think Prius-like halo … on steroids).
- You’ll get people into your showrooms who wouldn’t normally come in even to get out of the rain.
- This will be a big help for you on the coasts and with the large & growing group of environmentally minded consumers - along with the larger superset of those also conscious of the economic and political benefits of reduced energy dependence or fossil fuel consumption.
- Introduce it with a plan/program to provide battery recycling (if feasible). This wwould be the kind of sustainable/product lifecycle cost/impact acknowledgement that will cause environmentalists to turn on their heels and change you from public enemy #1 to their poster child.
- Lastly, don’t underestimate the significance of this program … it’s more than just another car to sell. While success with new Aura, Silverado, etc. are of near term/tactical importance, This has huge strategic significance to GM. Do NOT let any near term margin challenges derail this program (this car will need NO marketing) and will effectively market your other vehicles. I’m hoping you have a more aggressive timeline for this than you’re willing to commit to publicly - imagine the positive impact of exceeding expectations?
- I’m due to buy a car in about 3 years … If you’re ready, it’ll be this one. And I (like a lot of others) would put down a deposit right now to show intent and get on the list.
Best of luck - Model year 2010 has a nice ring to it.
Nigel H
A great looking car and an intelligent concept for powering a vehicle. In CA, AZ, NM certainly it would seem a crime not to have some solar cells mounted into the roof to, at least, trickle charge the batteries. If lighter composite materials replaced more of the metals in this vehicle we might be able to reduce the weight enough to extend the charging range, or reduce the size (and weight) of the batteries. I am aware of the extra cost impacts of these innovations but we have to invest to make the change and the economies will repay us in the long run.
This is a great direction for GM and I hope they increase their resources dedicated to producing more efficient vehicles.
Sky King
GM stands on the brink of making a paradigm shift in the auto industry. In doing this, they also have the opportunity to influence, shape, and change consumer perceptions regarding their corporate image of being once again the world leader in technology, design, and innovation. They have thrown down the gauntlet and ask themselves from designers, engineers, managers, and executives to rise to the challenge and make the Volt, E-Flex, and Plugin Serial Hybrids a reality by bringing this vehicle into production as soon as possible.
We are witnessing a turning point in history and a milestone in transportation not seen in over a hundred years. Consumer confidence is high and desire to lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions and reduce Fossil Fuel consumption is even higher. The race is on, and those automakers with insightful management recognize that they must make the hard choices and take the chances and bring solutions from concept into reality sooner rather than later.
GM has an award winning design and brilliant technology with the E-Flex system, but waiting for the ‘perfect battery’ to start production will not win the prize. Therefore, I pose the following: produce the Volt now with a smaller ‘disposable’ (yet recyclable) battery pack that gets replaced with an upgrade at a later date. Take the $5000 projected battery cost you will get from the sale of each unit and put it into short term investments. The 400,000 orders you will have up front is almost $2 billion. The interest alone from this over 2 years would pay for any cost overages and/or R&D necessary to bring the battery pack to production, or may well pay for an even larger battery pack with extended range once they are available in mass quantity.
How do you market this? Even without the battery pack for plugin all electric mode, the backup engine should still deliver 50 mpg. Offer a free battery pack upgrade within three years of purchase to gain the all electric features. Everyone who has voted to buy a Volt will gladly purchase this vehicle in this configuration. At the end of two or three years, the battery technology should be available to install the upgrades. Everyone wins. GM beats the competition to market with a high mileage winner that transforms at a later date into an unbeatably efficient solution.
This would be a bold and highly unconventional move to sell something with a promise to change the propulsion system at a later date as an upgrade. But, these are challenging times and Plugins are probably the most competitive product platform the auto industry has ever seen. That requires someone to push the envelope of conventionality and take some chances. Entrepreneurs never became successful without taking chances. GM has a window of opportunity to take a leadership role and be a corporate role model for America once again. Make the hard choices, take the chances, be the winner. Everyone that buys the Volt will be standing on the podium holding up the gold medal with you.
Bob Katz
How soon can I order one?
C Watson
We just bought a new Solstice and will be ready to buy another new car in about two years. Please build this Volt. It will fit my needs perfectly. 90% of my driving is, round trip 40 miles. The thought buying almost no gas it thrilling . 2-27-07
Tom
I will not be buying another vehicle until the Volt is available. I hope this will be a production vehicle soon?
louie stevens
This car would look great in my garage next to my Trailblazer,Silverado and 1960 corvette.GM missed the mark by not selling your last electric car and it seems the company is not listening to what the public wants.I design things for a living and if you stop listening to the customer you are done…someone will listen and give people what they want
Anthony MacFadyen
Being an ASE Auto tech, an FAA aircraft mechanic, and living in Michigan. I must ask what is the expected longevity, and repair vs replacement would be in these wheel motor units, and suporting cableing and suspension? In rust belt invironments of course. Money saved in fuel may well be spent on more costly repairs.
Mark van der Pol
It is shameful that this is being rolled out now as a ‘new thing’ when in the 90’s there was already GM’s electric car. It is unclear why that got killed - many theories exist. What is sad is that it takes a crisis of catastrophic proportions before profit driven companies will abandon the unsustainable easy profits and put real resources behind Earth supporting options.
It also reflects sadly on me that as a voting member of society I have not been in effective action since the environmental crisis showed up on my radar 15 years ago.
I don’t care much if the look of the car is great, as long as it is electric - the statement I am making when I drive one is not ‘look at my impeccable taste in choosing this cool looking car’ - it is rather - ‘I am committed enough to making sustainable choices that I drive this’.
Jim
Man, what a cool car, I’d buy one! I drive a Suburban but would stop to get one of these. As an electric car it blows the doors off the others in this competition.
Sandra
Whoever puts the first plug-in hybrid on the market will have me as a customer. I am less interested in appearance than in a reliable vehicle which pollutes as little as possible. Our Toyota Camry hybrid is a nice stop-gap but we want to PLUG-IN. Current battery technology could have this car on the market soon, as others have noted. I hope it happens. Sandra
islandlife
Electric is the way. As you all know petroleum is going down soon.
I’ll buy one today. Please design for families not for pot-bellied mid-life crisis-cruzers, which is what this Chevy looks like.
E
Please build it so I can finally purchase an American car.
Kyle Brown
Please build this car. I want to buy it. People everywhere
want to buy it. This car can
start a new trend in America.
D.A.
I am glad GM used this great design for Volt and not just existing car’s body that most manufacturers use for their hybrid vehicles! That would let the electrical vehicle to stand apart on the road and will give the owners a sense of special pride driving a clean car. I will be anxiously waiting for the date production begins on Volt.
Mark C.
As a Chevrolet sales person for the last 22 years. I say its about time. But remember on thing, keep the price reasonable so the average American can afford it.
D McWilliams
Right now this is all TALK. I saw the EV1 at Epcot Center in the 1990’s which GM said was their car of the future. That never came to pass for many reasons. However, I thought it was a great idea. Until we see these on the road they will continue to just be TALK. Maybe GM should also consider that most vehicles carry 1 person. Maybe you should consider a smaller vehicle that was meant to be purchased by EACH family member rather than one large one size fits all. Then you could sell 4 units rather than one.
Mark
GM, All I can say is “IT’s about Time!”. The US is the biggest polluter in the world. We are the main contributor to the Global Warming quandry that we are starting to witness. Get this car into production as soon as possible. While I drive Toyota’s and Honda’s now, I will glady go out and buy 1 or 2 of these vehicles. It is great to see GM is starting to be more energy and pollution conscious. Keep the price affordable and you will send the other automobile manufacturers into bankruptcy! GO GM!!!!!!!!!!!
Lyle L
Excellent concept, if you’re really serious put it into limited production with existing technology.
Place the fuel cell on the shelf, hydrogen just supports GM’s Oil company buddies fuel distribution system.
Mike Wisniewski
I am pleased to see GM climbing back up. While the Tesla is a great idea, the price is for the upper class. The Volt should be directed towards the middle class. I started seeing the initial plans of this car at EPCOT in Disney World about five years ago. I am not going to buy a car for a few more years, until the current one I own has died. However, I urge you to start production as soon as possible, so you can:
1) Climb out of the current slump you’re in.
2) Stimulate the American economy and reduce the outsourcing of jobs.
3) Increase competition among outher manufacturers, so cars will become even more efficient and cheap.
4) Decrease greenhouse gases
While starting with the Volt is a good idea, you should strive towards having a broader range appealing to almost every consumer. Also, have different options for the batteries to increase the drive range. The flexibility of the fuels to power the generator is wonderful.
I will probably be replacing my current Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight in about 5 or 6 years and I hope that the Volt or a similar model by GM is available.
Overall great job! I hope you can get this out ASAP so you can be #1.
-Mike W. Atlanta, GA
Stan Eisen
This is a great idea for car buyers. It will help protect the environment and help free our country from OPEC politics. I would love to see this model available to the public. I would also like to see Chevy adapt electric or hybrid power to the Malibu and the Impala.
Stephen K
I am not in the position to buy a new car right now, but when I am I will want to buy a plug in hybrid. Please build this car. Make one that’s AWD too.
Jose
A tiny step in the right direction, but I’m saving my pennies for the upcoming Tesla “White Star” in 2009, which I will pre-order on the 1st day they take orders. I refuse to buy ANY more gasoline or even Biodiesel or Ethanol. ALL-electric ONLY for me.
Rich
My first NEW car will be a plug-in hybrid.
Will it be from Toyota or Nissan? That’s up to GM.
elizabeth cota
Great concept car for someone like me who travels only a few miles to and from work everday. I like the style except for one thing, the side and rear windows are too narrow and would block the driver’s view. I vote tht the next hybrid Chevy makes will be a Camero or Monte Carlo because there are a lot of us out there that will always want our sports cars. I am a 53 year old female who owns a 2004 Monte Carlo and I’m loving it!
Jim
Almost too good to be true. You need to get this car to market before the Japanese. Also why not have an additional battery pak to alternate between?
Jackie
I want one. When can I get it?
jeff
WOW, you guys have to sort through allot of stupidity in this blog. sorry.
My comments about where you should take e-flex would be make a tall wagon semi-suv about the hhr size with this platform and or a Nomad type wagon (you have a show car from the same time as the P. Aztec launch around there somewhere) with the Saturn coup style quad doors. Both with a easy clean utility back end. Also do what gm has always been good at many options to personalize it.
Making the e-flex electric producing system modular would be helpful for those of us who would like to upgrade that part of the system in the future. I.e. buying the fuel cell, bio or other alternatives when they become available
For an alternative power making source (for the ultra green among us). What about the weird air car idea (compressed air could power the generator) how much power would a 2000/5000/10000 ppi tank hooked up to a generator make?
p.s. Could be that working with ford and the hy-series about the batteries might give both of you a real chance at fast tracking the battery stuff and getting people home for buying cars.
Thanks for your ear
Jeff
Shirley
This car has a great style. The only problem with ‘chop top’ styles is having a good view out the back window. Other than that, for a gas saver the looks stylish, I’m interested.
Russ
I want a Silverado version!
Also, hope you cool the batteries well (consider active cooling?) - don’t want a flamable laptop battery issue occuring with that much battery sitting beside me…..
Jon
I love the idea! I would definetly buy one!
nagu
High time GM gets into the front seat
Hope GM don’t slip up and allow the competition to take over
I am driving GM cars from past 34 years
all 5 family cars are GM
I want to drive this car
Ryan
Wow, It would be a great car. I have a GM now and love it. Only around 18 miles per gallon. Definatly willing to trade in GMC CANYON for something like this. It would impress my cliets. I work for an ECO friendly paint company.
Ryan
Hey if you can actually buy these not just lease them that would be great. (For those that do not get the inside joke research ev1 then you will probably realize what i mean.) For this event has impacted me on my view of GM as a whole.
James Rudnicki
Can I place a deposit on a Volt NOW? Build this car car GM and I guarantee I will buy one.
Larry
I am a Chevy owner(2 Blazers, 2 Corvettes and an HHR)and I am excited about the Volt now that I have seen it and read about it. Today, the people I know buy a car for a specific purpose and have a immediate perception when you mention an electric car, usually slow, small and short ranged. Based on the E-flex technology have you considered making E-Flex an option from the Malibu to the Impalla instead of a separate line? I think a design such as you have would open the electric car to fleet sales because you could drive this car from coast to coast on roughly 4 tanks of gas and never have to worry about plugging it in at some motel. The acceleration is there and the range is there I think you have come up with a great concept. You can stop all of the comments about how it looks when you offer it as the perfect “option” the same as engine sizes.
Jared Wilkinson
The Car sounds like a great alternative to what is available. Still an electric powered by gas that is only a concept car? With all the heat that is on your company I would have expected a lot more effort, ie full electric. Still this car is a great idea. I am selling my gas car and I am not buying a new vehicle until a full electric or a vehicle such as the volt are available. I cant imagine why you don’t already have either one in your fleet. This is a step in the right direction. It makes me feel like maybe GM still cares about what their customers think.
Alan
I would buy this car as soon as I know its going to hit the market.
T. Stankiewicz
Please build electric cars… We have the technology - put your engineering degree to work at GM!!!
Andreas
I’d really like to see this technology come to market not just for a sports car but for a family vehicle as well. And I’d like to be able to BUY it, not just lease it! Make this a reality - you’re on the right track!
JOHN GAYDA
WHY NOT BUILD THE CHEVY VOLT NOW, WITH PERHAPS LESS PERFORMANCE, USING ALTAIRNANO’S NANOSAFE BATTERIES UTILIZING THEIR PATENTED LITHIUM TITANATE BATTERY TECHNOLOGY. AS LITHIUM BATTERY TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES GM COULD INCORPORATE INNOVATIONS AS DEVELOPED IN LATER MODELS.
Mike Walton
The car is beautiful. Question is, how much electricity will it use compared to gasoline. Looks somewhat like the Saturn conv.
Joseph Lull
Volt presents the consumer with the first fully integrated technical solution to diverse driving needs. The concept vehicle demonstrates GM’s real feel for market pulse. Bringing it to the market in this concept design with developed systems will win the market.
jim
this is the car that america needs. when will it be available ? how much will it cost?
Chauncey
“The battery technology is still under development”?, …the technology is already there, Tesla and others are already using it, …you’re behind already, …is this to be the EV3? Stop talking, start building.
Liliana
I love the concept, its wonderful. To be honest if this vehicle was for sale today I’d buy it with out a doubt. I just hope its put out sooner than later. kudos on the biodiesel, many people have become very environmently friendly and are definitely interested in reducing greenhouse gas emmissions. Put it out as soon as possible, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!
belisario
This is the car that all the world need, but just a question, how many km must the car run powered by gasoline engine before the battery would be charged?
Dave
GM,
I’m one more driver of foreign autos. I’d hapily buy American if you put the Volt on the market. The battery technology is here, as are the consumers. Please build this ASAP. Good luck!
Thomas Maggio
The design of this concept is excellent! It has the potential to truly revolutionize passenger vehicle propulsion. There are thousands of Americans eager to support GM by purchasing a production version of this model. The prevailing sentiment seems to be, get this concept to market sooner rather than later. If GM can do this I believe it will realize even greater success than Toyota has had with its hybrids.
Mike
A key component of this car is the fact that it has a style that reflects the technology that sets it apart while not making it look like something ridiculous. It is great that someone finally stepped up to the plate to respond to the actual problem regarding fuel consumption rather than try to band aid it.
As a middle class citizen, I would have a hard time swallowing the range that this vehicle should target. I have seen cars of this nature in the $100k range, too rich for my blood.
I would be interested in the test market for this vehicle. It would be interesting to know how this vehicle would perform under all current environments (i.e. snow, rain, heavy traffic, mountainous driving, extreme heat, and long trips)
One problem that I see would be the ability to repair the vehicle. Today’s mechanics have become better at using computers to troublshoot, however, one would have to be a AC/DC specailist in order to diagnose issues with this car.
Overall, I would love to see further studies and would strongly encourage the current production of a more economical version rather than waiting some five years for this technology to fade out again.
Tigger
Nice glance into the future of automotive design and function. However, there is only way that I would purchase a flex-fuel and/or an electric vehicle. And that would be if the auto manufacture would warranty the battery pack for as long as I would own the vehicle, thus I would never have the expense of replacing them. Any vehicle that has to have a major operational component replace after only 4 - 5 years of service is not worth the savings in fuel.
Bref
Are most of your readers teenagers or do american men have an underdeveloped frontal lobe. This car will not sell millions, the average family will not buy this car, more likely some yuppy 20 something banker (w-nker?). The idea is great, but for god’s sake when is someone going to build the car 100s of millions of normal people will buy world wide. On a semi-related topic. Apple is making squillions in the non-computer market these days. Just imagine what General Motors could make in the worldwide lawnmower market using this technology. Just an idea.
Michael T. Sherrer
I travel 70 miles one way to work each day. 140 miles round trip plus any addition miles during lunch. I have accumulated 460,000 miles on my Honda Accord. I want one of these cars. Build it and we will buy it.
Albert
I am greatly surprised by the effort GM is making towards the needs of the economy and the Global Warming issue. I am in complete support of the Volt!!! not only does it address a national need (now) but also provides the basis for generations to come. Please do not hesitate to produce this vehicle and others like it. Sure, some people may have gripes but no one is perfect and if not now when???? So kudos to GM, finally a product I am especially pleased with.
Stan Koren
Congratulations on designing an amazing vehicle. I love the concept of the electric motor drive with the extra generator. This keeps the system straight forward and I believe it will result in a very reliable vehicle. The distance options are phenomenol at 640 miles on 15 gallons of fuel. I drive a 2002 Chevrolet Impala and it is easily the best car I ever owned. It has so many positive features from great cargo space, outstanding gas mileage, comfortable interior, and being a fantastic highway car. Since it is such an aerodynamic car, I think that it would make an excellent candidate for a full size version electric vehicle. If the Chevy Volt is anything like the Impala (I think it will be even better) the car will be a smash hit. Keep up the good work and thanks!
Kenneth Frank
Please build this car now, it would be great if an American company would take the lead and build this car before the foreign car manufactures do and make them available to the general public. I hope you won’t wait until its too late, and I hope some one at GM has the foresight to not let other big players ( the oil company’s, etc.) to influence weather or not this car will be built. As far as looks I think it will be another classic like the “70 Chevlle”. Don’t wait until the oils gone.
Josh
I have always bought GM cars and trucks. I had a 1995 Chevy S-10 that I just sold last year with 125,000 miles on it. These cars and trucks really are the longist lasting vehicles on the road. I now own a 2000 Chevy s-10, I was considering a Toyota car as a replacement, however if GM can market and sell this new car in 3 to 4 years I would be one of the first people at the dealership in line to buy one. You guys have a great idea here, take it and run with it, please. America needs this car!
kim jones
I would buy and invest in GM in a heartbeat if you offered a diesel plug in hybrid. the greatest car company in the world needs to get back in the game. you have the inteligence and ability to change the way the world lives. forget hydrogen!!! clean biodiesel,hybrid, and plug in is the logical answer. Please respond
Ian
I am looking to buy an electric car here in the UK & the choice currently is crap. When will the big manufacturers realise that there is a massive market here in the UK for a quality build car that car do 100+ miles on electric OR can run 40+ miles on electric but have a fuel tank for longer runs. My wife only uses her car for the journey to / from work & occasional shopping - the Volt looks like it could be the perfect solution for her. If you want someone in the UK to do a test for you….??!!!!
Chris
I too have seen “Who killed the EV”. Will GM have the guts to build this car, or better yet drive this technology farther in doing so. Who knows, I know I’d buy one, but the question on my mind is are you going to SELL these cars GM or just lease them only to take them away to the crusher again. I mean you did it before. So GM I would buy this product from you or any other manufacturer that has the balls to build it.
Erick Reijerse
So why not more pure electric range than 40 miles? Sounds like you guys at GM are still afraid of the big oil companies. The only reason to limit the range to 40 miles would be so that the counsumer would still have to, potentially, visit the gas station at some point. More than likely not E85, or Hydrogen, or any other form of energy which has 0 infrastructure….just oil…. seems to me that GM just doesnt want the blood of the EV1 on their hands, or the oil companies breathing down their necks, to they build the Volt.
jmg
I would urge GM to get this car to the market ASAP, even if the battery isn’t ideal. A car that can go 10-20 miles on battery power will still meet many driver’s needs. If GM can’t capitalize on this idea, other companies (e.g. Tesla Motors, Toyota, Honda) will. As an American, I would love to buy a GM car, but I will not until they can come up with an efficient method of transportation. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
Kevin
What is most interesting here is the frame/suspension/drive train. Don’t let the body and internal finishing and options distract. Thses can be had anywhere.
As a proof of comcept/reliabilty. etc. why not get it to market faster without body? Lets see what the kit building industry will do with a reliable foundation upon which to add their creativity and customization? I am so tired of “me too” transportation.
Here is a chance to show some individuality built on a leading edge foundation only one of the big manufacturers could deliver.
Jamie
GM’s Volt is a car I will plan to buy, I am ordering a E85 vehicle now to support American owned auto makers, the environment, while trying to do my part to reduce US independence on foreign oil. But, the Volt is truly something that I will, if possible pre-order, if it helps GM to bring this vehicle to production earlier.
The way I see it, supporting the Environment and US auto companies is the best way to help make our local area and the world a better place to live.
Stefan
do it…its time. but note, it must be able for distances more than 250 miles and can load much things in the trunk!!! do it, now. Thank you
Chris
I would certainly buy an E-flex car. My drive to work is 4.1 miles and my drive to church is 19 miles. With an 8.2 mile and 38 mile round trip, I wouldn’t have to buy gasoline. Also, Maryland is powered primarily by nuclear and natural gas. So, a Volt style car would be very clean indeed!
Please build this car!
chris
How much would it cost??
Lori
WOW! I cannot believe the foresight of your company. I am incredibly impressed with the idea of flex fuel. Bravo to your engineers and a standing ovation for your vision. Thank you for your efforts, I am waiting on the edge of my seat until the day I can drive your car.
charlene padworny
I’d be interested!! I’m all for anything/anyone that helps try to improve this world!!
C. V. Spataro
What the hell took you so long? This car should be out in the fall of 2008!
Mark K
Although I would like to see a bit longer range on the overnight charge (~60 miles), I am planning to buy the Volt in 2010. Electric is better than hybrid and is technology that can have an immediate impact. The electric infrastructure is already in place and charging can even be done off the grid! The small recharging engine makes the Volt usable by anyone.
Jacobs Ladele
What a great comeback by GM!
The prototype can increase mileage on electric drive up to 250 miles by partnering with Altairnano in Reno to use their lithium titanate batteries. Phoenix Motors are doing this right now!
Chuck G.
PLEASE make this car soon.
I have owned nothing but Chevrolets for the past 15 years. I need to replace my Impala next year (2008). I intend to buy a car with superb gas mileage, which probably means a foriegn car. I would buy this VOLTS in a heartbeat if it were available. Please don’t wait!
Mike R
So has anyone given thought of the lithium ion battery? I mean, my laptop gets awful hot on occasion, let alone did we forget the battery recall for exploding Dell laptops? Now I am sitting on top of a very large one right next to a 12 gallon fuel tank. Also, my laptoop battery eventually will not carry a charge, now we have 6 years of battery life that will slowly not perform as well as the years go by. What happens after 6 years? How much does that cost to replace? Finally, the money I save on fuel, am I going to spend on electricity? What is the equivalent to recharging this, a 50 inch plasma running for several hours straight or worse? These are all relative questions that I think need to be considered. I live in Milwaukee and work downtown. When driving out to clients, I drive less than 40 miles round trip. If this becomes reality and they address my concerns, this would be the perfect vehicle, I may be able to go months without refilling. I hope they can calm my concerns, because I would purchase this hands down.
Steve
What are you guys waiting for.? Get it done and be number one again.
Rudy Reed
would like one
Todd
Looks fantastic! I am looking to get rid of my current car, ‘01 Eclipse. It’s not fair that this car isnt ready for me! I can’t wait, lets get this party started.
myles
im pretty suer GM will not go through with this.
are you kiddin me?
its a very cool car. but i cant see them doing it, thats why the say concept. they just want people to think they are being environmental
Lawrence Searl
I am all for this car making it to the road. You could put the EV1 back on the road as well and people would by that but like you said enough heat. I want this car and it would be the only way I would invest in another GM product. My last GM product was a 1986 camero which fell apart during it’s warranty and that was the last GM I ever considered. So yes Build this car and I will buy one.
Jerry Normandin
Hey! I hope you don’t kill the Chevy Volt like you did the EV-1! I’ll gladly trade my 2006
Honda Element in for a Chevy Volt. I commute 124 miles/day
with an average commute speed of 78mph (nice ride, no traffic).
Do you want to save GM? Then sell innovative vehicles!
The Volt specs look great!
Jerry Strandberg
I am not a car fanatic. I don’t collect posters or gaze dreamily into the headlights of the so called “Classics”. I am a former Marine with a degree in electrical engineering who has tired of the OPEC driven lifestyle.
Please stay as close to the prototype as possible for the appeal factor. Lets get hooked on its beauty and soon the technology will follow.
Good Luck
Chad
Awesome, its great to see an american car that americans would actually drive.
PLEASE, put a charge port UNDER the car. This way, you can drive onto a pad in your garage, which senses the full weight of the car, then raises a metal charger up into the charge plate.
Kevin
This is the car that will put GM back on top and keep them there…as long as they create a fleet of them. It’s ridiculous what you did to your other electric but the addition of the booster engine would make up for that short sightedness. Don’t wait till 2010…you’ll get beat by Toyota and Honda….do it with the urgency and dedication the auto company’s put into helping the USA win WWII….do it NOW….I’m on the waiting list but I can’t wait four years…..I need a car in about two…tops!
Tim
All I can say is $140 a month on gas bye bye!!!!!!!!!!!
Scott
Post a comment…where to begin?
I believe the U.S. has to take radical steps to get away from our dependence on foreign oil and to protect the environment for future generations. Its worth noting that I have been part of the problem because I own a 2001 4runner. Knowing that, I decided last year to purchase a hybrid.
I was waiting on three things to make a new vehicle purchase; the first being a plug-in hybrid, the second being a hybrid pleasing to the eye, and the third a hybrid that is capable of driving purely on batteries for at least 50 miles.
Before seeing the Volt I figured the car I would buy was going to be a Prius since Toyota is planning on having a plug-in available over the next couple years. But this choice still left the problemn of little or no distance from batteries alone and the problem of the Prius not being easy on the eyes. I understand the wedge shape for less wind drag but arent we talking about a city dwelling vehicle. Therefore, drag should be less of an issue.
Now here comes the Volt! I am thoroughly impressed. A hybrid with sufficient to good distance from just batteries, one that is easy on the eyes, and is plug-in capable.
Just for you GM I will forgo purchasing a new vehicle until the Volt is coming off the assembly line. But do hurry and don’t get talked into changing the body design too much.
Thanks in advance
Rob Miller
It is an incredible car and one that would make the USA proud! DO IT as quickly as technologically possible. I will buy one immediately.
Kevin W.
There is no excuse as to why this car cannot be built by 08, or current models be fit with this powertrain.
The 40 mile range is complete garbage. and don’t tell me it cannot be done. Pheonix is making a vehicle that has MORE than double the range of the volt… and it’s a truck.
If you guys don’t make this until 2010 there might not be anything left at GM to save. I would get rid of my toyota in a minute if this car was available to me. But I am not waiting to 2010 for this. someone will beat you to the market if you wait that long for “technology that you have to develop” even though it’s will make it to market this year. –> Phoenix and Tesla are just two of the companies.
Build it NOW and I will buy an American.
JMM
Please build it asap. I am a lifelong GM customer and want to continue as one.
Ed Fry
While the design is vivid, it’s the technology that is significant. With adequate battery design and the system that you’ve laid out, you could offer Americans a real reason to “buy American”. A vehicle that WORKS for people who work for a living. Make it right, make it well, people will line up. I’d suggest a flexible design for the vehicle itself: passenger / cargo, utility, quality, reliability. We don’t need silly design cues or useless bells and whistles. We need what Toyota is already selling.
Do it. Do it right. And make us proud.
scott b.
Just Do It!
I will buy one, maybe two.
Thomas Kelly
I live in San Francisco, and admittedly drive foreign cars as a rule. However, I am going on the record as willing to buy this car. Attention GM engineers- I am an engineer as well, I see your plans to offer the charger engine as a biodiesel, or gasoline engine. I challenge you to go the distance- offer a CNG Hydrogen combustion (not fuel cell) option as well. I will buy the adder! Put yourself on the map. If you dont have the budget/bandwidth to develop the conversion kit, partner with an external vendor (there are several) who would love to develop this concurrently..they can sell separately at the same time as the launch. GM will be back on the map!! Good Job!
Jason Redman
I think this car is fantastic. I still like the idea of a 100% electric car like the EV1 better, epecially with battery technology allowing Tesla vehicles to get 250 miles per charge. Having said that, I do think the Volt is a great step in the right direction. I would certainly like to buy an American vehicle again and this could be the one.
Jackie
I saw “Who killed the Electric Car” and I will hold a grudge for a long time against GM. You had the technology and if you’d been responsible, instead of stupid, we wouldn’t be at war with Iraq (oil). I have a Honda Insight and laugh at those gas gulping polution makers all the way from the pump (55-72 mpg). I’m pushing Honda to get theirs out first. You had your chance!
Wanna Electricar
I really really really want an electric car– NOW! I’d love a Tesla most of all, but I don’t have $93K. If there is an affordable, high-quality alternative, I’d trade in my BMW (yes, I really do drive a Bimmer presently) in a heartbeat. I don’t want to contribute to the climate change or pollution problems we have, we need to leave the earth in better shape than it was when we found it!! How hard is that??? Oh, and by the way, Down with foreign oil!!
Donald McNurlin
If I could sit down with Mr. Rick Wagner and tell him one thing, it would be this: Put the Volt into production. This vehicle is very important to the revolution of the design of the automobile, more so than any other concept going into production now. The Chevrolet Volt is a groundbreaking design in automotive hybrid technology, and it needs to come to fruition rapidly. This vehicle provides a way for Americans to drive an American vehicle that would be at the forefront of new automotive technology within the United States, and, potentially, have a global impact. This vehicle provides a great way to help we Americans conserve the resources we have now, and lays the foundation for cleaner, more efficient vehicles yet to come.
Children are asking us: What will we do to make the future a better place?
My answer is this: GM, build the Volt. We owe it to ourselves and the coming generations to shift into high gear in the development of more efficient and clean running automobiles.
By building this vehicle, GM will be investing not only in our future, but in the future of our children as well.
Chris
Well overdue. Try the Tesla car for a high performance option. GM should have kept their all-electric plugin from the early 90’s. We’ll see if they actually “sell” this one or only lease it. Regardless, I’ll be proud of GM if they finally go thru with this. And it’ll be my first car as a new physician. But if another manufacturer gets one out first I’m going with them.
Bill H.
Please build the Volt, NOW! I can see the electric car becoming the preferred performance platform of today’s hot rodderer. There isn’t an internal combustable engine that had full torque available from zero to rated RPM. Only an electric motor can do that… How about a “crate” electric motor kit with 400 HP, and a torque of 600+ ft.lbs from zero to 3450 RPM’s. Talk about a sleeper!
john cortez
Great idea and a great looking car. I drive long distances in northern California…all over the Bay Area and this car would make my life a lot easier. This would be a great production car for Chevrolet. If you ever need someone to test it out, like your “Project Driveway” for the Equinox. I’m your man.
Rob Volpe
Nice concept. There may just be some hope for you guys.
Dominic Seminara
Please make sure the vehicle has good seats with nice back support, like my Jeep Cherokee and like other pick up trucks. (I rented a Pontiac G6 and I thought the seats in that were good but, when I rented a Malibu I did not like the seats. I always liked pontiacs anyway - I had a 71 GTO. We owned 2 Corsica’s which I think you marketed to a segment other than middle age males, because I found no back support in the seat. Same deal with several Cavalier’s I owned.) If you can make this affordable, I would absolutely love to buy one. It seems to me you are on the right track 100%. An electric pick up truck (S 10 size) would be great too.
st0ut
Start LEADING and stop following.
Build this let people BUY it.
Jim O.
It has been years since I’ve taken GM seriously as an automotive company. As far as I’m concerned, the biggest WMD on the planet is oil, and any company that prides itself on selling wannabe military vehicles (Hummer) that gets about 8 miles per soldier isn’t playing for my team. So finally, after 35 years since the first “oil crisis”, GM is flirting with the idea of mass producing a vehicle that should have been available in the ’70’s. Well excuse me if I’m not falling over myself with sniveling praise…that said, shut up and make the d*mn thing already.
USAF_RETIRED
I drive less than 40 to and from work. Build it, make it affordable and I will buy it.
Jodi
I only wondering if Cheverolet is looking at the European car the Tesla. Right now this car gets 250 miles off one charge…takes about 4 hrs to charge I know. On electric costs its roughly 1cent per gallon if you were trying to compare it to mpg standard car. Other than its extemely high price tag the only thing keeping me from buying that car right now is you can not do a road trips with it.
Same as most electric cars and the reason why I will probably wait till 2010 to get a VOLT. I would love to see a combination of these two cars. Probably would be my dream car, well that with some solar recharge capabilities. It would be nice to be able to charge your car up just using the new solar tape plugged into the lighter or possibley built in. Heck the solar cells even would make a pretty finish for the car….hint hint.
Sam Cooke
Great direction GM! I hope you can release it to the public very soon. It is this type of power train that will greatly reduce our dependence on oil. Please invest in a whole line of plug-in hybrids. I want to see SUVs, pickups, minivans, etc. plugged in at night! Also, please make a lot of them. Hopefully this will bring down the costs. Thanks for asking!
Chris Boyer
I am glad that Chevrolet is showing innovation and a lead in the area of electric vehicles.
Electric vehicles are possible. I built one in my garage for a couple thousand dollars, got it legalized, and drive it as a commuter car. I still have my Chevy Malibu for long distance driving.
I predict that the auto companies that transition to electric transportation will survive and those that don’t will perish.
James Tetazoo
Please build this car. IMO electric and biodiesel are the way to good. Just no more LF9 type design flaws please.
AL
You had your chance and blew it. You could had been the leader in electric cars.
Stop talking about what you are going to build.
BUILD IT!
The Tesla is the leader. What are you going to do about it?
Brian Van Kley
This is truly a new revolution in the automobile industry, and paves the way for new fuel solutions in an extremely practical way. I am impressed that Chevy had the forethought to base this on the new Delta platform; this offers potential to plug this amazing drivetrain concept into some very affordable cars. Imagine that: a more innovative fuel solution than those currently offered by foreign competitors, potentially at a lower price-point. This drivetrain was designed for people like me; my next car WILL be a car with this drivetrain if you choose to put it to market… I’m willing to hold out as long as it takes!
Richard Doyle
The need for an all-electric car is here, now. This is a great start, but we still need to make major advances in battery technology to get to where we need to be.
L Reid
I hope this does come out in the next 2 years. I drive alot, and it looks like my Malibu Maxx (which we love) has been taken away. Don’t know what I’ll go to if this doesn’t come out. Really need to trade next year. My Maxx gets way better mileage then MPG says. Need someone to test one of these?
Robin Matthews
The idea of using a petrol engine purely for charging the batteries and not actually powering the car is a great concept.
A long time coming, but worth waiting for!
Please make it available in the UK and at a comparable price to that of the USA.
mike weese
Yes, please make it available asap and I will be in the line up to buy it. I like the plug idea for short trips…
Kevin D
I want one. I’ll trade you a Prius for a Volt!
Colin Kerr
I’ll buy one for shure, and the fact that it’s a chevey is the best part, driving a car like that would make up for me driving my vette.
Tim
Given GM’s obstructionist and unethical track record for the last 70 years, I am not optimistic that we’re ever going to get what we need - an inexpensive, plug-in, purchasable, 100 mile, practical around-town car for the average dirver. But I totally and hopefully support the effort and would buy one if it became available soon. It would be nice if Chevy - which my family has aways preferentially bought - would show some leadership not only technologically but also morally by producing a car for the good of both people and the environment.
Mike A.
I want to commend GM for being both socially and environmentally responsible in researching an alternative fuel, plug-in hybrid car. I would much rather pay my gas money to an American farmer than to a huge oil company buying oil overseas. If an alternative fuel, plug-in hybrid like the Volt were produced, I would be compelled to buy it since the simple act of driving this car would profoundly impact both our country and the environment. Please offer more E85 flex fuel engines. Please build diesel engines for cars so that that bio-diesel as a fuel can become a more viable option. Please build more hybrids. Please build the Volt.
Jeremy Klyde
I was sad to see that the volt wasn’t at the Rochester, NY Auto show. I’v Very Excited about this, and GM is going to need a new platform to compete with Dodge’s hybrids coming out 2009
Also If GM produced this they have my sale, guaranteed.
Kellie Roth
I’m a MI resident, I’m 25, and I would do just about anything I could to own the Chevy Volt. Alas, it is currently a concept car.
I know MI is stuck in a cycle of job cuts and times for the auto industry are tougher than perhaps ever. Don’t get discouraged, get innovative. You cannot continue to run your company as if this technology did not exist. Be revolutionary. If you do the right thing, THE PROFITS WILL FOLLOW. I would have NEVER even consider buying a new car, BEFORE HEARING ABOUT EV’S. I’m content with my 6 year old (import) car. But after seeing “Who killed the electric car” (I’m sure its the thorn in your side), my husband and I have vowed to have an electric car. I have always prefered foreign cars because I believe they are built to last in a way U.S. cars are not. IF GM RELEASED AN EV I WOULD IMMEDIATELY BUY DOMESTIC, not because I like the car, (this would never warrant me purchasing a new car), but because I would consider this puchase a wise investment in American ingenuity, corporate courage, and JOB GROWTH in my home state of MI.
PLEASE MAKE THIS A REALITY - SOON.
ambre lee
i sincerely hope the chevy volt is not a bunch of hype that will never be realized because of too many ‘technical’ issues. i know that ev are used in other countries and we need companies to make it happen here, now.
Frank Smathers
As someone who has been a Chevy disciple for over 40 years, someone who remembers when Chevy was USA1, someone who has driven and restored Camaros, GTO’s, and Corvettes,
someone who cheered Jim Hall’s Chapparel as it flew around the high banks at Daytona, I can only say that I am thrilled that Chevy management is finally emerging from the dark ages that started with the Arab oil embargo of 1973. For too long, GM has stubbornly refused to accept the future. Now, with the Volt project, Chevy is challenging Toyota and the rest of the world. All the way Chevrolet! The Bow Tie Rules! At last I can again be proud that my blood is not red, it’s Chevy engine orange. Perhaps the spirit of Zora Arkus Duntov still hovers near the halls of Chevy engineering.
Rob Levesque
Nice design, looks great on paper. If you build it I will seriously consider buying one. Until then, I will not buy a GM product. My next purchase is a hybrid or full electric.
I drive a BMW 328 now.
Joel Payne
please make a regular electic car….Dont tell it cant be done..Henry ford built one for his wife..Granted he had to change the battery every morning…then work on the lithium battery concept… I know plenty of people that would by a small sporty electric car, wasnt it you that had the small pickup out in cal that the ranchers loved or was it Ford…anyway just make the regular electric car plug it in at night, go to work, grocery store, come home, plug it in…what is so hard for u guys to figure out, like i said make it a regular electric with todays batterys, and contue to work on the new battery concept…Joel
Chip Holland
I fit your target market: my commute is about 65 miles each day, I’m an early adopter, and a car-guy. And what I’d like to see in the production Volt is:
2+2 configuration: I’d use it as a commuter car, and I would carry 3 passengers only at lunch time. When I want to carry my muddy mountain bike, I would use my SUV, not this car.
Keep the dual charge-points. The outlet in my garage is on the left, and an outlet at the parking deck at work would likely be on the right.
Top speed: at least 90 mph. My commute is fast interstate, which often reaches 80+ mph
Safety: Stability system, curtain airbags, excellent handling, and a strong rigid unibody for both active & passive safety. Your target here is the MINI.
Communications: I don’t care about OnStar or nav systems — since I follow one of about 3 routes to work every day, the chances of getting lost are pretty slim. But I would like a built-in noise-cancelling bluetooth microphone that I can bond to my cellphone, so that I can participate in conference calls on the way to work.
Quality: Keep the bean-counters away. Use materials that last and are appropriate for their use. Follow VAG’s lead on this — good design costs a little, bad design costs a lot. You also want a balance of quality — the interior should be of the same design quality as the exterior — you don’t want a mismatch like in the Saturn Sky.
Convenience & Audio: I’d like to see a Homelink garage door opener, and direct access to the music on my iPod. HID headlights would be nice, but aren’t required. LED taillights, however, are a must-have (both red stoplights and amber turn-lights) — they’re a safety item since they turn on faster than incadescent bulbs.
Price: If all the above are true, I’d be willing to pay $30k-ish, which is in the range of a similar Acura (they’re you’re competitor with this car, not Ford)
Thanks for listening, and I hope to see one in the showroom in about 2.5 years.
Sven Monnichmann
Please build this car! I am waiting to purchase a new car that it a plug-in hybrid or fully electric. This certainly has the right looks, that other hybrids have been lacking.
Don Walker
Simply said…please make the volt…!!!
Jamil Mizirawi
Gm should build this car, period. There are already some in the automotive testing field “professinals” if you will who are allready doubting the possibility. prove them wrong. work out all the kinks on the battery, put in a smaller turbo diesel, do whatever it takes to make this car. even if interior quality is not up to par with honda or toyota there will be millions who will buy one and millions who will buy your other cars, diesel powerd trucks, and new hybrid SUV’s. (by the way the new hybrid escalade looks like a sweet way to make every one notice you more. stick that in your pipe and smoke it peta members).
Johnnie
Wow! I have been a GM/Camaro addict since 75, and I have been holding out for a gen5 Camaro…that is until I came across this, the Volt! It’s time has not come, it time has always been here…get this car in production, and I will purchase one…build it, and we will come…
henry
Does anyone know what is the estimated release date for this car??.. I am Ready to buy one.
George
I want. Gimme, gimme, gimme!!!
Tai
Build it. I’ll buy it.
The same goes for any other automaker American or foreign.
‘Till the day I die, I will never buy a new car that isn’t a plug-in with realistic all-electric range (like the Volt). I will continue buying used.
The first automaker to market with a practical plug-in vehicle (like the Volt) gets my new-car business…period.
But of course I’d prefer to give my money to GM for a new car (like the Volt)
Dale
A few parameters. 1. It needs to look good. 2. It needs to be enjoyable to drive. 3. Quality should be evident in the design and materials. 4. It needs to come with an optional pack allowing a solar panel to be set up on your house so that it could be charged (from a battery, or from drawing from the power grid over the low demand night period, having contributed to the grid during the high power demand daylight hours - and truly reducing the enviromental impact of the car). 5. It needs to be able to support the normal comforts in battery mode (air cond, power steering, stereo). 6. The backup power source needs to be ecologically perfect (a fuel cell? A system of slotting in and out solar charged replacement batteries as part of the service at a traditional filling station? A highly efficient exhaust scrubbing system to eliminate emmissions?). 7. The backup power source needs to be powerfull enough to offer range without onerous compromise (ie a 300 mile range without needing to fuel the backup power supply, a comfortable 60 or 70 mph cruising lope with air cond and stereo on sustained over the entire 300 mile range). If the vehicle could meet these parameters it could be veiwed as a inexpensive zero polution commuter, with the capability for occasional long trips while still maintaining zero pollution and good economy - all within an enjoyable, enthusiasm generating driving package).
gino
please build this car. I would like to buy american. My priorities are price $20k or less, little or no gasoline usage, and ability to perform adequately for daily highway commute.
In the short term, you competetors are “the smart car” that is coming to the u.s in January 2008. http://www.smartusa.com. Also, the Aptera touts some impressive features but they make no claims on market availability date. http://www.apteramotors.com
Chris
Please build this car… It can give you a stronghold in the emerging alternative fuels market especially if you get it out sooner rather than later. Plus properly market this product as well, people will buy if they know it exist. I will buy one and so would other family members.
Bradley
GM,
For various personal reasons I will not purchase a car brought to the market by a Japanese automaker.
That being said my options in the electric/hybrid market are almost non-existent.
As someone that travels 250 miles roundtrip 4-5 times a month and 100 miles 6-7 times a month I will be first in line to purchase a vehicle from GM that incorporates this technology.
Let’s quit talking about it and build it!
Bradley
Richard Noybe
Build it! It’s about time an AMERICAN builder has a concept electiric car that people can actually drive. I don’t commute any more, but for short trips to the store, the electric only is great. For the longer trips, the 150 mpg/640 trip is GREAT!
Only one thing: Does it HAVE to look like Godzilla stepped on it?
Thomas Fullerton
I will be one of the first in live to buy this product. I have spent over $400,000 in my life buying GM vehicles and would love to help the environment by buying a car like the Volt. Please let me know as soon as you have these ready for production because I will put my deposit down.
Thomas
Alejandro Meneses
I have been against buying any GM vehicle since the company refused to leave the EV-1 on the roads, buy seeing that you are finally embracing the advantages of an ELECTRIC vehicle, not just an electric assisting motor, I pledge to BUY one of the first Chevy Volt when they make it to production.
Please continue the good work and specially the hard work on doing the right thing. Remember the mistakes of the EV-1 and create a marketing campaign that shows PEOPLE and CARS, each one excited about the other and remember the people they can go electric without the range limitations of current low-production EV’s.
Thank you GM for bringing the light and leading the future in America with a reliable Plug-In Hybrid!!!
shanene
At chevy you guys need to make cars muscluar looking like at dodge. This car is nice and i’d buy 2. Chevy is a family tradition in my family and unlike FORD (found on road dead) you will take new routes of cars and suceed.
Mark
I would like to see a chevy Equinox powered by this same drive train. You are using it for “Project Driveway” this fall. Why not drop the power plant in the same Equinox and you have a ready made plug in hybrid. Since I don’t live in the areas where you are testing the Hydrogen powered one, you can let me test the plug in Hybrid. If you are already making 100+ to test the fuel cell it would be less per unit to make 100 more gas/electric ones and you would have real world results. I would prefer an Electric Equinox over the Volt since the size fits my life better.
Peter
Please build this car. I am 27 and when I buy a new car it WILL be a hybrid, probably a Toyota or Honda because American auto makers have turned a deaf ear to the millions of us who need automobiles but hate that they run on oil. If the Volt were an option, I’d pick it up in a heartbeat. The sooner you catch on, the sooner you’ll regain your position as the #1 auto company in America.
Eddie
Be the first company to make a hybrid plug-in, and bring this car to the market.
Tayven
Finally the EV is back. I have been very disapointed with the car market for a long time, even current hybrids dont really make that much of a dint in energy dependance. Cars like this will definatly make a great difference and being sold under the Chevy brand name it is sure to make a huge splash! I would definatly be interested in something like this and same with my wife. My parents, friends are constantly winging about the price of petrol and I definatly would prefer to get my energy through the grid or with solar panels on my house. I loath how petrol prices are forever changing and rip people off with cycles etc. My only problem with this car is that im sure you could extend the range of the battery power easily. The old EV models from the 90’s had over 100miles range from electricity. PLEASE PRODUCE THIS CAR EVERYONE WANTS ONE!!!
JohnJohn
You should build this car - beat toyota to the game.
Lynn Daugherty
I have been a die hard Toyota fan, but I am wowed by this car. I like the specs and looks. I would definitely buy this if (1) It was actually built and (2) It was made by American Labor. I would not buy it if it was assembled anywhere but the USA. Toyota has me because they assembled my last 2 cars in the USA, and they are building (or assembling) more innovative and efficient cars here. The efficiency is equally important to me as the need to keep my fellow Americans working. My message to GM, Build it and Build it here and you will have a customer in me.
Joe
Please make one in a wagon style. I need to haul tools, a ladder and supplies around town short distances. A small wagon with this type of drive train would be prefect. Thank you for thinking ahead, America needs answers GM at solve the problems.
Tom
Hello GM! Please build it! I’m hoping that with the Chevy name badge that it will be somewhat affordable - let’s hope that this new technology is affordable to the everyday working person, not just the rich elite. With gas today at 3.19 a gallon for regular, I paid 42.00 to fill up my tank that will last me a week. That’s 168.00 a month for fuel - in one car. My wife drives her own car as well. My commute is 60 miles round trip. The Chevy Volt would make real sense for me if it did not cost 30K or more. Please make it affordable. I can’t stress that enough! We already have enough high priced Vipers, Corvettes, Ford GT’s, Shelby Mustangs and the like. GM would be well advised to build a car such as this before the likes of Toyota or Honda hit the market with a similar one. Come on GM - just DO IT! Take this risk, if you price it right, it WILL pay off! USA all the way!
Alexander Lofft
If you build this, I’ll jump out of my LEV BMW and back into an American made vehicle! Please bring it to market - and soon!!
Richard
I would literally buy one of these today.
We are ready to trade in our Saturn on a new vehicle. Looks like we will have to by a Honda Civic Hybrid instead.
But in 2010 I will be ready to trade my Honda Insight in on a Chevy Volt. Please build this car. Diesel or SVO would be a nice option as well.
Sage
My opinion is that GM shouldn’t have killed the EV1 and that this car is a little too late to make up for that. I already own and love a Prius.
Lola
It’s about time! We had an energy crisis 30 years ago and you are offering only a hybrid concept car at this time! Shame on you! Yes, get it built and on the market. NOW! These types of cars should have been built years ago. What are you waiting for? Another energy crisis in another 30 years?
K
Great car! Please build this technology. I would absolutely buy a car like this. The only thing I may night like is how small the windows look. Are they hard to see out of? I am all for the new technology!!!!
Steve
I am pleased to see that GM is revisiting the idea of electric drive. However, I am disappointed for more than one reason.
First of all, even mentioning hydrogen anywhere near this car cheapens the entire idea. Hydrogen is not clean. Hydrogen is the worst idea for alternative energy yet conceived, and has already set us all back billions of dollars and years of CO2 emissions. Hydrogen must be generated from other chemicals, such as water, which uses significant amounts of energy, which could be better used POWERING AN ELECTRIC CAR!
Ethanol is almost as bad. Instead of generating electricity with solar cells, instantly and at 20-30% efficiency, ethanol proposes to use thousands of tiny green “solar cells” (which are far, far less efficient than solar electric cells) to generate a chemical, which can then be burned in an engine at below 40% efficiency (a good electric car will use electricity put into it at 80+% efficiency, for comparison).
My second complaint, other than the mention of alternative energy bait-and-switch programs, is the use of 110-volt sockets for charging. I understand that GM, selling as many cars as it does, cannot personally install a 220-volt charger. However, selling a 220-volt charger would improve both time to charge and cost of charging by a lot, and not having a 220-volt charge capability for this vehicle is selling it short, just like GM did with the EV1.
My last complaint with this vehicle is its poor range. This car, with just a few hundred more pounds added to it, could have a safe, long-range (150+ mi) battery pack. Tesla motors uses a 1000-pound battery pack and gets 250 miles a charge. so, couldn’t GM have a 500-pound pack that got, say, 100?
Also, why is that 3-cyl engine turbocharged? Why add all the weight of turbo, intercooler, etc for a charging engine?
Honestly, it still looks like GM is trying to force people to use ICE engines, and gasoline (even if E85 or hydrogen were viable fuels, they’re not available anywhere).
I can’t knock this idea entirely, because it’s still the best electrically-driven car for the best price right now. But in 5-7 years, Tesla Motors will have an all-electric family sedan, with a range of probably 200+ miles. Good luck competing then, if this is all you’ve got.
Roberto Lozano
Are you planning to combine a flex engine with a hybrid? I believe this will give you a superior competitive advantage
Darby
Love the idea, it will be a car to get in the near future, please start mass produsing the Volt soon. I love and enjoy the Cavalier I own, but would love to have a car like the Volt to use for work and please make sure it is affordable for not just the people how make a lot of money but for people who make about $20,000 a year ok GM. thanks.
sevenjon
What a shame knowing they had the EV1 technology before everybody, with a range of 40 miles for the Chevy Volt, keep on buying gas my friend. Look at the stats from an EV1:
-Freeway commuting with minimal stop and go: 130-150 miles per charge.
-City driving mixed with freeway (including “performance demonstrations”): 100-130 miles per charge.
-Worst case - hard use including driving in the hills: 75-100 miles per charge.
Nice concept GM but Toyota have already the same technology without the plugin feature (Prius)… but i’m sure it will be soon on there next car before 2010, and surely with a more advance technology. Hybrid technology is nice for long travel, but please be more serious and give this Chevy Volt a 100 miles range at lease, not with battery extender options please!
Bill
This is a wonderful concept car design. Most people use their cars to drive to work, shopping, kids to events and around the neighborhood. The scary thought about an all-electric car has been the unexpected event that may have let someone stranded by driving too far or not starting out with a full charge - not “balancing the checkbook”. But your plan to allow on-the-fly electric generation from comforting and widely available fuels is excellent. I would buy one today if it were available. Please continue this car program and get something into production - our world cannot wait!
Dave
Denny’s comments on 7 Jan got it right. This design is MUCH better than the 1st gen hybrids and solves the objection to pure electrics (What if I need to go more than 40 miles?). We know the electic mode will meet the daily requirements of most people, but this design prevents them from needing a 2nd car for longer trips. Every car built after 2012 should use this powerplant technology.
Can I have a Suburban version in 2011?
Only question - why did you make it look like a d*mn Dodge? Oh well - the real car can look better. You ARE going to build it, right? Don’t blow your chance to lead!
Sharon
I love the idea of the Volt, even though the EV-1 looked better and imagine how good it would be with a mega giant auto manufacturer like GM behind it. I’m crushed that it didn’t survive because GM made a beautiful, efficient car.
GM has been working on the electric car for over 10 years, I find the projected 50 mpg estimate of the future Chevy Volt Concept lacking, when there are cars now that get about 60 mpg. However, I will buy a car from the first to create a fully electric car for about $10,000 more than I would pay for a non-electric car. I have no brand loyalty. Also I agree with another commenter who said a diesel-electric car would be something GM should consider. Perhaps if GM gets the ball rolling here we can stave off the Oil Peak crisis.
While we wait for GM, check out this electric car already coming off the production line (Not a Concept, a Reality): http://www.teslamotors.com/index.php?js_enabled=1. It’s too expensive for me, about $90,000. This car gets 135 mpg and runs 240 miles on one charge.
Kevin R
Well, I’m in the market for a new car. My Bonneville will last about two more years. I was going to buy a Prius because you destroyed the EV-1. Now this is proposed. If GM truly wants to impact the world as Henry Ford did with the Model T then you MUST build this car in the next 16 months or so. The foreign company’s are racing to beat you and if they do the USA’s car company’s will be relegated to past greatness. This car must have comfortable seats, up-to-date technology (music ports, gps, etc) and a reasonable middle class price point. Only then will GM be able to capture the market share once again. A Volt in every driveway should be GM’s new mantra….Henry Ford did it and he didn’t worry about the oil company’s desires or pressure….he did it for his company and you need to to!
joseph ennis
MY GOD MEN.. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR ?!?!?!?!?!?!
Germo
What happened to the EV-1?
Why are we going back in time for 25 years?
Steve Brunberg
I speak for the huddled masses who eagerly await the coming revolution. Soon the day will come when we plug in our cars.
I will not buy another car until I can plug it in, and drive it at highway speeds, without gas. I would rather buy American but in this case I will get the first available plug in car that I can afford.
The technology is here, now, it is not a hurdle or a challenge. It is just a matter of priorities. If you want to grab market share and maintain and grow your loyal customer base you will make this a priority. If you don’t, you will lose, soon, to your competitors.
Sure you made the EV1, but not for everyone. When everyone can go to the local dealer and purchase or order a plug in electric car then the revolution has begun. I hope it is a GM dealer.
The Volt concept car is flashy but you really should put the volt drive train in your existing cars. Put it in the Sky and Solstice to really rock Teslas world. Put it in the Saturn Aura to create the perfect family car. Make an electric truck or El-camino. We want an Electric Chevy!
It makes no sense to engineer electric cars from scratch. Design electric, or hybrid, drive trains for the models you already have. Make it an option on numerous models.
Do it first, make it affordable, make it now.
Electric for everyone.
We hate buying GAS, at any price, it is liquid EVIL. Right now we have no choice, please give us a car that gives us a choice.
hector
considering the hardships of the fuel-cell, this is a great idea, and i bet that the point was to use as few components as possible. hopefully all of the body parts can be made of the lightest materials available. ie; carbon fiber. the look of the car has to change though, to attrack a more wide range of people. also a small to mid size car and suv lines of that power train are a must. could the engine be any smaller than 3 cylinders and maybe with a k&n air filter? make sure to take it to a higher quality than your japanese competition, so i can say that it is worth owning.
David
Get the car to market for under 35k and I can guarentee myself buying one instead of having to buy a foreign market hybrid.
Bryan F
I want this car, badly. GM NEEDS to build this car. Chalk me up as another who will be knocking down the door’s at the dealership when this car is released. On that front, PLEASE make sure that the dealerships DO NOT begin their price gouging when this car is released. This WILL sour the release of this car, and alienate customers.
Leonard Lay
This is a great idea. You should definitely make these vehicles. You sould actually make several lines with this vechicle concept. There should be an economy line for the low priced market all the way up to the luxury line. One thing that always bugs me about technology that is supposed to be “green” is that the “green” technology is too cost prohibitive for most people. If you want to make a difference in the environment, you have to make it possible for all ecomonic groups to be able to do their part.
By the way, I love the chrome. The concept model looks super cool.
Luke McQuillan
I am so excited about this car. I am so glad GM decided to revive the idea of an electric car. The American people may not have been ready for the EV1, but more and more people are realizing the benefits of being environmentally friendly. America IS ready for the Chevy Volt. Make it as fast as you can, we need it!!!
teddyfive
yes i will buy this car..but lets go!…consumers want this car NOW!! if you guys and the oil barons weren’t so busy ripping us all off, this car would be out already…yeah i saw”who killed the electric car” and i’ve been pissed at you ever since..and why not cover the whole car in that new solar adhesive?…THEN it’s also charging by the sun as well!!
(your welcome) GET US OFF THE NIPPLE OF OIL!!!
Ryan Gubicza
Hey GM now i know that you guys build this it will be alot cheaper then some pepole. But hey get on the ball Teslas woppin your @#! They got the lithiom ion battery thats big enough and theres doesent have any gas at all. O and also guess what there about to build a plant. but guess what you guys got all that crap so get on with it.
Ernie
The body design is very impractical. The windows are too small. Visibility out of it must be horrible! A lot of space is wasted on the big hood. Take a look at the SMART car from Europe (smartusa.com). It has a great design and use of space. They have a total electric version. (www.treehugger.com/files/2006/10/the_smart_ev_co.php)
Build something to be available in 2008.
Rich
If the Volt had been available when we recently purchased our Civic Hybrid, we would have seriously looked at getting a Volt instead.
So, now you have a few years (3, perhaps 4) until our now “older car” needs to be replaced. Please try to have the Volt available then.
If Honda can release a nicely-equipped Civic Hybrid for just over $20K, you could be VERY competitive with a Volt coming in at around $25K. And the Volt is a much snazzier-looking car, to be sure!
Holger Schult
My feeling still is: you are not going to make this car. Why? Because you still use lame excuses like “The battery technology needs to be developed…” Bull! The battery technology is already there. There is plenty of cars out there that can be ordered right now (like the Tesla Roadster with a 250 mile radius) with Lithium batteries. Yes they are expensive (100 grand) but for a reason: they are sports cars and produced only in small series. GM would have the advantage of selling a mass produced car with much cheaper components. Are you really willing to go electric? I doubt it. The Oil multis still own you and they won’t let go off their highest profits in history, at least not in the next forseeable future.
Proof me wrong and BUILD this car!
David K.
The Volt is the solution I’ve been waiting for. I never had a chance to lease an EV-1, and had some doubts due to the limited range. But, truth is, a pure electric car would work great for me for most of my driving needs. My commute to work is less than 20 miles one way, so I’d do fine even with the 60 mile range of the pure electric EV-1.
But, the Volt’s E-Flex Drive System is ingenious in how it opens the car up to a much larger audience. The sub-40 mile drive range using the battery would work great for my commutes to work. The extended range using the flex fuel combustion engine would take care of my longer range driving needs. If the EV-1 could meet the needs of 90% of the drivers (quote from the movie Who Killed the Electric Car?), the Volt could easily meet the needs of 99.2% of the driving population. There are those who will insist on their SUVs and pickup trucks, but I’m hoping the E-Flex Drive System will trickle down to those models as well.
The Volt is a car whose time has come.
WE ARE WAITING.
Jim WIlson
The 40 mile electric range is impractical. Why 40 miles? Why not 60 miles? The standard commuter does more than go straight from home to work and back (you know; mundane things like shopping, lunch, transporting the kids to their extra-curricular activities, etc.). Why not offer mileage upgrade options to enable the customer to match the vehicle to the commute/errand range they need. Think practically!
Also, why don’t you take all that engineering know-how and step-up the production schedule on this thing and whatever else is in your electric-hybrid stable. Three years is waay too long. If it’s a money/talent issue. Surely some VCs will want to step up and help you out on this. Time is of the essence.
Gene
Please build the Volt with the following features:
o 30 hp diesel engine. As long as this output is over the average power consumption and system losses, why would this car need anything more? This engine can run all day on 2 gallons of diesel.
o optional solar panels for the hood and roof. I live in the southwest (almost always sunny) and average less than 10 miles/day on weekdays. Its not unrealistic to believe that solar charging may be sufficient for my weekday automobile energy requirements.
I can’t tell you how exciting this concept is. Please execute the project at the quality standards of the Prius and help us greatly reduce our gasoline consumption!
Gene
‘96 Metro
‘06 GTO
Conor
When can i buy one, because as soon as i can. I will
Steve C
Great idea, BUT, don’t copy what’s already out there as far as size. There are enough small hybrids out there. Build a range of full-size vehicles all on the same platform (sedan, wagon, minivan, sport coupe, etc.) America likes bigger cars and Chevy can take the lead again. I believe most people would gladly give up 100 mpg for 75 mpg to get a full-size vehicle.
After 30 years of Chevy and GM vehicles, I defected for a Camry Hybrid, because the new Impala got less mpg than the Impala I was driving. I’ll come back for a bigger vehicle that does better than the 40 mpg I’m getting now.
PS - Don’t price it out of middle-class reach like you did with the SSR. You could have sold a whole lot more of them if there had been a V-6 version with less performance options. The HHR should have come out 5 years ago to have competed with the PT Cruiser, but it’s doing well even playing catch-up because it’s economical, gets good mpg and reasonably priced. Learn from the past and don’t make the same mistake with the Volt….please. Build what America wants and start production now using available batteries. Gen2 can always have better battery technology.
Tonya
I love the Chevy brand and I will continue to invest in American made vehicles like the Chevy Volt. This car looks great and is what people like me are looking for! Iowan’s like myself want a safe and practicle vehicle, with power of course. More and more scientific evidence is placing the responsibility of reducing greenhouse gas emmisions in our hands, let’s keep Chevy ahead of the game. Today’s consumers are searching for the first car to meet their environmentally friendly expectations and I think Chevy will be true to it’s slogan, “The American Revolution.” Let’s manufacture and market these cars so we can invest in them!
Eric
Give it solar panels, increase the battery drive range to 100 miles, and redesign the exterior. Not everybody is into the super-long and and flat look. Also, four doors would be nice.
Dave
I really like the concept except for the overly futuristic designed exterior. It would be great if you could introduce this kind of engine into normal models such as the malibu or impala.
Jeff
If you build it, they will come. Count me in!
I’d like a greater range, like 100 miles. That’s a holy grail that will be great for marketing, and even if I don’t use all the charge, by not depleting the battery every day, the battery will last longer (less recharge cycles).
How about a factory or dealer option to eat away at some trunk space with extra batteries?
Liz Bradley
Why is this still a concept? We need this kind of vehicle now - your new slogan could be GM - Green Matters.
Get Busy Boys!!!!!
Greg
It’s about time! I wanted to lease an EV1 back in 1997 but you never supplied them to Florida. Drove it at EPCOT. I would have used it to commute every day and for grocery store trips, etc. and saved my AWESOME Chevy Camaro SS for fun and recreational drives!
It looks like you’ve addressed pretty much ANY need/desire/complaint about EVs with this one! GREAT job! LOOKS great too! Now PLEASE, follow through and support (AND MARKET) your own product as well as support those who believe in it! MAKE IT HAPPEN!!! NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT THIS. PUT IT ON TV - EVEN THE CONCEPT!!! Japan would & does! Otherwise Japan will copy the idea and take credit for it 3 years from now as usual! Everyone out here thinks Japan was first (before the EV1) and that they invented all the related technology that GM invented! Which translates to confidence in YOUR COMPETITORS for YOUR WORK! What’s the matter with you guys?!
GM needs to MARKET it’s products better and TELL PEOPLE about the cutting-edge features/technology/research. Every time I tell people about the EV1, they either had NO IDEA about all the fascinating engineering that went into it (most aerodynamic, no transmission, REGENERATIVE BRAKES!) OR they never heard of it. People think HONDA or TOYOTA developed those for their HYBRIDS!!! TELL PEOPLE!!!
One question though. If you would let us know here or somewhere, great. Otherwise just be aware that people will wonder. The EV1 got up to 150 MPChrg at the end. I read that a 400 MPChrg prototype was in the works waiting for new battery technology back then. Even the Gen1 EV1 got up to 90 MPChrg and the lame Honda/Toyota copy-cat EVs got up to 70. The Writespeed X1 gets 150. Teslas 2007 EV gets in that range or better as I recall. So why does the Volt only get 40 MPChrg when you should (and HAVE ALREADY DONE SO) be able to get 3 or 4 times that? I hope you’re not trying to appease BIG OIL. People WILL NOTICE! And Japan WILL top that and GM will LOSE AGAIN! Don’t let that happen this time!
shane
please build it! it would be a huge seller!!! i am waiting for them to come out so i can buy one. One way to laugh in the face of the oil giants and foreign oil dependance!
Dude31
I want this car!!! Please build it before any foreign automakers do and you’ll have a HUGE hit on your hands.
Kendal
It’s cute but the 40 miles on batteries alone is a joke. There are cars available right now that get over 250 miles on a charge, they are strictly electric but come on. This is General Motors, you guys should be able to get over 100 miles on batteries EASY, even with the gas engine taking up space. If this car was available now I would buy it though.
Robert Chambers
My current Car, a 1991 Mercury Sable with 293,000 miles is getting 30 MPG.
This is not a small car either, it packs a lot of steel and has a large footprint compared to todays cars.
I am still driving it today because no one has anything comparable, and it runs great (ok, transmission sucks though). This is the original engine, with just regular maintenance. I have never had it pulled apart, but I am on my third transmission.
Build us a tri-bred car. Hydrylics for the take off & stopping, electrics for the motor, and bio-fuels /solar roof for the recharge.
In the meantime, I would consider the opportunity to trade you my Sable for your Volt on a temporary basis.
Andy Williams
What a great Idea!! As soon as I can afford a new car I will by the volt, unless you bring back an updated EV1, maybe call it the EV2. I think that would be a smashing success!!!!!
Jedi
UGLY! But I want one anyway, NOW, because greedy oil companies making record profits while I struggle to pay bills really pisses me off!
Eric Marshall
I’ve been holding out for 10 years to buy a new car … waiting for a practical electric.
I’d buy the Volt today!!!
Just one small request, make it truly “Flex”ible by allowing extra batteries as an option to extend the range, don’t force us to buy an E-Flex combustion engine or hydrogen fuel cell.
Better yet, provide an open architecture that allows future electrical storage technologies to be added or removed as modules. The computer industry has successfully been doing similar things for many years. This encourages third party suppliers to jump in. Why try to do it all yourself?
Richard Hale
Please build this car!!!! It’s about time we show the rest of the world that American engineering and know-how is still #1.
If GM doesn’t do this now, toyota will steal this concept.
Chris
I am and always have been a Chevy owner. I currently own a 2006 Cobalt, am having some issues, but overall am pretty satisfied. For the Volt, I like the design and the idea of reversing the hybrid model. I am not very fond of the interior styling of some of GM’s concepts (Camaro/Volt). I would like to see an Acadia like dashboard with OLED touchscreens and voice command… something to compete with Ford’s Sync System.. I’m sure Microsoft has licensed the software to them and reserved the right to develop it for other companies. As far as battery storage.. I think GM should jump in with R&D money with MIT and their Nanotube Supercapacitor research… if you are unaware, Ford has. Current battery tech may be moving as fast as it can, but it is definately not keeping up with consumer electronics. And sadly, current battery tech such as the Lithium Ion is hanging on to its title as “advanced” in the auto industry but it cant power my laptop more than a couple of hours.. and hours for recharge. In today’s world, you need to talk seconds not hours… supercapacitors, or some branch technology WILL HAVE TO bring that.
paul
Hurry up GM and get this thing going, because Honda and Toyota are gonna eat you up in no time.
It’s time to join the 1990’s.
adam
Build it already. I grew up in a ‘GM’ family, but bought a Honda CRX HF in 1992 because GM didn’t have anything that mixed style and fuel efficiency. Build it already, I’ll buy it!
Kyle
I would like to say how wonderful I think your new concept is. I hope you put every effort to getting it to market by 2010. I am writing because I have two suggestions. First, when developing the next generation Delta platform you should consider engineering in the option of placing the electric motor in the rear. It would be wonderful to have a torque rich electric car with 50/50 weight distribution and true sports sedan handling. Second, please consider offering a diesel option at launch. If you plan on having a simultaneous launch in Europe you undoubtedly will need a diesel for that market. Given the small size of the engine you could evaluate the option of sourcing the engine form Europe as a way to not take on the risk of producing it here but give you a real opportunity to judge demand. My guess is you would be surprised at the demand for a diesel option. Plus, it would allow you to be the undisputed environmental champs of any car manufacturer.
Good luck
Peter
Please produce and sell this yesterday.
It is style and serious substance all in one. I wish you guys could start selling this ASAP!!!!!!!!!
It would overnight bring GM and Chevy back to the top and crash the price of oil. This car is not just a car. This is also a gateway towards changing global politics and taking power away from dangerous oil producing countries like VZ.
Please, Please, Please, for the sake of our world, produce this technology on all your vehicles as soon as you can.
Thank you.
Manuel Gonzalez-Pinedo
The Chevrolet Volt $30,000 USD is a great idea, but what about a cheaper car (10,000) with an electric motor powered by the gas engine without batteries?
Since diesel-electric locomotive exist since 1925, why does General Motors have not done the same for cars since time ago?
Well, I am not an engineer.
Matt M.
Build this and I will buy my very first Chevrolet!
Greg
I understand why you’ve chosen to limit the charge capacity (but not why only to provide 40 miles). Batteries are expensive, heavy, take up space, and present a disposal problem. So if you limit the battery capacity to a typical day’s need, you get a lot in return. Perfect.
*** BUT ***, you’ve limited it to 78% of work commutes; not daily need. I think all of us out here would like to be able to ONLY USE GAS when we go out of town. 40 perfect condition miles per day may cover 78% of commutes but we all stop at stores, malls, restaurants, pick-up/drop-off kids, etc. I would like to be able to do ALL of my typical daily driving without using gas. I think for most of us that means > 40. I KNOW if you bump it up a little you’d have a GRAND SLAM! And you guys NEED it & deserve it! Don’t settle for a triple and let Japan hit it out of the park on you! You have a winner. Go 110% with it! And better EXPLAIN why it’s so much less than Tesla & EV1s (as I have above).
And DON’T WAIT until 2010-12!!! The Japanese will not. They’re surely working overtime to copy your idea as we speak . . . and they will use current batteries to bring it to market while you’re still waiting for your 400 lb battery to be developed! GM has a chance to knock Japan’s small Hybrids off the market with this. It should ALREADY be on the market with plans for other EVs (Saturn Sky, Pont G6, etc.). Forget the 400 lb battery! Tesla uses a pack of current laptop-style li-ion batteries for 250 MPChrg! Use 1/4 that amount NOW and get the car out there - even if lease only. And design the batt pack so when a better option comes out in 2010-12, you can swap them! The current batts should last until a better battery is developed anyway.
And ADVERTISE IT AND INFORM the public like JAPAN DOES!!! I feel like we need to hit you guys over the head and knock some sense into you! And if you EVER merge with Renault or some KOREAN company, I will NEVER buy a GM product again! What are you guys thinking to even HUMOR such an idea?! People have a much lower perception (failure/worthless/disposable junk) of them than they do American makers! Just BUILD GREAT CARS LIKE THIS ONE! NO EXCUSES! NO TEASING THE PUBLIC AND THEN DISAPPOINTING US!!! DO IT! Or Hire me and I’LL DO IT!
Allan
If GM wants to regain prominence as the best car maker in the world, they will take the lead with the production of a car with this technology.
GM wasted an opportunity with the EV1. I watched “Who Killed the Electric Car” and I don’t believe one word the excuse that GM put forth.
It was all about money and pressure from big oil and government.
If it’s one thing that GM bigwigs ought to know about economics is that when a new technology is created, so is a new industry. That’s how it has always worked.
If GM wants to make it right with the people…they’ll go with electric hybrid technology, and SOON!!
Otherwise Toyota and Honda will have all the market share. That is who I will buy my next car from since I believe they have the best interests of the consumer in mind when it comes to energy conservation.
Boggles my mind that GM cars have not improved the average MPG since 1985. I know it can be done and you’re enigineers are not stupid.
I’ve ranted enough, just build the car.
And stay AWAY from the hydrogen idea.
Thank you
Fritz Scheiman
Hi, I would buy the Volt. I live in the northern Arkansas mountains 19 miles from the nearest town I do business in. I live on an open ridge top overlooking a south facing forested river canyon and plan to add a wind generator to my land. I could let the constant night breezes charge up my Volt so I would never need to buy fuel for my everyday business travel. It’s very important to our society that these plug-in vehicles be developed imho.
Josh Hawn
what’s the point in still having the internal combustion engine? this vehicle uses Li-ion batteries right? well, if the EV1 used the same battery technology, it could have gotten up to 300 miles in a charge!
I think GM should produce a vehicle like the EV1, but that people would really want, to enjoy driving and take their family places! I’m sure GM could make a mid-size sedan, that could seat 5 passengers, and still have plenty of trunk space that could get up to 250 mpc (miles per charge).
and don’t make the car look weird on purpose! The EV1 was a beautiful looking car , from the front, but the rear side of the EV1 was the freakiest thing i’d ever seen!!
i hate the way this ‘volt’ looks… with the front wheels so far forward, and how can anyone see out those windows? (i realize it’s just a concept)
i think that GM should make another EV that runs solely on battery electric power that can get the range people want. YES, IT CAN HAVE THE RANGE PEOPLE WANT!
let’s say you drive this hypothetical EV2… you and your family want to drive from Los Angeles to Fresno, CA. (hint, i’m from around there) so you take off from your home, kids safe and comfortable in the back seat, with a fully charged battery. But you run into that gridlock on the I-5, don’t worry, you’re not wasting any battery, because the motor isn’t running, there’s no exhaust coming from your car, unlike the other thousands of cars around you.
when trafic picks up, you start to travel faster taking this vehicle fast enough to get a speeding ticket! maybe 85 mph?
say you run out of charge around Bakersfield, CA… after driving a few hours, you need to recharge… you might need a little lunch too, so just plug in your EV2 somewhere (there’s 110V outlets everywhere, so you can’t say “uh, where’m i gonna plug it in?”) You could have a quick one-hour lunch break at a Denny’s while your car charges in the parking lot! (yes, there are outlets in the parking lots)
you come back to see that you have 85% charge! oh wow! 85% over lunch!
so now you continue down the road, quiet and comfortable, in your EV2 until you get to your in-law’s in Fresno, and they say, “oh wow! what a cool car! how much does that cost at the pump?”
and you say jokingly, ” well, it’s like i pay 70 cents a gallon!”
you never have to get an oil change!
never go to a gas station again!
brakes last even longer thanks to regenerative braking!
conveinently charge at home or wherever there’s electricity! that means everywhere!
if anyone even thinks about commenting to argue with me, you’d better think twice, because there’s no way any configuration is better that this!
ya know what! i half about half a mind to go buy a chevy cobalt and convert it to a fully electric car that goes 250 miles to a charge. and then just recyle the internal combustion engine! why don’t you give people a choice like that?!!!
Eric
Companies constantly taunt us with what they could do, but rarely do it. The Chevy Volt should be built. America should lead the way. GM has always been a leader and Volt is something GM can tackle.
BUILD THE CAR!
Dave
Build it… and we will buy…
Greg
I’d like to add one more VERY important suggestion: You need to make the public aware of some things (you can see it even in these posts here from fairly informed & those interested enough to surf here). Let people know this car/tech exists, what it is, how it’s different, and the benefits of that difference (WHY THEY WOULD WANT ONE!). Heck, most people NEVER HEARD OF THE EV1!!! - Even when it existed! GM needs to let potential consumers know:
* That GM is EVEN conducting/leading such R & D (that goes for Hydrogen too - avg. person has no idea that GM was first approved for Hydro tests in Japan for example! I’ve told several friends in the DC/VA area about your upcoming Hydrogen SUV handout/test. They never heard of it! - TELL PEOPLE! Their perception is Japan does it all while GM sets mired in the past. Why? Because Japan TELLS talks to us. Japan steals your ideas, produces them, and SHOWS US! Japan actually invests and BUILDS on the PRODUCTION of these things.) - ADS & follow through.
* That the Volt concept even EXISTS! - ADS.
* Why this is NOT a hybrid and why it’s MUCH BETTER! (This is a PURE Electric-Drive with a generator onboard for recharging. No gas engine needed to boost power over 30 MPH or when accelerating like a hybrid. BETTER because can operate 100% GAS FREE FOREVER as a daily use vehicle and great (150MPG) to excellent (53.3 MPG) beyond when needed. People aren’t getting that already! - ADS.
* That, unlike a Hybrid, THEY CAN DRIVE GAS FREE WITH THE VOLT! (And can keep going when they need to!) - ADVERTISE!
America needs GM to pick themselves back up!
Jon Peacy
I would like to buy the Chevy Volt, soon and I hope you hurry as I am 71+. I would like to buy one that could operate without gasolene and all of those carcinogens from the exhaust - but I like the idea of a turbo/with/E85 to take advantage of the 105 octane fuel which is what your SAAB Division did and got better performance + more mpg’s??? You can do it so please build one VOLT for me before I die of waiting!!!
Jon PC= Jon Peacy
Gerry Bieringer
Gentlemen:
I’d like to get in on your field test of this product. What will it cost? To whom do I send my first installment (or the whole amount). Sign me up please. I’d like the bio-diesel version.
Currently, I have a Camry. For 20K I can have it converted to an AC drive electric vehicle. The same company will provide (for an additional fee), a small trailer to tow behind that runs on bio-diesel. This generator will do for the electric Camry what your FLEX system will do for the volt. Maybe the economy won’t be as great. But I can have it now. By the way it runs on current battery technology (not dependant on rare metal).
Don’t drag your feet or you’ll be left in the dust again.
Andrea Smith
Great concept car - I am excited to see this materialize.
HybridsNow
Dear GM,
The very existence of your company is now at stake. Toyota will likely pass pass you within the next year to be the World’s largest automaker. Once it was said; ‘what’s good for GM is good for America’. Well, we can get back to that if the company could please suspend years of bad assumptions and terrible business models and build this vehicle. In fact, GM needs to build a four door version as well. The car can do for GM what the Model T did for Ford. So, gentlemen, it’s your future to either seize or destroy.
Holger Schult
The electric vehicle is coming!(With or without GM) The American government and it’s oil industry can’t stop the European carmakers. The fuel over there is three times as expensive and the smog is as thick as in LA. The gasoline-Smart (http://smartusa.com/) is already one of the most successful cars in Europe (I drove a rental one when I was in Germany in March 2004, great car!). When they go electric they will outsmart GM and the Japanese altogether. The Gasoline version at British prices per today is only $13000 (US version is promised for next year @ $15000). And they ARE building the electric version already- see any of the European Smart websites (smart.com)
(GM isn’t going to start the Volt until 2010, maybe 2012…)
Yes, the Smart is a small car (it may take a while for the average Americans to reshape their car image - away from the monstrous SUV to the present shape of European cars) but small cars is what we need. If you think there ever will be a “fuel-efficient” truck or SUV- think twice. Heavy cars can’t be efficient. The Hydrogen powered Hummer given to Arnold Schwarzenegger is a joke! Heavy weight SUVs and conservation of energy/clean air don’t go together: Any cars, even electric ones need energy! The Hydrogen or the electicity will have to be produced using available energy sources (preferably clean ones!) and they are still restricted. The only valid solution to our energy/global warming/air pollution problem is one that includes conservation of energy. That means: USING LESS ENERGY. This again means: SMALL and/or LIGHT cars!
So GM, you did a nice job with the Volt-”Concept”: You got people’s attention. Now BUILD this car (to get the ball rolling) THIS YEAR and at the same time come up with the real solution: Give us a lightweight Electric-only Vehicle that cost less than a Smart and is build in the USA and has a larger range (150 miles will do) and offer the same technology as Mercedes does whith the Smart (or better!). Do this and I will be your customer again (I urgently need a replacement for my Chevy Corsica!)
Kevin
Well…here we go again with rising oil prices and gas that will be at or over $3 a gallon this summer. I can’t stand it. I want this car and all anyone at GM says is “we have to wait for the battery technology to catch up”. That is crap! You create the car with the technology we have NOW. Then you allow for swapping out the battery pack when improvements come along. No excuses, no wavering. To do so will be GM’s death to foreign car makers. If you don’t think that they are trying to trump you, you’re fools and don’t deserve to stay in business. All along the big three US car makers whined about CAFE standards and begged the government not to raise them. Had you three increased mpg 1 mile every year since the late 70’s we’d have cars that get 50+ mpg now. But no, you allowed us to burn and waste gasoline and foul the air and heat the planet, all so the oil company’s could make the most profits in history. For what? All it’s doing is eroding the middle class in America. Disposable incomes are plunging. The Volt is a step in the right direction in reversing a multitude of problems that have been created. Build this now, get it into showrooms for the 2008 model year. You will have a runaway sales juggernaut and I will be one of the first in line to purchase one. Otherwise I’ll be turning to a Prius or one of the cutting edge Japanese introductions that are sure to hit showrooms in the next 16 months.
Kevin
This is a great concept. Such a simple idea packaged so nicely will surely be a hit. I would be interested in knowing some performance specifications. Will this car be a practical commuter in traffic like DC where even a 20 mile commute may take an hour and a half? How is the acceleration and top speed?
If this car is produced I hope everything is done to keep it affordable. It’s important to make cars like this accessible to as many people as possible. From the looks of it GM has made it really desirable!
allan b. fairweather
I personally think the volt is not only a great idea but one truly aspired by the demands of today’s eco neccesities. I would without a doubt trade in my 01 cadillac for that beauty.
Alexander Lofft
Make this baby, and I’ll trade in my Beemer. Make it a ragtop and I’ll buy two!
jay
Build it and we will buy it. Ethanol and biofuels are a scam but this is an answer to our energy problems and it looks awesome. Go Chevrolet!
jay
Would it be possible to add more batteries to get, say, eighty miles of pure electric range???
rado
awesome car!!!!!
Angela
Go GM.
Finally a real true electric hybrid vehicle that is very practical and family friendly.
Very sharp and attractive design. it makes a statement.
Leave it to GM to come thru with the car of the future. You make us proud.
I can’t wait to see it on the road. The only better thing you can do is make it reasonably priced so everyong can benefit from it.
Peter
This is a great idea, I thought I saw something about the possibility of the charge system possibly being a fuel cell. That would make the Volt a truly zero emission vehicle. Fuel cells have advanced quite a lot since the Hi-Wire concept. A fuel cell would be perfect in this situation, having a constant load charging the batteries would be the optimal use of a fuel cell. The power density of the fuel cell would probably be better than the combustion engines as well…
Greg
What a stupid, impractical design (i.e. style). Electric vehicle yes…how bout something a little more utilitarian…..a chop top oldtimers roadster I don’t need. Why do all electric/hybrid vehicles need to be either ugly or “concept.”
Bob Hiltner
This is a winning idea. Execute it well and it can save the enterprise. I would like to see this with low/no-sulfur diesel, which may be a more optimal solution for running optimized for a steady-state generator.
Consider that electric motor drive has the benefit, in addition to being very efficient, of being very high-torque, so it should satisfy the power-hungry buyers who can step on it hard to feel good and show their friend, yet unlike V8 I.C.E., would be quite efficient under normal driving conditions.
I drive a Civic Hybrid. I would buy the Volt in a heartbeat.
outsider
If GM doesn’t listen to this crowd it will be only their lost because if these people don’t get their Volt they will buy a Tesla White Star next year
J N
I want one! Particularly if you make a mini-van or truck version.
Matt
I love the concept. Everything looks great, but I AM TIRED OF WAITING! Get off your ass and build the damn car!
You can still sell them with less than optimal battery technology to people like me. I live less than 10 miles from work, so a shorter range Volt, that can be upgraded later with a higher energy density MODULAR battery pack would seal the deal for me. A 25-30 mile range would be just fine. I could even plug it in at work! I already own a vehicle I can keep for longer drives.
Why not generate some interest now? Why not get into the market now? Take the thunder away from other companies. There is no technology advances that are needed here. Pretty much everything is off the shelf componets. Why would a company like GM wait to produce such a vehicle? I just don’t get it. You are doing the research anyway, you might as well make some profits, or at least grab the majority of the market share and generate some loyalty.
Chad
This powertrain is the best idea to date. I can’t wait to see it in the showroom and trade in my WRX for a *gasp* GM. If GM decides to build any vehicle with the plug-in E-flex driveline, they will become the leaders of the hybrid revolution, instead of watching Toyota win by a landslide!
Derek Raymer
Finally! If you build it, they will come! I believe we all want to have an attractive form factor of vehicle that is also good for the Earth and saves $$ at the same time. Keep it up and make it affordable (buy/lease)
David
The Volt concept is fantastic. MANY Canadians and Americans would buy cars that are capable of reducing fossil fuel use. If GM can jump ahead of the competition with an electric power train they may just be able to save themselves.
Vince
To Some Bloggers Here:
THIS CAR IS NOT A HYBRID!!! It’s WAY better. 100% Electric Drive with an onboard FLEX-FUEL generator to recharge the batteries that ONLY RUNS when the batteries are nearly discharged. Hybrids use 2 synchronized engines to drive the wheels and the gasoline engine runs at any time using gas (just SLIGHTLY less of it) at any given time. THIS CAR can run FOREVER ON 100% ELECTRICITY as a commuter car (if GM boosts the charge capacity a bit more than 40 - 60 should cover commutes PLUS stops at the store & dropping off kids, etc.).
GM:
This is something you HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC so they will not think this is just another Hybrid (with Flex-Fuel which will probably appear on Japan’s worthless Hybrids soon making them a little less worthless).
And GM, Build this car and STICK WITH IT! Build on it like Japan is doing successfully with their Hybrids. And as a result they are selling more and more - offering more and more choices - selling more and more - repeat - repeat - build - build! Don’t drop it if sales/leases are low at first (LIKELY DUE TO POOR MARKETING!!! People need to be educated about these things, told why it’s awesome, and that the thing EXISTS!!!)
And don’t THRILL us with the awesome styling but then make a BORING version of it when you produce it. (I don’t know how you guys finally did it - the style is AWESOME! - Interior needs to be less cheap plastic-y though! - you can finish it inexpensively but well like the late Z28 Camaros for ex. - but with a less boring steering wheel - see Ford Mustang’s) And forget the handful of boring geezers who want a boring car (there must be a lot at your company - we all believe that out here - FIRE THEM!). All the younger people who buy cars more often and will be future customers (or NOT) DON’T WANT BORING CARS! We don’t want to be bored and disappointed. And we don’t want to have to make excuses to our friends why we bought a GM! We want to buy a car that turns our heads and turns our friends’ heads. We want THIS CAR (with a less cheap-y looking interior)! COOL, EXCITING, HEAD-TURNING, GAS-FREE, and PROUDLY AMERICAN FOR A CHANGE!
(Good job on the Saturn Sky b.t.w.! - ADVERTISE IT!)
charlie
I love the look and the idea of the Volt and hope to see it soon. I wonder if it could come in different packages. What if you used a hydrogen/Diesel engine like the one Ford has? Would that not help in bringing hydrogen to market? Would it not also help free the U.S. from depending on oil imports? Lets hope we will find out.
John
E-Flex is a great concept, and is exactly what is needed to reduce our dependency on oil.
As others have mentioned, diesel-electric
trains are in development that are similar in
concept to E-Flex. Perhaps you could
work with one of them to bring E-Flex to market
sooner? For example, here is a link to what
GE is currently doing:
http://ge.ecomagination.com/@v=030820071036@/site/index.html#hybr/introduction
If you build this, please try to ensure that
you invite EVERYONE to the party: everyone can’t
afford to buy a $30,000 car. You need to have
multiple price points so that everyone feels
that you have a car for them that gets great
gas mileage, helps the environment, and is
affordable. Perhaps you could also build a
two seater commuter car called the Chevy Spark?
My entire life, my cars have always carried the Dodge nameplate. If you build this car, it will definitely be my first Chevy.
Joel Brown
Sign me up for two today. This will make up for the mistakes made with the EV-1. I want to buy American, but I will buy a Japanese Hybrid if this doesn’t come to market soon.
david
BUILD THIS CAR!!! man that car is the best idea so far by a long shot!
dt
First, thank you for re-introducing the electric car. With the gas price now a day. This is the car that everyone has been waitint to buy. The idea is great,and so the design. I just hope they could build another one with the same method, but more family friendly style. And hope that the quality would be great too. Otherwise, other auto makers would copy and make better quality car than GM.
Brandon
I love it, but I want more… Please consider the following suggestion to make the all production Chevy Volt even better:
Add a 120 volt convenience outlet to the vehicle. The year before last we lost power for about a week during an ice storm. Like everyone else, I had to go out and buy a small generator to keep my family warm and quickly found that stores sold out of them fast. Imagine how much nicer it would’ve been to have a plug in hybrid that could provide the emergency power source I needed with having to drive all over town to search for a generator that for the most part will sit unused for years and may not start if ever I need it again.
Don’t let this car slip through you fingers, because if it’s not on your showroom floor it will be on someone else’s and I’ll be buying theirs.
Please feel free to use this account for your marketing or sales.
Bill
The new volt looks great hopefully gm will continue with these sleak high performance looks in the future.
hotstuf
IF Chevy pulls off this car without a serious glitch, it could be the first time I’ve considered buying a Chevy, rather than a Toyota, in 25 years.
Tracey
Love the car! Please make it ASAP!!!
I would love a wagon option, so I can haul all of my work stuff with it. I need a wagon for my job- I refuse to go SUV- too big and hard to get into, park and drive in the city, for me at least. Not to mention, SUV’s seem like a glorified truck! A cute, peppy wagon about the size of the Ford Focus would be ideal.
Build this one ASAP and knock some wind out of Toyota’s sails!
Marc Rucinski
I read through the posts here, plus with the poll you’re running…there are a LOT of people willing to buy this vehicle! Me included! That alone should give GM management a reason to push this vehicle forward NOW!
Growing up, my family has always owned GM vehicles, and I’m proud to have continued that tradition! Our two latest vehicles are my wife’s ‘03 Pontiac Vibe and my ‘05 Crew Cab Silverado.
We all understand that you want to make a truly flexible vehicle, but it’s okay to start “small”. There’s plenty of available technology for you to make an EV2 or hybrid right now! You don’t have to wait for the next big technology break-thru to pursue this! Build what the people want! There are a lot of small companies that are doing conversions or building from scratch and doing them well. Hit them up to help create/design the next best seller, or buy them out and incorporte their technology!
Iran is creating yet another conflict for us and gas is starting to push up to the $3.00 mark again and it’s not even summer yet! Plus don’t EVEN get me started on the big oil companies making nearly $40 BILLION in PROFIT per year!!!
America needs an American EV/Hybrid NOW, and GM has the know-how and the dealer network in place to take advantage of mass marketing them!
Please give us what we need and want!
Lauren
I love the idea for this car! I will be looking buy a new vehicle (I’d love to stay with Chevy) within the next 5 years. If you make it an affordable, good looking, and enviromentally friendly car you can’t lose with this one!
Ron
Build it and it would change the equation with the oil companies
Richard Robinson
Super idea! Great looking car! Can’t wait to get one.
Gianluca
The electric propulsion is the future of transportation, no doubt about it!
The range extender is now necessary because of the lack of performance in actual batteries… Or because the Petrol industry is still too powerful?
Jules
Great idea. I read a recent review about the batteries and keeping them charge and your idea about an engine generating electricity is also very good. But what if you built a solar collector into the roof and hood of the car, then convert it into electricity. Most are usually parked outside for a long time anyway!
CR Berry
Ok
I have been waiting for this car since 1973. Where has my electric car been??
Lets push the electric range and should it not be possible for engine to run 0-100% ethanol?
dick
This car would be a perfect fit for me as it would satisfy all commuting without using fuel. The range extending back up generator could be an option, reducing the cost, but for most would be necessary. This vehicle should be fast tracked to the market or other automakers will beat GM to it. The battery technology is adequate for this vehicle, just expensive, for now.
Electric drive is our only alternative to the transfer of wealth to middle eastern countries and regimes that will threaten our national security in the future.
Donald McNurlin
The the CEO of General Motors:
With all due respect, may I make a couple of suggestions?
1.) Kill off all other concepts and produce this one. To ignore the consensus here is fiscal suicide!
2.) Roll out not only an E-Flex sedan, but also an E-Flex minivan and an E-Flex pickup truck. I would trade my Toyota Tacoma in an instant if I could get an E-Flex pickup truck!
3.) You have been listening to the customers now for a couple of years. Hear us now! We not only want this, we NEED this vehicle! Push up the production date to late 2007/early 2008 and you’ll sell out very, very quickly! You will not keep these on the showroom floors, and you’ll rattle the cages of every other single automaker worldwide.
Based on the responses here, this vehicle holds a worldwide audience. It would be highly unwise to deny them!
Show the world what General Motors, the UAW, and the United States can do. Forget all other concepts and build the Volt!
Elizabeth
You make Louis Chevrolet proud once more!
Way to go Chevrolet!
Only the Best will Do
Tom Walker
I don’t need an electric car which speeds from 0-60 in 7 seconds. I don’t need an electric car with a 500 mile range. What I do need is a safe commuter/around town vehicle(40 mile range is perfect, I have never lived more than 20 miles from work) using today’s battery technology. Simple, reliable, plug, charge, and drive. I know you can do it. Don’t make me wait for a “pie in the sky” battery technology, because you think I want an environmental replacement of 110% of the capabilities in my current gasoline vehicle. No need for DVD player, no need for huge cargo capacity, no need for high performance stats. It just needs to be an affordable, basic people mover. The world needs fewer concept cars and more reality cars.
jason
Like many others posting here, this will be my next vehicle if GM can get it to production for under $30K.
Keith
I already decided that my next car will be an all-electric. Not a hybrid, an all-electric. After doing the math on the Prius and hearing the real-world mpg I realize that they are a bunch of hype. Saving some gas is better than not at all, but my Camry gets as good highway mileage as the Prius, and it’s bigger and more comfortable.
This car would meet my commutting needs. The “extending range” option is the genius part that will make it practical for non-EV nuts like myself to buy.
Now on to the requests:
1. Make the battery pack upgradeable. Technology will certainly improve. 5 years later it would be nice to upgrade to more efficient batteries.
2.MAke the “range extender” engine the most efficient one possible. There’s a debate going on in these comments as to whether that means diesel or gas. I don’t know the answer, but that’s what degreed engineers are paid for.
3. Have the courage to take the leap and make this the best car you can. That will put you ahead of the pack and allow you to stay there — much as Toyota thought they would do with the Prius. I would never have considered buying an American car. But this one — I will.
4. Work on getting the electric range up even higher. I want to have zero-emissions as long as possible into a drive.
5. Consider making the electric motor upgradeable. As that technology improves over time — as it will — it would be great to be able to go back 4 or 5 years after original purchase and upgrade the engine, just like the batteries.
6. Spend some time making the electricity-absorbing components as energy-efficient as possible. I’m talking about a/c, radio, cd player, dashboard displays, lights, etc. The more efficient these components are, the higher the all-electric range will be. Like most people, I am not about to give up my a/c on a 90 degree day, and I got to have my music.
7. Build some solar collecting into the roof. Maybe solar panels could go onto the roof and trunk lid too? It may not be a ton of electricity, but every bit helps.
8. Possibly contradicting #7, but… I want a moonroof option. I love it. It makes me feel less cooped up in a car. It would be hard to go back to a totally enclosed car.
9. Make enough of them the first round that they are readily available everywhere. Learn from Toyota’s mistake about not building enough of the Prius. The long waits and jacked up prices (some dealers were selling them for $6K over sticker) was ridiculous. That’s why I didn’t buy one. It also kept them from being as visible on the roads as they could be. You want your electric cars out there en masse, in the public consciousness, so lots more people will be into them.
Good luck. These cars can’t get here soon enough.
Mark Bartosik
The next vehicle that I buy will be one that I can plugin and charge from my solar system.
So if GM want my money they will have to build this or similar cars.
I would also like to be able to use the vehicle as a generator.
Ben Komada
This is a vehicle that shows that GM gets it. That “it” is not all about big trucks and SUVs. It’s not about $60 to $100 per week fuel bills. This is one of the few american cars I am excited about and not just the fuel flexability in it but the looks. It would be great to see a car very close to this concept come to production with the same lines and open feel. I look forward to seeing how close and how soon a Volt like production vehicle can come to market.
Michael
I love the design and soon will be commuting 20 miles round trip to work and less than 2 miles round trip to any store makes it a very attractive concept for me. I would buy one in a heart beat. My only question is how much power does it draw in the 6.5 hour full charge mode? That way comparing cost could be easier. I currently own a GM vehicle, And a VW vehicle for commuting to and from work which is currently a 150 mile round trip. I would keep one traditional gas/diesel car and one EV Flex vehicle untill the infrastructure was built up. This type of combo could be an advertising idea with so many households having 2+ cars nowadays. Market it as the “GM’s Total Solution” One shorter range vehicle for local commutes and one traditional GM vehicle for longer or continuous duty.
Jeffrey Balla
If the E-Flex things that let the Volt run on fuels other than electricity was removed, and the Volt could only be run on electricity, would that increase its electric-only MPG?
But that’s one thing I keep hearing: there isn’t going to be one solution to global warming. It’s good to see the auto industry - especially such a large company as GM - take on the challenge.
raoul dirckx
When available???????
We in Europ would love a car like this…
Belgium Eu
Eric
Well I think I have a responsibility to add another vote to the production of this vehicle. This concept of an e-flex engine really does sound like the real bridge across the current and future market. As long as this comes to market with a price tag under $60,000 I’m sure it will do well. Though I am actually a Mustang guy I have to support this even though its a Chevy.
Kevin Taylor
I’ve driven electric vehicles for years and will need another one soon. Please get this one out ASAP! Don’t wait for the lithium technology to be good enough for you in 3 years or so, use NiMH. Even a 20 mile all electric range would be a start. Market as a Chevy pReVolt … as in a revolt against global warming, Big Oil, War, economic strains, etc, etc … make sure it runs on E85, better yet vegetable oil (but you need to get it to market ASAP so probably E85 would be quicker).
Also please design in the ability to offer a 240V variable rate and voltage fast charge option. Preferably 50A NEMA 14-50 plug capable, or at least 32A 240V to fully use the existing public charging infrastructure.
jerry
i like it. i dont need that much car though. im more interested in saving gas/air/water pollution. make a 2 seater thats lighter and smaller. not some 10000000000$ model eihter. something afordable thats small and light. we can keep on fighting oil wars in the middle east or you car makers can do something smart for a change. if you actually advertise these cars unlike the ones you made in the late 90’s the electric car might actually stand a chance. make a 2 seater. i dont have a family so i dont need all that room and wasted weight.
shannon
Please build this car and FAST!I think many Americans are ready to make the switch to electric but still want style to go along with it. Also, please make a minivan,there are many of us that need a short range-large space vehicle for transporting the kids all over the place. SIGN ME UP!
jerry
second post: smaller and lighter. thats my vote. from what i keep reading, hydrogen is a wash. boils off too easy. MIT said that years and years ago. anyone preaching hydrogen is just trying to confuse the issue and keeps us from real changes from oil to something new. growing food to turn into gas sounds dumb to me. save the water for people. push the electric boundry and think solar too. recharge my car while its driving, sitting, while im at work. make it lighter. i dont often see more than one person in a vehicle either. look around, you’ll see what i mean. i could get by with a single occupant vehicle. never needed a 6 passenger car ever. sounds unrealistic but maybe its time to think outside the box before everything melts.
Sad
you killed the electric car. bring it back to life.
Mark
Cool technology and HIP enviro sells product. Get this on the market and put a huge gap between GM and the competition! BUILD ‘EM AND THEY WILL SELL!!!
Betsy
YES!!!! Please produce this car, I would definitely buy it!!!! The people and the environment desperately need an electric vehicle.
Carlo
I am very excited about the volt. I can’t wait to buy one in 2010. Please make them available as widly as possible. If not just make one available for me in central Wisconsin. I will have a miniature wind turbine installed on my rooftop by then so a portion of the charge will be taken out of thin air.
Why didn’t I see any Volt coverage at the LA Auto Show? It seems California is in a good position to support this product.
Take care,
Carlo
Lon Seidman
Add this foreign car owner to the list of people interested in the Volt.
I have never owned a GM vehicle but would be very interested in purchasing this one should it be placed into production.
I’m about a year and a half to two years away from my next car, so hurry up :).
Jess Carruthers
As a current Hybrid owner and a 60 Mile per day commuter, I know first hand the savings these types of cars deliver.
I can’t wait to buy a VOLT plugin and really save fuel!
Sign me up!
DebbieAnn
I would hope that GM would get this project up and going as fast as possible or it’ll be left behind by Toyota and Honda (again).
If the Volt becomes available soon, I’d love to buy it! I’ll be looking for a new vehicle in 2 - 3 years!!
J D
If it was affordable you would sell them out in weeks. Its time to move forward and bring the vehicle to the masses.
Don Jose
Great Concept! The plug in as primary power is the key. Now link it to nuclear power plants to solve global warming and reliance on foreign sources of oil. Then you have a true paradigm shift. France generates 70% of their electricity from nuclear power plants. We generate only 20% of ours from nuclear power plants. France is safe. They have had no problems. We can triple our 104 existing nuclear power plants and still be 10% behind France. Demand for electricity is high in the daytime and low when we sleep. Simply triple our nuclear power plants, run them at full capacity 24 hours a day and use the excess electricity at night to recharge the Chevy Volt battery for use the next day. Nuclear power plants emit no greenhouse gasses. Electric motors emit no greenhouse gases. Nuclear power plants do not use foreign oil. Electric cars do not use foreign oil. Imagine the freedom gained by our foreign policy if we had no vital interests in the Middle East because we did not need their oil. Chevy Volt + more nuclear power plants = a very good future. In fact, it could be a paradigm shift. As development continues work to expand the battery capacity. Try to get up to 200 miles on a charge. After 4 hours of driving a person will be ready for a meal anyway. Work on a battery that will take a flash charge in 1 hour so a person can recharge while eating dinner and then drive for another couple of hours. Then you would have truly practical vehicle.
Bob
I will believe it when I see it. GM builds concepts and Toyota builds the cars. GM be first for once and make this happen and don’t let this go the way of the EV-1. If you make it happen, I will buy one otherwise I will buy the Toyota when it comes out.
Christopher Phelan
I am ready to order, get this thing on the road NOW. Even if it is not perfect, being able to drive around a few kms without burning gas is WAY COOL. I know there may be some challenges in a cold climate but nothing that an electric preheat while plugged in couldn’t solve. How about a turbo charged small displacement engine to drive power accessories and create heat white having a turbo boost to increase available generating capacity when the battery condition becomes critical. I have a 2 liter eco turbo in my Saab and the thing rocks. 6 litres per 100 kms easy going but 200 hp as needed. A 1 litre turbo could deliver the goods in the volt with outstanding results. Also, I don’t know how you see the regenerative braking working but a simple solution would be a mid-point acclerator system where the mid point is neutral (coast), the depression supplies power and the released position would engage the regeneration. The actual brakes would then be only for hard stopping and could in therory be very rarely used. I wanted an EV-1 but it was not available in Canada. Get the Volt up here ASAP. Thanks
john zambotti
Our country and the world needs a car like this and others like them now. The future of our children depend on these kind of decisions big companies like GM make. As the baby boomers begin to retire this car will be a big hit with them. I know i will buy one.
jay
JUST BUILD IT — WE WILL BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike Huggins
I called my local Chevy Dealer today and told him to put my name at the top of his list for first customer to reserve one of these. He agreed and put my name down for first customer reserved.
I am going to be sure to be the first person in northeast Oklahoma to get an e-flex Volt. Don’t let us down GM - make this happen!
Larry Breon
Build it! I would buy it. I commute about 40 miles one way
and work at a generating station
so plugging it in would be no problem. If you need someone to field test it I’m ready.
Gregory
PLEASE BUILD IT - It would help us as well as your company. I have the money where is the car. Do I have to buy a Tesla?
Kevin
I’m anxiously awaiting GM to come out with a more fuel efficient car. Although I’m happy with my 2006 Malibu which is doing 40 miles per gallon. I want to get into something even better then that.
The volt looks nice to me.
Kevin
Joe
I own a Prius, and have driven Toyota vehicles for 15 years. I’ll be the first in line to buy the Volt when it comes to market. Finally, a US car company that isn’t afraid to go head to head with Japan on clean cars. Thanks!
Melissa
I LOVE THIS CAR!
BUILD IT!
I WILL BUY IT!
Michael
I don’t buy American cars, but if this car was on the market today, I would.
Dean Bortz
I realy hope GM goes ahead and makes this type of vehicle. My last GM purchase was back in 1980. If this comes out I will be back in your show room. I was so disappointed when you dumped the EV1 and thought the foreign market would be the only one to turn to. I agree with others that this could help GM. I hope if you do this you also create a good support group for do it yourself repair guys like me. It seems in the past the foreign cars are way past you on this. You have my attention… get producing!!!
Trevor
I love the idea behind the car though it’s less than aesthetically pleasing. I would definitely be interested in purchasing one if there were changes to it appearance.
David Paloff
I want one. Where is MINE?!?!?!?
Lou Cortese
Do it,for God’s sake build this vehicle and I’ll buy one.However,please take these points into consideration:
-Give it some style.Please don’t follow the Prius/Insight “stupid look”.Some of us are car people.
-How about offering several body styles unlike the competition.A ragtop,sedan,wagon and what about doing an El Camino?After all,some of us on occasion haul a little more then people…
-Keep the prices on earth and don’t let the dealers gouge us on the initial batch!
I currently drive the 87′El Camino I purchased new.It’s been a wonderful car and kind of an investment as a collector car.A new Chevy after 20 years of faithful service would be nice,one with the potential of the Volt will result in my ordering one!
You guys are in a gloves off,bare knuckle,knock down drag out fight for your lives so heed the consumer’s words and put Chevrolet back where it was when I was a kid.ON TOP!
Rich
Just make sure you plan to build plenty so you don’t have 80% of your buyers on a waiting list or worse, moving to buy a Toyota “Amp”. You can bet that the foreign car companies see the excitement around this car that just makes so much more sense than a hybrid, and it will be a race to market.
kaleigh
I would buy this car today if it were available and affordable. PLEASE PLEASE release this one soon!! It’s the perfect solution for my needs!
R. L. Moraz
We are beyond thinking about it. We are beyond talking about it. We all need to move toward a sustainable future as quickly as we can. Bring back the EV-1. We need this mature technology on the road NOW! Build a car we can drive presently. Build it to be modular, like a computer, then upgrade the batteries as they improve. Why wait?
Jeff
Build the Volt and people will buy. Plug in flex-fuel hybrids are the wave of the future, not hydrogen. I want one yesterday.
We are supposed to be a leader in automotive innovation. GM has the experience from the EV1 project to release the best of both worlds. Electric for short distance commutes, and flex fuel for long distance- both domestically produced- both in our nations best interest.
Just make sure you market it correctly. Don’t make the mistake of the EV1 days and deliver a remarkable car that is only known to a small percentage of Americans. Tell us how fast, how far, how much- show the style, performance, and numbers, and you will have people waiting in lines to take this thing on a test drive.
By 2010, I’m really hoping one of the big 3 will have a good flex-fuel PHEV ready. The technology is here today. Just wrap it up in quality engineering and deliver it at an affordable price. I would pay +$3000-5000 on top of the price of a gas car for a PHEV.
I suggest forming a line of PHEV vehicles. One size doesn’t fit all- but one company with several PHEVs can. I will be a first time GM buyer if you do it right. Give it a chance GM! Build the Chevy Volt!
Kristen Kannik
Hey, I’m sitting here with 5 friends, we were thinking of buying new Altimas, but now that we saw your car we will surely buy your car. We just love it and the second it comes out you will get 5 new customers;) (and maybe my little lady to
Scott
Build it already! If you don’t get it here soon, I’ll just have to buy another Japanese car.
Scott
One other thing, when you build this thing, please keep in mind that many of us want it for it’s practical benefits (ie I won’t need to buy gas to get to work and my cousin can come back home).
Please note that:
1.I am not trying to make a political statement.
2. Don’t design this thing so that only persons with pocket protectors would belong in this thing.
3. Allow me to choose real tires/wheels and not those super-low-rolling-resistance ones that probably don’t brake or handle in weather well.
4. Allow me to be able to load some bags of groceries alongside a gym bag.
5. Let me have a sunroof and consider a roadster!
GenWaylaid
First of all, congratulations to GM for going the serial hybrid route. (Note to GM: stop calling it an “electric car”. If it burns fuel, it is still a plug-in hybrid.) I’ve long believed that it’s best to take advantage of electric propulsion and relegate the combustion engine to generator duty. Unlike a parallel hybrid, this arrangement can go fully electric with a minimum of re-engineering. The series architecture alone would lead me to choose the Chevy Volt over any other hybrid vehicle.
Some other things I’m fond of are windows. I’d appreciate a design change to make the vehicle look more like a normal passenger car and less like a miniaturized armored personnel carrier. I can’t say there’s anything in the styling that I actually like.
What confuses me the most about this car is the range. GM is claiming 40 miles from a 16kWh battery pack, for 2.5 mi/kWh. That number doesn’t seem to agree with other electric vehicles that have been built with lithium batteries. Wrightspeed claims a range of over 100mi from a 25kWh pack (4 mi/kWh), the Tesla roadster claims 250mi from a 50kWh pack (5 mi/kWh), and AC Propulsion’s tZero prototype had an observed efficiency of 170Wh/mi (6 mi/kWh). While all of these cars are light two-seaters that don’t have to lug a gas engine around, I’m surprised that the Volt is only getting half the range per unit of electric energy. I would have expected a 16kWh battery pack to produce a range of about 60 miles in this application.
What worries about this concept is that the publicity still shows the overly-conservative attitude toward electric propulsion that doomed the EV1. Note how the word “concept” seems to be part of the car’s name, and how the battery technology is still talked about like it isn’t ready. Please, GM, stop wringing your hands and just build the darn thing!
David
Why doesn’t GM start taking “soft orders” or down payments on the car? Fully refundable, of course. But GM could use the interest in R&D of the Volt. I’d but down $5-10k if fully refundable. No reason not to, it’s working for Tesla.
ud
I just got back from the NY auto show and saw the Volt. We cant wait until 2012!!!! Build this for release by 2008-2009 and you’ll have a HUGE impact in the market
John
I’ve been looking for a car like this for 25 years. I’ve even considered building my own. I would like to see a built in photovoltaic charging system as a option. Most cars sit in a sunny parking lot all day while their owners are at work.
Tiffany
we NEED an electric car….start making it already so I can buy 2 or 3!!!!!
denver morford
How long ago did you have a successful electric car??? And now you are showing one off a decade later as a concept? You had the technology a decade ago so just build it already!
Build a small SUV, Car and truck…all electric and you will have a success on you hands…that is if big oil doesn’t get them dirty first.
mikey
If you make it cheap, then great. But as other people said, Tesla and other companies are doing better. The ZAP-X SUV has 644 HP and does 350 miles to the charge for only $60k.
Dave Kernan
Please do not delay to long I am 69 and would love to have one of these electric cars before it is too late for me and the country. If the tesla car will be on the road this year, why don’t we get fired up and build. Step out on a limb and watch the country flow to your show rooms.
Carol
PLEASE build this car ASAP!! I will be purchasing one at my local Chevy dealership the first day it hits the showroom. I would love to drive back and forth to work on a daily basis and never use a drop of gasoline.
Vicky
I think it’s great that Chevrolet is working on this concept. The car is a little ugly, though. You won’t be able to please everyone on that score. The Prius is ugly too, and look at its sales. I am driving a Ford Escape Hybrid at the moment and really enyoying the SUV experience together with 33 mpg avg. But as other posters have mentioned, this hybrid business is just a stopping place along the way. I love it that the Volt offers different fuel options as well as the electric capacity. That bit is brilliant.
What about a small SUV style for families and sports-people? The stylishness without the guilt!
Best of luck, GM!
weave
In the late 90″s I told some friends at Ford they needed to be selling a car like the Prius because the price of gas will be going way up soon. They finally came out with a Ford Escape ( a good vehicle but too high priced) So we bought a Prius instead a great car…. HOWEVER GM is getting ready to produce the true second generation vehicle, the Chevy Volt!
This is your chance to bring GM back as a true automotive leader and stay as the #1 auto company.
If you can make this car with great mileage that will use primary electric power, next generation battery , plug in capability, a tuned fixed RPM alternative fueled generator for long trips ( maybe all wheel drive?) and affordable!… the world will beat a path to you…. including me.
KEB
It’s really disheartening to see all of these vehicles with the “concept” tag as the companies touting them don’t really intend to mass produce them. If Chevy would actually produce these cars for the masses, and offer them at a fairly reasonable price (ie, not at a crazy premium just b/c of what it is) then I would definitely step in line to buy it. Oh, and one more important note - I have never purchased, nor have been interested in purchasing a Chevy product until now. Come on Chevy, do the right thing - get back in the game and win some new customers while helping wean this country off its oil dependency!
Mick Rogers
I am happy that an American car company has a plug in hybrid concept car. I wish it had the versatility of a small station wagon.
I have been burned 3x by purchasing GM vehicles - that is 100% of all the GM cars I have purchased have had serious quality problems and didn’t make it to 100 K. It would take an awful lot to get me to consider a GM again; this might be it.
tree hugger
Bring this to market soon. I would be a proud owner of a GM vehicle again
Paul
What are the AMP requirments at 110V for a circut to charge the Volt at home?
Matt
Well I think this is a cool car but I wish they would just lose the gas engine. I’d buy this car as soon as it comes out with no hesitation. I hope thats soon.
Steve
I thought you folks were asleep at the wheel. Finally!
Sly
his is what GM needs to get back on track. The best of both worlds with a true plug in eletric car, with extended range from an alternate source. Combine this with build quality and usable space and GM might have a jump on everyone else. You just need to work the media on this one. Unfortunately, this han’t been getting as much attention on the American media outlets. I actually spotted this on MSNBC’s Canadian site.
Adrian
GM should stop waiting to see where the market will go with the next fuel source. With this idea there is no need to wait like everyone else to finally make the concept a reality. The technology is here, now all they need is the guts to be first with mass production. Hybrids are nice but they are still favoring oil. Electric is the future “the future is now”.
Vince
The idea is GREAT! You guys could have (SHOULD HAVE) made an EV1 with a generator 10 yrs ago!
However, the interior looks junky and cheap (esp. the steering wheel and instrument cluster/area). It doesn’t match the exciting exterior, which has a QUALITY FINISHED look - rare for GM! Match them! You can (and have on rare occasions) do it inexpensively but nicely finished.
The exterior is PERFECT!!! Don’t change a thing! It’s exciting, fresh, and modern without being outside of the current style solar system. I will buy this car with the EXACT EXCITING EXTERIOR STYLING ONLY! (or VERY VERY CLOSE!) If you take all the excitement out of the style when you produce it and make it look boring and ordinary and cheap as you usually do from concept to road (NO EXCUSES! Dodge & others do it!) . . . if you disappoint us AGAIN . . . you will LOSE EVEN MORE CUSTOMERS - some of us will never look back!
Don’t try to satisfy EVERYONE and end up with a vanilla car that no one likes. Only devoted tree-huggers and a handful of Geezers (most of whom will back-out over price) will buy/lease it if you do! Forget the Geezers who want Model Ts. You have to make an EXCITING car to attract the general masses (to whom the concept makes sense but will not sacrifice exciting style!). Your future repeat customers want a quality look & feel head-turner. And that’s what you’ve got with the concept Volt (pending interior refinements). DON’T BLOW IT - AGAIN! If you want to satisfy Geezers too, make a Buick version of this . . . but DO NOT RUIN THIS CAR TO APPEASE GEEZERS!
Build -THIS- car >> TODAY
John Reeves
Do it GM, and get yourself back into the US auto market
Steve
I want mine in blue, when can I pick it up?
Steve
Robert Meyer
AS A PATRIOTIC AMERICAN. All kind of things I could say about GM and this car, but I wouldnt know where to stop. So to keep it simple, YOU SHOULD BUILD AND SELL THIS CAR. AND YOU SHOULD NOT MAKE THE PRICE AS HIGH AS YOU CAN JUST BECAUSE YOU KNOW THERE ARE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT WILL BUY IT ANYWAY AND YOU CAN ALWAYS LOWER THE PRICE LATER ON. THIS MAY SEEM LIKE GM WILL MAKE MORE MONEY BUT TRUST ME YOU WILL LOOSE WAY MORE THAN YOU GAIN JUST THINK ABOUT IT AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND IT SOUNDS WRONG BUT IT IS RIGHT. THIS CAR (AS ALSO THE CAMARO) SHOULD HAVE BEEN PRESENTED EXACTLY THE SAME WAY AND TIME. AS A PRODUCTION CAR NOT A CONCEPT I KNOW GM WANTS TO FEEL THE WATERS AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE BUT GM SHOULD HAVE ALREADY KNOWN THIS. SO DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND BRING THIS OUT AS A 2008 OR 2009 MODEL AND STOP PLAYING GAMES WHEN YOUR ACTUALLY READY TO DO SOMETHING THERE MAY NOT BE A GAME FOR YOU TO PLAY. SO STOP WITH THE WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR TECHNOLOGY JUNK YOU COULD DO IT IF YOU WANTED AND DONT EVEN GIVE ME YOU DONT UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH HAS TO BE DONE BEFORE WE CAN BRING IT THE SOONEST WE COULD DO IT IF WE WERE READY WOULD BE 2010. BECAUSE I DO UNDERSTAND WE BOTH KNOW IF YOU WANTED TO PRODUCE THIS YOU COULD BE TOOLED UP FOR MASS PRODUCTION IN NO TIME AT ALL. IF YOU WAIT TO BRING THIS OUT UNTILL 2010 OR LATER IT MEANS NOTHING AND EVERYBODY THAT WAITS THAT LONG WILL WAIT ANOTHER YEAR TO CHECK OUT TOYOTA AND HONDAS VERSION. THATS IF YOUR STILL IN BUISNESS THEN. IF THIS DOESNT MAKE SENSE TO YOU ASK YOURSELF HOW FAR OUT OF TOUCH ARE YOU FROM YOUR POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS AND YOU SHOULD GO DOWN TO THE SIDEWALK HIRE THE FIRST PERSON YOU MEET TO REPLACE YOU AND QUITE THEY WILL PROBABLLY MAKE 100,000.00 LESS A YEAR THAN YOU AND MAKE GM MILLIONS MORE IN PROFITS. WHY ARE YOU WAITING MAYBE FOR GRANT MONEY ECT. SO YOU DONT HAVE TO DUMP AS MUCH OF YOUR OWN MONEY INTO THE PILE. YOU ARE LOOSING MUCH MORE THAN YOU ARE SAVING IN MANY WAYS. OK OK, I SURE THIS WAS A WASTE OF TIME, BUT I AM DONE IF I SAID ANYMORE I WOULD HAVE TO PUT YOU ON MY RESUME, IF I HAD ONE.
Robert Meyer
GREAT POST BY VINCE AND JOHN REEVES GM PLEASE READ THESE 2 AGAIN.
GM DO IT AND ALSO PUT USA AUTOMOBILES BACK ON TOP
Bob Hoeltzel
The Volt is the most exciting and desirable concept car from GM in 30 years. I am a real fan of plug-in hybrids. Plug in hybrids offer a real solution to our nation’s addiction to oil. I would gladly pay more for it so that I can get to work without worrying about oil embargoes and shortages. GM, please do the right thing and make this car.
shay
the style is so cool .ive never liked fords or dodges
Jesus Ballesteros
Please save the electric car. With SAAB exterior styling and your previous experience with the EV1 there is no reason why this car would not be a success. How soon can you build it?
George
GM: Please build THIS CAR! (w/ bit longer range!) Tesla’s Roadster’s range: 250 MPC. Use 1/4 - 1/3 of their batteries NOW = 63 - 83 Miles! AND USE CURRENT BATTS FOR NOW!!!
OTHER BLOGGERS:
THIS IS NOT A HYBRID CAR! It’s NOT A “PLUG-IN HYBRID”! It’s MUCH BETTER! It is a 100% ELECTRIC DRIVE. If the GENERATOR breaks down, you still have 100% performance!!! If a Hybrid’s GAS ENGINE DRIVE goes, you’re either STUCK or have to drive under 30 MPH (if lucky)!
It’s like GM’s EV1 with an onboard battery charger that’s only used IF you go beyond the charge range. For around town use, you can drive it FOREVER and NEVER USE A DROP OF GAS! EVER! And the charger can run on ALT. FUELS!
HYBRIDS HAVE TWO DRIVE ENGINES that work together to drive the wheels. HYBRIDS USE GAS MOST OF THE TIME! They cannot rely solely on the electric engine as this car does! That’s why HYBRIDS only get 50 MPG or so (and much less in reality).
GM: This is why you need to advertise/market/get the word out/educate the public about your products!
AJ Foster
Nice video on the Volt and these new concept cars here: http://tvjersey.com/2007/04/concept_cars.php
GFB
Honda is coming out with a diesel. They already have a better electric. If you get your act together and produce the first Diesel/Hybrid you should be in the drivers seat for the forseeable future.
The last car I bought is nearly 10 years old. The next will have to last as long or longer. The window of opportunity for the Volt to be that next vehicle is getting smaller.
Get with it. We’re waiting.
Luke
The volt is a great looking car, I’m 24 and I would take a cool looking car over one that saves me five more miles a gallon. The prius is a big car right now but I would never drive one because its so ugly, the volt on the other hand is sweet looking. I would buy one if GM decides to release it. I think they should incorperate some form of solar panel into the roof and over the body of the car so that when the car is parked outside in the sun it recharges its own battery, taking away the need to plug it in at night. Then the car would be truly self sustainging, that would be great to only fill up a twelve gallon tank once a month or even every couple of months depending on road trips and driving habits.
Daniel
I sell GM Vehicles and I would love to see this be produced and come out on the lot - I would trade my Malibu and purchase the first one we get!
Rob
If the Volt’s available when I’m ready for my next car, I’ll be able to get what I want on this side of the Pacific. Please please please let me buy American!
Victoria
Hi, I am so glad you are trying to bring an electric car to market. It looks really strange though, like a cross between the Batmobile and a cougar waiting to pounce. The front windshield is so narrow that the car appears to be squinting. It seems to me that not a lot of women would drive a car that looks like this, and you don’t want to alienate half (or more) of your potential market. It’s a very self-absorbed look. If the car were more practically designed and simpatico-looking, I’d buy it in a New York minute.
wb
When can we get this car, and why doesn’t it have solar panels for a roof, trunk and hood?
Nick
I don’t trust you to actually build this… You’ve had since 1973 to figure out Hubert’s peak is a reality. You let your (and the US) leadership position world wide slip slip away, betting on customer ignorance. You were never serious about the Impact (EV-1) and launched it only to discourage any competing interest in EV development. And I think you launched this façade at the auto show to discourage competition once again and never intend to bring it to market; and one has to wonder why not? The battery technology has been sufficient for this design for many years. After all, your Impact had a range of well over 100 miles! What are you waiting for again? Show me I’m wrong… If you do, you’ll own the market! I drive a 1990 Corolla and my next car will be a factory produced Plug-in Hybrid so I can drive at 1/4th the cost of gasoline and tell the oil importers to stuff it! Show us what you’re made of!
Dianne Iyisan
Please put the car into production now. I would like to see an electric car in production and FOR SALE not lease only like the EV1.
Randy Simon
This looks like a real answer for the next practical step in power train technology. A small SUV or Wagon style is a must for other than twenty-somethings, however. Let’s get it going!
Dorian
I drive a Silverado now. If you could make a SUV or Light Truck to give me the ability to shuttle kids and haul stuff home from Lowe’s, I’d buy two of these Electric vehicles as fast as you can get them to the dealerships.
jay
Just build it allready!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jake mckinzie
I think the car is great it is a wonderful first step for the enviorment and for GM way to step it up!!!!!
jake mckinzie
Toyota will not stand a chance if this goes out!!!!
Robert Ackerlind
Make the green house taller.
Use NIMH batteries. They are ready now. They don’t catch on fire. The oil companies own it so the economic sting there is less.
Build them on this continent.
Do it now before the globe warms any further and we can bring our troops home.
George
The overwhelming consensus on the styling here is great excitement and anticipation. PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE IT IN PRODUCTION!!! I know there are a few Geezers here who want an AMC Pacer and a FEW Girly-Girls who want something “softer” . . . but they are LARGELY IN THE MINORITY! Please sell this car AS-IS and don’t disappoint the overwhelming majority! That MAJORITY DOES NOT WANT ANOTHER BORING ORDINARY-LOOKING CAR! Don’t KILL our excitement in production! The technology alone isn’t going to sell the car.
If you want to sell to Geezers and Girly-Girls, then FIRST sell this car AS-IS to the majority and THEN LATER offer a Buick Geezer version and a Girly Pontiac version.
Another overwhelming consensus here is that people want a little more MPChrg. 40 Miles on flat roads in perfect conditions is not enough (and we know it’s not a technological limitation). We would like to use NO GAS for a typical ENTIRE day’s use! Please do this. If you don’t, Japan will. And that means LOST SALES TO JAPAN and a reinforced PERCEPTION that GM BUILDS JUNK! Don’t shoot yourselves in the foot AGAIN! DO IT RIGHT and NOW (laptop batteries for now)!
Michael
It’s too bad that GM/Chevy web site doesn’t allow us to request additional info on the progress of this vehicle.
Michael
Current battery technology is already sufficent to last the life of the vehicle if a few more batteries could be added to allow a longer driving range.
There is no need to keep delaying the initial release of the vehicle. We know that battery tech will continue improving and that future generations of the vehicle will be able to take advantage of these improvements. If your little sports car could be made production ready in record time, why can’t you make a vehicle available that will have a much greater impact to your company and customers?
Mike
Looks like a good start. As a son of the great midwest, I’d like to make sure this car works well in the winter months around here. The Ford Fusion and VW Jetta are good cues for the size, form, and interior design. The real trick with this project is to make the car look new and fresh but normal enough for someone to drive to work everyday (the EV 1 looked silly, so does the Prius). I’m excited to see what comes of this at least.
Don’t give up GM!
Tina
To whom it may concern:
I am 41 and have never owned a GM car, instead always choosing Nissan, Saab, Subaru and Volvo. I never even consider GM as an option.
I found this site tonight because I googled “electric car”. Honestly, I don’t like the look of this car because the body looks totally out of proportion to the lid. And I suspect that the visibility is lacking, given the small size of the windows. However, my environmental concerns FAR outweigh my aesthetic concerns and I WOULD ABSOLUTELY BUY THIS CAR. I’d buy 2 if there was a 4-door option available. Would pay a much higher price for a 4-door wagon.
Never thought I’d ever post a message on a GM site either…perhaps this indicates a shift in paradigm for both of us
Hope to see it soon!
Timothy
I love everything about the concept, except the design. I would love to see one of these look a lot like a Cobalt SS.
Robert Ackerlind
should be made with NIMH batteries now but intrests prevent any production by panosonic by spurious patent infringement lawsuit. if the law suit was valid then ovinics/gm/texaco/chevron/cobasys would be selling them.
Scott
Has GM considered using solar cells embedded in various locations on this car to provide a trickle charge to the batteries while its parked at work or the mall, etc.
The cells could be mounted anywhere a black panel or strip would be aesthetically pleasing. This added feature could extend the battery range.
This is all assuming of course that the batteries you are currently sourcing will live up to expectations.
Just a thought.
Angela
GM - take a lesson from Nike and Just do it! Make your mark! The Prius is the current “green” flag waving car, no matter how misguided that is as from “dust to dust” it causes more environmental damage than a Hummer!
Make the Volt THE Must-have car for 2010!
Tom Anderson
I think this looks like the most interesting car I have seen for a long time. I would like to see it produced and for it to be affordable to a middle class or working class family. I drive 60 miles a day.
Carolyn
I think it’s the best in the world. I want mine in red or black. Please hurry, I can only wait another 2 years, then I absolutely have to buy one, immediately!!!
Will Beckett
Please make this and other plug in vehicle as quickly as possible.
Steve Mair
Thank goodness you are again taking a look at an electric. I tried to rent/lease or whatever an EV-1 years ago without sucess. I currently drive a RAV4-EV and own a Chevrolet S10-E. The electric vehicles work fine for me driving nearly 85 miles per day. Why not start with the volt with NiMH batteries—after all GM paid for a great deal of their development cost. They work fine in the S10 and even better in the RAV4. Too bad Chevron/Texaco currently controls the patents. When Li-ion technology improves you can make the switch in production. GM needs to again gain the leadership they lost after giving up on the EV-1. If GM doesn’t follow through on the Volt, someone in the Pacific Rim will!
Elan
Your web page says “If we could…”. Who are you kidding? GM built electric cars ten years ago. If you wanted to build the Volt you could. So build them already. Quit stalling. You’re not in the PR business, you’re in the car building business, so build it!!
Kyle
Please make this car so tall people can fit in it without there heads touching the roof (i’m 6′2″ and a senior in high school). I think this car has a lot of potential as long as it’s economical for people and they don’t have to give up features that are found in most cars today. Please put this car in production, if it meets my standards, I’d be willing to buy it (if I fit in it comfortably).
Deepak
I think we are at the brink of a technological revolution in the automotive industry. The volt is surely a great thought and concept. Your alliance with A123Systems for a Nanotech battery can really change the game and here is where the fun begins.
There are several other entrants in to this market like Tesla motors, Phoenix motors, Feel Good Cars and other chinese interests in the electric car arena.
Altairnano, EEStor and several other battery technology companies are touting revolutionary battery technologies. I think the time is just right to move to a production class vehicle within the next year.
The gas engine is so premitive compared to today’s electronics sofistication. Gas engines even today need oil changes and tuneups ( engine oils, transmission oils / services and god knows what else ) / Alternators die etc.
An all electric drive system will be virtually maintenance free. I calculated around $5000 in savings a year for a true practival EV. If this vehicle is available at around a $30-40K price range, I am sure these will sell like crazy and blow the competition away.
I hope GM does the right thing and make this vehicle a reality.
Keith
Very good looking car. I can see this car being the next “big thing”.
I hope GM takes the initiative to follow through with this concept car. The US is one of the last countries to step in the arena of better gas mileage and renewable energy. Everyone else has beat us to it!
Regards,
Keith
Chris C.
Fantastic Idea. I would buy one if it is less than $25,000. Priced at $20,000 per unit or less, could have a great impact on consumers and the environment.
Gardner Harris
Having driven both a 96 and 99 EV1 for the duration of the leases and currently have an S10e I can attest to the fact that GM can build a superior vehicle IF IT WANTS TO.
While I’d like to see a less restrictive glass area in the final design and the option of a clean Diesel or multifuel engine the basic design IMHO is a winner. Since my driving style is 40 miles or less per day my use of the petrofueled portion of the motive power would be minimal especially if I could plug the car into to a 110 or 220 AC outlet at night as I currently do with my S10e pickup.
Finally, I would prefer to purchase a vehicle made in the USA by a US corporation. The Volt seems like it really fits my lifestyle.
The Car Geek
It is about time this technology comes out. Maybe American Auto manufacturers will see that we really want to buy from them but their gas guzzling style is on its way out of vogue. I hope that it will drive other companies (Ford, Crysler) to push to get alternative energy autos on the market that are both luxurious and environmentally friendly… Though I’m quite wondering if this car would still look luxurious if I put some GM bumper brackets in it… I think it looks great as it was…
denver morford
What’s funny is that for a car that you are trying to hype, you are sure doing a good job of making information about it difficult to find. Why isn’t this information on the front page of GM’s website? If I were you, I would be pasting the opportunity to buy this “car of the future” on every website in the world.
Talk about a way to save a dying company.
Jeff Cooke
GM, it’s about time we play catch-up with the Japanese on the use of advanced technologies! This concept is one that Universities around the US have been designing for you for a decade now! WHY, WHY, must I ask you again, WHY has it taken the largest automotive company in the world to finally wake up? Now, with that said, you have a great concept that needs to hit the streets ASAP! The electic motor and battery technology is available as we speak so what is the big delay of WHY this can’t be produced now? I would buy one the second it rolled off the production line. From reading this blog you have a lot of eyes looking your way to buy this concept. Several key things to note that others have mentioned: 1)Build it so it can be upgraded (batteries and motor) so as technology advances, the consumer can upgrade if they choose. 2)Offer both diesel and gasoline (E85 complient) versions. 3)Match Hyundai’s leading warranty 4)Use this technology in all of your vehicles (sedans, SUVs, trucks & sports cars).
If you follow those basic principles Americans will buy American again! Foreign competition as well as BIG OIL companies will run away with their tails between there legs with record losses! GM will stay on top and rack in those record billion dollar profits that are today sucking Americans dry at the pumps! Your slogan is “THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION”, well it’s time to see that revolution on our streets with this car!
Cedric Brehaut
Great Concept, now BUILD IT! This should not be just one car, GM should make e-flex available on EVERY VEHICLE in its line-up. People will buy. I certainly will (unless the other carmakers beat you to it). If you do so, and you do it fast, you will become the #1 automaker again.
Ray Sauls
I knew chevy could do this. Why can’t we have it now instead of 2010? Will a small pick-up also be available?
Vince
JEFF COOKE:
Just want to point out to you that it’s JAPAN who always plays catch-up to GM w.r.t. major cutting-edge technologies! Problem is, THE LOSERS IN GM’S MARKETING BRANCH DON’T TELL ANYONE! They should be FIRED! Then Japan copies GM, MARKETS THEM WELL, lets people THINK they invented the goodies, and MAKE ALL THE MONEY GM COULD HAVE MADE IF THEY ACTUALLY TOLD PEOPLE!
GM put the WORLD’S FIRST MODERN EV into production from 1996-2003 (the EV1). Japan played catch-up with poorly performing and ugly copies (they weren’t able to reverse-engineer GM’s technology - maybe due to the lease-only availability). The EV1 was a MODERN MARVEL (I drove one). Had everything any car has and more. They were VERY reliable. People fought to keep them in the end.
GM was the first (and only last I knew) company permitted to operate a fleet of Hydrogen Fuel Cell powered SUVs on JAPAN’s public streets! BEFORE JAPAN’S OWN because they didn’t COPY THE TECHNOLOGY FROM GM YET!
Japan doesn’t invent the major technologies. They COPY it, then market it, and package it/finish it better while GM scratches it’s collective head! It’s what Japan does best.
Several Bloggers mentioned Diesel engines. THIS IS AN ELECTRIC CAR! It says right here on the website that the GENERATOR - that’s ALL IT IS - WILL run on E85, BIO-DIESEL, proposed pure Ethanol, hydrogen, or gas. The idea is not to NEED even a drop of combustible fuels around town! 100% ELECTRIC DRIVE!
GM: Do you see why you need to market better?!
Dave Applegate
Concept: Stunning
Styling: Stunning
Urgency: Paramount
Go rent Sonatas for a week for EVERY member of the decision-makers team: “This is your TARGET”.
Then drop all of the barricades to urgent production.
Americans need to understand (like the Brazilians do) that we must not allow Middle-Eastern and Asian economies to continue to siphon our resources.
Don’t neglect GE; its backing is essential. GM and GE!! Boast about that cooperation to the world.
Battery longevity and reliability of high-current switching will be hurdles that must be convincingly overcome in order for the engineering community to sign on conceptually. If you can get THOSE guys talking at the water-coolers about this car, GM sill be inundated with orders for VOLT. You had better not UNDERESTIMATE the needed production capacity (i.e., like Daimler did when they bought the PT Cruiser).
People will have photos of this car as their wallpaper; don’t make them wait 2 years before they can order one.
John
Build it now!!!!! I would buy this car yesterday!!!
Brian
I think this is just another scam. GM will not build the Volt. The Volt concept is for GM to tell congress and the public that they are doing something about the enviroment.
Waiting for the battery technology is a lame excuse.
Sorry people this concept or fuel-flex technology will never happen. Government needs to force the idea.
MatL
First off thanks for taking a risk showing this concept and then giving drivers a chance to comment on it publicly.
My hope is that multiple departments (and LEVELS) at GM read these blog entries and think about them like I did. There has been a lot of commentary on a lot of different fronts and this is free (although somewhat biased depending on the posters intent) market research for a lot of areas. I see tidbits that could help out for marketing, engineering, management, accounting, global product development, and desgin.
I am willing to be contacted by you for further follow up.
COST:
My GM Card $’s are waiting to be used on a Plug-In Hybrid vehicle. This VOLT would fit the bill for my daily commute and errand running. Please use every good idea/thought you can to keep the price in line with where Toyota prices the Prius (another 5 seater) - as they will probably have plug in version by the time the VOLT comes out. YES the Prius has a different fundamental design, but the end result is you plug both in and can run 20 miles without gas and get great mileage per gallon. That is what the average consumer will notice.:-)
Also make sure that the VOLT will meet the conditions required for the maximum federal tax credit available the year it is released. The accounting department knows what I mean… and they need to work with Marketing to help highlight this
Please don’t jack up the price by the tax credit amount… instead figure out how to built this with an Invoice and MSRP comparable to the Prius and then let the marketing department and dealers use the tax credit as a selling piont to easliy BEAT the overall cost of the VOLT vs the Prius. (I would hope that this approach is a “slam dunk” since a tax credit doesn’t cost you significantly more — other than ensuring that engineering department has the VOLT meet the strictest standard for the maximum tax credit. You are already looking at the best ways to reduce emissions by using E-FLEX - so that shouldn’t be too hard.)
STYLING:
I would suggest that you make the 1st model a Chevy with the distinct styling that the VOLT has - this car needs to be instantly recognizable as “something different” and “something innovative”. Why? So that people will notice it AND ask owners questions about it. So that E-FLEX has an initial impact that is visible on the OUTSIDE as well as the INSIDE of the vehicle.
For example — I wouldn’t recognize a “Saturn VUE greenline” as a hybrid… unless I looked at the back of it and notice the ‘greenline’ tag. Just looking at it from the front or sides, I probably wouldn’t ask the owner questions about his hybrid. Same is true for other hybrids hiding in plain sight — Ford Escape, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord come to mind.
Your 1st E-FLEX vehicle needs to INSTANTLY catch the eye and have people wonder about it. You need to be able to recognize it and never confuse it with another vehicle. Perhaps people won’t like the styling, but they will start wondering about what this car actually does to get the power to the pavement. Especially if have seen it on a TV commercial(or with Leno) or somewhere and want to know how it works OR how it sounds when you drive it OR how big the engine really is OR if they ‘fit’ inside. (Please make sure that it can fit a wide range of sizes in front.)
Some people don’t want to be on the bleeding edge or have perfect strangers come up to ask them questions. SO for them, please reuse the basic architecture across your brands with the distinctive features for each brand — perhaps
a Saturn that has a sedan and wagon version
a Buick that has a larger greenhouse, premium interior and more traditional styling
a Cadillac with front and rear electric motors for increased performance and a ultra modern ultra cool interior ESPECIALLY with a ragtop.. imagine only hearing the wind and the tires… no engine.
a SUV from GMC that uses the same underpinnings…
DRIVETRAIN:
I like the fact that you are allowing choices. The E-FLEX is a good idea. Let the consumer choose the fuel for their onboard ‘generator’ Gas/E85 vs. Diesel/BioDiesel. FYI an electric powered by a low emissions engine turning a generator to power electric motors is the equivalent of a Freight Train — adding battery storage and “the Plug In option” makes the VOLT even BETTER. (Think of it as ’something old’ with a new spin on it.) If you want more inspriation look at the
That way if I live in the corn belt and E85 is available at 25% of the gas stations I can choose to use it. I realize that E85 may have less energy per gallon, but the reduced emissions using E85 may outweigh the cost of lower energy per gallon. MotorTrend keeps mentioning that E85 isn’t available everywhere - so it won’t sell cars or solve emissions problems. What they mean to say is that E85 isn’t in LA and it won’t be a selling point for cars in LA, but in the midwest it will be.
If people want to go fill up with BioDiesel (or regular Diesel) they can choose to across the country. Just make sure that all engines are ultra low emissions.
Multiple posters metioned using todays existing battery technology and produce this car now. I’m not convinced that you can go that route and keep the price in line…. BUT *IF* you can figure out a way to use current battery technology (and keep price relatively reasonable), PLEASE make sure that the battery system can be ‘upgraded’ to the future version you are hoping/waiting for.
Yes, I realize that could make it harder to sell ‘new’ cars to ‘existing customers’ when the new battery technology is available. (You could still sell a battery upgrade to ‘existing customers’.) However there is a flip side to this problem… it will be easier to get people to ‘buy today’ if they can ‘upgrade tomorrow’. Futurist/tech/geek/hybrid enthusasts will see this as a selling point to buy YOUR vehicle over the competition offered today. Those people will then TELL EVERYONE who asks about their car is upgradable — how GM took a leap of faith that it wouldn’t cost them future sales as these front runners would seriously consider any and all ‘plug in’ hybrid technology that is available today. (For an analogy to the PC world…Ask your engineers if they buy a great new PC that was the fastest thing today… but they would be ‘locked in’ and couldn’t upgrade the motherboard or memory. OR they could pay a 2 - 3 % premium for one with a set of components with the ability to upgrade.) You could apply that same analogy to the VOLT and use that 3% to fund the better battery research - foster goodwill with the EV community and make some additional profit upgrading when the next battery technology arrives.
Just as important … when the current technology battery pack reaches end of life, you want to be able to easily upgrade them without retrofitting the ‘new’ batteries.
CLOSING:
Sorry this is so long, just keep up with your multiple approaches to flexible fuel - I applaud that. Each may fill a need and there isn’t one ‘right answer’. Thanks again for trying something old with a new spin on it.
MatL
Keith
It’s all been said already so I’ll make this short. “Where do I send the cheque? I want one!”
Esteban
Yea Baby Yea!! General Motors makes the electric car a coooool thing. I’d take a Chevy Volt anyday over a boring Prius. It’s like comparing a Corvette to a Camry…Way to go GM!!
Robert Smith
If this car actually hits the showrooms, I’l be among the first to buy one.
However, I have to agree with Brian. I question GM’s motives (and integrity), and don’t actually expect that this car will ever see the light of day.
Interesting that GM claims to be waiting for a battery supplier when they sold the patent to their existing NiMH batteries to Chevron/Texaco (who wasted no time in burying it - just like GM literally buried it’s entire line of existing, perfectly functional, electric cars).
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070330151429AAjAZok
Prove me wrong, GM, but until you do your credibility is absolute zero.
Robert
Bob
I agree with Brian, they have no plans on building the Volt. In a couple of years you will hear some lame excuse why it was not possible. This is a managment PR stunt.
The bean counters are deciding why it is not possible as we speak, the reason does not matter. The same bean counters that said that Hybrids would not sell. My money is on Volvo or Toyota making this real. American car companies are in a slow death spiral thanks to CEOs that take huge profits but do nothing except sell the long term health of the company for short term gains so they can take home the huge bonus check.
This is another concept that will never happen or will take 10 years and be lame when compared to the what is on the market at the time. How long have they been pulling the Camaro around to auto shows but it still has the concept tag on it and no production date?
Rich S
1. I would like a roof top (hard top) option for solar panels when sitting in the parking lot at work.
2. I would like the option to add/remove battery packs to match my average daily commute. (battery cost, weight savings)
3. Please provide more publicity on the efficiency of grid supplied electricity.
Jill
I want to know when this car will be available to the public. Seriously.
Andrew Payne
My wife wants to buy a car, but I told her, why? Her car works fine. I see no benefit in buying another car. It goes from point A to point B and gives no trouble. However, a car that prevents me from dishing out $80 each week (two fillups)to that darn GAS station for her sonata would definitely be worth buying! Plus, a new car would make her happy! As they new like pretty things. I am saving to convert my geo metro into a full hybrid right now. All I need is a small diesel generator to charge the batteries. I am using a transmission adapted electric motor and lead batteries.
Wayne
Start producing this car and you will sell more than toyota is with the prius.This car will keep GM ahead of all the other auto makers. What we need a car company with enough guts to put this out their. Around the same price as the prius. Lets start doing something about saving the enviroment. Must be produced before 2009 or you will lose the market to Honda or Toyota. This is what America needs to keep the automotive market. We must take action to what is happening to our planet instead of ignorance and doing nothing. Put this car out there and give the people the choice not the goverment. The goverment was made by the people for the people. Let the goverment start Making actions like this one.
Chris Moore
Looks like a 4-door Camaro. Perhaps trying playing off design concepts from the ill-fated EV1. I think something more reasonable is required.
Kyle Rearick
I was wondering whether you have considered using a Sterling engine as a power plant for the Volt? I realize this may be cost prohibitive and still be too large for the power output needed. It’s interesting to think about because with your E-Flex system this is really the first viable way to utilize the power of a Sterling Engine for a car. With E-Flex you have a way to deal with two major problems of Sterling engines (they take a few minutes to warm up and it is difficult to keep them efficient and vary the power output) in cars because you can initially run on electric power and you dont need to vary the power output as much.
Thanks
DanSprat
There is a good article in Design magazine about the volt. They were talking about how the battery technology isn’t up to snuff. http://www.designnews.com/article/ca6418917.html?nid=2879&text=volt
I also want solar panels on the roof and I don’t want a glass windshield, I want polycarbonate that won’t break from a rock chip. Has GM contacted anyone about their Ideas or is this all hype like some people think? The article I was reading said the car wouldn’t be out for years and we can’t wait that long. GM needs to produce the car ASAP. I am in the market for a new car in the next year or two and there is nothing I want to buy out there. No car company will bring their small diesel engined cars to the US that get 70 miles to the gallon. Mini Cooper - Mini One and the Smart Car coming next year.
Tony
I hope they build this as soon as possible. I just hope that they don’t mess up on the small stuff. They may have a head start but if they miss the comfort details the competition will soon catch up and take over.
Also a diesel engine option would be great.
Damon
You should put this car into production, I think a lot of people would buy this it, I certainly want one.
David Simons
I saw the movie “Who Killed the Electric Car” The EV1 was kept secret so well that nobody in the state of Michigan new the car existed!
Electric Vehical search opened my eyes. Makes GM look like a bunch of greedy hypocrits! My money says you’ll crush the volt too. Or you will price the volt out of range for the common man.
Now it’s time for you to put up, or shut up.
Tom Schubring
I think each wheel should have a seperate control system so that the car can get home on one drive motor if one or more systems are down.
Mike,C
This May of 07,I will have been maintaining diesel electric GM&GE locomotives for 43 years,& still going.Where have you been?Tell me where to sign!Thx.Mike,C@MOTIVE POWER INT’L.
Heather
I love it! Please build it, I want to drive it.
Also the look of the car is much more appealing to me than the Hybrids that are out like the Pris for example.
Wondering what you are hoping a price tag on the volt would be?
Vincent Sabbio
I would love one and if you need someone as a product tester I would love to volunteer. This reminds me of the GM that I remember, ahead of the curve not behind it.
Dereck
I have never bought a new car in my entire life. I swear by my wallet, that if GM makes this car, I’ll be at a dealership the day it comes out.
Craig Young
Just make it.
Cindy Hagerty
Please let me know when this car will be available to purchase.
Dan C.
Let me first of all say that I have owned two Fords, One Dodge, Three Chevys, One AMC, two GMCs, two Jeeps, and two Saturns (pre GM buyout). There is no question that GM was in the wrong by killing the EV1. I am still of the opinion that was a bastard move and unforgiveable as well. Now, watch out!! Global warming is all the rage and GM rides in to show off their latest toy and be the king of all. Personally, you can stuff it, as you could have given us this car fifteen years ago. Now you will without a doubt want an exhorbitant amount for the Volt because it is “new technology”. The bottom line is this. GM’s cars have been crap from the mid 80’s on and by pulling things like what you have done to Saturn within the last three years, leads me to believe GM can still not be trusted with my money. Build this car, I’m sure it will sell. I’ll spend my money to have my ‘94 Saturn converted to all electric operation. Go cheat somebody else.
Richard
I think that the current crop of Hybrids uses the electric motor to increase performance rather than economy. GM has a great idea in the concept of driving the car strictly by electric motors and providing a “range extender” with a motor to generate electricity. Why not develop a compact Gas turbine engine that could use any combustible fuel (including distilled alcohol) and get a range of 80 to 100 miles from the battery charge such that the engine would hardly ever have to be operated. I don;t particularly care for the body style of the Volt though. As one other entry said, be sure to include other high end features such as Bluetooth IPod integration and entertainment for keeping the kids entertained.
Cynthia Rogers
Ok, Folks. My old van is paid for, but yes, it’s a gas hog.
Any ideas on the cost?
I think it’s a fabulous idea! Goodbye foreign oil!
Well done American engineers!!!!!
denver morford
You had the ability 10 years ago! Quit stalling and build it.
You also need to quit the “range is around 20 miles or so” comments. 10 years ago you had a car that could go 5 times farther.
Build it already!!!!
M. L. COOMBS
I vote for the Volt to cut emissions, even though it is not cool at all. It is one of the ugliest things I have seen and seems stolen from 30-year old sci-fi. GM can better, in product and looks, if only the overlords wanted.
huey
Please make; will buy.
Four seats better than two.
Sporty? Love it.
Make a great car and day.
Michael
Hi Beth,
I am very excited about this vehicle. I have been searching for an affordable (90K is not affordable for me) electric or diesel/electric hybrid. My ultimate goal is to eliminate (not reduce) my family’s dependence on oil, foreign or domestic. I am much less concerned with environmental impact than I am with contributing to the oil industry.
I would stronly prefer a biodiesel solution, but E100 would work, as well. E85 doesn’t completely solve my needs and is almost unavailable in my area. I don’t believe that hydrogen cell technology is ready enough for consumer use and would still result in paying the existing oil infrastructure companies for fuel. I’ve had more than my share of that.
Again, I thank you accepting comments on this incredible product. I can’t wait for it to come to market, almost regardless of styling options (but a high-performance version wouldn’t hurt things any).
Cheers!
Joseph Merrick
I think that GM has a real chance to seriously undercut Toyota with a car such as the Volt in North America, while overwhelming the competition in Europe. Of course all this is predicated on GM being able to actually hold firm and produce the damn thing at a price people can afford.
At the same time I must also add that perhaps Brian is right when he speculates that this could simply be a “GM scam”. No matter how lofty and flowery the Volt may be as a concept, the need to pad quaterly earnings could kill this project very easily.
Jesse
This car sounds like an excellent commuter car. Being a commuter car I can only hope it is as reliable as current models and the suspension is robust enough to stand up to the rough roads in the northern climate
Mat
Awesome concept. I love the flexability of the drive system and the different type of fuels available. Eneregy diversity is the key to energy independence. That being said, I am aware of GMs history of killing the Pacific Electric Red Car and the EV1. I will believe the Volt when I see on the showroom floor, and I will do what it takes to buy one too (if it is affordable).
GM: If you put this car out by 2009, you will regain your market share and create many new and loyal fans. If the Volt turns out to be vaporware, you will continue to spiral downwards in sales, profit, and popularity. Please do the right thing not just for our countries political and economic interests, but also for your own pocket books.
Carmen Davis
It’s about time!! I want a 2010 Chevy Volt. I am in the market to purchase a vehicle. I will wait for the Volt to make the better green choice. Please place me on your order list.
Scott Benoit
The volt looks like a great car, I would love to have one. One suggestion although I do not know if it is possible could you put in a fuel cell and incorporate a small hydrogen gererator so that when you plugged it in when the batteries are full charge it would start making hydrogen and fill its own fuel cell?
Lillie Courtney
GM, I have been a Toyota fan for years. If you give me an electric vehicle I can afford I will finally be able to buy American again! I am buying next year and would love a small ex-cab truck, or something like it. The VOLT is a good start but hope you can produce with all the hype - MAKE ME A BELIEVER!!!!!!
Mihai Necreala
Hello All!
Its a great pleasure to see this car. Its a beaty and i must say that i will try to be the first who will buy this car, from Romania. Is a piece of art and about the perspectives that will bring to the future? A great life without all those gases wich are killing us every day. Great work Chevrolet!
Hugo
Make a diesel NOW. You have them available for trucks. Make a diesel passenger car first. Then, in the pipe dream room, dream about this car and if it becomes available, and I am still alive, I’ll buy one.
I can’t believe GM is marketing 30MPG cars as if they are the next best thing. Diesel is 40MPG at the least and has been available for over 20 years. Not much of a “revolution” here at GM
eric s
I drive a Toyota corrolla and have never bought an american car. If Chevy comes out with the volt and it looks as good as the concept then I more than likely will trade in my Toyota.
kole
If the Volt is even 1/2 of what is being touted, i’ll buy 1 (maybe 1 for the wife also). I, like some others have no use for the oil companies and any vehicle that reduces and/or end our reliance upon them is a good vehicle.
Make it good and under 40k and you will have a winner.
Now what you also need to make ia an electric minivan.
Mr. Su
Love the concept! Put it on the market already! Grow a pair and just do it! Didn’t Toyota just surpass you today on sales???? Get on it!
Brian
Just wondered how long it takes to charge the battery?
Mats
when it comes to drive the volt on electricity only, why not mention the fact that you can recharge it on your destination,
be it at work or elsewere and thus double the range .
And why not make a fully electric version, that is no hybrid ! .
Steve Duffy
I’m buying a cheap car now so I can afford to get this one as soon as it comes out. I’d say the need for this is obvious and the demand high. As far as I know, Toyota, who is now #1, has no plans for a plug-in but they may well have one in the wings. Bring it!
jay
I wish the federal government would quit wasting money by subsidizing the production of ethanol and put the dollars behind battery development so that every car maker could start producing this kind of excitement!!!
John McP
Dear GM,
I was wearing a big smile today while reading that you are no longer #1. You are today harvesting the results of past decisions, like the merciless killing of the EV1. You had the opportunity to become pioneers and leave the competition years behind and blew it!
Because of this, I swore I would never purchase a GM vehicle, and I never have. But if you build the Volt at an affordable price (under $30,000) before Toyota makes the Prius a plug-in, I will be the first one to sign you a check for the full MSRP price, something I know you aren’t used to experiencing.
Still, I’m sure my insignificant check doesn’t tempt you, but I have the hope that your desire to have a better future harvest will make you want to plant this seed.
Steve
Time to get with the program and produce this EV/Hybrid beast. The market needs a hybrid that looks good, and yours is hot! The other hybrids just look lame and don’t have the umph that it sounds like the Volt has. I’d buy one today!
GHB
I want to buy ASAP. Please produce ASAP. My wife is a retired Chrysler worker and I have always purchased Chrysler but would change as soon as you get it to the dealer nearest me. So please hurry. I want to stop buying foreign oil.
Dennis
Beautiful…It’s about time someone stepped it up and produced a vehicle like this. An SUV in this setup wouldn’t be a bad idea either. Just want to know, when can I get one?
Daniel M
I’d buy this vehicle simply to spite Big Oil and the Middle East rip-off machine. It would be remarkable how cheap and “available” gasoline would become if automakers quickly adopted this strategy. But — mark my words — GM will never, NEVER build this car. And that’s because it’s so sensible. They’re NOT innovators, they’re followers,and poor ones at that. The only way this vehicle will get built (and believe me, it won’t) is when some other company (like Apple) comes out with it first. Then, GM can say, “Me Too!!”
karen
after seeing the movie WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR? i was so angry and frustrated with the auto industry for destroying what should have been the next big wave of vehicles….we now have a second shot at this. let’s not blow it!!! the design is very slick; but dont stop there, offer one that accomodates consumers who want an emphasis on PRACTICALITY (4 door? higher up off the ground? better rear view, i.e. no blind spots?) Looking forward to it!
Paul
I would absolutely love to see this vehicle on the road today. I’m shopping for a gasoline-free vehicle right now. I will most likely purchase a Mercedes or VW turbodiesel (the only passenger cars available in diesel!), but I would prefer to buy an electric vehicle, if one was available.
My personal perferences for engine / motor types are prioritized like this:
On the styling, I believe that it would be more interesting if GM offered the range-extended electric motor as an option on its existing product line. This would allow customers to choose the style / type of vehicle that most suits them. This would also prevent matters of style and appeal from impacting the viability of this new technology.
As an example, I would have already purchased a hybrid vehicle if there had been styles and options suitable for my own needs and tastes. Not everyone would be willing to plunk down $30,000 for a subcompact car that gets double the gas mileage of their current vehicle. On the other hand, many more people would choose an electric motor as an option instead of a gasoline engine if it was available in their vehicle-of-choice. I, for one, would instantly purchase a Pontiac G6 or Chevy Impala if they had an electric motor option. GM has always had a reputation for building inexpensive vehicles for the mass market. Consider leveraging the existing business infrastructure to introduce the electric motor to the same customers. I think you would find an amazingly positive response.
Nancy
This is your opportunity to take the American car market back. Please make this car! Please promote it! Please build lots of ‘em! You got my email address now, so feel free to spam about all things Volt! I want it!
Tyson
This car is always what I thought a hybrid powertrain should be (run entirely off batteries, charge batteries with a highly efficient combustion engine). While I’m not fond of the styling of this vehicle, the powertrain is the perfect thing to transition us into oil independence.
seyoda
The Volt is truly amazing and seeing as how the Prius costs about $30k and lacks the syle promised by the Volt, I think it is a shoe-win. I made a site at http://www.chevy-volt.net if anyone wants to scope it out.
Kevin Usilton
As of right now I proudly own two GM vehicles. A Chevy Cavalier and a Chevy LT1 Camaro Z28. I think is horrible that Toyato is outselling everyone right now and, I think this is a great way to combat the fuel efficiency of the Japanese automakers. My Cavalier is amazing on fuel consumption. But, I want better. I am GM loyal and would love to see this come to the market before gas prices get too out of control. Any hybrid for that matter from GM. Thanks, Kevin
angela
I am very excited to see this technology. I think that this car will help to make up for the loss of the ev of the 90’s.
I will be even more excited to see a vehicle that will hold all the people and gear of a family of 6 : )
Gavin
This is the car that will change the world. Let’s get it off the drawing board and onto the market immediately. Why keep waiting?
Roger
If this car were available tomorrow I’d be at the dealer with my checkbook to buy one.
brian bagheri
My next car will be one with low environmental impact. If it was today, Prius. And if this car is zero-em. then it would certainly be a candidate. Although I think Prius styling is week, I think the Volt styling is too agressive. Most people who will buy an electric car will be liberals — they’re not interested in the muscle car look. Tone it down, then I would buy for life.
robert va
GM has about a year or two to make a dramatic comeback and regain the lead. Volt could be it!It exemplifies bold design and cutting edge technology! Follow up with a full size SUV (for those of us that do tow) with similar technology or biodiesel engine and I will leave you a deposit check TODAY for Volt and “green” Suburban replacement! Listen to the people! Half a million responders can’t be wrong! They WANT Volt now! Will GM listen?
RXS
The Volt has a gas\electric engine that makes it a gas electric hybrid not an electric vehicle that it’s categorized as on the Chevrolet web site. GM canceled the EV’s because they only got 70 mile per charge. Claiming no one wanted a car that could only travel 70miles between charges. So the Volt that gets 40 miles per charges is considered an improvement? What? Remove the gasoline engine replace it with a bigger, better battery and sell an electric car that gets 100+miles per charge. The 100-mile number sounds good to consumers and would cover an above-average days driving.
andre jones
As a car company, you are not in the business of selling fuel. I want an electric car, or a air compressor car. I will not buy another gas car. I am glad your company is working on this because I like to buy American if I can.
Arielle
I vote Yes!
Jim
The last American car I bought was a 1974 Nova. It was a piece of junk and when it came to service the dealer was no better. I have heard that Chevy/GM are improving. We’ll see. The Volt sounds like the most inocative and exciting thing Chevy/GM has ever done. If it lives up to the hype and it is well built and reliable I might buy two of them..
Jim
Lance
As one of our countries few oil independent influencers, you (GM) need to lead this country away from oil. The auto purchasing public wants a better solution than that offered by the gas electric hybrid. GM please do what the government is afraid to do - give us an electric plug-in that uses no foreign oil. You have some of the best automotive engineers and designers in the world - stop following the Japanese, change the game and lead and you will win. Just give us something to buy NOW not in two years. If we make solving our reliance on foreign oil as important as going to space was in the early 1960s and we can change the world (environmentally and politically). GM you hold the keys, whatever road you choose the rest will follow.
mark
After killing the EV-1 and now dropping from the number one slot of Automakers, you would think GM might actually listen to the public and put something on the road today.
We do not need a concept car, we need a working production model today. Revived the EV-1 assembly line, stuff it with the technological advancements made over the last 7 years and make the vehicles available.
Sit on your hands for too long and GM may become #3.
Jeffrey B.
“This (the Chevrolet Volt) will call for a new documentary: Who Saved the Electric Car?”
Are you kidding me?
Allow me to answer your movie-title-question:
Aptera
Phoenix Motorcars
Tesla Motors
Zap!
Zenn Motor Company
a lot of independent people who care about the environment and their wallets.
GM does not belong on that list. Many all-electric cars will be on the road way before the Volt is available for purchase (if they don’t pull that lease-only jive). In fact, Tesla is building a manufacturing plant that will have the capacity to create 10,000 electric cars annually. Unlike GM, the plant won’t be built in China - it’s planned to go up in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
What’s stopping GM from bringing back the EV1 (they probably still have the damn blueprints) and marketing it correctly? Yes, that means advertising it in other places than California and Arizona. I live in New Jersey, and hadn’t heard about the EV1 until this year when I started researching electric cars.
GM dropped the ball, as Ford and Toyota have done as well. Luckily, companies like Zap!, Zenn, and Tesla have picked it up and rolled with it.
Mike
I read somewhere on this site that you were waiting for battery technology to advance in order to procede with production of this car. Why?
As others have said here in part, build it and they will come. You have the opportunity with this car to strike a blazing trail in the automotive industry. The performance specs for this car that I have seen make it more than acceptable for my use and most likely for thousands of others as well. The only thing that I ask is to make the engine capable of running on biodiesel.
What are you waiting for GM? (Personally, I have very little confidence that any one of real power in your organization will read this or any of the other worthy commentary here, so I expect no answers.) The best answer you can give is the announcement by your company that you plan to produce and sell the Volt, now. Not in 2009 or 2008. Now.
Dale
quit asking stupid questions and put them on the market already!!!!
Tifkin
My family is already saving to pay cash for this vehicle as soon as it comes out. This vehicle needs to be available soon!!! Release this soon before we are forced to by Prius.
Ben
Chevy, this is AWESOME!!!!
Please Please Please make this car. it is time for a big auto maker to step up and build a good plug-in EV
Sign me up, I’ll buy one the day you release it! and tell all my friends to do the same!
Marc
When you totally ruined the reputation of the diesel and the electric car (EV1) I swore that I would never come back. But in 2002, I did breakdown and bought an Impala and again in 2005 with a Gran Prix…prior to that I bought all imports since the 1980’s. I’m going to buy again within another year and I’d buy this IF you actually build it and IF you don’t BOTCH it like you did your early attempts at diesel & electric. As everyone else has said, the Japanese are going to “eat your lunch” if you don’t build this car soon..I’ll bet a copy of this is already on the drawing board in Tokyo right now and they are trying to figure out how to make it even better. JUST DO IT!!
Lance
Firstly, I would say it is not a great looking vehicle, too aggressive looking (GM marketing guys, this isn’t a good thing, despite what you think) and those tiny windows would provide hopeless visibility, a surefire way to cause a lot of accidents. Make a car which is practical and functional, that works and will appeal to the broader public.
But most importantly, give people the option of replacing the backup IC engine with a larger lithium battery so they can go all electric. The fact is, people are lazy, and if they have the option to just drive around on fuel and not bother to plug it in, many of them will do just that…
John
I know a lot of people still buy new trucks and SUV’s. I see it in my own neighborhood. However, there are people out there, like me, who care about the environment, reduction of oil imports and our reliance on non-renewable energy sources. Not that these people don’t, but the shift towards conservation needs to start now, not 2, 3 or 4 years from now. You have to build this car as soon as commercially possible. I believe there is a market for it, especially with the ICE backup/range extender. I think a Diesel powered backup engine would be a good bet and get great fuel economy. It would probably be able to turn a little larger output generator with its extra torque on hand.
I would also like to see the price as reasonable as possible. It needs to be affordable for the average consumer and not a toy of the rich. I’m sure there will be government incentives that will help with this.
I would go to my local Chevy dealer today and shake the hand of a friend of mine who has been trying to sell me a Chevy for the past 10 years and buy this car from him. That is after driving Honda’s for the past 20 years. You’ve got something there and I think many others would do the same.
Michele Bell
After killing the EV1 this seems too little too late! Yes this is a lovely car but until it is made available at a reasonable cost to every Canadian and American, I will continue to shop around to the many other producers of electric cars…Concepts are not what we need…We need real solutions to the global issues and these concepts have been around for a very, very long time…Battery technology is out there already…who or what is holding this back…NOT the consumers, that’s for sure…if we can’t buy from the standard manufacturers we will buy on the black market and get what we want…ELECTRIC VEHICLES…no noise, no emmisions and no more need to be a slave to the internal combustion engine and the Oil and Gas companies…make it available and we will buy it…stay in the past and the land of greed and you will be left behind…I truly hope that you can get your act togehter and make this product an economical reality and I will be more than happy to support GM (and forgive them for the horrendous conspiracy to kill the electric vehichle technology, forcing the population back into gas “slavery” when the light had already been turned on…) We have seen the future and unless global changes occur, global standards adhered to, there will be no planet for our great grandchildren to inherit. Please do the right thing and lead North America with your head held high with a clear conscience and a pride in your technological achievements. Congratulations on a beautiful concept car…NOW MAKE IT A REALITY!!!
Sincerely, Michele Bell
Paradise, Newfoundland
Fred
Remember your concerns about consumer acceptance of front wheel drive?
Move beyond your concerns and apply the “volt” technology to your entire line of products.
A grateful country will respond in droves, giving new life to your market share.
the public is so ready for the Chevy Volt concept to show up at the dealership, you can’t produce this car soon enough.
And PS, how about a wagon version for my wife?
Sean Berry
IF this car becomes a reality, and IF it looks and performs the way it’s being advertised, it will FOREVER change my opinion of GM built automobiles. I have currently have no faith in American manufacturers, but would purchase this car (or any like it) tomorrow if made readily available. Do the right thing and make this possible! The young, American consumer will support your efforts by driving this type of vehicle!
p
gas prices will be at 4.25 this
summer. STRIKE WHILE THE IRON
IS HOT
Steve White
I hear lots of people saying nice things about the car, however, plenty of people said nice things about the EV-1 and claimed they’d buy them, yet few people came up with the “cash in hand” to get GM’s attention. You gotta be willing to put your money where your mouth is in the end.
I was very unhappy when the Metro was killed, given its great mpg. It seemed foolish to me and still does today. Few hybrids actually get near what they claim to in mpg. I own 2 Metro and I never intend to part with them. I have owned a Metro since 1992, so it ain’t just the more recent gas prices that caused my choice. I loved the Metro, I really like the newer Aveo (except it has no econo version engine)and I like the Volt. I really doubt it will ever be built though. Even with the insane cost of gas people are still buying new gas hogs left & right against all logic.
I like the persons idea about offering existing car models with hybrid power plants. It’s a swift way for GM to take the lead and move in the right direction. It should be an option on every GM sold.
Steve
Alan Fuller
We need this vehicle as soon as possible! I have a 3 mile commute one way and this would be perfect for me.
I can’t wait!
Bob L.
I don’t realy need blinding speed or a sports car look. I am looking for economical clean transportation to and from work.
alex s
I have a photovoltaic system that powers my house. With the volt I’ll be able to charge/power it off of electricity produced by the sun. OPEC’s days are numbered!!!
When will this technology be available?
The sooner, the better for everyone.
Ryan
The styling is way too agressive for main stream. But here is an idea add the technology into the body styling of the 08 Malibu and you would have something ready for mass sale by mid 08 or 09 model year. This could be the golden goose that could GM back on top. The only reason to buy a Toyota or Honda is to get over 35 MPG. If you give the people 80-100 MPG with no emissions I think you could sell 3 million domestically. Try losing that huge nose on the Volt. It is way too big. It also hurts visuability. Also consider raising the roof an inch for head room. Plus expand the wheel base to create more interior. That will also increase the area of the truck. Plus lose the big wheels. 17 IN rims are fine for most base models. Also, put nav in each car standard with DVD capabilities. one touch start is good too. Get this too the show room floor by 09 and you could keep from losing me and others like me who want change. Otherwise you will lose a lot more sales to toyota and Honda.
walt
Put the car in the Market.
It will sell.
Annie
So, are we supposed to forgive you (GM) now for destroying all those EV1s? What a waste of perfectly wonderful vehicles (and they were not even recycled; those cars were just crushed, along with any respect I ever had for GM as an auto company.) For those who aren’t quite sure what I mean you can check out the movie “Who Killed the Electric Car?”
randy smith
i think the car is a wonderful step in the right direction, id love to own one would make being a student incredibly easier if we were able to save money on gas. hope to get one in the future, id like to see it out within a year or two hopefully.
Tom
I vote NO because:
1. It looks like Tim Burtons Bat Mobile. (Build an electric car that looks like a car people will drive. Make it look like the Cobalt make it look like the Civic).
2. It gets 40 miles per charge? (This must be a typo because GM canceled the EV when they concluded no one wanted an electric car with a meager range of 70-80 miles per charge?)
3. It’s not an electric car it’s a Gas\Electric hybrid (Hybrids are NOT the answer they burn gasoline and produce pollution just like any other internal combustion vehicle. A gasoline-burning engine is not the solution to the problem of the gasoline-burning engine. Change is).
GM will get a YES when they:
1. Makes it look like a car.
2. Makes it electric.
3. Remove the gas tank and the combustion engine. Replace them with a battery.
Eric Corbett
I am a die hard Ford Mustang driver, however the greater good is to support the Chevy Volt. I would like to know if there is a waiting list in progress for purchase when they go into production. Being a two time Iraq veteran I can tell you that the concept of this vehicle or type of vehicle is a sore spot with anyone in the Arab world. If you try and discuss alternative fuels or electric vehicles with them they will automatically begin to argue mondain points. They are aware that we (the American Public) created the Arab world as it exist today (Thanks to Texaco), they are also aware that mass production of this type of vehicle would return them to a completely tribal and irrelevant society. That is just my two cents, anyway, I want to get on the waiting list as soon as possible.
mike hayes
YOU GUYS SHOULD HAVE BUILT THIS CAR LONG AGO. IF YOU WOULD HAVE MAYBE YOU WOULDNT HAVE LOST YOUR CREDIBILITY. YOU USED TO BE NUMBER ONE REMEMBER THAT AND GET OFF YOUR DUFFS AND BUILD THIS CAR .
Cindy
When will GM finally learn the business? It’s obvious the market is ripe for a total electric plug-in vehicle. People want it, the environment needs it, the country would be far more secure with it and we wouldn’t now be crippled by the high price of gasoline. It’s hard to be sympathetic with the financial woes at GM and Ford after they killed the electric vehicles a couple of years ago. All I can say is, let’s get it right finally! How fast can you build them? How many people will you be putting back to work by building them. You KNOW there’s a market… let’s get with it! I’m just kicking myself because I don’t the resources to start up my own company to make them.
Speaking for myself… I refuse to buy another vehicle until I can buy a total electric plug-in.
Lance
The war in Iraq is purported to be costing the US taxpayers more than 400 Billion dollars. If the government would use even a fraction of that money, say 100 billion to subsidize electric plug-in vehicles we would be much better served. If you do a little math 100 billion dollars would cover 10 million cars with a $10,000 subsidy each, at $20,000 you could put 5 million plug-in electric vehicles on the road. My guess is that 5 million cars that use little or no fuel would solve the entire Middle East oil import issue. So what are we waiting for - a perfect solution. The government needs to do their job and lead this country in the right direction and stop protecting special interest
Charles Rohde
Bring on the Volt, build the Holden Statesman here as an Impala, the Commodore as a Malibu, dump Buick and Pontiac, and move GMC back to a commercial brand.
Jim Walker
Too little too late. If I can’t get a pure electric car in 3 years, I’ll build it myself. The kits are already here…why aren’t you, GM? You built the EV-1 from scratch…by hand. Why not just put an electric motor in a Cavalier, and away we go…10 YEARS AGO! Short term profit=short term thinking. Or did the oil companies stop you…for $$ I’m sure. Make a smaller faster version AND LOSE THE GAS and I’m there. I see this as a step back from the EV-1.
rob lanzara
Why does America wait to be a dollar short and a day late? We should have had this machine on the road over a decade ago. I currently have several vehicles on the road and they would, undoubtabally, have ALL been vehicles of this type had I been offered the choice. We can’t afford to lag behind anymore in a worldwide based economy because catching up will not be an option (IS NOT AN OPTION).
Do you think. . .
Danielle
LOVE IT… my name will be on the waiting list i will camp out for it. I will not buy another gas car, but i also need a truck to tow with, hint hint! try it on models you already have i don’t care what it looks like. please keep under $30k we’re a military family and can’t afford much more since we want 2. hurry up!
Paul T.
you know there was a time just about 10yrs ago when gas was $1 a gal. and i was younger and could only dream of a camaro SS.
forget mpg give me 0 to 60. now I’m older and and gas is $3.23 a gal in Guam where my family and i are stationed for the military. My wife and i don’t care about how fast it is or how cool it looks. it could be uglier then a scion and I’d drive it if it saved me money at the pump.
So GM do this: make it safe, make it affordable (not just affordable for your vp’s on up) and make it as or more reliable then Honda and Toyota. And I’ll have 1st two on Guam, and my first GM ever.
P.S. You wouldn’t want any more documentary’s making you profits go down.
advoc5te
Build it. In Right Hand Drive. So Holden can sell it in Australia. Please!
Tom Smith
I like this concept more than the hybrids that don’t plug in. Being abel to commute to work and not use any gas is what I want. I have a 22 mile round trip commute so this would be perfect for me. GM please don’t kill this one like the EV1’s. I think this will put your company in the black again. I know I’ll buy one. I think half of the American people would buy one if you can keep the price under $40,000. People are talking about alternatives to gas all the time now.
Steph
The whole concept is great, but i would love to see a charging system greater than 15 amps, 120 volts. Most home made EVs have 5-10Kw chargers, which would be a real plus in the chevy volt. most chargers are adaptable to 120 or 240, from 15 to 40 amps
Heather Braegger
Bring this car into reality!! I love the design! It would be a wonderful alternative to gasoline, but. . . if the car costs as much as a house loan, not everyone is going to be able to buy it. I’m sure everyone grimaces in pain when they see the price that gasoline costs now. I know I do! Still if the car payment costs more than a house payment, there are only certain people who can afford it. Brillant idea, now bring it to life!!
Bob McEntee
Are any of you GM folks actually reading this?. I hope so, listening to your potential/past customers woudl be step 1 in beating back the Japanese domination.
This would be a good move! Realize, however, that the buyers of this don’t need the sexiest/most expensive version you can imagine!Simple is good. The simpler the maintenance on this, the better. The simpler the price, the better too! Then businesses will buy more too.
I have all American cars, but the difficulty (designed in, or ignored in) in maintaining them is frustrating, please do follow the Japanese example so I can stand to stay American.
This is an awesome idea, and would make up for crushing the EV1s!
Ready for great idea number 2–are you listening before you go into bankruptcy??– Whoever makes the first Hybrid (Plug In Preferred) MINIVAN to come to market in the US will be BILLIONS ahead.
Also, what’s wrong with Diesel? We are dying for cheaper transportation, crank it out! Stop aiming for 1960’s/1970’s goals/styles and crank out some practical transportation. You can win, just start listening. Serve the consumers, not the dealerships! We’ll be loyal, you’ll see!
Congrats on a great concept car, now crank something out, it doesn’t have to be as sexy, but 60 mi on a charge is a great idea. Can I have an optional solar panel on the trunk/roof to juice up in the parking lot? A lot of us rich greenies would go for that you know, it’s green and practical–what’s not to like! Just make it reasonably affordable ok? Now please, go get working on a Hybrid or Electric gas or Diesel MINIVAN and save your company and our domestic jobs and GNP! Be glad to correspond if it will benefit your design/marketing, I have plenty of experience in both. Thanks for a great concept car & get busy!
Deanzsyclone
This car looks fantastic, which means you won’t produce it I’m sure.
Kim Brown
Please build this car! I work for an organization that wants to make a difference in the world. One way we are making a difference is by building a “green” facility and by giving commuter credits for our employees who bike to work, ride share or use a vehicle with alternative fueling. I would prefer NOT to purchase a vehicle from one of your competitors…please build this car!
hennahurd
Please Please keep working on this technology! I think the majority of Americans will be willing to pay a little more when purchasing such an impressive car! I hope to be looking for a new car with in 2-4 years and I WANT to be looking at this car first! Keep up the work! Keep making it better for the environment!
rob
where does the power come from for heat?
Does engine have to run all the time in winter to keep windshield clear?
Dave
This car is a great idea, i think it would put GM way ahead of the competition. If the production car looks anything like the concept, this car will be fantastic!
Bob
You can build it. Or, you can sit back and watch your Japanese competition build it and take customers instead. Prius already operates in decoupled mode. You’re not that far ahead. Get on it. Making the generator a (bio)diesel engine is purely common sense.
Jean B.
So, when are you going to build this? I currently drive a Prius, but I’d love to support a US automobile manufacturer. It sounds like you are more interested in what the consumer thinks than your main US rival is….
BTW, please do equip this with a sunroof that can be opened and that has an opaque sliding cover. These cars get HOT with all that sloping glass!
lauren
This Flexible platform will cost this Chevy Volt some performance, fuel economy, and profitability by going solely the serial hybrid route.
I have a chevy avalanche and got a chevy cold air intake installed just recently. But i would love to try Volt if already in the market.
Morgan Pitts
Please build this car, it’s time for American auto makers to start looking forward to new innovative technologies instead of back at gas guzzling V-8s, we ought to be leading the world but instead we’re falling behind Toyota.
Eric Marshall
The Volt & Sequel “4WD electric drive train” is an answer to my quest … a truly flexible and universal vehicle platform.
The Volt & Sequel are great concepts, but for production I’d suggest that GM offer batteries and “range extender” as options that can be installed/replaced by a technician at a dealer or service station … ie no batteries, ICE/generator or hydrogen Fuel Cell included as standard equipment. Specifications and perhaps a certification process would encourage development by third party manufacturers with a plethora of electrical generation/storage technologies.
If a “4WD electric drive train” (batteries not included) was available in GM production vehicles, I’d buy today!
P.S. Today’s EV market has similarities to the PC business of 25 years ago … the successful PC manufacturers made the basic computer and left the options to third parties. An industry was born! With its experience in EV’s, GM has an opportunity to make history repeat itself … ie make the universal and flexible “4WD electric drive train” vehicles with “batteries not included”.
Brady
I have cobalt SS (280 Horses, 31 MPG) that I would love to trade in around 2011. Can the Volt be ready by then?
Thank you for investing in a couple great LiPoly Battery companies, I hope they come through for you.
The concept is great but please change the wheel and tires to R18/215, those concept pizza cutters look silly from behind. I really love the mini 2008 Camaro look that was used for the concept.
Let Toyota have the lead for a bit and then watch as they lose their boring car market share to Hyundai and their cheap Lexuses.
Build the Volt Concept and make sure you offer the same powertrain in the Solstice or Sky!
WKB
I love that you’re building it but IMO it is REALLY UGLY. Seriously. Please make a cute one.
MarvK
Hello Mr. Wagoner:
You’re right on target with your Volt, and well on your way to redeeming yourself after your decision to kill the EV-1. The Volt series hybrid appears technically ingenious and unlike any hybrid in production now.
There are so few 5 door cars that I ask you to consider this when your stylists cut the rear deck lid down to practically nothing, aswe find in today’s styling trends.
Please have your stylists and focus groups consider a wide age range of drivers, because being older, I can’t handle the small windows; we need them for safe driving!
I grew up in Detroit, loved GM cars, but today you make not one I want to buy. All is forgiven if you can pull off the Volt; I’ll once again be proud to drive a GM car.
j
Put this Eflex system in the body of the Opel GTC concept and I’m sold.
Court
This is exactly what GM needs to compete with Toyota. Build it.
Dr. Diesel
Who ever said they wanted a high performance version needs to learn phisics. The massive amounts of tourque an electric motor can produce can be produced almost instantaniously. This is the performance version! Body design is sleek looking too. But ditch the gas engine. on long drives the gas engine will be working too hard. a small diesel from your dewoo company or from opel will provide maximum efficiency because they work best at a constant speed and That is what industrial generators use. And scince they are diesel they’ll run forever giving you the ability to steach out that powertrain warrenty far surpassing any hybrid car currently on the market. This car if produced will be the next VW beetle in that it apeals to everyone therefore sending the amount you would sell through the roof. This could put you back at number one and scilence those jokers who said you killed the electric car. You’d be in the clear with Al Gore and you’d start turning a profit again in the states. Making this thing is an all around good decision. come on, I’m a die hard GM boy. Heck look at my e-mail name. I love the duramax,and advise everyone about the good things you guys do. so If this doesn’t go through to production I might have to painfully switch my loyalty. Don’t make me do that because then all my family and friends who rely on me for car info ar going to switch too. and seriously toyota already took your first place and Hyundai is ready to steal second from you. Why? People think they are more styleish (the concept cars at least), cutting edge, economic, etc. come on don’t be pushed around by any one! build this car and get the bill for electric cars past in CA so you would be the only one to be able to sell cars in CA for about five years while everyone else tries to build an exclusively electric car.
Jon
its about time… im glad to see chevy putting out a car that can not only go head to head with the toyota and honda hybrids, but also is helping to reduce how much we rely on fossil fuels. 150 mpg cars are a reality, and im sure if the oil companies didn’t bribe the auto industry so much we would all be seeing 300 mpg cars. the technology is available here and now and has been available to us for years now. the volt is a fantastic concept and I will probably look into it if chevy makes this car able to do everything they say it can. good job on the design of the car as well. I look foward to future models like this. Hey how about pumping the colbalt, Impala, and all other 30 mpg vechicles to 50mpg? i know you guys at chevy can do it. bring the car of the year award back to the US and take it from Japan
Joseph Lull
Please don’t shrink this wonderful concept down in scope. Shoot for the Implala W platform and not the mini car Delta platform.
There are a multitude of asian mini electrics coming out starting next year.
GM needs to maintain their position as a leader in the industry.
Make another mini electric. But not your first offering.
Melissa Cameron
I’m 21 yrs old and I love this car it’s so sexy (i like 4 door cars but i still want the volt)and it’s the smartest thing anybody has thought of in years. If you think about the gasoline you breath in each day its so eww. I’m thinking about getting my first car of course i have to learn how to drive first lol but my husband wants a challenger and he said he’ll let me get the volt if it comes out soon. Otherwise were getting the challenger so please hurry. Also i hope it’s not to much money if you have a round about number you should put it on the site. So people have an idea
Marc
OK…I think EVERYONE agrees that this is a HOT car. It’ll sell like hotcakes and put GM back on top. Over and over and over, you’ve heard it GM…now it’s time to act. Here’s what I think you should do: 1. Stop all future product development on ALL vehicles (even your coveted Camaro!!). 2. Re-assign every engineer, designer, product developer etc. you have to this project…nothing else is developed until this car rolls off the assembly line. 3. After you implement the Volt, transfer the Volt technology to every vehicle in your lineup until a plug-in version of every vehicle is available (except for maybe trucks).
john lee
Absolutely love it.
I’ve been waiting for a series/PHEV vehicle. In our mountain and snow environment, I would like an AWD option. Which should be no big whoop for a Series PHEV.
PHEV V2G technology will enable energy independence. Bring it on!
Jeremy
Sounds like a cool car.
Hopefully it will be advertized better than the EV1 was. GM, promote this not only as a way to help save the planet, but also a way to have fun while doing it. Get people to want to buy it. I want to buy it. But not everyone does. It needs to sound fun and exciting. Not wierd like the EV1 was.
Email me and I’ll come work for you. I’m getting a BS in Vehicle Design. Let’s make this the best electric vehicle ever.
David butterfield
please build it, my 18 mile commute is perfect!
Roger
Please build this car for 2008 model year. I am buying a car for my son, and he can simply not afford gas. I worked for EDS for 10 years in PAD; I know you could have done it last year. Make money, what is the problem?
Mark
After I read about car and before I saw what it looked like, I said that if this car was available now, I would buy it.
Kyle
When I saw that Chevy was going to make an electric car again, I was shocked because of the whole GM electric car ordeal in California and Arizona back in the 90’s and early 2000. I’m really excited about this car. It looks really cool.
Ed
Amazing…Not just the car but the response you are getting. There are too many responses for me to take the time to read them all but its clear that we (the consumers) are ready to buy. Could the venicle be put into production earlier using high end batteries available today? When battery replacement time comes in a few years, the batteries could be upgraded to the new technology (whatever it is at that time).
Just one more thought. Could you consider equiping the vehicle with some type of photovoltaic charging system. This could be as simple as integrating cells into the dash. Even simpler, provide the owner with a photovolaic front window sunshade. Those of us who live in the sunny areas of the country would love to put that energy to use for something other than frying our legs on the seats.
Paul
I will really be glad if and when this comes out. I’ll hold off buying another car until it becomes available.
siggi
The first american Car I will ever buy. Please built it soon, Great concept, good design.
Susan K
In my industry, when we beat the market to a radical new technology, we show it in a group of at least 4 design options.
That way if a buyer doesnt like one style, they can have it in another.
Since this particular body design is seen as ugly by many people, why not offer this EV in several styles. The concept of an EV is a paradigm shift for the whole market.
If you don’t get out in front you’ll lose market share to Teslas WhiteStar and Miles Javlon XS500 and Spyders next sedan and ZAPs CRX.
Why not do your very basic Silerado truck in electric. (highlight the “EV” in the middle of CHEVROLET on the back!)
Why not a cute litle camaro or neon type car in electric.
To many people, not just me, this style looks like its for paranoid angry mean and old haters who just plain don’t want to see the world outside their windows.
Thats not the psychology of an early adopter of new tech, or of those who try and cut our carbon footprint.
People who are open to new ideas like this EV buy cars that look responsible and so they have big windows to avoid hurting any kids. They love other people. They are good: they want the world to survive us. They are happy. They want to see whats happening. You can sneer at them as treehuggers, but they buy cars too.
So please offer it in a couple bodies. Don’t tell me you can’t design for do-gooders.
Hire iPODs designer. Or Lotus.
Or Teslas designer. Theres cool design that do-gooders love. You need to open your heart to them.
Whoever is first to $25000 though, thats the EV I’ll buy. In case its you, please offer it in nice sedan styling, like a Camry/Civic/Accord or….how about make a huge statement:
bring back the exact EV1 style!
That is now the most cherished car in America that we never knew existed till too late.
Tribu
Dear GM Executives/Employees?Engineers,
Thanks for developing the Chevy Volt, it would be really nice to see this vehicle in showrooms next year thus enabling me to buy a domestic vehicle that surpasses what the Japanese manufacturers are building.
Unfortunately my experience with GM leads me to think that this vehicle will be delayed until the Japanese or European companies start selling thier own versions and establish the market.
Please release this car for 2008, and help me rebuild my belief in American Technology and Ingenuity.
Yours truly,
Tribu
Scott
I have been looking for a hybrid as my next vehicle. I’ve been waiting for something like this that is american made and comparable to hybrids available outside the US. I am excited to see if Chevy can pull this technology off and make it affordable at the same time. Good luck Chevy… I am rooting for you!
Noah
I am very impressed with this drivetrain concept, it shows actual vision and foresight on the part of GM. Compare this to the non-gas concepts from other manufacturers and there is no comparison. I have read over half of the entries here, and the same points keep coming up, and I agree with all of them:
1. To secure competitive advantage, GM needs to get this car out by model year 2009 (late 2008 calendar) or model year 2010 at the very latest, or it risks being beaten to market by the Asian automakers.
2. If GM gets this car out in late 2008, it needs to follow up in the next 2-3 years with multiple body styles (crossover, sedan) to get a wider reach in the market.
3. The beauty of this drivetrain concept is that it can work in the present, so GM should focus on engines using fuels that work with current infrastructure (diesel, biodiesel, gas, E85) and not hydrogen fuelcells.
4. This car will lose a lot of buyers over $30k, and if it can get close to $25k it will have a very large following.
5. If the “base” model is between $25-30k, there would be a market for higher-end models with thin-film PV roof & hood, and larger battery packs.
6. People are much more impressed with the drivetrain than the styling, so focus more on making room for all the right components, batteries etc, even if the finished product needs to be a little bigger, or look more like a “normal” car.
7. This is a big chance for GM to redeem it’s image, and if they don’t follow up on this, and put their money where their mouth is, consumers will have every reason to “go Japanese” and not trust GM again.
Doug E
I wish this car were available now. I hope it comes out soon enough. I’d rather buy American but I’ll buy the first production 4 passenger car with either plug in hybrid or your E-Flex type power plant.
Michael
Forget E85 which is just raising the price of produce…The Volt is the way to go. 2008, 2009 whenever, sign me up! I want one ASAP. REALLY. I work 17 miles from home and would love one of these…..
John Bailo
I think that America should start a new program, similar to the OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) program. I call it the OVPA — One Volt Per Adult. Every adult citizen in America needs to trade in one of their current cars for a Chevy Volt. I don’t care how…whether paid, leased, subsidized via state fleet sales or what.
We need to get the Volt into the hands of each and every driver in America…the World!
t1
I am a gm tech we need this car to be a four door.It needs to be out now to compete with other auto manufactures.Gm should also make sure they design a hybrid system for all its car lines.what about a turbo diesel hybrid with the highest mpg of any car ever.
Doug E
I’d love to see this car and the same technology on other platforms. I’d buy a plug in hybrid or E Flex MiniVan today!
Kevin Breneman
I am an aerospace engineer who lives 30 miles from work. The other day on the way to work I presented an idea to a fellow engineer that was essentially identical to the Volt, which I was not aware of at the time. This would be ideal for my second car. Unfortunately, I have a family of 6 so it would not replace the family vehicle. I think if you could also sell a minivan based on this concept you would find a lot of additional interest. They may not be glamorous, but they sure are practical.
Jack
If cash flow is important to GM now and if the availability of proper batteries is the hold-up, start selling the Volt ASAP without the battery package, and provide the battery package when it is ready. I would be glad to drive it in gasoline mode until the battery is available.
christian
i would buy the volt as soon as they came out please make this car
Chris
I own 2 BMW’s and have not considered buying a car from GM until I saw the Volt. Even an expensive version is interesting to me. Just get the dang thing to market. I’m so tired of 25-30 MPG. I want something I can plug-in. If you make it I will buy it.
-Chris
fish191
Its about time, that Detroit flexed its innovative muscle to revolutionize the automobile again. Kudos, for choosing Lordstown to build it.
I will keep my current vehicle until this one hits the market. Cool design, and great for the environment….win win.
I think your biggest problem is going to be that you will not be able to produce enough of these. Maybe you could bring a plant in Michigan back online, to have it built there would help the state immensely.
Dawn Wietfeldt
I currently own a honda insight. I am currently getting 55 to 60 miles per gallon. I like the car but it is ony a two seater. I have always driven GM product prior and am very interested in the Chevy Volt.
Chad
Please begin production of this car right away! I want one!
Paul
I would like to see the Volt in production as soon as possible. I would like to have 200 - 300 watts of solar panels on the roof and hood. I expect that the car could be driven at least 10 mi / day with just solar in the southern U.S.
Ethanol, Biodiesel, and Hydrogen are just pretend fuels which use more energy to produce then they contain. I would prefer to plug into the home natural gas line than the electric supply. A small low pressure compressor and small CNG tank along with the solar could eliminate almost all of the gasoline demand for my driving needs.
Robert W. Major
Dear GM,
I have been working for GM dealerships since 1998 first as a salesman and now a CSI Manager. Teaching was great (21 years) but the car industry is fantastic. I have been waiting for a wow vehicle….forever.
My wife and I read your website info searching for that magical word, “Hybrid” and ran into the Concept car Volt. My wife immediately started hounding me to get her signed up to test market driving them back & forth to school where she teaches. She knows if she likes Volt everone will want one! Granted, it’s not the flying car you guys promised us but it fits the bill in coping with $3 per gallon gas.
Sincerly,
R.W. Major
eddie
You could use a sexier comercial.
Jonathan Palacios
When does it come out?
Tim
Please build it. I will buy it!
Eric Corbett
Again I am going to put my two cents in about this car. I’ve noticed alot of people talking about adding solar cells and photovolic laminant to the roof and even wind turbines to the grill. All cool ideas however they don’t really produce enough energy to do anything more than run the radio (if that).
Several people have also mentioned wanting to build an all electric if Chevy does not produce this in time. On both of my tours in Iraq I would vent my frustration with the entire culture of the Middle East by researching alternative fuel and even going so far as to design and work schedule a build for an all electric kit car. It is very possible to do, however a one off garage build would cost between $50,000 and $80,000 to build if you want to do it right and get the required performance out of it, it would also take a year of weekends if you had nothing else to do. The best bet for those of us who have jobs (as in not retired yet) is to wait for a mass production vehicle. The major upside to any all-electric vehicle is that they have a very short pay back point. Even the Tesla at a modest $120,000.00 can pay for itself in 8-12 years once you add up the $2500 annual tax rebate, other state and federal ensitives, not to mention the absence of the gas pump.
As for technology, why is GM not looking into “in the hub electric motors”. The latest concept vehicles for the military are going to envolve “flat” electric motors that are integrated into the wheels of the vehicle. The technology that GM is using in the VOLT is reffered to as an “electro-hybrid” by military developers (by the way GM is the contractor). The hub motors are 98% efficient and also have combat benifits (blow off two of six wheels and still keep going), no fuel tanks to rupture or explode and no more noisy generators to haul around with you across the desert.
The short story is that the vehicle already exist, it currently has machine guns, rocket launchers and IED armor mounted on it, but it does exist and works great.
I am currently driving a desk, if for some reason GM feels that an Army Logistics guy could help them get this and other vehicle successfully on the market sooner then they are of course welcome to let me know, I would help just out of boredom and spite for the Middle East. Finally, please let me know if there is a waiting list happening for this vehicle.
Christian
I really hope this car will be built. If it is, it will be the first car I’ve owned and the first car I’ve driven since I gave up driving over a year ago for environmental reasons.
Kevin Rooker
Could you give us the public an update on where you are with this vehicle? Can you tell us if you’re even considering our ideas about solar panels on the car, GPS, softer more supportive seats, etc? I want one by next summer and I’m not hopeful that you will be able to provide one for me. If that happens I will have to turn to another manufacturer and I don’t want to. I want the VOLT.
Andy
Build it and I will buy two. It is something that GM should have done 30 years ago (I know, battery technology wasn’t ready then). I want on the waiting list now!
Walt
I’m one of those people that drive less than 40 miles roundtrip to work. I’m sick of feeling like I’ve been robbed every time I fill up at the gas pump. If you build this car, I will absolutely look into buying it. Thanks for joining the eco-revolution!
Scott Ziering
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes.
The sooner we can buy these types of cars the better.
Will
You can’t build these fast enough. The demand for this technology cannot hardly be opver-estimated as the anti-carbon ferver builds. Please find ways to ramp up developement.
Perry
Chevy VOLT is the best technology to date for a Automobile.
On a even playing field GM and Ford have no problems.. its the playing field that lets companies like Toyota to keep all competitors out of THEIR home market that is keeping us from having cars like the VOLT now. GM hybrid deisel electric buses are now in 50 of the largest cities in the US saving half the fuel of the German made Buses… with much less maintenance and much more reliability. Toyota is paying NO TAXES at the plants its opening in the big dumb USA.
Japanese mfrs are here for one reason.. and it’s not the interests of the American citizens. They are here to suck as much money out of our economy as they can.
JDPowers states.. “GM earns more quality and reliability awards than any other mfr.”
Unfair Trade is our problem… and why we have no electric cars to date.
The Hybrids like the Prius are a joke. A car that costs $30K and is taken to the junk yard before its 10 years old ..is nothing more than a rich persons play toy… to the average worker making 50K/yr .. expensive hybrids are meaningless. The only hybrid that makes any sense is the FORD Escape… try to find one.
The CHEVY VOLT is the best idea ever concieved for commuting by the average person. Level the playing field and we will have cars that finally utilize technology more advanced than the Model T internal combustion engine and driveline.
greg woulf
I’m an avid electric car nut, and this is the perfect car.
To the detractors that complain about the 40 mile range, that’s the perfect goal. Enough battery to end the majority of non-electric driving, with a life that makes economic sense.
I’d rather see 100,000 cars that go 40 on pure electric than 400 that go 200 miles and will never be mainstream.
640 mile range would make a truck driver start praying for a break. That’s a mainstream car.
I’m not a huge fan of the looks, but I’d buy it for the electric. It’d be nice if they could have a more classic car shape, like the charger, in my opinion.
dan
I am so happy to see an american company finally take the lead on something. I have sworn by Japanese vehicles for 15 years. I am probably going to buy a subaru WRX this christmas simply because no american car can compete! I would just love to have some american made car suprise me with some cool technology that is useful and reliable! I am finally FINALLY suprised! wow! Build the Volt… Make it as good as you say it is, and pray for high gas prices to help your sales!! :>) I will buy one and I will tell all my friends. As for Ideas… It looks FAST… Make sure it actually IS FAST. Perhaps have a -slow -medium -fast setting that limits acceleration and saves power around town and a fast setting that will make your friends jealous! It sounds stupid but that is VERY important. :>)
Drew
If you need a volunteer to test the Volt in the Northeast…I’m the guy. I’m in that percentile that would love to stop using gas and GO GREEN.
I had a chance to ride in an EV1. Loved it. Hope this vehicle comes out sooner rather than later. Hope it comes out BEFORE I have to replace my 1998 Checy Blazer.
—Drew McDermott, Schenectady, NY.
William O. Moore
I really like the flexibility GM has built into their new concept, the Chevy Volt. It truly is something for everybody, and the next-generation of electric vehicle. It addresses the market’s needs by adopting an ultra-adaptable strategy. One that can take advantage of multiple fuel sources depending on your needs at the time, while still delivering optimum performance and environmental benefit. I’m buying one.
Terra
Please build this car, but do not make the same mistake as Honda - it needs to have leg room and head room so big Americans and our tall children fit comfortably in the car. I love my Prius (roomy, great trunk space, low emissions, 50+ mpg), but want to buy American again. I am 100% behind biodiesel - even if it is more expensive than what we are currently paying for gasoline. We need to look to the future.
Inder
THANK YOU for taking this leap forward in human civilazation. We are in the midst of one of the great changes of our times and only those that have the courage and will to lead the way, no matter what, will reap the great rewards of success down the road ahead.
Scott
Beautiful design but GM has it all wrong….a hot looking electric car? No way. Save the design for the upscale drivers who don’t care about the price of gas. Give the rest of us a nice boring small four door sedan for our families thats electric, low-cost (initial and maintainence) and gets us from point A to point B. Thats all.
Ryan J Murphy
I just finished watching the documentary Who Killed the Electric Car and felt more loathing for GM than I ever had before. I then googled electric vehicles and found the Volt. If GM chooses to build this vehicle, not only would it mend the damage it’s done to its own image, I would even trade my fuel efficient Scion xB for one.
Rick Laviolette
I am interested in an electric vehicle. I have usually short commutes and the Volt would suit me wonderfully. For long drives, I can always use my Impala. I have this extreme compulsion to drive past as many gas stations as I possibly can/ I was ready to buy and you didn’t produce it before/ I had the power setup in my garage and you didn’t build the car for Michigan. My driving is 40 miles or less, 99.9% of the time. You could always give it a propane heater for Michigan winters, I could empty the barbecue grill tank every year:)
Rick Laviolette
julie gaydash
why didn’t you just keep the first EV on the market? any why don’t you just build the thing instead of acting like there is no market out there? when has a company EVER made a blog to determine if they should put out a car? this is a senseless waste of time. build the d@mn car.
Charlotte
The styling is absolutely sexy! With the engine technology being convertible to accommodate various distances, this car would definitely fly here in the CA Bay Area. Add the latest internal technology, and you’ve got the CA yuppie crowd. Go GM!
brendan
i think you should take all this flex fuel stuff and throw it on the pontiac solstice platform so it will be lite and sporty and save u money if gm made a car like that for under $25,000 they would sell billions
bbb
We need more cars like this on the market. The sooner the better. Count me in line to buy one!
k k
GM and others if you are reading this far..
Yes, build it and quick. Looks great.
Wife just bought Prius, and it is a very impressive car. Top quality in first month not one thing wrong with it. Touch screen, nav, backup camera,push start. The only think it doesn’t have is heated seats.
Anyway, build with this quality and you will sell a lot. Including to me.
Francois L'Ollonais
PLEASE WATCH THE MOVIE “WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR?” YOU ANSWERS ARE THERE. THIS IS NOT NEW. COME ON GM HAVE SOME BOULES AND STAND UP TO THE OIL CO.
Rick
Yes, buid it. I will buy it. I drive 20 miles per day. This is perfect for my driving habits. If you dont make it, then another auto maker will beat you to market, and it will be too late for you to catch up.
Bruce Cox
Please try to increase the 40 mile electric range.
Gabriel Hanway
This car is a no brianer. I am sick of going to the gas station. On a serious note, this care would be great for my wallet, the environment, and our security. I am ready to buy!
Eric
Since visiting EPCOT Center in 1983, I have been amazed and excited by the engineering marvels developed by the good people at General Motors. To my disappointment, these concept vehicles have never made it to the showroom floor. General Motors currently has the best concepts I have seen, but refuses to build them.
Ms. Lowry, please ensure this vehicle, the Chevy Volt, is brought to full scale production, and allowed to see the retail sales floor. America needs an alternative solution to the competitors, and the non-renewable energy sources.
Very Respectfully,
Eric
Glenn
In the wake of the EV-1 episode, I swore I’d never buy another GM product. IF this product comes to market in the near future, I may have to change my mind. Consider adding solar panels to the vehicle to assist in re-charging the battery on those sunny days when it sits in the parking lot at work. This is the right answer and is long overdue.
Kathy
I need to purchase an car but i don’t want to buy a vechicle that cost me half my pay check to fill up today and my entire check tomorrow… and keeps me at the mercy of the enemies of my country… Does GM offer EV now? 2008? 2009?Americans don’t need EV concepts we need EV NOW!9/11/2001 was 6yrs ago Americans don’t want to continue to be dependent on our enemies gas.GM needs to take the lead here…Save America and in retrospect save itself.It’s the patriotic thing to do and it would bring GM a lot of respct increase sales and regained market share.It might even bring some hope and pride back home to the Good Old USA
Regards
Kathy Hilding
James H. Dudley Sr.
You should have had it out a couple of years ago. Your behind the curve. Know wounder Toyota is the largest car maker. Thats a disgrace. I would have bought one a few years ago, let alone now with the gas prices. Toyota can’t make them fast enough and sells them for what ever they want. What a nice position to be in. What I really like about the Volt is the ability to plug it in and not need gas at all. Also, useing other than gas for fuel. Get one out soon and I will gladly buy one or two.
Jim
Monty
It is high time that American automakers lead through innovation. I am a city dweller and live less than 8 miles from my job. Sadly, public transportation is not readily available so I have no choice but to drive. Bikes and/or mopeds are not an option due to saftey concerns but an electric vehicle would be perfect for my day to day commute.
A dual/tri/quad mode car is an excellent solution for those of us who just want decent daily transport.
jake
please GM we need to lead, our country needs you. If you build they will buy, stop letting Japan build the best cars, we can do it, we need to do it. Bottom line lead not follow. Make the best not the cheapest.
Scion Jim
Omigod!! A GM product that I actually find myself wanting to own! I always wondered why no one tried this technique before in a car - after all, it worked in diesel-electric submarines decades ago.
By all means, keep the ability to charge while parked. This way I can get to my office and let the car “snorkel” in the parking lot so it’s ready for the trip home. I also prefer the ability to use diesel so I can tap off my heating oil and shaft the gov’t out of their fuel taxes.
BUT - It’s going to take more than high tech alone for the car to succeed - like long term reliability & world class build quality, which are foreign concepts to GM now. I refuse to accept a second-rate car no matter how “green” or “patriotic” you paint it to be. So by all means build the volt, but build it as well as Toyota could.
Keeley
Great concept car. I would love to see it in production and seriously consider buying one, especially with the flexible fuel option. How about adding solar panels to trickle charge the battery while we all work, though?
carlivar
I would definitely buy the Volt if it was under 25k. I want it now!! Build it!!!
mike
After GM’s debocle with the way they handled the electric cars in california who knows. Until GM finally starts understanding what the consumer wants instead of what some idiot thinks they want GM will never sell anymore cars and go out of business. In my 20 years of driving I have not seen a company that is so out of touch with what their consumers want. I would buy one of these tomorrow if they were available. Which in GM mentality means they will never come out.
Robert
Please build this car! Until we can drive without depending on Big Oil, we will continue our current problems in the Middle East and pollution/global warming here at home. I would love to tell the Saudis, Nigerians, Iranians, and Hugo Chavez to eat my electrons.
ben
Sweet! Two things though…
1. Why is it not already out?
2. What kind of premium are you planning on attaching to it?
Contrary to the cynics, people are smart and will call you on over-pricing it. I want to buy an plug-in A to B (54 miles) for under $16k. Can you do it?
Mech.Engg.
Hopefuly this electric car program is not going to be like the last one GM had (EV1)
Doug
I want to purchase an E-Flex vehicle in either a 4 door sedan or minivan version. I would buy one of each if they were available today.
The first model should be a 4 door sedan. Let’s face it, the Toyota Camry is the most popular car in the US. Make an E-Flex model with the same comfort similar performance, all electric mode for 20 to 40 miles and average 40 miles per gallon or better when running in engine assist mode over long distances at 75 mph and you would be #1 again!
Please bring this vehicle to market within 2 years. I want to purchase this vehicle now.
Daniel
I don’t trust you guys at all. I’m staying with my Prius and Toyota who was smart enough to get it from the beginning. Also, we can’t make enough ethanol for E-85 to be a real longterm solution. Electric, diesel and hybrid diesel seem to be the best bets for energy efficient cars. Dies