GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Electric Car Site

We had previously been discussing whether the Volt has a regenerative braking system. It would seem logical that it should, as the current breed of hybrids do. Well it is official, we have heard back from GM and the official word is yes, there is a regenerative braking system.

The system seems the same as the production systems found now:

” When the brake pedal is applied (foot comes off accelerator pedal)
the Electric Traction motor switches to a “Generator”.

The “Generator” mode of the traction motor creates a reverse torque
force to the front wheels…..slowing the car down. The reverse torque
force is caused by the traction motor “Generator” making electricity
which is directed into the battery. ”

….General Motors

Al Gore’s documentary An Inconvenient Truth won the Oscar last night.

Its a great thing that a documentary about something so meaningful and frightening can reach this pinnacle of popularity. We have move passed the denial stage. To me it speaks to a sea change in public consciousness. Finally all the streams of knowledge are converging in the public eye. Global Warming has become a household word.

Twenty five years ago, when I first started studying this topic, few people believed or cared about it. Now, thanks in large part to Al Gore, its mainstream. Next we need to move from thoughts to actions.

If you haven’t seen the film, please do so as soon as possible and spread the word. Hold house parties to see the film with your friends and neighbors. Write your politicians.

Buy a Volt (when you can!)

Together we can make a difference.

Many celebrities like to show off their green philosophies by buying and driving electric cars. This year’s academy awards are expected to be a showcase of these vehicles as they pull up to the red carpet. We know one for sure will be Al Gore, whose very important film “An Inconvenient Truth” is up for nomination this year.

All the media and attention is clearly pushing the tide hard and strong to our electric car future! Go Volt!

See a good article here.

Today President Bush was given a view of plugin vehicles on the White House lawn. He spoke to Dave Vieau, CEO of A123 Systems and saw two vehicles. One was a plugin Prius outfitted with A123 systems’ conversion kit (that Toyota doesn’t support) and the other a new plugin truck made by Phoenix Motorcars. He also had a meeting with 10 scientific leaders in the field of alternative fuels, and expressed confidence that his plan to cut fuel consumption by 20% over the next decade is possible.

Unfortunately, the Volt didn’t make it to the White House today, maybe Bush would have sat in that one (he didn’t sit in the other 2 )

See a good article here.

Tom Hanks was the first person to buy a fully electric Scion, taking delivery on 2/15. This vehicle is very interesting. It is a modified vehicle with the mod coming from a company called AC propulsions.

They’ve actually made a Volt-like vehicle. It has a pure 160 HP (same as Volt) electric engine that powers the fromt wheels. Also like the Volt it has a 650 lb Li-ion battery bank to power the engine. Not like the Volt it has a range of 120-150 miles!!! And also not like the Volt and maybe why the range is so long it has regenerative braking.

Lastly , most not like the Volt, there is No Combustion Engine; its all plug-in.

GM should take note of this car – I’d say adding regenerative braking is a very good idea.

General Motors is also simultaneously working on a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle called the Equinox, and its slated for production in 2010. Two working prototypes are alread in existence.

This vehicle will also have and E-drive (ie electric engine), but will be powered by hydrogen, not hydrocarbon as in the volt. Power will also be stored in Li-ion batteries.

This vehicle has a more conservative Equinox-appearance than the Volt. Of course well be waiting around for a while to get access to hydrogen fuel stations, and still waiting to find a greener way to make hydrogen, but stay tuned, these problems will be solved.