Volt to be Less Than $30,000

May 17th, 2007 | Posted in: Financial, Latest News

Bob Lutz was quoted as saying some very interesting things. See source article here. He was commenting on the Federal decison to increase fuel economy ratings. In the discussion, which took place on May 10th, he said that the Volt’s consumer cost would be less than $30,000. He also said that the Li-ion battery is now only 2 to 3 years away from mass production, and that the vehicle could have a combined electric-combustion range of 750 miles.
He also quite thoughtfully invoked the need for a Manhattan Project-like effort of the Federal government to wean the U.S. off petroleum and onto renewable energy.

For those who follow the Volts’ development carefully these are some very important pieces of information from Bob. Its the first time we’ve heard a possible price-point for the car, and a number likely to make a lot of people happy. Also we are tantalized by the prospect of the car arriving a year ahead of time.

With the Zaap Obvio and possibly Tesla sedan slated to arrive in 2009, an early Volt arrival will be a very good thing.

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Posted by: Lyle

37 Responses to “Volt to be Less Than $30,000”

Dale Vacha Says:
May 17th, 2007 at 7:56 pm

I’m confused on the release date for this vehicle. If the Tesla sedan is going to be released in 09, won’t the Volt be released at least a couple of years after the Telsa? I would think that if GM has a price for the Volt, it would have a release date set. Didn’t GM already have the battery technology when they had their EV cars back in the 90s? I wonder why GM has to wait for 2 to 3 more years? It doesn’t make much sense t me.

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Mario M Says:
May 17th, 2007 at 9:34 pm

The Volt will use lithium ion batteries whereas the EV1 used nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. Some have argued that the Volt could be manufactured today using NiMH batteries.

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Tom Moss Says:
May 18th, 2007 at 6:51 am

I am very please that maybe we will not be behind the eight ball on the manfacturing of this auto. The rice burners have consistently beat us to the punch. If the American auto makers wish to stay alive, this is what it will take. We have to get out of bed with the petroleum industry and give the public an alternative fuel car. I cannot stress enought, that plug-ins are the way to go.

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Mark Says:
May 18th, 2007 at 8:38 am

$30,000 for the Volt? sounds reasonable…could be my next new car! I’m still skeptical that GM will have the guts to put it in production…GM has the best concept cars, but no balls to build them. Prove me wrong!

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voltman Says:
May 18th, 2007 at 9:24 am

GM sold the NIMH tech to Chevron and now they won’t let anyone use it. *BONK*

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Bob Gold Says:
May 18th, 2007 at 10:56 am

The only reason E85 is an attractive alternative to efficiency improvements for the auto industry is that it does not put them out of business.

In actuality, neither path reduces our future demand for oil. E85 doesn’t cut it because nearly as much petroleum-based energy is used to produce the fuel as it replaces.

Fuel efficiency increases don’t get us there either. Let us assume that the 2% a year growth in miles driven continues on and that we deliver on average 15% more efficient cars over the next ten years (30% improvements won’t happen overnight). Let us further assume that it takes 20 years to change out the auto fleet. Then, after ten years, the number of miles driven grows by 22% and the increase in fleet efficiency is only 7.5%. In other words we would still have an increase in oil usage of 15%. If we were to look out another ten years, then we would need another 30% efficiency increase (which is probably not possible) to reduce our usage from 115% of the initial value to 107%. Clearly the efficiency path is also a dead end.

On the other hand, if we assume that a plug-in hybrid eliminates 90% of oil usage, and that half of the cars sold over the next ten years are PEV’s, then we would have a mileage growth of 22% and a fleet oil usage per mile reduction of 23% to yield a fleet oil usage reduction of 6% (1.22 x 0.77 = 0.939). After the next ten years, assuming again that only half of the cars sold are PEV (probably pessimistic), we would have a fleet oil usage reduction over the base year of 19%.

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Brian Kilgore Says:
May 18th, 2007 at 11:20 am

Ok… I have read the estimated mpg on the Volt. I have compared it to the Prius. A Volt @ 50 mpg priced at $30,000 or less. Compared to the Prius @ 55-60 mpg priced at $25000 or less that has been around since 1997. I owned a Saturn sedan in 1999 that got 38 mpg. The Volt to cost under $30,000 is a must. It better get 55 or better mpg. Just because it is a Chevy doesnt mean squat!Give the PEOPLE want they want, NOT what the share holders want!In the end everyone will benefit.

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Ted Says:
May 18th, 2007 at 1:09 pm

The question is: Is the Volt going to be a car, or just another press release? Is GM sincere about producing an electric car, or is this yet another attempt to deflect consumer demand for one, to allow the continued manufacture of gas-guzzlers for a few more years?

GM needs to realize that the days of cheap, abundant oil are over, and stop designing cars for a long-bygone era that no longer exists. That strategy is like continuing to sell tickets on the Titanic after it has hit the iceberg.

The artificial patent restrictions on the use of NiMH (which seem calculated to limit fuel economy uses to no more than 50 mpg)have merely delayed the inevitable.

The first auto company that breaks ranks, stops making excuses, and manufactures an electric car will be the worldwide market leader. Will it be GM? Not if it keeps trying to bring back the “good old days” which no longer exist.

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Pro-USA Says:
May 18th, 2007 at 1:18 pm

Well I am ready to buy. I wanted to get a new GM dual mode hybrid paradiGM drive car but this looks even better!

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Pro-USA Says:
May 18th, 2007 at 1:21 pm

Hey Ted, I just read your post, you are obviously not an engineer, lighten up and quit drinking kool-aid. NiMH battery technology is controlled by cobasys and Chevron. So what? Toyota controls panasonic and I hear nair a cry because of that.

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Hugh E Webber Says:
May 18th, 2007 at 1:22 pm

I’m encouraged that GM has finally gotten on the EV bandwagon. I drove the EV1 for a week seven years ago, and have been very disappointed in GM’s refusal to mass-produce and sell the most efficient car in automotive history. Crushing a thousand EV1s was utterly idiotic, as Mr. Lutz has since admitted.
Priuses went on sale in the US while EV activists were being jailed for trying to save the last 77 EV1s. Perhaps GM has finally emptied the revolver into its own foot.
I’ll buy a Volt, if it’s offered before I buy a Tesla, Phoenix, Miles or Universal Electric Vehicles sedan.

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Raymond Scimone Says:
May 18th, 2007 at 1:59 pm

I’m eagerly waiting for the Volt to come into production. I’ll be needing a new car within 2-3 years and my loyality is to buy domestic, however to be enivormentally conscience I have bought from foreign car companies in the past. I desepartly want to help the enviroment as well as the economy but the enviroment is much more important to me.

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Light The Lamp Says:
May 18th, 2007 at 4:01 pm

“the Volt’s consumer cost would be less than $30,000″

…as foreign competitors are looking to introduce under $10,000 cars to the US market, due to declining financial status of the American population

“the Li-ion battery is now only 2 to 3 years away from mass production”

…That would be the GM proprietary version, as opposed the the off-the-shelf Li-Poly that Toyota is introducing in 2008 (and which has been used in electronics for 5 years).

“invoked the need for a Manhattan Project-like effort of the Federal government”

…because if GM can get their hands on some more tax money, that would be great! Every other car manufacturer is looking to make money selling a better product, but such provincial thoughts never enter the minds of GM execs.

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Ryan Says:
May 20th, 2007 at 3:24 am

I won’t buy again till I can buy a PHEV, and the first one to the dealer showroom gets my cash. I’m tired of driving a gas guzzling Honda Insight and my home converted PbA Prius PHEV just doesn’t have the economy of scale priced Lithium I’m dreaming of.

But instead of the classic muscle car looking Volt, how about convert one entire GM sub-make to PHEV? I would really rather buy an electric minivan or a electric stump pullin’ truck next time around.

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Dave Says:
May 21st, 2007 at 11:57 am

I don’t think gas mileage is really a big selling point with this car…at least it isn’t for me. If it goes a real 40 miles per charge on electric power only, that would be well worth it, even if gets less miles per gallon than a Prius (although it should be better). Full electric mode is what makes this car different.

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Ron Says:
May 23rd, 2007 at 1:41 am

Buying a hybrid is like giving methadone to a heroin addict. Buying a plugin hybrid with an All Electric Range of 40 miles is smart, partriotic and within our reach! Do it, GM, stop posturing, and do it. The technology is available, and Japan has already beat you in sales; it’s time to knuckle down and produce the Volt - quickly! The world needs this to happen.

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Larry T Says:
May 24th, 2007 at 2:50 pm

Most fuel efficient cars are small, producing and improving on this platform would, perhaps, evetually bring us to a work truck that could be capable of over 50MPG. Most cars are fairly efficient, try finding a 3/4 ton truck that gets decent milage then look how far down that efficiency goes when carrying a load.

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YS Says:
May 25th, 2007 at 9:18 am

30000$ ? I am confused, i was inder impression it would be more like 20000.
It’s about the same as loaded accord, isn’t it? It will be a problem for a lot of people here in Caanda.

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louis Says:
May 27th, 2007 at 4:28 pm

men u all r saying this car is 50 mpg, i just found out that it is b/w 100-150mpg. That is highly impressive for a car with 5 passenger seat and room for cargo, plus it is less than $30,000.

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Tim Says:
May 28th, 2007 at 11:53 am

Because the Volt is a PHEV-40 series-electric which uses electricity as the prime motive power at ALL speeds (parallel hybrids can’t do this) commutes within the 40 mile electric range will give you unlimited “gas” mileage. Using current “off-peak” net-metered rates, this equals paying about $.50/gal gas. One would have to add fuel stabilizer to their gas to keep it from going bad and H2 fuel (smallest known element) would just leak out.

Over 80% of ALL daily commutes are less than 40 miles. Commutes in the Volt within 70 miles between “opportunity” plug-in charging will use some gas from the range extender and give you about 150-mpg. The 12-gal onboard fuel tank will give the Volt about 650 mile range between opportunity charging. This equals about 54-mpg. That’s averaging 70-mph for over 9 hours nonstop, ouch! If you NEVER plug it in, you should get about 50-mpg, but who never plugs in their cell phone, PDA or some day… their Volt? Anyway, electric cars are much more reliable and efficient than IC cars. I’d like mine in blue with a sunroof. Better yet, how about a convertible?

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carlivar Says:
May 31st, 2007 at 6:22 pm

Note that the gas mileage is INFINITY if you only use electricity. That’s how I intend to use it most of the time. Build it GM! I will pay cash right now.

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Susan K Says:
June 2nd, 2007 at 11:51 pm

Ryan, you can buy an “electric stump pullin’ truck” now from Phoenix - they are taking fleet orders on their SUT, you could contact PG&E in California, they put in a bulk order, they might add one for you.

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Susan K Says:
June 2nd, 2007 at 11:54 pm

Larry T, theres EV conversions on ebay of trucks like this great Chevy, looks great with the chEVrolet embossed on the tailgate!

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Rick Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 2:03 pm

Go to this link http://www.chevrolet.com/contactus/getinformation/
and tell GM what you think. It can’t hurt. They need to know there is great interest in EV and that people will buy - from the first one to market.

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Tom Says:
August 14th, 2007 at 4:29 pm

If the Volt costs $30,000 and a Prius costs $23,000, I have $7,000 to spend on gas for the Prius. $7,000 divide by $3 per gallon equals 2,333 gallons of gas. 2,333 gallons times 60 mpg for the Prius equals approximately 140,000 miles. You would have to drive the Chevy Volt for 140,000 miles before you saved money.

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kim Says:
August 15th, 2007 at 2:41 pm

Tom, my Saturn ‘97 wagon has 194,000 miles on it and still gets over 30 mpg. I would purchase a Volt in an instant if it came on the market. Make mine red, and ditto on the the convertible!

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Mike Says:
August 16th, 2007 at 10:34 am

I just want to reiterate what others have said here. I will not buy anything other than a plug-in hybrid. If GM delivers the Volt as promised, I will buy it. If they don’t deliver it, I will be furious. Hell hath no fury like a prospective PHEV owner scorned.

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David Says:
August 16th, 2007 at 11:02 am

What kind of car do I want?
Now let me see,
Something that abbreviates to P-H-E-V
If GM does not deliver the Volt,
The American buyer will surely revolt!

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Donan Iacovone Says:
September 2nd, 2007 at 10:16 pm

The Volt is not intended to “save” you money. It is an alternative fuel vehicle that will greatly reduce our dependency on petroleum and our total emissions. This is priceless to me.

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Alberto Says:
September 8th, 2007 at 3:19 pm

Get rid of the engine….just give me 40m all electric….. I’ll manage!

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Volt-fan Says:
September 19th, 2007 at 7:31 am

Now guy’s,

Ya gotta look at the Aesthetic appeal of this product. Sure it may be under 30K, and do around 50 mpg. But ya have to agree is that GM have made a bloody good car in terms of looks. And that’s a very important thing.

I’m from Australia and down under, we Aussies love our muscle cars, which brings us to the point. Ya gotta agree that the Volt’s bodyshape is a pony car. Like your old school 60’s Camaro. Has a hint of Cadillac too in the front (CTS). That can make you feel rich.

If it were to be on sale in Aus, then it would be badged under Holden (Our local GM brand). The bottom line is it sounds like a good car (Petrol is $1.20 AUS), so i’d buy one over a Holden Commodore (Upcoming Pontiac G8)anyday.

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neil Says:
October 24th, 2007 at 10:40 pm

ok so the way i see it is that we need this car, if the oil companys are worried bout loseing money then they just need to realize that if this car isnt built then they wont be here much longer to sell their oil. idk about yall but I PICK LIFE AND CLEAN AIR OVER GAS!
so please GM make this car…..

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Jacob Says:
October 31st, 2007 at 5:17 am

If this car was out now I would buy it in a heartbeat because i prob travel 40 miles in a work week back in forth i would only pay for gas like once every few months I’m pumped put this car out!!

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Jeff Says:
November 2nd, 2007 at 2:29 am

I rented a Prius in California, too small, and didn’t get the advertised 60mpg. I got about 45mpg with a light foot on the gas, er, battery pedal. My first experience with this car was ok, and I didn’t get to see a gas station though! Bring on the Volt, looks like more room, and looks cooler to drive!

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Jeff Says:
November 28th, 2007 at 4:58 pm

The volt is one of the best looking sedans I’ve ever seen built by GM. I’ve purchased GM vehicles all my life and to see a electric car designed to look good and to run on nothing but volts is a true blessing. So GM do us all a favor build it sooner than later, for if you build it we will buy it! Especillay @ a price tag under 30K.

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ken Says:
December 4th, 2007 at 5:11 pm

You could bring back the ev-1 and i would buy that! Give us the volt as a plug-in! I dont need a gas motor at at all, make it all elecric. I can always rent a car if i have to go further than 100 miles or so(which isnt often).

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Dick King Says:
August 15th, 2008 at 3:28 pm

The problem with NiMH in a PHEV is that in deep discharge applications NiMH only delivers at most 400 charge/discharge cycles. I can certify that that is accurate because I’ve been using NiMH in my bike headlights. I discharge to 20% [that means I use 80% of its capacity] in the winter and to 50% in the summer, and I’ve never gotten more than about 350-400 cycles.

This is not a problem for gas hybrids because they don’t discharge very deeply most of the time.

400 cycles at 40 miles per cycle would be 16,000 miles before you need a battery replacement.

-dk

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Volt to be Less Than $30,000

37 Responses to “Volt to be Less Than $30,000”

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