Happy Birthday to the Volt
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
Exactly one year ago today we revealed the Chevrolet Volt to the world, and what a year it’s been…
Leading into last year’s North American International Auto Show, we felt the Volt was something special, but I have to admit, even I was surprised at the overwhelming response.
The enthusiasm for this product motivates us, every day, to bring the Volt and the E-Flex System technology to market as quickly as possible. In just 365 days, we’ve:
- Revealed three variants of the E-Flex System; an Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV), a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle and a Diesel Extended-Range Electric Vehicle
- Assigned over 200 engineers to the program
- Transferred over 400 scientists and engineers from our Fuel Cell R & D programs to production programs — same work, but now production intent
- Signed advanced development battery contracts with Continental and LG Chem
- Signed an advanced development lithium-ion battery cell contract with A123Systems
- Begun testing our first two batteries
- Opened a dedicated E-Flex Design studio staffed with over 40 interior and exterior designers
We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but we are constantly reminded that we need to move even more quickly. The proof is everywhere — $100/barrel oil, increased concerns over CO2 emissions, new CAF√â standards and the growing concern that our industry needs to seek alternatives to oil.
This program remains a top commitment to the company, and we are holding tight to our 2010 deadline.
And while 2007 was a big year for the Volt, we expect 2008 to be even bigger. As each day passes, our confidence and understanding of the battery technology necessary for the Volt to go into production grows. The results from our first two months of testing — some of which has been fairly extreme — have been very encouraging. Soon these batteries will move from the lab to engineering mule vehicles for dynamic testing. There’s no way we can predict how these batteries will perform over 10 years based on only two months of testing, but I can assure you, there will be a point in time when we have the full confidence that our solution will reach this goal. When this happens, you’ll be the first to know.
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I thought the 2010 deadline was flexible now?
is gm going to offer cylinder deactivation and turbocharging on its V6? now ford produces 340 hp turbocharged DI engines.
you could even supercharge the V6!
You mentioned Bob, that the U. S. trade deficit is a growing problem reaching $300 billion a year. Half of that $150 billion is from importing oil. We would be happy to just go ahead and transfer that wealth to Detroit and put the money back in the U.S. economy for sure.
Honest Abe was telling us the Volt launch is “fluid”. But let me assert my firm belief that before this decade is out, or by 2010 but that don’t sound as nice) GM will land a Volt in the dealership and bring the customer safely back to the GM fold.
I really follow news about electric car. The Volt concept is the best. I would like of you GM to look at Hydro-Québec lithium metal polymer batteries also call polymer-electrolyte battery (ACEP) that should be far better than lithium ion. This technology is also developing by the French Bolloré group. Actually many companies as Renault, Pininfarina, Maserati, Ferrari and few others are developing electric car with this battery technology. But no one of those companies have the production capacity of GM and the Volt concept. So if we want make car, that stop smog alert soon, we should give it to a company that can make enough car for a real difference for the environement.
One year since you revealed it, but how many years until we get to drive it?
Bob~
Always good to hear from you and get your inside view! The VOLT could very well be my last car, proceeded by a G8 GT or GXP. As you can tell I am looking down the road for the VOLT purchase. I plan to enjoy my last V8 before resigning myself to the new reality of unaffordable fossil fuels. The VOLT will be my retirement car, for the days of fixed income and no particular place to go! Thanks again Bob, keep up the good work!
Very interesting, I can’t wait to hear more. When will more information be released?
And what do customers do in the mean time if they want fuel efficient green cars? GM doesn’t offer much in terms of small cars.
Keep up the good work.
Keep up the good work on the Volt. The Cadillac Provoq concept looks like another winner. I have told just about everyone I know to about the Volt and they are all excited. These cars will sell like hotcakes.
Happy Birthday indeed! If you can get this to market along with the 0pel version and the Provoq, GM will once again be standard of the world. Sooner rather than later lest Toyondassan catch you!
Bob,
It’s great to hear about the progress on the Volt, but I hope that GM is reaching high enough to place way above whatever Toyota is planning for the next gen Prius. Unfortunately, that is the only way that GM will claim the top prize.
I only say this after reading with disbelief that Motor Trend picked the Tundra as truck of the year. This after the numerous drivetrain problems, recalls, liftgate issues and the fugliest instrument panel ever conceived. What is that – two different designs that met in the middle? And after all that, it is still truck of the year? Give me a freaking break.
Bob, GM has to do a no holds barred, no beancounters allowed, design and engineering job on the Volt. Include all the bells and whistles that Toyotas engineers have not yet copied. Show the world once again who rules the automotive industry.
Bob:
Thanks for keeping us up to date on the Volt. This is a vitally important car to the US and to GM. It may well be the first GM car that I buy in 30 years — my experience with a 1978 Pontiac is still fresh in my memory.
If the Volt works, it will be a game changer. Take the time to make SURE that it is reliable and durable before bringing it to market.
I’ve already gone to my local Chevy dealer and told them that I want the first Volt they get. I think they started a waiting list with my name at the head, but they may have just done that to appease me, and then thrown the piece of paper in the trash after I left. I hope not. I currently drive a Prius, and I will trade it in for the Volt.
You need to read The Truth About Cars a lot more, although I suspect it’s viewed pretty regularly in the corporate offices. I agree with them – how can you have a birthday celebration for something that is only a concept and is already running into battery technology and sourcing issues? Once again, GM lumbers around while the Japanese quietly get the job done. Wonder how much further ahead they will be in 2010?
Ex-GM owner here and will remain that way. Too many years of inept and sullen dealer service and products that went off the cliff in depreciation. Too many other manufacturers that do a better job. We’ve owned about 15 GM vehicles through the years – our last buy was a 99 Cutlass (Malibu clone) with the infamous intake leak so common to the 3.1 liter engines. All the dealer did was skirt around the issue until I finally spent a day to fix it myself. On top of that, your ads laugh at these past Cutlass/Malibu models (and your customers) as so dull as to be invisible when compared to the new Malibu. What a nice way to say thanks for buying our cars in the past. By the way, has anyone actually seen a new Malibu on the street yet?
You can spin all you want about the Volt, but GM is fading FAST. There is simply no coherent game plan going on. Wonder if this will get posted after the “review”?
::but we are constantly reminded that we need to move even more quickly.
Not by a small bit by the fact that other major carmakers have put production dates of 2009 for their electric cars.
Bob,
It’s great to hear about the progress on the Volt. As a GM fan, I’m still hoping that the Chevy Volt in all of its variants & the E-Flex system will become reality in a very near future. However, I have this question for you Bob, why does GM continue to use the Two-Mode Hybrid system with less fuel efficient engines instead of the fuel efficient ones like the 2.4l or 2.0l four cylinders used in Malibu hybrid and Cobalt? I may be wrong, but I think that a Saturn Vue Two-Mode Hybrid with 2.4l or 2.0l engines will offer a better fuel economy than the Vue Two-Mode with a V6 DI.
Just as proposed for the Cadillac Provoq Concept, I sure hope all versions of the E-Flex will have the Solar panel integrated in the roof to help power onboard accessories, such as the interior lights, audio system and more.
If this is used to charge the propulsion battery to provide extended range while the car sits soaking during the typical workday, this would be great!
The solar panel can be fed into a mini MPPT DC to DC converter designed to charge either battery, the one for 12 Volt accessories/lamps or the HV propulsion battery.
This would also maintain charge during long periods of soaking, such as when the vehicle is at an airport while the owner is away on a trip.
Hello Bob, and thanks for the updates on the Volt. Just wanted to say that a lot of people are harping on the date of production for this vehicle…my advice would be not to worry so much about the date, just GET IT RIGHT! I would much rather wait a little longer to get something proven to work vs. rushed to market junk, (I hate using that word).
Once again, thanks for your willingness to be up front and forth right about your products. Keep pressing forward.
Best regards!
Bob,
The Volt will be a success I am sure if it is developed in the manner in which it seems to be thus far. That said, I think it would do you and GM some good to consider the potential problems on the horizon particularly in the US economy in regards as to what kinds of vehicles the technology being developed for the Volt will be available and built for.
The “problems” I’m referring to are what’s on most people’s minds: a possible recession. There is already many indicators that one is very possible. If that be the case, then Americans are going to cut back on cars and the types of cars they buy in regards to price.
Some of this is already coming true as many automakers are reporting slower sales. But I think GM could counteract this effect by turning further attention to smaller, more economical cars and trucks.
Anecdotally, I’m looking for a new smaller truck to replace my older Tacoma. None of the Nissans or Toyotas I’ve looked at stay on the used car lots for very long. Of the few I’ve seen, most are priced at 14,500-15,000, which is only 2-3k less than the original price. I’ve watched the price of used Tacomas and Frontiers skyrocket. Just a few years ago you could pick up A 2-3 year old Tacoma for 7-9k. Not so anymore.
What I’m getting at is that if the Volt comes to market with it’s supposed 30k price tag, there had better be a number of more economical cars to join the lineup using the same technology. The level of financial responsibility Americans will muster or be able to procure is probably going to drop significantly.
Focus on cars in the 12-20k bracket as well as your other vehicles. I say this as someone who makes well into the 6 figure income bracket yet only interested in lower priced vehicles due to my concerns over the economy. Many more of us are in the same boat.
Keep this in mind.
Bob,
I appreciate you keeping us posted on the Volt. I can’t wait to see Toyota eat a little humble pie! On a side note, the pictures of the new CTS-V were just released. Yet again, you guys had me giggling like a schoolgirl! I cannot believe how awesome the interior and exterior of that car look! I just wanted to say GREAT JOB to all those involved.
Keep up the good work!
Frank
I VOLT YES!!!!
Happy Birthday Volt!
I look forward to the day when I can trade my Prius in on one.
When you have a spare moment, drop over to Saturn and ask them why in the world they elected to target the upcoming VUE TMH at “customers who want the outstanding fuel savings of an advanced hybrid and the full power and towing capability of an SUV.”
Just what I want, a tiny SUV that costs as much as the nearly sales-proof 4X4 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, gets a couple of MPG extra and seats how many?
You can still save their bacon, Bob. Get yourself a Sawzall and see if you can’t take about 500lbs off this oinker. Don’t forget to remove the lipstick.
O M G!!!! THE NEW CTS-V IS GONNA SEND ME STRAIGHT TO U KNOW WHERE…AND I’M GONNA LOOK GOOD GETTING THERE..THIS CAR IS PURE SIN ON WHEELS!!!
Someone at Cadillac has finally lost their mind…and I mean that IN A GOOD WAY…it’s about time!!
THANK U !!!
THANK U !!!
THANK U !!!
…I’ll buy a Volt to deal with the guilt!
In order for Volt to succeed in the market, besides being a technology leader in low emission, it has to also be an excellent car that people like to drive. So, please do not overlook the rest of the car as this car gets closer to production.
Are you guys going to buy back all these and sneak them all off to the crushers like you guys did with the EV1’s?
Or do the customers get to actually buy them and not just lease them this time?
GM could of had a respectable electric cars years ago if they had not killed it off for some mysterious reason.
If you are not aware of the EV1 program, check out the DVD titled “Who killed the electric car”.
In response to the comment posted by AlGor I have seen many 08 Malibus on the road. I am an hourly employee and I was able to drive a pre-production vehicle being part of the launch team at Fairfax. Yes, we may have failed in the past but we are on track to regain customer enthusiam once again. Vehicles like the Malibu, Aura, G6 etc; will do just that. For you non-belivers just test drive one. The quality will speak for itself. I will soon be driving a new Malibu and will be proud to be seen in it.
I just read about the Cadillac Provoq concept car at CES. I have to say that I’m incredibly impressed with it on several levels.
First of all, it is one of the only fuel cell vehicles I’ve seen that looks even remotely attractive in a real world sense. While I still feel that quirky weird small cars like the Prius will have an appeal to the more earthy, liberal consumer, using a totally different approach, which is to place it in a desirable upper end car like a Cadillac could prove to be very effective at going after a different consumer segment. That isn’t to say that GM shouldn’t be developing small quirky cars that will appeal to the aforementioned segment.But the Provoq fills the shoes of the other side of the spectrum nicely.
Dropping the super-futuristic, pseudo-science appearance from a hydrogen concept and placing it in a more conventional design is a smart way to get people to perhaps consider hydrogen as more viable.
Lastly, the Provoq is one of the only SUV’s I’ve seen that I actually find attractive. In my mind, most SUV’s either look like trucks, or large tennis shoes. The Provoq has just the right mix of aggressive styling and luxurious flourish in my mind. I can definitely see what looks like borrowed touches from the Saturn Vue, but these touches actually compliment the design.
I understand that I’m off topic here, but along with the Volt, I just wanted to say that my hat’s off to these two vehicles. Hopefully we will see both of these on the market eventually.
Bob,
The Volt has gotten me more excited about the future of automobiles more than anything else. Really looking forward to the day I can purchase one and other E-Flex vehicles. One additional comment that I hope you read. Please set as standard for all E-Flex vehicle to have a range of 40 miles of electrical power. Understand that larger vehicles like the Proloq would require a larger battery. If 16Kwh are required for 40 miles for Volt, then have suppliers provide a 24Kwh (not sure of specific size) battery for the Proloq, or whatever it takes. Understand it takes additional development effort but I am sure that is what the market will be demanding. Market does not what to reduce electric miles when requiring a larger vehicle.
I look at comments like those from AlGor, and cant help but laugh, at how frighteningly uninformed they are. I will be the first to admit that GM has made mistakes in the past. But GM today, is lightyears ahead of where it was 10 years ago. If you actually took the time to do a little research, you would find that GM is on the forefront of Electrical, Hydrogen, and E-85 Vehicles. Not to mention the mountain of awards they took home in 2007. I recommend you get our head out of the sand, and actually try a new GM vehicle before you bash it.
Frank
For an example of how the Volt is being perceived by the environmentalist bloggers, not just the car bloggers, I’ll point you to this blog post over on GristMill.
Bear in mind, this isn’t me saying this. It’s a blog on a highly respected online environmentalist community.
In order for Volt to successful, it needs to be made available in all 50 states, not just a few like CA, NJ, or AZ. Please don’t limit the market for this like you did for the EV1 or parallel hybrid truck.
Also, please do not get people all excited about the Volt and then pull the plug like you did on the EV1 and past hybrid programs.
This Volt is a great concept and will bring GM back into the “Green” spotlight. As long as the Volt makes it to production, it should be much better for GM than Toyota is with the Prius. If it is killed, then I’m sure Toyota will move in right behind GM all over again.
Let’s make history, not repeat it.
Message in french for Bob.
Bonjour M.Lutz,
√âtant donn√© que vous parlez le francais, il me fait plaisir te vous √©crires dans une lanque que vous connaissez. J’aimerais vous f√©licitez √† vous et votre √©quipe pour la nouvelle Cadillac CTS 2008 que vous venez de sortir, il y a quelques mois. Je n’√©tais pas vraiment un adepte des produits GM, car je les trouvais vraiments d√©pass√©, face aux voitures d’Europe ou asiatiques. J’ai essayer la CTS ..et WOW.. quelle voiture formidable. J’ai pr√©sentement une voiture VW Passat 4motion, et je vais la chang√© d’ici quelques mois par: une CTS 4. Mais j’aimerais savoir si vous croyez installer le moteur 2.9L Diesel dans la CTS pour l’ann√©e mod√®le 2009 ? Avec le prix de l’essence et les voitures d’Europe qui arrivent prochainements avec le moteur Diesel, il serait peut-etre bien de l’avoir ici, en Am√©rique du Nord (Canada-USA).
Dans mon cas, je suis acheteur pour ce moteur, et comme plusieurs autres acheteurs futurs.
Bien à vous.
Happy Birthday, Volt!
Frank, algor got nothing wrong.
What is the point of “Happy Birthday” for a car that isn’t available? Where I work we only pat ourselves on the back after we ship a product and bill the customer for it.
And Toyota isn’t going to stand still while GM tries to make the Volt work; the 2009 Prius will represent a significant advance over the current model. How much? Toyota never says, they just deliver when they’re ready.
When LiIon batteries are available for the Volt, they will ALSO be availabe for the Prius, the Hybrid Escape and any other vehicle on the road. A few software and/or parameter changes, a few changes to the production line, a $20 charger assembly and Toyota might be shipping a Prius with a 20 mile EV range. And they’ll be doing it with a half decade plus of experience behind them and lots of good word-of-mouth from owners. I know several people with Priuses and they have expressed nothing but satisfaction. In fact, I know a fellow with the older Prius, bought new in 2001 or 2 and he’s perfectly happy with it.
Honda’s not going to stand still, either. Their Civic hybrid might not get the same mindshare that the Prius does but it’s a solid performer. And they’re putting H-cars on the street in the hands of regular drivers.
As for GM being in the forefront… in E-85 offerings, yes, but in all other areas, no. And E-85 is neither a big deal to do nor is it a fuel with a promising future (turn perfectly good food into fuel? Crazy!).
An algor, himself, represents a challenge for GM – a disaffected customer that’s going to be very hard to win back. Birthday celebrations for a car that isn’t available certainly isn’t going to do much good there.
GM MIGHT have products that are approaching Toyonda (although I have my doubts) in terms of quality, serviceability and value but algor and many like him are SATISFIED with what they have switched to and will be hard to win back. They are not motivated to go back; another manufacturer has won their trust and GM has lost it.
In Business 101, they teach that it’s harder to win a customer than keep one. A generation of GM ignored this lesson and it’s going to make the next few years very difficult.
I have a question or two about this car…
How big is the internal combustion engine? The reason I ask is that, when the battery has been exhausted, the engine will be required to both propel the car (possibly uphill or at high speed or through rain or against a headwind) AND recharge the battery. That seems to me to be a large combined workload.
A small engine is necessary to keep the mass of the vehicle low and, perhaps, to allow for good aerodynamic packaging to keep the overall vehicle efficiency high. But a small engine seems unlikely to manage both rigorous charging and vehicle propulsion simultaneously. With a small engine, something’s gotta give.
With a big engine, fuel consumption and EV range will suffer.
How are you going to handle this tradeoff?
The estimated price ranges I’ve seen would be great. I opt for a Diesel E-REV. It would be great if all range extending options were offered in the US. I currently use 100% biodiesel as E85 is unavailable in my state.
Bob – As an astrophysicist/electrical engineer, I’m EXTREMELY excited by the Chevy VOLT technology, but have always preferred the customer service at Saturn dealers. I’m hoping GM realizes a significant number of Saturn’s customers like myself would want a CUV rather than a sedan as their next car ….and would be extremely receptive to still another version of the newest (beautifully-styled) 2009 VUE: **A VUE plug-in E-REV**!
With only a modest increase in electric motor size & Lithium-Ion battery size (to maybe 200HP & 20KWh, respectively), and given the added space the VUE should also allow for the ICE/generator, etc, an E-REV plug-in VUE should meet the demands/desires of MILLIONS of Americans who’ve never owned (but always wanted) an SUV or CUV!!! Imagine: A safe, near-zero-pollution, comfortable, family-sized vehicle with an extended range (of 800 mi?) as well as a cost per mile for most commuting/local travel of 2-3 cents/mile instead of 20-30 cents/mile! WOW — I’LL BUY IT IN A HEARTBEAT!!!!!!!
I’d love a Wagon-shaped Volt with a diesel range-extender in the USA.
I’m eagerly awaiting the Detroit Auto Show to see if something like the Flextreme (without the silly Segway show-feature) will be available in the USA!
Hi Bob,
Your enthusiasm for the Volt as well as other GM future technologies is commendable. What would perhaps be a better focus of our attention is what GM has to offer now. While we tease consumers with the promise of great technologies that “you can’t purchase now” Honda and Toyota are celebrating all the way to the bank. There is an old expression that goes “the proof of the puddin is in the eatin’”. Get the vehicles to market in a timely manner and you may be able to celebrate with some black ink instead of red.
Bill Young – Chevrolet Sales Manager for 19 years.
Bob,
Please produce the Hummer HX Concept as previewed at the Detroit Show. I have been a life long owner of Jeeps and some Hummers would love to switch from the Jeep brand to a Hummer HX.
Please advise
Thank you
My excitement about the VOLT quickly faded as soon as I saw the picture. Who is silly enough to think a seachange in propulsion technology would somehow preserve the coupe performance & looks they’ve been enjoying with IC versions?
Anyone daring enough to buy an electric car is more than willing to accept that it must be smaller, urban-centric, etc.
Is there a way to convince the Japanese to just “hand over the drawings” so we can start manufacturing the cars they design? I’d love to start buying American cars again. Honestly, cars like the Fit, Yaris, etc. are like Mary Poppin’s suitcase!
I second the Jan.8 1:54PM post regarding the need for lower cost, higher utility offerings. The emerging U.S. market is more educated, environmentally conscious, etc.
GM’s marketing strategies appear to be performance driven (thanks to BL), while the Japanese strategy is geared toward simplicity & spacial efficiency. There is a veritable “black hole” in GM’s marketing of compact, hatch/wagon type cars.
ATTN BOB LUTZ: From re-reading the Caddy Provoq description, I find that it’s virtually identical in size (180.3‚Ä≥L x 67‚Ä≥H x 72.8‚Ä≥W) to the 2009/10 Saturn VUEs. And studying a cutaway of the Provoq (at http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/detroit-2008-cadillac-provoq-fuel-cell-concept/560979/ ) reminded me it has two HUGE hydrogen tanks under/behind the rear seats that the plug-in VUE won’t have. The Provoq uses a 9KWh Lithium Ion battery pack under the center tunnel that’s said to give it a battery-only range of 20 Miles. This tells me there should be space for GM to up-size the VUE battery to AT LEAST the VOLT’s 16KWh pack by adding a “T” section under the rear seats as with the VOLT, which should give the VUE ~35 miles/charge (not 10)!
…So I’m wondering whether GM is deliberately down-playing the plug-in VUE’s battery-only range for some reason, or they’re actually planning to keep the VUE’s cost down by using a smaller battery. I’m sure there are many others like me that would prefer a CUV like the plug-in VUE to the much smaller VOLT sedan …IF IT GOT MORE LIKE 35 MILES/CHARGE!
Bob,
If you pull off the Volt program reasonably on schedule and at projected prices, GM may just eat Toyota’s lunch. It will be about time – good luck!
Frank, it’s amazing how many other frighteningly uninformed others share the view.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/editorials/general-motors-death-watch-160-promises-promise-volt-birth-watch-24-fly-me-to-the-moon/
Charlie H got it dead right. There is NO good reason to me as a past buyer to invest more money into GM. Do the math for those 15 GM vehicles that I mentioned owning at a very conservative average of $18,000 per vehicle. That’s $270,000 tossed into GM not even including any financing costs. Yes, we still own some of those past GM vehicles, but I am well satisfied with what we have purchased from other mfg especially their service and support. Absolutely no reason to even look at a Malibu and the Volt “announcements and birthdays” are completely laughable.
Bob,
This is an exciting crossroads as GM moves the country closer to independence from foreign oil. I’ve read a lot about GM pursuing the use of an advanced Lithium Ion Battery…. but has any contact been made with EESTOR regarding its Ultra Capacitor? From what information that is available, if this technology clicks it will change the entire face of the plant. The Volt, GMT900 Hybrids, Vue, Aura, are all poised to take full advantage of a power system that stores 10X the energy and 1/10the the weigh, and a fraction of the cost.
Sure you saw GM-VOLT.COM’s interview of Lockheed Martin-
http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/01/10/lockheed-martin-signs-agreement-with-eestor/
And kudos to this site for posting differing opinions. I have to respect that.
My angst is from continued disappointment in watching this giant of a company slowly erode over the years to the point where it has virtually given up on several fronts of the US market, especially with small cars. It’s not the guys that build the cars, or the guys that work on them, it’s the guys that make the decisions on company direction that are accountable in my opinion.
I WANT to believe, but there are only so many times you want to get smacked with the same stick.
Mr. Lutz, please bring the G8 Wagon to the states, please!
Horrors, I looked at the specs released Jan 7, 2007. The snake oil salesmen are back. Do we really have to pass a law regulating motor vehicle and global warming emissions claims. Maybe we could let the FDA do the job. That would sure expedite things.
“Why,” you might ask,”do you say such mean things?”
And I say, “because the spec tries to confuse the public by using the term ‘equivalent mpg’.”
This is not literally dishonest, since ‘equivalent mpg’ is not really defined. The fault is only an intent to mislead, or possibly, really not understanding what you are talking about.
In the spec for the Volt, a careful look will turn up the likelihood that ‘equivalent mpg’ really relates only to the gasoline and the word ‘equivalent’ does not relate to energy in general, as you might suppose. Thus, it completely ignores the equivalent electric energy part. “Why do you care,” you might ask. I say, “because it results in a false implication about the overall energy usage and the global warming implications. Shame on GM”
GM is not alone in this. Others that seem to have an intent to mislead, have come up with ‘mpg+’ which is gibberish and ‘MPGe’ which stands for ‘miles per gallon equivalent’ which seems to stand for something related to the fact that electricity has to be recognized as a form of energy.
Unfortunately,the problem with the way ‘MPGe’ is used is also indefinite, since it depends on how the electricity was produced. It takes more than four letters to deal with this.
A convenient way to handle this ‘MPGe’ ambiguity is to ignore the process of electricity generation and the generally required heat engine and the Second Law of Thermodynamics, where such details dictate an enormous loss of energy, given the way power is usually generated in fossil fuel power plants.
Now, if we are only considering electricity that falls from the sky, such as hydro, solar, wind, (lets also include) geothermal, the MPGe formulation can be justified as honest. But it sure is misleading, since there is not much chance of electricity from these sources getting into the car batteries. I hope GM can dig up someone that remembers enough freshman physics to come up with a forthright way to specify the critical aspects of auto performance.
Once I get through to the truth it seems that there is a good design here, and I am not against progress in small steps.
Some suggestions:
Why not use an aluminum rotary engine like the Mazda Renesis which has the best power to weight/size ratio going…to provide recharging. Should work with both alcohol and gas.
Hooded rear wheel wells (as seen on the Honda Insight) and a smooth underbody to reduce aerodynamic drag.
A thermoplastic (melamine?) body material would be good too, although I understand its too expensive at the moment. Fewer panels, lighter weight and no paint.
Two in-wheel electric motors on the rear wheels would also free up more space inside.
Looking forward to more progress on this great GM project!
I hear you are hard at work designing the Volt and I was just wondering? From what I read the Volt concept has a 53 kw generator to charge/run the car. Every year thousands of people buy back up generators for their homes. Has anyone at GM considered setting up the car as a back up generator for the owners home? 53 kw would be more than ample energy to run the average house, it could cost 15 to 20 thousand dollars to buy a generator with this output. It seems to me this could be used as part of a marketing plan.
Bob,
I saw the comment on the EESTOR technology and want to second that vote and add another. I doubt you are unaware of this but, just in case you haven’t seen it yet, on Dec 16, 2007 Yi Cui, professor of applied materials science at Stanford Univ released his research paper on a revolutionary li-ion battery breakthrough using silicon nanowire technology that he successfully demonstrated. The battery capacity is 10 times current li-ion capacity and recharges to 80% in ONE minute. It also only loses 1% of it’s life after 1000 charges. Prof Cui has applied for a patent and is looking for a ‘partner’ so the report reads.
I do not believe Hybrid technology is going to save us even in the short term. World Peak Oil Production is either upon us or will be in a year or two (Dept of Energy study)after which world oil production will decline while demand continues to increase, especially with China and India in the mix. Hybridizing the entire planet would only delay it a few years.
Fully electric vehicles is the future so PLEASE get the inside track on this battery technology. You can’t invest too much here. It is THE key. To steal a phrase “It’s the battery stupid”
As far as dvds go (someone suggested “who killed the Electric car”) I suggest “A Crude Awakening” and I strongly feel that anyone in a position of influence in either business or politics should be required to see this, then follow it up with some research on their own.
Hope you took the time to get through this and thanks for reading it if you did. My family has been a GM dealership since 1953. Hope to be around for another generation or two!
Sincerely,
Joe Kirby
Edd Kirby’s Adventure Chevrolet, Dalton GA
nasaman “sez” to Jim Bullis:
I’m a life-long physicist & electrical engineer involved in the space program 45 years. A primary responsibility has been power generation, storage & distribution at the highest possible efficiencies for numerous spacecraft designs.
Let me express my response to your comment above in terms anyone with an understanding of simple arithmetic can understand…. A total of 8KWh are needed to fully charge the Volt’s battery (good for ~40 mile battery-only operation). Where I live (near the space center in Florida) 8KWh cost me exactly 96 cents (from my most-recent bill, including all fees, state/federal taxes, “fuel charge”, etc). In other words, my total energy cost/mile to drive a Volt 40 miles would be 96 cents, or….
96c/40mi = 2.4cents/mi
Now, if I instead drive my Saturn that same 40 miles (it gets 25mpg), with gasoline at $2.99/gal, my total energy cost/mile is….
$2.99/25mpg = 12cents/mi
….which is exactly the same energy cost I’d have if my Saturn instead got….
12/2.4 x 25 = 125mpg
Pretty easy, right?!? …and we didn’t even need Laplace transforms or partial differential equations to get the answer.
EQUIVALENT MPG (or cost/mile) are easy ways to explain the energy cost advantage of an EV. What’s not to understand?
Develop this thing on the Nurburgring.
You have to spend more time on this car than you did on even the CTS. It has just got to blow people away.
In response to Mr. Bullis. I would guess that for the forseeable future most of us will be driving our cars and heating our homes. Since you must have taken thermodynamics at some point in your life you know that external combustion engines are more efficient than the internal combustion engines. I know there are numerous irreversibles in the transmission and storage of electrical energy, but I believe this Volt could be a great device to get us through the great energy transition phase we are headed for. I think anything that uses less gas will be helplfull for the future.
I work for General Motors……… PLEASE GIVE US BACK THE CANCELLED V8 AND THE RWD Program that went with it!………STOP GIVING THIS MARKET AWAY!
Nasaman, it is reasonable from a personal point of view to calculate benefits from a cost point of view, as you have done. However, the cost of electricity is highly variable over the USA, so I look at the problem from an energy point of view. This can be more accurately related to carbon dioxide emissions and to basic fuel use. Low cost electricity is possible because coal is abundant, and fuel costs are 2 to 3 cents per kwhr for coal generated electricity. Fuel costs are 9 to 10 cents per kwhr for natural gas generated electricity. This varies quite a lot. The really desirable, hydroelectric power obviously gets free fuel, though in reality its not quite that simple. Existing nuclear power has quite low direct fuel costs, but this is not without problems and limits. In general, I think that the really good and inexpensive sources are spoken for, and are not easily expanded. So my conclusion is that for every kwhr taken from the grid, a shovel of coal will go into furnace. (They don’t really use shovels.)
The amount of coal and the associated amount of carbon dioxide can be calculated. The thermal efficiency for coal fired electricity production in the USA was 32.5% in 2005. This was the national average over the whole year. So for every kwhr delivered to a car, about 2 kwhr of heat was dumped. I reluctantly conclude that it will be like this for many years to come.
John, I mentioned coal plant efficiencies above. Natural gas efficiencies reached 42.1% in 2005, up from 29.8% in 1999. Better equipment was being installed over these years, including combined cycle gas generators. Calpine Corp was looking to be well positioned when natural gas was around $2 per mmBTU in 1999. Its a long story but they were in bankruptcy the last I looked.
I am trying to get people to look at the real effects of electrification of cars, on the environment and on the demand for oil. Then I want to show how important it is to change to a type of car that uses a lot less energy, however it gets to the wheels.
I believe there is a solution that could be actually make sense, but it requires that people rethink how they ride in cars and how a car should look. And it is not like the Volt.
To see more on this click here http://www.miastrada.com
Call me a kook, but has anyone every thought of using the human body as a way to power the car. I dont mean actual human power, but a way to capture and release energy the same as a human. If I’m correct, both human and cars are about 25% efficient. (more for diesel). But is there an attainable way to convert nutrients into energy?