At Last: Behind the Wheel of Volt Test Mule
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
This week we announced that the GM Board has approved the Chevrolet Volt program. Yes, development work has been going on in earnest, but now it’s official. In fact, recently, at GM’s Milford Proving Ground, I drove an official “engineering development vehicle” with the 16-kwh lithium-ion battery pack we’ve been testing for our E-Flex System and I have to say - pun half-intended - it was electrifying.
The first impression of the day, however, was made before I even got into the vehicle. It hit me on the drive out to Milford, as I passed gas station after gas station with prices for regular unleaded hugging the $4 mark: This makes the importance and potential of our all-electric glide through our proving ground roads even clearer.
Now, don’t run to the Chevy dealer and order your Volt yet: The “test mule” I drove - a previous-generation Malibu - wasn’t calibrated properly, and there are an awful lot of tests that this battery must pass before it’s cleared for production. Our battery teams in Warren and in Germany are working hard in our battery labs to determine that these batteries will work for the life of the vehicle. Still, the conditions in a real-world environment - where the battery is exposed to shaking, moisture and rapidly changing temperature conditions - are much more extreme than the controlled settings of the lab.
But I think it’s important to point out that in the six months since we’ve received the battery pack, we’ve tested it in the lab, then on the dynamometer, and now on the track. Eventually, if and when we settle on the right battery, our E-Flex System engineers will have a lot of integrating, tuning and tweaking to do before the Volt is ready for prime time. And we’ll keep you informed of our progress every step of the way.
Upon future drives, when the vehicle is closer to true calibration, I’ll have more driving details. But I will say that, while the car is still most definitely a work in progress, the thrill of driving electrically – that instant, silent torque – is certainly present and accounted for! Of course, as you can imagine, I miss the throaty roar of an engine. Once we get this whole battery thing perfected, our friends at XM Satellite Radio may have to start an Internal Combustion Channel.
- Posted in Bob Lutz, Concept Cars
mbongo
Great news ! Thank you for the update Bob and Congratulations to you and all the people involved in the development of this car. I’ll say this again: great news!
Robert Wilson
For those of you who doubt - Volt is going to happen! There is no doubt among us in the company.
little_bank_robber
YAY!! I am so happy to hear this!
Gary Dikkers
Robert,
There is no doubt it will happen.
The doubt is about whether it will be affordable for average people, or will it be something only the elites and super-rich can afford?
For the Volt to have an impact on how our society consumes fossil fuels, it will have to be priced low enough that hundreds of thousands of people can afford them.
Regards,
Gary Dikkers
DavidM
Put me on the waiting list! JAX FL.
ThriftyTechie
The Volt project is most impressive.
As a consumer, I’d like to know this:
What is the approximate cost to charge the battery? The 16-kwh rating on the battery gives me a clue, but I’d like to know what the engineers have to say…
Don Remley
I do hope the Volt won’t be a roadster, but something the average family can use like a small sedan or wagon.
Pete Nicholson
Congratulations to you and to the entire Volt team, Bob! I am very anxiously awaiting the Volt’s arrival as I do believe that it will be a game changer.
While on the topic of fuel efficiency, I did want to say that I think GM missed a golden opportunity. Recently, you announced that Hummer and Saab will be folded into the Cadillac sales channel. While on its face that may make some sense, a far better alternative exists.
By combining Saturn, Saab and Hummer, and recasting each as the designated representative of an alternative technology, GM could have created “GM Green Centers” or some such thing. Saturn would become the “official” hybrid division, debuting hybrid technologies and equipping every one of their vehicles with some sort of hybrid tech. How about every base Saturn has a BAS system? Then move up to the two-mode, then plug-in, and finally, E-Flex based vehicles. Debuting a Saturn version of the Flextreme along with the Chevy Volt would immediately increase showroom traffic and provide a way to amortize the development expense of the E-Flex platform.
As for Sabb and Hummer, Saab can be all about BioPower and the associated benefits of small displacement, turbocharging, and direct injection. The technology already exists, just bring it here and promote the heck out of it.
Hummer can become the diesel king (make that biodiesel) by offering no gasoline engines at all. Start with the 2.9 liter V-6 and offer the new 4.5 V-8 as an option. You are already ditching the H2, so focus on the H3 and H3T, them produce a smaller, more efficient H4. What have you got to lose?
No other automaker on the planet can do this. Leverage each of these three brands to a specific green technology and let them rip.
André
If you’re reaching 40 miles in theses mules without and drop of gas, can we hope that long distances will be achieved in the production Volt?
Can we expect the E-Flex to be sold in parts of the world other than Europe and North America?
André
If you’re reaching 40 miles in theses mules without and drop of gas, can we hope that long distances will be achieved in the production Volt?
Can we expect the E-Flex to be sold in parts of the world other than Europe and North America?
teidsmore
This is music to my ears Bob! It’s not easy being a car enthusiast and living in Santa Cruz, California these days, it seems every other car here is a Prius. This being the case I can’t tell you how much I look forward to the nicely styled volt hitting our roads here. If I have to look at these boring kitchen appliance looking Toyota’s much longer I might go insane.
Dave B
GM will change the world for the better with this vehicle. Mass production ASAP!
R Nair
I do not agree with Gary completely. I think that even if it is a little more expensive on the initial run, it gives the early adopters a chance to show it to the rest of the people and the general population (read late adopters and the less affluent like myself) would get their turn as as production ramps up and costs go down. I think that this is a great start and it is going in the right direction :).
Great job Bob! Your vision for making this car is spot-on, especially with the gas prices gearing to rise even higher.
SandraV
I agree with last comment posted. Will it be affordable for the average person? Contrary to some thinkers, the average people do understand that technology cost money and that the companies have to recoup those revenues, number one, and then have to improve on the new developments. We also understand the challenge in making things affordable. Just a note to remember to try to make it affordable for the average joe when you finally have a production ready for market.
Eh!
Let it debut in Canada along with the US PLEASE!!!!!
D.Fisk
Mr lutz if you want a customer to test the volt when its ready. I will ba able to do it for you. I live up in saginaw and would be honored to do this for america!
Bill
Bob:
I really hope you guys pull this off. I’m a performance car guy myself, so I doubt I’ll be buying this one. But if this thing sells well, it will take the heat off demand for gasoline, which would hopefully bring the price down a little for the rest of us. It would also boost your CAFE so I can buy a Camaro with a V8 past the implementation of new CAFE standards. Make it a winner!
Edward Hayes
So drives the hope of a company,
So rides the hope of a nation.
Ben
I’ve always been an import biased driver (I’ve owned 3 foreign and one domestic automobile) but I’m rooting for GM in this project. You have talented engineers and I hope they can leapfrog Toyota with the Volt. Mr. Lutz, you are definitely changing minds about GM products with both dramatic increases in quality as well as with innovative products like the Volt program. You may get me out of my VW Jetta TDI yet…
Edward Hayes
Oh and Bob,
Make sure everyone in the company reads my comment on how Hummer proved its metal.
It is comments like these that prove this blog’s worth. When value has too much worth and worth has no value that is when we approach the worthlessness of reason.
Does anyone but me have a brand calculator?
Because we left out some serous big numbers when considering Hummer’s worth, potential, and customer satisfaction rating second to none.
I am not trading in my Hummer for what, Tonka, we can do Tonka.
Hay everybody get a Tonka truck.
No-wait, I may have something here…
Marv Kausch
Hello Bob:
Isn’t it fantastic that you, Rick and the entire GM Chevy Volt team get to develop such a technically futuristic car? You are taking GM, the US and the world a great step forward towards energy independence, and are developing leading edge technology. As a microcontroller applications engineer, I can imagine all the electronics and mountains of software that will be necessary, but I’m absolutely certain your team is up to the challenge. Decades ago I was proud to drive a GM car, and the Volt will again restore my enthusiasm for GM products.
And the 2 Mode hybrid transmission for buses and trucks is also revolutionary. I rode in a hybrid bus at Yosemite, it’s so much more quiet, and has zippy electric-boost acceleration. Another beautiful GM-Allison design.
black sky
as someone who has been driving a 2007 sky for two years now, i have often thought how great it would be if it was powered by lithium ion.
but i need a car that has at least a 400 mile ability. i like the idea of swappable battery packs at a station like in Europe i have seen.
John
“Eventually, if and when we settle on the right battery…”
Don’t say “if and when” Bob, say “WHEN”!
Without the Volt, GM is a dead company walking if gas prices stay high.
J.D. Power’s nice and all, but if you don’t start getting more cars top rankings in Consumer Reports and more small cars that are both fun and get close to or more than 30mpg CITY, you’re going to be in for a rough time.
AK
I will be agree with Gary look at the price of Yukon Hybrid it is more expensive than regular Yukon plus GM dealers put a astronomic markup then average buyer cannot afford it, Volt is a great looking car. I hope price will be great too!!!!!
Danny
I thought that the point of this car, and the Opel Flextreme as it will be branded in Europe, is that it will be an affordable alternative. Alot of people are pinning their hopes on this car going mainstream. We’re relying on you Bob!
sundown
Once again Gary Dikkers proves to be the voice of doom and gloom. He should get a job with NBC.
Michael
Um, uh, yeah, there is still some doubt about whether this is going to happen. I am a skeptic, I admit. I also work with a lot of pharmaceutical companies. Two years ago, one client swore its new cholesterol drug was going to change the world. It would be bigger than anything else out there. No question about it. This was the blockbuster to end all blockbusters.
But it never saw the light of day. Seems it had this slight tendency to, well, kill people who took it. (This is all public information guys; no trade secrets being disclosed here.)
The Volt and its hype remind me of that drug (a lot). It’s the next great thing. It’s going to change GM forever (one overpriced car is going to change GM forever? I don’t think so…). We won’t have to rely on oil anymore–the Volt is going to save us.
GM had its chance with the EV-1. It still owns the plans and workings to that. It could have dusted them off and started again. If GM wanted to make it a premium car, sell the EV-1 as a Cadillac (it was already ugly enough to qualify as a new-age Caddy).
I’ll believe there’s really going to be a Volt when Campbell-Ewald starts making commericals for it. Until then, color me still skeptical. And as for a Volt in 2010, pul-leeze, I might have been born at night, but it wasn’t last night.
Josh
I have never bought a brand new car. I’ve always stuck to the small, reliable Hondas that get great gas mileage (I’m driving a CRX now).
However, if this is released for under 30k and looks good, it will be my first new car purchase. I was planning to do an electric conversion on a CRX, but the cost of lithium ion batteries I’d need for a good range were a bit high. If this car comes out with good range, looks, and performance - I’ll be picking one up.
This is what the country needs.
Luis O
Congrats Mr. Lutz. I’ll be ordering mine as soon as the order book is open. Please keep us posted.
Ken Grubb
In the past, I have been very critical of GM for it’s handling of the EV1.
Today, I am thoroughly convinced beyond all doubt that GM is completely committed to the Chevy Volt specifically and to completely rethinking and remaking the entire product line.
GM appears to be plotting a course for the future that the other carmakers will either follow or risk becoming obsolete dinosaurs of the past.
The Volt is now the planned replacement of my 2000 Saturn SW2.
edvard
Thanks for keeping us up to date on the progress of the Volt program.
A lot is changing in regards to the American automobile culture due to escalating fuel costs. As mentioned by Mr. Wagoner this week in regards to GM’s decision to shut a number of large truck and SUV plants, higher fuel costs are now regarded as a more permanent situation. How high the prices will get is anyone’s guess. But one thing that’s for sure is that the need for cars and trucks that get increasingly higher fuel economy is no longer a novelty but an absolute necessity. When the Prius came out, it was almost more important as a status/fashion symbol. Today, cars like these that get at least 50MPG will ultimately become the standard. In essence, the cars and trucks that Americans drive will likely be forever alerted into totally different vehicles with alternative drivetrains.
When the Volt program was introduced, it seems like it was targeted to be a prius-fighter. But due to this massive change in fuel prices, it is now simply technology that will have to be developed just to enable Americans to live the kinds of lives they have been accustomed to. In that light, I feel that the focus of the Volt program should be drastically expanded to include not just a sports coupe, but family cars, small trucks, and commuter cars as well. Technology that embodies the Volt is no longer simply optional, but completely necessary.
James
Michael, unlike a cholesterol drug, The Volt will not need FDA approval. As for the new Cadillacs being ugly, you’re in the minority. I suppose you like the Prius’ “styling”? I thought so.
Ken Grubb
In the past, I have been very critical of GM for it’s handling of the EV1.
Today, I am thoroughly convinced beyond all doubt that GM is completely committed to the Chevy Volt specifically and to completely rethinking and remaking the entire product line.
GM appears to be plotting a course for the future that the other carmakers will either follow or risk becoming obsolete dinosaurs of the past.
The Volt is now the planned replacement of my 2000 Saturn SW2.
David Owen
Get the Volt in the showrooms ASAP.
Finally a Cool looking Green Car.
The way gas prices, you won’t be able to produce enough Volts to keep up with demand
Steve
Sundown said: “Once again Gary Dikkers proves to be the voice of doom and gloom…”
You must be a GM engineer.
The mentality of “We built the best thing ever, everyone will buy it” must be balanced with “Is it the right vehicle for the market, at the right price?”
“Build it and they will come” is incorrect. However, “Build it right for the market at the right price” will win every time!
Don’t blame marketing if it’s overpriced and not selling.
Joe B
Congrats, guys!!!!
Open the Champagne!
Here’s to the very quick drive to production, and instant success of the Chevy Volt!
Bob, you say you miss the throaty rumble…So would I. But doesn’t the hum make up for it a little? I always though the hum and whir electric vehicles made was pretty neat-sounding in their own way.
Thanks again for all of this work and updates, Bob.
Good Luck on the rest of the Volt development.
Bob Wilson
I’m the other Robert Wilson. As for the Volt, I’ll believe it when I see it on the road and not through a lease program. Remember the EV-1. Concept/Prototype cars are PR tools, nothing else. If Toyota was building this car, I’d believe it.
Bob Brooks
Haapy to see that GM has plans to return to the electric car. Congradulations.
Now — Mr. Lutz, if you REALLY want a PR coup, I suggest you offer the first commercially models to formers owners, lessors of the EV-1. In one stroke you could erase twenty plus years of heartburn, anamosity and deep seated resentment toward GM. Go ahead — turn some of your biggest detractors into your biggest fans — again!
(Former EV-1 (Gen II) driver and enthusiast, Gardena Califormia, 2000 - 2003
Bob Wilson
Just a follow up to my previous message. GM, please prove me wrong. Also, why not just throw the Volt’s powerplant into the Colbalt’s body? Get these on the road asap and make some $$$. That first quarter was a disaster. I’m a shareholder. Help me out.
bobt
How about a family sedan based on the same tech?
Like 2010 volt 2011 Family
cars.
Even if it gets 50mpg that would be worlds better than we get now.
Just a thought.
JB
Good to hear the Volts nearing production..
Great GM design and will be a huge hit..
Just don’t dumb down the styling for aerodynamics too much..
Its about the celebrity status this new product offers consumers as much as its about fuel economy..
IMO..
I’m not selling my 08 Vette or new 08 CTS for a volt but I’ll be enjoying the wave to those that buy a new volt and thanking them for their efforts..
JMO and way to go GM!
Howard
It’ll be hard to price this under $30k with the pricing of Lithium Ion batteries. I think it will probably be around $40k.
Roi
This is all nice and dandy but we need this car yesterday. you people at GM really fell asleep in the past years and overall its a disgrace that from being a market leader you have gone to follow in the footsteps of Toyota. And now what, you say it will only be ready in 2010? get ready to be gone by then as the japanese sweep the market. really its a disgrace that it will take you so long to get this out to the American public. Youve forgotten the American spirit and enginuity, get to work and make it happened by the next 6 months. bigger things have been done in less time.
J S
Affordability will be key. I’ve used a bunch of Li-Ion battery operated devices and there will be concerns about cost and durability. As an Automotive Engineer I know the demand cycle of a vehicle is much more challenging than a flashlight, radio, or computer.
To protect against these issues, sell the vehicles but lease the battery packs. That way the consumer is not concerned with a potential replacement bill larger than a couple of new engines and there is incentive at GM (and directly understood by the consumer) to continuously improve the
battery longevity and performance.
Then the advertised price of the vehicle will be low enough that the Marketing Team can have a weekend or two off.
Keep at it.
J
Troy
I’ve been keeping track of the Volt. Electric cars are clearly going to happen. Finally. It’s like the wait we had for flat screen plasma and LCD TVs that “you can hang on your wall”. Now we are already starting to take them for granted, but at the time we waited and waited for it to hit mainstream. My promise to myself is that my next car won’t need gas. I’ll count the Volt as “close enough” in accomplishing that. I’ve owned Toyotas, Hondas, Mazdas. In this case though, I really am pulling for GM. I wish you luck.
Gereon (Germany)
“The doubt is about whether it will be affordable for average people, or will it be something only the elites and super-rich can afford?”
Hi Gary,
as I could read recently, the Chevy Volt may start well below 40.000 $. I think that’s nothing only for super-rich, considering how much we Germans are paying for some (even non-premium) vehicles. In addition the savings at the pump shouldn’t be overlooked. Even just by retrofitting my 2001 Alero with an LPG-System, I saved more than 1.000 Euros within one year. And my car’s efficiency definitely is far from the Chevy Volt’s potentials. I really could imagine the Volt as my next car.
JT
J S is correct.
Lease the battery. Then if it doesn’t perform as expected you won’t be hit with any lawsuits. You can just take the battery back and replace it. Also by you retaining ownership of the battery the costs to the consumer will be spread out like an operating cost where the monthly cost can be compared to gas.
Also by letting you retain ownership of the batter you avoid the public relations problems from people improperly disposing of the battery. Set up a recyling program from the outset. Really get the green press on your side here.
Good luck. I just hope my 1997 Honda Civic holds out until I can buy a Volt which will be my first American Car ever.
Chris R
I’m excited about the Volt. Though I am doubtful of it’s future if it is produced as a two door niche vehicle. Surely GM realizes that the production volt needs four doors in order to sell in meaningful numbers. I’d personally like to see it sold along side, and eventually replacing the Impala or the Malibu as Chevy’s main “bread and butter” car. The full size Chevy vans could also benefit from the fuel savings.
Real world testing and development could be done by contracting with delivery and taxi companies in large cities. These vehicles are some of the most abused vehicles on Earth, and believe me, there’s no better way to ensure real world durability and reliability than to subject E-Flex to the demands of a taxi or a delivery company.
Joshua
Congradulations! get ready to be one of the most beloved companies of all time again! I just wish you could release it faster
GripperDon
Ok now really do some thinking. 40 miles with AC and 90F outside, less than $30K base price.
Adam
All I can say is “Get on with it!”. The U.S. public is hungry (if not rabid) for “alternative” vehicles that don’t require gasoline. Gas prices have been on their ridiculous rise for 5+ years, what are vehicle manufacturers waiting for? That’s a LONG time to be doing R&D. The first company that can produce an affordable and reliable non-gas-powered vehicle wins this race by a huge margin. Get going.
Joe McGuckin
Bob,
Moving towards Electric is a great move for GM - no pun intended.
Most of GM’s cars are dull looking. Why not hire outside designers to make the car look great. Hire the Italian guys who keep designing those sexy Ferrari’s and Lambos.
Good Luck.
Tim
This car is needed “yesterday”! If you can delever the Volt with a 40 mile range on battery alone, a 5 star safety rating and a price not too far beyone the Pirus you will have produced a game changing vehicle and you will have topped Toyota. This could be the step that puts GM back on top. This car is exactly what the American consumer wants and it is a first step in the direction of energy independence for our country.
If it were up to me, I would create a “Manhattan” style project at GM and devote every R&D dollar available to bringing the Volt to market ASAP. This is exactly what GM needs rigth now. Exactly what the consumer wants right now and exactly what the country needs ASAP.
Don’t let any other company beat you to the punch on this one. The stakes are too high. Full Speed Ahead!!!
Freak
Good work, however, how will it standup to “normal” North American weather? Will it rust out like every other GM on the market? There is a reason GM is losing market share, its not hte fun fancy features and electric cars, its the fact that GM cars turn into Flinstone cars before the average person can even pay the thing off.
L. Shane Carlson
I have been greatly interested in this projects development for some time. I am going to reiterate concerns that I have and have heard frequently. The barrier for the Volt is going to be cost.
Gary Dikkers
Not gloom and doom Sundown, just being realistic.
Mr Lutz decided to name the car the Chevrolet Volt for a reason: Chevrolet is GM’s brand for the masses. That means Mr Lutz probably saw it as being a low-priced car (relatively low-priced anyway) that hundreds of thousands of people would be abe to afford and drive.
The Volt is not intended to be an expensive $100,000+ roadster like the Tesla. if it were, GM would have chosen to call it the Cadillac Volt.
Of course the information is proprietary and I have no real idea whether Volt will make it to market as a car for the masses, but I’ve heard rumours the price of the battery is pushing the price of the car closer to $50,000 than the $30,000 Mr Lutz first mentioned at the initial Volt announcment.
If the price of the car is closer to $50k than $30k, perhaps GM will have to change the name of the Volt and sell it through their Cadillac dealers.
The Volt is a necessary and important step in the future development of personal transportation. I laud GM for their vision and I’m looking forward to it hitting the road. But I will repeat — for the Volt to make a difference in how we as a society use fossil fuels, it will have to be priced for the masses and not the elites.
Whether or not GM can bring the Volt in at a price that will make it a car for the masses is a critical question, not gloom and doom.
Regards,
Gary Dikkers
David
I am 89 and new to this business but as a retired aerospace engineer who introduced a CO2 detector to spy satellites in the early 60’s, we found out that compared to the CO2 measurements made in the 1930’s, the Earth’s CO2 had increase almost an ordr of magnetude while Venus and Mars were still the same. This in addition to the advances in the design of nuclear power plant efficiencies argues that
we should have an intensified development to replace auto, truck and rail to use electric power and eliminate the use of any engines burning oxygen to power vehicles and other power as much as possible.
Beaugrand®™©
In the interim, you might want to consider importing some of those very fuel-efficient European GM models. Just a thought.
Beaugrand®™©
In the interim, you might want to consider importing some of those very fuel-efficient European GM models. Just a thought.
Jeremy
The Volt project is most impressive.
“As a consumer, I’d like to know this:
What is the approximate cost to charge the battery? The 16-kwh rating on the battery gives me a clue, but I’d like to know what the engineers have to say…”
It’s an easy calculation: Multiple your per kWhr cost of electricity by the capacity of the battery. (Remember that the Volt battery will nevery be more than 50% discharged for durability reasons)…so usable battery capacity is 8kWhr. Also, charging is not a 100% efficient process, so you can probably add in another 10-15% for charging losses. Bottom line, it should only cost between $0.60 to $0.90 for a full charge.
Matt
I think this looks great, but I’m wondering if there isn’t a better way to do this. With electric cars, why does the battery have to stay with the car? If the battery was somehow “standardized”, couldn’t one pull into the equivalent of a gas station and swap out the dead battery for a charged one? If done right, this would probably take about the same time as filling up a tank of gas.
Jeremy
I think the battery needs to stay with the car. There’s way too great a chance of a damaged, counterfeit, or low performing battery being “exchanged” during a “gas station” swap. I want my “good” battery, with known history, to stay with me and my car since it’s such a huge portion of the cost.
It is important to remember that the Volt cannot be everything to everybody. Just like any vehicle, it will have an operating window within which it is most efficient. If your usage doesn’t fit that window, maybe you should look for a different car. GM has already identified was that window is, now each of us needs to determine if the Volt is for us based on our individual needs.
Eric
For those of you who think that swapping out batteries is a good idea, THINK AGAIN!! These battery packs contain a thermal management system and more sensors than I care to think about. The constraint for determining charging time is not the battery. It is the amps that a customers residential panel can handle.
How about a commercial re-charging station that is setup to handle this current demand. Looking at the A123Systems chart it shows that their battery can charged to 90-95% of capacity in about 5 minutes. So while you’re filling up the 12 gallon tank with E85 you can top off the batteries as well!
Just how much does 10KW weigh? LOL
Gary Dikkers
This looks rather ominous: Battery flaw and recall slows production of General Motors hybrids
Of course these are NiMH batteries and not Li-ion, but let’s hope the Volt development team is more on top of the situation than GM’s hybrid team.
V/R
Gary Dikkers
motorman
there have been posts that the volt will cost too much to be successful BUT if every person in this country that spend $40K+ for a new car both foreign and domestic buys one that would help solve the oil problem and the people that can not buy a $40K car can continue driving their gas guzzlers. i have my doubts that the people who can afford a $40K+ car will give up their regular cars.
John L Nicholls
Brilliant that this technology is so far advanced. But weight is the main enemy of fuel saving so take a look at Yarwood Leather of England who are already taking the aviation industry by storm with their Supalite leather which is 50% lighter than any seen before!!
fasttie
I hope the Volt succeeds, but what I don’t understand is that these still need electricity. Where does that come from? Let’s start building some nuclear power plants again and get these cars going.
Paint Man
Hey, think about this–We can propel a submarine all over the world ,under water with nuclear power–but no one is working on adapting it to a little ole automobile ??? Am I crazy, or just a little bit ahead of everyone else ??
Paul Bauerle
Mr Lutz, You say you missed the throaty rumble of an internal combustion engine. Not me. I like the pleasant whir of the power electronics and motors much more. It is music to my ears. This is similar to the quiet whir a wind turbine makes when it is producing power. These sounds will be ones our children will remember as they grow up - the sounds being associated with freedom from imported oil. Thanks for the update and I sure hope I can order one of these as soon as the orders can be taken.
Rum Doodle
~ “what I don’t understand is that these still need electricity. Where does that come from? Let’s start building some nuclear power plants again and get these cars going.”
And where is my jet-pack and flying car? I saw both of those on the cover of Popular Science years ago and figured I’d have both by now.
Scott Williams
In the year 2010 Tata will own GM and the Volt will be sold for USD $5000.00.
I would buy / lease this car today even if it had some problems (not safety) that needed to be corrected. Get the car into our hands and let us determine the best battery for each region.
I consider myself patriotic and hate that I drive a Toyota every day but I have no choice since no American car comes close to the mileage I get.
Bob, start your networking within Tata to ensure your seat on the executive team when they buy GM in 2010.
Rum Doodle
MEMO TO GM’S VOLT TEAM: Don’t look back.
As the great Satchel Paige once said in his rules for life, “Don’t look back – something might be gaining on you.”
Toyota vows plug-in hybrid by 2010
Brian
Ok….Make a Volt that people CAN buy and the people will line up around the world for it instead of at the pumps for gas. Forget the bells and whistles ….they don’t matter…we all have our own phones and ipods that won’t eat the car’s battery so please forget that crap. Build it…NOW…Be a leader in what is inevitable. The current administration has done all they could to delay the fact that alternatives are the way of the future..not 1970’s oil for all mentality.
Anthony
Okay, the new Volt is a beautifully styled vehicle, but why do we have to wait until 2010. There are a slew of new Electric Motor companies in the used poised to launch vehicles in late 2008 and throughout 2009. Why cant we have an electric HHR, Cobalt, and or Malibu???
The GM model for development needs to make a drastic change or the competition domestic and foreign are going to be more agile when it comes to change.
I like the looks of the Volt, but I would love to buy an electric HHR today for my commute to work?
Anthony
Note to MR Lutz,
I have been considering buying an old Mercedes diesel sedan or GM gruck in order to convert it into a bio diesel. It would we great if GM could design a generic bio diesel specific engine that could be incorporated into most diesel cars and trucks.
Just a thought..
Mark Seidler
To those of us who convert and drive our own EVs, GM is an hilarious wheezing dinosaur that is desperately clinging to a business model that is about to go extinct.
GM could easily crush the competition with its economy of scale and industry know-how, but it is doomed by its insistance on high prices and margins.
If you know how to use a wrench, join us and convert your own EV TODAY!
http://www.evalbum.com
http://www.eaaev.org/
http://www.electroauto.com
Mary Ann Russo
Hi Bob,
Moving forward with the Volt is great news…alot of new technology and R&D.
Would you consider a ‘backup plan’? We have been developing a unique Intercooled, Recuperated Modular Engine (IRME), which is a high-efficiency, multi-fuel, engine technology that will reduce fuel consumption and pollution emissions of internal combustion engines by about 50 %. - The IRME technology would enable GM to introduce within three years a low risk, cost-competitive engine that exceeds the performance of the current IC engine.
GM would have the capability of introducing vehicles that:
o meet or exceed the 35 mpg standard
o reduce CO2 and other pollutants by 50%
o enable the manufacturing of IRME at the same cost of the current IC engines
o provide a low-risk, cost-competitive solution to meet consumer demand for fuel efficient vehicles at a time that is most critical to GM.
It is a challenge to talk with someone from GM about this technology. We would welcome the opportunity to present this to GM. We see this as a complement to your Volt strategy.
Regards,
Mary Ann
Morgan Kelleher
I saw the Volt prototype today and watched a presentation by GM President Troy Clarke. This car is a game changer in the same sense that the 787 is a game changer for the aircraft industry. Every system and component is a paradigm shift in thinking. I give a lot of credit to the GM executives that finally decided to move away from the combustion engine. The Volt will enable the U.S. consumer to stop funding Middle East extremist through oil consumption.
GM engineers will be busy developing the Volt until their 2010 deadline. There is a great article about the development of the Volt in the July/August issue of Atlantic Monthly. Let’s hope that by 2010 Congress approves a tax rebate similar to the $2000 grant for the Toyota Prius.
Les
Anyone want to bet the 2010 NAIAS will feature a Honda and a Toyota plug in. Out the spring of that year.No fanfare no boasting - just a plain old electric car ready and willing to be purchased by an eager American public.
Rum Doodle is a visionary.!
Mr. Siedler is also correct
GM’s lack of Engineering prowess will be there demise. Look at every other great American Institution - they are now gone . - electronics,
optics (cameras), machine tools, tools, virtually everthing in the average american home. - cars is one of the last to go. Its a wonder they have held on this long. good products always start with good engineering - and GM lacks that. Good luck anyway we can all dream a little.
David
“To those of us who convert and drive our own EVs, GM is an hilarious wheezing dinosaur that is desperately clinging to a business model that is about to go extinct.
GM could easily crush the competition with its economy of scale and industry know-how, but it is doomed by its insistance on high prices and margins.
If you know how to use a wrench, join us and convert your own EV TODAY!
http://www.evalbum.com
http://www.eaaev.org/
http://www.electroauto.com”
Looks like by the links GM has gotten a lot farther than any of the folks on the http://www.evalbum.com site. LoL! Lots of go carts and EV motorcycles and a lot of “no idea” and “conversion yet to start”. Wow… Talk about embarassing.
Noel Priore
I am a GM employee since 1985.I work as a Parts Mgr in a local Chevy dealer.I am also a loyal GM driver having owned LOTS of 69-70 musclecars and in the past years a Cavalier,Olds Alero,Equinox and now an HHR.
I love GM cars,hate “imports”(yes,even though they are made in the US,Toyota and Honda are imports)….however,GM totally got left in the dust and allowed these other companies to leave them behind.I remember the showrooms in the late 80’s early 90’s bustling with customers buying up cavaliers,camaros,storms and prisms.It was great.Then around 1992,the Suburban suddenly was a popular luxury truck.The birth of the SUV craze.It went well for many years but Toyota and the others passed everyone by with fuel efficent cars. GM got left behind plain and simple and now they must pull a rabbit out of their hat.I have been saying for years that GM needs to star a line of cars that fuel effiecent but the trucks kept on coming.At oiur dealer,where we sold lots of trucks in the past few months,has now become very slow.Its painful to watch.Its also a shame that Toyota and other import owners dont realize we have cobalts,aveos and impalas and hhr’s that all get great mileage.
Toyota Prius has now sold over 1 million cars!!! Where was GM’s hybrid??? What do we get?? A $55,000 monster that wont sell. Who wants to spend that to get 20 mpg when a prius is half the price and gets double the mileage?? GM should have been right there competing with this but instead we get nothing.Dont get me wrong I do love GM cars but they need to get on the ball.This is a company I work for and as a dealer,its scary how slow we have all become.For this I blame GM 100%.You need to market yourselves to a new type of customer,stop concentrating on the trucks and jump back in the game big time!
Can the Volt save GM? Maybe. Alot of people have lost faith in GM (not me,just dissapointed). A whole line of fuel efficient cars is whats needed,not just a Volt.Its time to rethink everything.Remember the 90’s? The Heartbeat of America? Come on guys,retake America again.If GM can come out with the Volt before the other companies then you will have a great start,if not then I fear GM will just be that nuch farther behind.
If this all sounds negative,I am sorry but I work for A GM dealer and this all 100% affects my pocket as this I depend on GM car sales to generate Parts and Service sales.I dont want to lose my job.
David
[quote] Then around 1992,the Suburban suddenly was a popular luxury truck.The birth of the SUV craze.It went well for many years but Toyota and the others passed everyone by with fuel efficent cars. GM got left behind plain and simple and now they must pull a rabbit out of their hat.I have been saying for years that GM needs to star a line of cars that fuel effiecent but the trucks kept on coming.At oiur dealer,where we sold lots of trucks in the past few months,has now become very slow.Its painful to watch.Its also a shame that Toyota and other import owners dont realize we have cobalts,aveos and impalas and hhr’s that all get great mileage.[/quote]
You answered your own question. The US vehicle market has been north of 18,000,000 vehicles per year and it has taken Toyota 8 years to sell 1 million hybrid vehicles. Great… That’s an almost infintesimal demand up until recently… And to top it off Toyota has lost between $8,000 and $10,000 per unit.
Meanwhile they developed two full size pickups that have been dead flops along with a line of full size SUV’s that are only exceeded in their fuel thirstiness by Nissans. They didn’t spend 3-5 Billion dollars on the Sequoia and Tundra to have them turn into rank failures but that’s what’s happened.
GM has vehicles that are competitive on fuel economy - it’s more a matter of perception than product at this point.
bowtie-bill
If General Motors really cares about MPG or electric power, they need to bring back the Geo Metro 3-cyl. and the EV-1. The Metro got over 40 mpg & the EV-1 gen II went over 75 miles per charge. But they sold the battery rights to an oil company that killed it. And lied about range.
SKA
I know a professor that has developed a more efficient solar panel. A smaller piece of his solar panel is just as effective as a larger piece of the original version. Can someone say solar panel roof on the VOLT to extend range?
GM=CarKing
Read this, GM!
“Toyota, the world’s biggest automaker, also said it would establish a battery research department initially comprising 50 engineers later this month to develop next-generation batteries that would outperform lithium-ion batteries.”
Dragonlord Windsor
Noel Priore
I didnt want my post to sound negative against GM and am sorry if it came across like that.I love GM and want to continue to only drive Chevys…..but….GM HAS to get in the program quickly.I am not sure dealers can survive 2 years until the Volt comes out.GM needs to start an aggressive marketing campaign right now to show the country that we do have fuel efficient cars and are not just about trucks.The HHR,Cobalt,Aveo,Impala and Malibu get good mileage.I read the paper every day and almost daily 90% of the car dealer ads are all Toyota,Honda and Hyundai.GM needs to get thier name back out there again…start with commercials aggressively….hit them back where they hit you. I would rather drive an HHR than a Yaris. The Prius is one of the ugliest cars I have ever seen though you cant argue with the mileage.
How about a whole extra line of fuel efficent cars in direct competition as the other brands? Cars that cab get 36-40 mpg?Start a campaign showcasing these new cars as “Cars for the working class” or something to that effect. Thats not my area so I dont really know much about doing so.
Anyway…..So I read on here someone said the Volt may be around $50,000?? I highly doubt at that price it would be a huge seller.At that price how can it be? Not many regular working class people can afford that easily. I also am sure that if the Volt does come out first(before the other brands) and is affordable then it will most likely jump GM ahead of the game.I really want GM to succeed but I hope they have other fuel efficent cars coming out rather waiting until 2010 for the Volt and falling more behind in the game.Just my 2 cents.
Pete W
I’ve been selling the Volt to my boss since I saw it at NAIAS, she wants one despite swearing off GM vehicles years ago. Now all GM has to do is deliver the Volt to market on time … the lease on her Lexus ends in 2010.
Ross Nicholson
The volt is too heavy & too big. It isn’t aerodynamic, either. All the technology being developed for it is a waste for GM. How could that be? They’ve never dreamed of it making a profit in the first place. It’s all for show.
website design
Lutz, who recently purchased an electric motorscooter, and declared a eyar ago that the future of the automobile
is electric, said that a Nov 2010 launch ” is a lock,” making liars and fools of those who have claimed for the past year and a half that GM wasn’t serious about the car. They will also be produced in the hundreds of thousands and there will quickly follow Saturn and Opel E-flex vans and Cadillac and Pontiac versions - a whole stable of E-Flex electrics, as well as possibly some battery-only electrics if there is demand. Also, they are now concentrating on the battery pack of only one of their
candidate suppliers and that within weeks dozens of developmental mules will be running 24/7. By next Spring there will be hundreds of production prototypes for public testing and crash and safety testing by the Feds. And thus the age of
electric propulsion has now truly begun.
bobt
And thus the age of
electric propulsion has now truly begun.
If this is true (until it happens its not) it is fantastic news!
I would propose GM take a
look into aftermarket of its own cars about a year after the Volt is out.
Maybe even a spin off.
There are plenty of with cars that cant put up 30 or 40K
but can sping for 10K and maybe even 15K to convert their car.
It could be a entire NEW automotive business. In fact as I am typing this I am wondering why I am no calling a few old friends to see if its possible.
Well GM there is a free idea.
I think the thirst for this tech will be overwhelming.
So I suggest you take a peek at retrofiting some older models to make a profit on both sides of the market.
OH one more thing.
With the introduction of new
high speed Flywheel KERS systems for formula one will that be cheaper and easier to use for energy recovery?
Or is that what you are using?
Bob
edvard
Not meaning to hijack the thread, but I’m sure you all saw the big story with Honda leasing 200 or so Honda hydrogen cars to consumers in California ( surprise) for $600 a month. Of course the media portrayed Honda as some visionary, ingenious company. The shame of this is that GM has better hydrogen technology and has been testing fleets of hydrogen cars and SUVS for years with the military and test families.
This all comes down to PR only. So yet again, a Japanese company just stole the spot for “Being first”. It doesn’t matter that what they’re doing is nothing revolutionary. All that matters is that you all just lost the chance to be first at introducing hydrogen to the consumer public. By doing so would only make you appear to be copycats.
The next time you have technology that is ready to be tested with actual paying consumers, step up to the plate and take a chance. The PR is worth every cent.
Brad
Is there any indication of the cost recharging the Volt will be? Are we going to be substituting one cost (fuel) for another (energy bill)? i can’t imagine this thing won’t make a dent in my bill at the end of the month. So is there any idea of how much energy it will use?
Gary Dikkers
Good news Mr Lutz, but…
When will you be making a more practical hatchback, wagon, mini-van, or small pickup truck version? Something that has more utility than a 2+2 roadster designed for commuting, and one that families can use for practical things in the evening and on weekends.
Will the Volt have an external socket so that when our houses fall off the grid due to hurricanes, blizzards, T-storms, floods, or whatever, that we can plug into and use the Volt’s battery as an emergency power source? (Such a feature could be mighty handy. Even when just camping.)
Millions of Volt batteries could even serve as a way to store electrical power generated during excess times to feed power back into the grid during lean times. (One of the big complaints about wind turbines has always been they are never full time. Millions of portable storage batteries in electric cars could buffer that if they were always plugged in when not on the road.)
V/R
Gary Dikkers
DeKooning
The Volt is a really critical vehicle for GM’s future. Make sure it has bullet-proof reliability (like the Prius), make the body shape unique and reflective of it’s energy efficiency (don’t make it big or sporty or suv-like), make it be space efficient, i.e. SMALL (hatchback might be nice for carrying those groceries). I think Americans are ready for a space & energy saving little vehicle that will take care of 90% of our trips. Now is the time to be a bit daring. A lot of young people feel GM is a stodgy relic from the past. Think different. Think global…please.
Chris R
GM is actually pretty wise in not worrying about the cost of the car. They need to put the car out there, and if the buying public like it, and want more then GM itself would bring down the cost of the batteries by their huge economy of scale. As future models are introduced, the next Cobalt, the next HHR, the next G6 (G7?) the next LaCrosse, the next CTS and even the pickups and SUV’s could all be equipped with this technology. The economy of scale would just increase as other automakers follow suit and adopt and even expand on the technology. GM just needs to be the first to market with a mainstream offering. Toyota and Honda may offer this technology in a few fleet vehicles before the Volt goes to market, but those won’t be sold to anyone who walks through the door of a dealership. The Volt is only the beginning, a first step in the journey of a thousand miles if you will. I’m glad GM is taking that step, and hope that GM’s next step will soon follow.
motorman
people who are complaining about the cost a volt will be glad to pay what ever the cost if we get to the place like in the 70/80s where gasoline is hard to get.
prophet atlantis
Make a “golf cart/go cart” type of car made for the city and close-to-city use. Make it a two seater and have some space to hold some luggage or groceries.
It should be under 5 or 10, 000 $U.S., having a “green” make up or energy use, and you guys can finance it with low, monthly payments. Maybe even get the government to provide a grant or low interest loan since it will be alternative, etc.
prophetearth@yahoo.com
gtjeff
While the Volt is an interesting idea, A $40,000 price tag will make it the next Chevy SSR. While in a different market, the Corvette, which has a msrp starting at around 45k, sells only 36,000-38,000 units annually. Volt will sell 30,000 units annually at this price tag.
Gasoline engines will still be around for a while. GM needs to come up with a volume small car that gets exceptional mileage. 36 mpg is pretty good for the XFE Cobalt. The next generation car will be coming shortly. To maximize fuel economy, how about building it on a light weight space frame with plastic body panels? Over 40 mpg would be easily attainable. You have the equipment and technology sitting unused, how about it Bob?
Apply that same technology to the Escalade in the form of an aluminum space frame chassis and you would have a huge mpg advantage over your competitors.
Bob Lange
Mr. Lutz, have you thought about making the 4 cylinder cutoff operate differently on pickups. Let it operate below 35 mph or at idle. A good gas savings option to help sales.
Uday
The Volt needs to come out sooner. I would marshall all the resources of the company working overtime towards making this car in next 6 months. I would put out 50 of these by end of 2008 that drive alteast 15-20 miles on a charge.
This would be PR vise an excellent move as well as a morale changing for GM employees and attract customers to buy your other cars.
This is perfect to steal the media spotlight. If another company beats you at this and steals the thunder then GM might as well close shop.
-Uday
tony
40,000 for a volt gm needs to get its pricing act together before it becomes a bit player in the states 1976 near 50% 2008 20% 2015 12%??? get real, get competitive!
Joe
I think the volt needs to incorporate some of the following ideas:
http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/06/24/transportation-tuesday-antro-solo-gets-150mpg/
solar panels on the roof and pedals inside to help mpg. Oh, and it costs $20k.
Chris R
gtjeff,
there already was a car riding on the Cobalt platform that used a space frame and plastic body panels. it was called the Saturn ION. I believe the new Astra actually gets better milage without the plastic panels. If GM would get a US production facility online for that car, we might actually see more of them on the roads than we currently do with the B**gium built cars.
Sam
Guys read up on the EV-1 GM has already made this car… We should not have to wait until 2010.. What I don’t understand is if the EV-1 was getting better then 80 miles a charge on lead batteries 10 years ago why is this car only getting 40 miles on a charge… It’s time someone starts asking the right questions. GM, Ford, Honda and Toyota have all made electric cars withing the last 10 years. Why do we need to wait for something to be reintroduced???
DeKooning
“Lutz: $40,000 is Breakeven Price for the Chevy Volt and First Generation Will Not Make Money For GM” You need to get your price down to something more reasonable so more Americans can afford it. You might also want to work on a Plan B in the meantime–a more “traditional” SMALL electric-gas hybrid that’s focused on squeezing the most miles out of a gallon of gas and goes for under $20,000.
Karyn
While that is great news for GM, I hope it’s not too late. I have seen MANY Prius’ around here in MN this week; many more than I used to see. Why can’t an American car company offer a counterpart NOW?? Good luck with the Volt.
bob
Reading the car with a carbon fiber body being so cheap I remember carbon fiber being one of the major costs for the EV1. I am starting to wonder where GM gets its numbers from? I think the volts current curb weight seems high maybe its the batteries. Since there is some time for the volts release I wonder if they would consider an ultra battery using firefly as the lead acid battery.
Bob Wilson
Hey GM. Don’t drag your feet on this Volt project in order to make a grand entrance. I’ve already seen the hydrogen powered Honda here in West Los Angeles. Once Toyota gets into the hydrogen game, its bye-bye hybrids. If you wait too long, hydrogen will be the new thing and the Volt will be old news before it even hits the street.
NS
The prices of gas reaching the levels that they are, plug ins are looking more and more attractive!
Ralph Taite
Mr. Lutz,
I commented on a previous blog entry and I hope you do hear what I’m saying.
For this product to succeed, you need to consider offering several different models:
1) A fully electric “budget” model Volt using lead acid batteries instead of lithium and an option to add an extender motor later at about a $20k price point.
2) A fully electric “midgrade” Volt using lithium batteries and an option to add an extender motor later at about a $30k price point.
3) An electric “high end” Volt with all the goodies and the extender motor for less than $40k.
Also, all models should be available for lease so that the high initial cost of the batteries is hidden in a monthly lease payment.
The other big design consideration is the ability of lithium ion batteries to be recycled to allow these battery packs to be refurbished and reused in a subsequent electric car.
Ralph
Rum Doodle
To tag on to what Ralph Taite said, you also need to jump into the neighborhood electric vehicle market posthaste.
The Volt will be good, but also pricey and beyond the means and needs of many people.
Why isn’t GM working on an inexpensive, fully electric city/neighborhood runabout? A simple electric car that might cost no more than $6-7,000 with an unrecharged range of 20-30 miles and a top speed of perhaps 30-35 mph.
Something that would be small and maneuverable and just right for going back and forth to the office, a quick trip to the supermarket, taking the kids to day care, etc — all w/o burning a drop of fossil fuels.
Of course there are several small, independent companies working on those kind of vehicles, but none such as GM that has the marketing clout, manufacturing expertise, and dealership network to make it happen fast.
Wouldn’t it be great if I could go into my local Chevy, Buick, or Cadillac dealer and by a fully-electric, compact, neighborhood vehicle for under $10K that would fulfill most of my transportation needs, plus have the full backing of a world-class company such as GM?
Why not put some of those underemployed UAW car builders and that excess assembly plant capability to work building a full-electric runabout that will help solve our personal transportation needs?
Unlike the Volt, the technology already exists. There is no reason your underused assembly lines couldn’t be churning out such a vehicle in numbers only months after Mr Wagoner gave the go ahead.
Steve Skolnick
Bob,
Great work on a much needed alternative, and thank you for sharing
To your comment on no engine noise, Voice over IP Phones (VOIP) put in simulated background noise so the caller does not think they lost their call…you can do the same.. simulate the engine noise - with the option of turning it off, but make the noise inside and outside (Prius has a backup beep inside the car only- how dumb, outside is where it’s needed!).
On the testing of the batteries, I’m glad the lab is putting so much work into that, but the goal of making sure the battery lasts for the life of the car - while noble - may be unrealistic… get these things on the market PRONTO, tell the consumers they are in BETA (like MSoft) and extend their warranty to make up for what could go wrong. It’s better than idling those plants. You need SALES! This would do much for boosting GM’s bottom line and it’s image.
I keep reading about how consumers don’t want the big trucks and SUV’s any more… the media has got that WRONG, MOST consumers WANT to drive the big suv’s and pickups. The reason they are shifting to small cars is for the efficiency, if you make your big cars and trucks fuel efficient, you will restore sales of your cash cows.
Keep up the good work!
Steve
Steve Skolnick
“but what I don’t understand is that these still need electricity. Where does that come from? Let’s start building some nuclear power plants again and get these cars going.”
As long as the cars are charged at night, we have the EXISTING CAPACITY to power 80% of the cars currently on the road. No need to build a extra plant, but that would give plenty of incentive to the power company to be more efficient - and burn cleaner technologies.
Steve
Steve Skolnick
My wife is strongly considering switching from her Lexus SUV to a Prius (only for better mileage- she LOVES her truck) and then using Hymotion’s conversion to make it a PHEV. So, 25k for the Prius and 10k for the conversion it is still less than a new 60k Lexus, and if their claim is right, she will get 113 MPG. That is GAME CHANGING.
Steve
William Anders
Bob, how far and how fast can you take e-flex? Volt will be great, but is it still locked into a static paradigm in regards to it’s power storage and source? Yes you have to move to production with what you have now as cutting edge technology, but can’t you make the battery modular in nature(increments of 3k?) to enable multiple options in range, diminished cost of phased replacement modules, and ease of integration into other vehicles? Can GM buy into the ‘ultra-capacitor’ technology? Using these in parallel with the batteries should do a great deal to extend battery life as they will provide the bulk of the high current demanded for acceleration, leaving the batteries to discharge at a much more life-cycle friendly rate as they provide ‘base’ current to the motor and and recharge the capacitors through an oscillator. (Ask your engineers if the life of the battery, when paralleled with an equal kw of capacitance, and discharge current is limited, is increased by 50%, and think of eliminating some or all of the battery cooling. Also, regarding the range extending motor, shouldn’t this be more modular in concept also? a user in the mountains will need more kw than someone on the plains, and some one who knows they’re only going 30 miles a day might choose to leave it out until they need it for a trip. And it should also come in a wide selection of fuel options to include Bio-diesel, compressed natural gas (don’t give up the field to Honda’s Civic GX), and propane. Finally, if taking e-flex to the ’small runabout’ market you can still use a range extending motor… just build it into a small, lightweight trailer that the user hooks up for longer trips, or trips involving cargo greater then 2 grocery bags. Keep up the fight, Semper Fi.
Hans Manson
Has GM considered incorporating/blend Solar power panel(s) into the vehicles roof or any horizontal panel to recharge batteries when stationary or on the move? In a sun drenched land like Australia it would be very beneficial. Aust. invention is where every vehicle panel is a dry cell battery. Has that been considered? Cheers, Hans.
Kathy Whitworth
OK, the Volt is an alternative as long as it is priced reasonable and the average Joe can afford it. Hopefully it won’t be as costly as the Toyota Prius which takes 7-8 years to recover the cost of the fuel saved. But like it has already been said, you have to plug into electricity and a large portion of our electricity is produced with fossil fuels. Why can’t GM build a car that uses gas and still gets 110 mpg? An engineer in Ohio has done it with 400 horsepower, 500 foot pounds of torque and 0-60 in 3 seconds and it is said that it would be more efficient if it burned gas (guess they just wanted a cleaner fuel with ethanol). So there is even room for higher gas mileage! However, building a car that uses ethanol is not efficient since it takes oil to produce the ethanol and also the corn to make it takes away from our food supply. There is no reason that car manufacturers can’t build cars that get 100 mpg. What is the problem here? Makes no sense at ALL! GM could take all of the SUVs and bigger vehicles that they can’t sell now and convert them all to be able to get 110 mpg (or close to that). I have always bought GM products and I am really worried about the company now. I sure hope that the company doesn’t go under and we lose the last of the best U.S. auto manufacturers to a foreign country or total bankruptcy. Please - change your business plan and make automobiles and trucks that will revolutionalize the world’s auto industry! It is good for the U.S. economy and your business!
Rum Doodle
~ “Why can’t GM build a car that uses gas and still gets 110 mpg?”
Good question Kathy. There is even a competition with a prize for the first to build a car that gets 100 mpg or greater.
Progressive X-Prize
The timing couldn’t be better for the recent launch of the Progressive Automotive X Prize, an offer of $10 million to the person or team that invents a safe, affordable car that gets at least 100 mpg
So far, it appears GM has not even entered a team in the competition.
Ranger76
Why doesn’t GM work with other manufacturers to market OnStar. I have it in my 05 Acura RL but Acura no longer can get OnStar. Seems a real money maker if all vehicle manufacturers jump on board. Your initial costs for the OnStar subsidary could be offset by 2-3 year committments for subscription. I will not buy a GM every since my bad experience with my 86 Olds 98 which I bought new and within 6 months from expiration of the 12 month warranty, sunk $3300. But I will support OnStar. How about a portable device (much like what XM has) for use in other venues?
Gary Dikkers
Mr Lutz,
That’s certainly true, which is no doubt why Daimler now has a test fleet of 100 of their all-electric versions of the Smart on the streets of London.
If you plan to offer the Volt for sale in 2010, would I be safe in guessing you are soon to start a practical street test such as Daimler is doing with the Smart?
I also see the electric Smart is supposed to have a range of about 65 miles after a 3 1/2 hour charge.
I’m curious why they expect a range of 65 miles from Ni-mh batteries while your Volt is supposed to have an electric range of only 40 miles using the more advanced Li-ion batteries.
A Series-hybrid?
Also have a question for you I’ve been wondering about:
If the Volt will get 50+ mpg running as a series-hybrid with a small internal combustion engine turning a a generator to power electric motors at the wheels, why haven’t you for many years been building that kind of super-efficient series-hybrid?
That kind of mileage seems too good to ignore from a concept as simple as using an ICE to turn a generator to power the wheels — if it’s actually possible.
V/R
Gary Dikkers
Alex
I cannot wait for this car to come out. The only problem is I have heard production numbers have been decreased to 1/6 of the original amount. I hope that this car, which is a tremendous step in the right direction is accessible to everyone who wants to be “green” and save $ at the same time.
PS. the design of the car is amazing. In my mind its the first sexy green car
DeKooning
Now I’m really worried. Why is GM shutting down for the summer?: “… it’s starting to get a little quiet around here as GM gears up (or is it down?) for the annual summer shutdown period observed by U.S. automakers every year.” Hope someone is still working on the Volt and other projects in the meantime! Competition will be fierce to get the first mass production Plug-in electric vehicle out there and GM can’t afford to relax. From Edmunds.com (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=124867): “The 2010 Mitsubishi i MIEV is expected to go on sale by the end of 2009 for around 2.5 million yen ($24,000)…”
Maximum range is currently 100 miles under ideal conditions, but probably closer to 60 in normal driving conditions. The Volt has got to:
1) be cheaper
2) be small
3) be innovative
4) be daring–don’t think Americans naturally want a sporty looking car to entice them to buy electric; My humble opinion is they/we want something’s that space efficient and looks ecologically friendly. Get back to work!
Rum Doodle
~ “My humble opinion is they/we want something’s that space efficient and looks ecologically friendly. Get back to work!”
Well said DeKooning, you’ve got that exactly right.
While development of the Volt is certainly admirable, it will be pricey. In tandem with the Volt, GM should also be pushing forward a light, maneuverable, inexpensive, plug-in all-electric neighborhood or city car: Neighborhood Electric Vehicles
Daimler is doing that with the all-electric version of the their Smart which apparently they are already testing on the streets of London.
Why can’t GM use some of their idle factory capacity to start full-scale production of an all-electric city car? Small (easy to park), maneuverable, and something that would be ideal for zipping around crowded city streets?
They have trained workers and assembly lines just sitting idle, that could–in a matter of months–be turning out thousands of simple, all-electric city or neighborhood cars.
The companies now in the NEV business are small and without the clout and global visibility GM has. Why can’t GM be more aggressive and innovative about jumping into the NEV and all-electric city-car market? Why can’t they offer an American-built, all-electric city car here before Daimler starts bringing their all-electric Smarts over?
Devin
i work for onstar. stop adding GPS features in Gm cars, it takes away from our jobs, and the last thing you need is to take away jobs from GM
BobT
While development of the Volt is certainly admirable, it will be pricey. In tandem with the Volt, GM should also be pushing forward a light, maneuverable, inexpensive, plug-in all-electric neighborhood or city car:
I disagree. While GM is sitting idle the Tesla is not. Theya are working on a sedan that will be about the cost of the Volt thats all electric.
So while GM tries to save the ICE so it can hold on to what was, people are moving forward at moving at light speed.
Marketing wont be able to save yesterdays tech as gas goes toward $5 a gal.
Worse yet look who we are giving the money to? Its not Standard/BO or Shell I worry about its those missle launchers on the other side of the pond.
The EV1 got about 100 miles per charge. If the body manfacturing could be done in mass (carbon fiber bodies needs to happen ANYWAY to get
the mpg up) then the EV1 should be brought out of moth balls.
In fact why didnt they make the volt carbon fiber. Its curb weight seems pretty heavy.
I still think the stock owners of GM should rethink not America but GM’s board.
Time to let up the engineers saleries and DUMP the board.
Rum Doodle
~ “In fact why didn’t they make the Volt carbon fiber.”
From a pure technology aspect that’s an excellent idea Bob, but GM also has to make the car affordable. (I’m surprised you also didn’t recommend they make the frame out of some super-aerospace titanium alloy.)
Carbon fiber would make the Volt very expensive (an auto part made of carbon fiber costs about 5x as much as the same part made from aluminum or steel), and that’s not counting the increased labor and complexity of fabrication. (You can’t use a giant hydraulic press to stamp out a carbon fiber part.)
It looks as though the Volt is already going to be on the “too-pricey” side. Making it from carbon fiber would put it above the pay grade of all but the very rich.
Charlie H
Devin, Some people don’t want OnStar, they want GPS. If GM doesn’t offer them something, they’ll go elsewhere. That takes away jobs from GM, too.
stas peterson
Many who post there complaints of the Volt as Vaporware, then turn around and praise the true Vaporware, the Tesla and WhiteBread.
Outside of a few handbuilt prototypes, the Tesla is pure ‘Impress the Rubes, Vaporware’, with a capital V.
It went into “full production” in 2006. Why are there only a couple still around, constantly re-painted and showing up for a press conference ansd photo op and press release here and there.
stas peterson
Mr, DeKooning,
GM is already doing exactly what you propose. Its called BAD microhybrid systems for attachment to a basic small car like a Cruze or Aveo, or Malibu, depending on the size car you want.
Brad
I haven’t been reading much of the blog but I’ve been looking for a place to vent to GM for a while and found this one tonight.
I used to think GM would be the one, of the big three, to survive the decades to come.I no longer think that’s true.
I currently own a 2500 series Sierra truck. When we recently went looking for a new car we were looking at two things: gas mileage and reliablility.
We bought a prius…a car toyota has been making for a decade…nothing in the north american GM line came close; in fact, aside from the smaller honda civic…that was it for a four passenger 65 mpg car.
The final straw for me, as a consumer and car enthusiast, was how GM decided to pull themselves out of the mud by sending the hybrid truck building to Mexico.
I’ve been waiting to buy a new camaro since the first concept but I’m not going to now…my loyalty and hope in GM has finally been dashed — the company will be lucky to have a presence in North America ten years from now.
sadly,
Brad
dan mayes
great news the volt car..but wait did someone not know what wind energy is?do I have to go to your plant and show you how to make this happen??I will have cars that can drive across the usa and never need charged by any other source then when the cars has wind speed of 30 mph..easy stuff and its already on the market..theres a few bugs in it..but can be worked out..let me have a volt,electric motor only, its done..dan mayes boca
Rum Doodle
Collecting road taxes when a Volt is recharged
Mr Lutz,
Has GM yet discussed with the politicians and bureaucrats how they plan to collect road taxes when a Volt owner recharges the battery? Of course when we now buy liquid fuels, the Feds and states take a cut as a road tax. (And that’s fair, the money to build and repair roads has to come from somewhere.)
* if I recharge a Volt from an electrical outlet in my garage, and never drive more than 40 miles between charges, I won’t be buying any liquid fuels, and the feds and the state where I live won’t be collecting any road tax from me. It seems fair that Volt owners continue to pay their share of road taxes, so how will Volt owners do that?
* Will some state agency have to install a “road tax meter” on the electrical outlet from which I plan to recharge the battery of my Volt?
* Or will each Volt need a built-in recorder that stores data on how much electricity is consumed charging the battery, and then forwards that to the department of revenue in the owner’s home state so a road tax can be computed and collected?
* if there is a “road tax meter” in my garage, what will happen to me if I run an extension cord from my workshop to circumvent paying the road tax on the electricity my Volt uses?
* If the place where I work puts electrical outlets in the parking lot to let me recharge at work, will those need to have a “road tax meter?” Will my workplace have to start another bureaucracy to collect and forward the road tax they collect when the owners of plug-in hybrids recharge while at work?
* If I stop at a Motel 6 on a road trip, and they let me recharge, will they have to collect and forward a “road tax” for the electricity I use?
It only seems fair that Volt owners continue to pay their share of road taxes, but exactly how we will do that is a problem the Feds and state politicians will have to soon address.
Tony
All GM had to do was keep the Geo Metro in play. Forget the hybrids, flexfuel, and especially the Volt.