Chevy Volt Hits D.C. Streets
Be sure to click over to FYI to read a first-person account of seeing the Chevy Volt on the streets of Washington, D.C. John Towriss, one of our consultants, was on the scene Wednesday as the Volt concept car made what I think may have been its on-street debut. His thoughts made for a fun post; check it out.
– Christopher Barger, Director, Global Communications Technology
- Posted in Cars & Trucks, Volt
Onell
Bring your 1.6L Ecotec, 115hp with “cam-phasing” and 1.6L Ecotec 180hp turbocharged here in N.A., while the battery of the “Volt” is not yet available. Replace the 1.6L from Korea with the 1.6L from Europe then the “Aveo” will sell like hotcake.
C Miles
Hello, and congratulations on the Volt traveling around DC.
That was a great sight to see.
Strange as it seems, just today it was reported that Toyota Motors “requested permission from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport by the end of July for the testing of a prototype plug-in
Prius on public roads.”
OK here’s an Old fashioned PR idea -
TAKE THE DRIVABLE VOLT TO TOKYO ASAP.
(or ask for permission soon, anyhow)
This, (like Doolittle’s stunt raid, in ‘42) might rally your troops, and scare the folks over there just a wee bit.
I really think you’d get a lot of press by driving a working PHEV car around Tokyo before Toyota does.
You could put a big banner on it “The General is Awake!”
Or something equally corny.
link to full story:
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/07/toyota-to-obtai.html
Good luck - I’m one that’s worried about C02 and will buy it if you build it. (just tell me where to put down a deposit)
C Miles
Philadelphia, Pa
Gary Dikkers
John Towriss said:
What!? You took the Volt to Washington in the back of a big orange truck? I suggest you go home and come back when you can actually drive one from Detroit to Washington. Had you driven the Volt to Washington, then you would have had a real story worth reporting.
Instead of telling us how some lady was impressed by the “cool rims,” why not tell us something important such as what kind of battery this prototype had, and how you are progressing on the actual battery you expect to use?
I hope Tony Posawatz’s briefing to the panel inside the National Press Club went into more depth than talking about the “cool rims.”
Regards,
Gary Dikkers
ThriftyTechie
Unsolicited advice.
If and when GM starts selling the Volt series hybrid, GM should:
1. Be honest and tell us straight up how efficient the all -electric mode is in layman’s terms. i.e., X miles per $Y of electricity.
2. Also admit to how inefficient the gas burning mode of the series hybrid is in plain terms.
3. Stress that it isn’t a gimmick, that it’s simply aimed at that big American niche…the commuter car. Something that’s best driven for 20 miles or so in all-electric mode.
I think people would respect that and it would be better for the long-term marketing of this vehicle.
ghent
gm’s biggest problems in the u.s. are : prius and camry. the new malibu is coming out in the second half, whereas the Volt is 3 years out. you should definitely come out with an answer for prius and camry as soon as possible. i would say the new malibu hybrid which gets 32 mpg is disappointing. camry hybrid can get 40 mpg. will i get a camaro? definitely. will i get a volt? a big yes!
Frank
Ohh Please Gary, you really need to relax. I don’t care if it was running or not, if that thing got dropped off in my town, I would be the first one on line to drool over it.
You act as if the people making it are just sitting on there hands! Have you ever built a car from the ground up, with a technology that doesn’t exist? Maybe its time you cut them a little slack.
Corto
Even though I can be very critical of GM, I’m with Frank on Gary’s post. The fact of the matter is that GM is starting to put a dent in Toyota’s image as the only producer of eco-friendly cars. Nothing is farther from the truth if you take a look at the gas guzzling overweight Lexus hybrid flagship (LS 600h). Here is an interesting piece on the subject found on autoextremist.com
{Writing in last Sunday’s The New York Times, Lawrence Ulrich slammed Toyota and its 2008 Lexus LS 600h L in a review entitled, “Conspicuous Consumption With Green Illusions.” Some excerpts worth repeating…”In recent advertisements, including one in the ‘green issue’ of Vanity Fair, Lexus uses one hand to present the 400-plus horsepower of the LS 600h L and the other to pat its own back for saving fuel and planet alike. The ads and the cars have convinced many, including some credulous journalists, of Lexus’s pitch: that a hybrid car or S.U.V. can drive like a Porsche and sip fuel like a Prius. But a closer examination proves once again that there’s no free lunch, even at the drive-through. For more than a year, Lexus has suggested that the LS 600h L - as tested, a $121,000 hybrid version of its LS 460 L flagship sedan - would set a new standard for four-door luxury automobiles. Its pitch was that the car would perform like a V-12 super sedan while whipping V-8 rivals on fuel economy. Instead, the hybrid may have set a new standard for automotive hyperbole. Behind its green Teflon shield, the Lexus proved to be just another overstuffed sedan that can barely top 20 miles a gallon - less, if you actually tap into all that power. If that’s saving the planet, Jor-El had better prepare the escape pod before it’s too late.” It’s clear that the mainstream media is finally - finally - beginning to see through the green hype being foisted off on the American public by the “Master Manipulators” at Toyota. The Lexus LS 600h L is a nothing more than an overweight (700 pounds heavier than its non-hybrid counterpart), overwrought rolling monument to Toyota self-aggrandizement, its unfettered hubris and delusional thinking. The fact that you can buy a non-hybrid version of the same car and get basically the same mileage is a flat-out indictment of Toyota’s “greener-than-thou” persona. Toyota’s calculated “green” marketing strategy is just that - a marketing strategy - and the fact that they’ve been given a free pass by too many in the media who should know better and by the Hollywood “intelligentsia” who clearly can’t identify a cause without talking to their publicists first, is unmitigated bullshit. Fissures are showing in Toyota’s “Teflon kimono,” and it’s about damn time.}
Gary Dikkers
…technology that doesn’t exist?
That’s exactly the point Frank. They are hyping something based on looks alone.
Right now they’re only betting they will have the technology (practical, not-too-expensive, large-scale lithium-ion batteries that aren’t subject to runaway thermal events) to make it work in two or three years. I sincerely hope they’re right and things work out — but until then I suggest they stop the hype.
I’d much rather have a report on how the technology is progressing than to hear John Towriss talk about the “cool rims.”
When Albert Einstein was developing his special theory of relatively he didn’t start hyping and spinning it three years in advance. He waited until he knew he was right, and then published the results.
Right now the Volt is nothing more than attractive vaporware.
Best,
Gary Dikkers
Frank
“I’d much rather have a report on how the technology is progressing than to
hear John Towriss talk about the “cool rims.”
I understand what you mean, I would like to know the progress of the batteries to, but then again so does Toyota, Honda, Ford, and everybody else. If they gave the information that you and I really want, these companies would have a field day. It would be like a general handing over his battle plan to the opposing army. I have faith that GMs 3 billon dollar investment wont go to waste, in the mean time I enjoy Blog Posts that let me know when it is ready, people will be flocking to Chevy dealers like Iphone buyers to Apple.
“When Albert Einstein was developing his special theory of relatively he didn’t start hyping and spinning it three years in advance. He waited
until he knew he was right, and then published the results.”
That’s true, but just look at the space program. They hyped that we could get to the moon and we had no idea if we could. We got there by using ideas and inventions that didn’t even exist a few years earlier…All im saying is that hype isn’t just hype if you have the money and talent to back it up.
Best,
Frank
noel park
Onell,7/19, 5:59 PM:
I totally agree. Also, isn’t there a 1.4 Ecotec available in Europe? It’s about fuel economy, not acceleration. If a 1.4 Ecotec Aveo would beat a Yaris on mileage, I would buy one tomorrow.
Corto, 7/20, 2:21 PM:
I think that the market will sort out dumb greenwashing overweight hybrids from high mileage ones pretty quick. My sense of it is that most hybrid buyers are looking for “greenness” and mileage bragging rights, and aren’t going to be fooled by the likes of the LS 600h L.
Look at the demise of the Accord hybrid, for example. My understanding is that Honda is going to replace it with a purpose built smaller hybrid to compete with the Prius on mileage.
Meanwhile, Toyota has sold over 750,000 Priuses worldwide and GM has sold how many of their greenwashing Silverado and Vue “mild” hybrids? Who is kidding who?
What this says for the upcoming Tahoe/Suburbans with the more sophisticated hybrid system is an open question. I think that a lot of your comments apply to them as well.
Rene Curry
Consider how do distinquish your electric hybrids from the pack.
I think each one needs a bolt on spoiler with a solar panel across the top.
This could function as a “trickle charger” while the car is parked.
At the same time it creates a visual characteristic that says “I am GREEN”. Hopefully it also enhances the design.
By using several standard spoiler components you could lower the costs across models. It could also be easily repaired or replaced.
P. from Weston MA
I think this couldn’t have happened soon enough… we need to move to electric a lot more, and we also need to start generating that power using nuclear plants instead of burning coal.
Onell
GM said that it has produced the best “parallel hybrid” propulsion for buses but recently they dump the Allison Transmission that makes that hybrid. GM said that it has produced a Belt Alternator Starter Hybrid but only very few bought it and it did not earn a good consumer review. Few months ago GM showed their “Volt” but until now the battery is not available. Also, a few months ago they announced that their “Sequel” car has traveled 300 miles with one tank of Hydrogen but it is still not ready for the market. Just recently GM announced that they’re going to subsidize $10K just to make SUV hybrid affordable. GM sold its Isuzu stake but bought 50% stake in VM Motori for diesel development and manufacture. What’s next? Sell the Renaissance Center? The last but not the least is to declare Bankruptcy.
Gary Dikkers
John Towriss, GM Consultant said:
Am I the only one that sees the irony of Towriss comparing the size of the Volt to that of the Accord?
Weren’t there any Chevy Malibus, or similar-sized GM products rolling by that he could have better used to make a size comparison?
I’m still trying to figure out whether there is some hidden reason Towriss would have intentionally compared it to a Honda, or if that was just a simple slip up.
Regards,
Gary Dikkers
Mark Seidler
GM’s “Volt” PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) is the traditional auto industry’s latest attempt to misinform the public about the viability of EVs (Electric Vehicles) and PHEVs. Most corporate media outlets covered the story and repeated GM’s propaganda that the battery technology is still not ready and that it will be very expensive. All the media outlets also specifically cited the Volt’s limited 40 mile electric-only range. This is also GM’s attempt to implant in the public mind the idea that EVs and PHEVs only have a 40 mile range.
The truth is that the extremely reliable heavy-duty NiMH battery technology designed by Stanford Ovshinsky is ten years old and was bought by GM and then sold to Chevron, who is now sequestering the battery and refuses to sell it to small start-up EV manufactures. This battery technology has been successfully powering a fleet of 320 Toyota RAV-4 EVs leased by Southern California Edison, which have logged well over 150 thousand miles each and are still working fine.
Chevron claims that it is waiting for a “large” order to make the manufacture of the batteries economical. If the Federal Government was serious about getting off of foreign oil (which it obviously isn’t), it would call Chevron’s bluff and order several million dollars worth of these proven batteries and then sell them at a discount to small manufacturers to accelerate the development of the EV and PHEV industry.
Tesla Motors is delivering super high performance EVs this summer with a range of 200 miles, acceleration of 0 to 60 in 4 seconds (outperforming any Porsche), and at a price of $92,000. This is less cost than an equivalent gasoline powered super high performance vehicle. And don’t forget that the cost of an EV’s electricity equal to a gallon of gasoline is less than a dollar per gallon.
The US Department of Energy has defined both NiMH and lithium ion battery technologies as “mature”.
Most trains are propelled by electric motors, which regularly log over a MILLION reliable miles.
The truth is that both electric motor technology and battery technology are proven and reliable. GM produced the awesome EV1 twelve years ago which could go 180mph and travel 130 miles per charge using NiMH batteries. The reason the major auto manufacturers are dragging their feet is that electric motors and batteries are so reliable and maintenance-free that EVs and PHEVs can easily last 40 or 50 years with much lower maintenance cost. This will decimate the current auto and repair industry.
–Mark Seidler, Minneapolis
Gary Dikkers
A Volt After Market Accessory
Here’s a suggestion for an aftermarket accessory for the Volt:
For those who want to drive cross-country and use electricity all the way, how about a big honkin’ lithium-ion battery mounted on a two-wheeled trailer you could tow behind the Volt and plug into the electrical system?
Here’s how it would work:
Let’s say you want to go on a cross-country trip of more than 40 miles. What you could do is go to your local Chevy dealer, or an auto parts store such as Auto Zone, and for that trip, rent a large battery mounted on a tow-along trailer.
Trip over; you would return the trailer and its huge battery to the dealer or auto parts store.
For this idea to work, the Volt would need an electrical socket at the rear of the car into which to plug the auxiliary battery on the trailer. The car would also need a trailer hitch.
The Volt as an emergency power generator
Each Volt should also have outlets into which you can plug appliances and other electrical items. That would make the Volt a portable power source during blackouts and on camping trips or outings.
If a hurricane, T-storm, blizzard, earthquake, meteorite strike, prairie fire, or tornado knocks out the grid, each Volt could act as an independent power source for its owner. With just the fully-charged battery, it would be possible to power the lights and refrigerator in a house for quite awhile, and when necessary, you could also start its engine to run the generator and recharge the battery.
My wish list for the Volt:
Best,
Gary Dikkers
Beaugrand
Mark makes some good points, but I have a lot of trouble swallowing conspiracy theories.
If Chevron had practical, affordable batteries available, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Isuzu and Subaru would ALL be shoving huge wads of money at them to supply their North American operations. Ford and, yes, even critically ill Chrysler would be at that feeding frenzy as well.
While GM’s handling of the EV-1 program cancellation will likely go down in history as one of the stupidest PR disasters EVER, it is just possible that EV-1 wasn’t quite ready for full-scale production.
(Did I mention that, in my opinion, crushing all those EV-1s was a huge blunder? OK, nvm)
While bringing the Volt, or, more likely, a Volt derivitive, to market in 2010 may seem like a long wait, in GM development times, typically 5 to 7 years, that’s practically a sprint. Don’t assume Spring 2010 either, they’ll have to hustle to get it ready by December 30, 2010.
I’d love to have an electric or plug-in hybrid car that I just plug in to an outlet at night and drive it to work in the morning, as would many others, and I’m just about ready to buy one now; but I can’t take seriously the idea that Chevron is sitting on the technology- they are, after all, in the business to make money, and GM’s money is no better than anyone else’s.
Frank
Gary Said:
“For those who want to drive cross-country and use electricity all the way, how about a big honkin’ lithium-ion battery mounted on a two-wheeled trailer you could tow behind the Volt and plug into the electrical system?”
Its a cool idea, but with all that added weight on the batteries, I dont know how far you would really get.
I think it would be cool if the batteries were interchangeable, similar to when you get propane for your BBQ. You pop out your low batteries and they give you freshly charged ones for a price. There could be battery/Gas stations all over the place.
Mark Seidler
Here’s some more conspiracy snausages:
1990:
GM demonstrates the EV1 prototype.
California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires major automakers to sell a Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) in California.
1994:
Stanford Ovshinsky’s NiMH battery company, Energy Conversion Devices (ECD), installs NiMH batteries into the EV1 extending its range to 201 miles at 55mph (135 miles, city driving). EV1 sets electric speed record of 183mph.
GM buys 60% controlling share of ECD from Stanford Ovshinsky.
ECD sues and eventually wins a lawsuit against Panasonic for producing high-capacity NiMH batteries to be used in Toyota RAV4 EVs. ECD settles with Panasonic in 2004 by reaching a secret confidential licensing agreement. (Conspiracy theorists like myself, assume the agreement prevents Panasonic (Toyota now owns 50% of Panasonic) from manufacturing high-capacity NiMH batteries (95Ah) as used in the very successful RAV4 EVs and only allows small NiMH batteries (6.5Ah) as used in the Toyota Prius.)
1996:
Solectria sedan goes 375 miles on a single charge using NiMH batteries.
2000:
Texaco buys GM’s share of ECD, controlling the NiMH patent through its Cobasys spin-off. (Texaco has since merged with Chevron, forming Chevron-Texaco.)
2002:
Southern California Edison’s tests show that the NiMH batteries in their fleet of 320 RAV4 EVs should last between 130,000 and 150,000 miles. (They have since exceeded that estimate and are still going strong.)
Bush administration sides with automakers’ lawsuit to stop California’s Zero-Emission Mandate.
Toyota stops selling and leasing RAV4 EVs.
2003:
All major automakers formally cancel their EV programs.
2004:
Most automakers repossess and crush their EVs as leases expire.
For more info, read:
“Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars That Will Recharge America”, by Sherry Boschert.
http://www.sherryboschert.com
“Internal Combustion: How Corporations and Governments Addicted the World to Oil and Derailed the Alternatives”, by Edwin Black.
http://www.internalcombustionbook.com
Rent the documentary DVD:
“Who Killed the Electric Car?”, by Chris Paine.
Rick Rohde
You think the new Bu is the most signifant introduction?How about the Volt?