Comments on: Now Toyota Plugs-in Too http://gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/ Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:07:32 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: watch burn notice http://gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-154890 watch burn notice Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:14:31 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-154890 burn notice is the best because of Fiona burn notice is the best because of Fiona

]]> By: RP http://gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-4807 RP Wed, 22 Aug 2007 23:35:00 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-4807 You guys are comparing a Prius that went on sale in 2006 with a Volt that *may* go on sale in 2009-2010. Everyone is waiting for Lithium Ion batteries to get cheap enough to use. Why do you think the Tesla costs $80,000? Toyota can't go live with Lithium Ion today, the price would scare everyone. You guys are comparing a Prius that went on sale in 2006 with a Volt that *may* go on sale in 2009-2010.

Everyone is waiting for Lithium Ion batteries to get cheap enough to use. Why do you think the Tesla costs $80,000?

Toyota can’t go live with Lithium Ion today, the price would scare everyone.

]]> By: H. Hulseman http://gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-3019 H. Hulseman Thu, 26 Jul 2007 04:17:32 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-3019 A series/parallel hybrid may be a better solution for those who frequently drive long distances, because direct drive may deliver better gas mileage. I own a Prius and I think the Prius needs more battery in any case. I am very excited about the Volt and agree that the Volt will no doubt be superior for an urban drive pattern. A series/parallel hybrid may be a better solution for those who frequently drive long distances, because direct drive may deliver better gas mileage. I own a Prius and I think the Prius needs more battery in any case.

I am very excited about the Volt and agree that the Volt will no doubt be superior for an urban drive pattern.

]]> By: Brian http://gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-3017 Brian Thu, 26 Jul 2007 01:35:59 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-3017 As Kent said, I don't think the Prius is a good candidate for plug-in technology as it is currently designed. A "series hybrid" (EV with on-board generation) like the Volt is a much more elegant solution. As Kent said, I don’t think the Prius is a good candidate for plug-in technology as it is currently designed. A “series hybrid” (EV with on-board generation) like the Volt is a much more elegant solution.

]]> By: Mario M http://gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-3016 Mario M Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:26:54 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-3016 If there's one thing that the Japanese have proved over the years it's that they are great innovators (as opposed to being great inventors). Even if GM puts out the Vault in 2010, I think the Japanese car manufacturers will roll out a competitive vehicle in two to three years, if not sooner. If there’s one thing that the Japanese have proved over the years it’s that they are great innovators (as opposed to being great inventors). Even if GM puts out the Vault in 2010, I think the Japanese car manufacturers will roll out a competitive vehicle in two to three years, if not sooner.

]]> By: kent beuchert http://gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-3015 kent beuchert Wed, 25 Jul 2007 23:57:12 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-3015 Toyota really is fumbling on the plg-in. They are simply replicating the aftermakert conversions of the Prius (even up to the removal of the spare tire) to do two things - get some PR by claiming that they need to "test" these vehicles in various countries to "understand the preferences of the various people." What a crock - with an 8 mile electric range, I can confidently predict the first complain of these "testers." The second complaint will be the fact that the cobbled-up Priuses only can go 60 MPH in electric mode (the VOLT can do 120). The next complaint will be the lack of a spare tire. Now, can anyone tell me what in the world is going through those Toyota engineers' minds to make them believe that they will learn anything important by putting out there a car that won't be very much like the final product? The recharge times will be different also - they will be much shorter for the "tester" car. None of this makes any sense unless you understand that Toyota is trying desperately to shift the green spotlight back on them. Their plug-in is a crappy design -- the Prius was designed as a dual propulsion vehicle, with transmission, elaborate controls, etc. - this is not a good design for a plug-in. Toyota really is fumbling on the plg-in. They are simply replicating the aftermakert conversions of the Prius (even up to the removal of the spare tire) to do two things – get some PR by claiming that they need to “test” these vehicles in various countries to “understand the preferences of the various people.” What a crock – with an 8 mile electric range, I can confidently predict the first complain of these “testers.” The second complaint will be the fact that the cobbled-up Priuses only can go 60 MPH in electric mode (the VOLT can do 120). The next complaint will be the lack of a spare tire. Now, can anyone tell me what in the world is going through those Toyota engineers’ minds to make them believe that they will learn
anything important by putting out there a car that won’t be very much like the final
product? The recharge times will be different also – they will be much shorter for the “tester” car. None of this makes any sense unless you understand that Toyota is trying desperately to shift the green spotlight back on them. Their plug-in is a crappy design — the Prius was designed as a dual propulsion vehicle, with transmission, elaborate controls, etc. – this is not a good design for a plug-in.

]]> By: Matt986 http://gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-3014 Matt986 Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:59:25 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-3014 Steven, I believe this next gen Prius is the same as before - when the battery is drained, the ICE drives the wheels through a planetary gear between it and a transmission. It also runs the motor as a generator to regenerate at the same time. This is not a series arrangement, it's still parallel. It is a good step forward that it has some electric only range, and can be recharged at home. I'm wondering if they'd be able to get a significantly better range if the went with a LiIon battery. Of course, I think if this is the best that Japan comes up with to compete with the Volt... they're going to lose the market. Steven,

I believe this next gen Prius is the same as before – when the battery is drained, the ICE drives the wheels through a planetary gear between it and a transmission. It also runs the motor as a generator to regenerate at the same time. This is not a series arrangement, it’s still parallel.

It is a good step forward that it has some electric only range, and can be recharged at home. I’m wondering if they’d be able to get a significantly better range if the went with a LiIon battery.

Of course, I think if this is the best that Japan comes up with to compete with the Volt… they’re going to lose the market.

]]> By: Steven B http://gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-3013 Steven B Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:44:22 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-3013 Something interesting about this development (I didn't notice it being mentioned) is that this advanced Prius may be a series-hybrid design like the Volt. I'm keen on the Volt for its full-functioning plug-in EV ability with the 40 mile EV-only range, but pure electric drive is also a winner. Electric motors are superior than internal combustion, and in a series-hybrid design the ICE can run at optimum efficiency at all times and be downsized. Even if it were to have no plug-in capability (which would put it at a potentially severe market disadvantage) a series-hybrid electric drive vehicle would be awesome! It would mean high-torque output from start and high fuel economy numbers. Awesome! Something interesting about this development (I didn’t notice it being mentioned) is that this advanced Prius may be a series-hybrid design like the Volt. I’m keen on the Volt for its full-functioning plug-in EV ability with the 40 mile EV-only range, but pure electric drive is also a winner. Electric motors are superior than internal combustion, and in a series-hybrid design the ICE can run at optimum efficiency at all times and be downsized. Even if it were to have no plug-in capability (which would put it at a potentially severe market disadvantage) a series-hybrid electric drive vehicle would be awesome! It would mean high-torque output from start and high fuel economy numbers. Awesome!

]]> By: Matt986 http://gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-3012 Matt986 Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:59:37 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-3012 The goal of 40 miles is great, because it means the MAJORITY of commuters can accomplish their daily commute without having to burn any gas. It's a good goal, and I think GM shouldn't lower that bar. If you want something sooner, go buy a Prius. In the mean time... http://money.cnn.com/2007/07/24/autos/porsche_hybrid/index.htm?cnn=yes THAT would look great parked next to my Boxster! The goal of 40 miles is great, because it means the MAJORITY of commuters can accomplish their daily commute without having to burn any gas. It’s a good goal, and I think GM shouldn’t lower that bar. If you want something sooner, go buy a Prius.

In the mean time…

http://money.cnn.com/2007/07/24/autos/porsche_hybrid/index.htm?cnn=yes

THAT would look great parked next to my Boxster!

]]> By: AES http://gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-3011 AES Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:20:19 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/07/25/now-toyota-plugs-in-too/#comment-3011 This sounds like a science experiment that Toyota has put together, rather than a finished product. Sounds like they just put in a bigger electric motor and a bigger battery pack, and changed the software to make the car electric-only. Putting the battery pack in the trunk isn't going to help with rear crash tests, by the way. That pack placement may have also been a factor in not equipping the next Prius with lithium-ion batteries. Call me a GM fanboy, but I've always thought the centerline battery placement strategy (which is the same in both the EV1 and Volt) was properly brilliant. This sounds like a science experiment that Toyota has put together, rather than a finished product. Sounds like they just put in a bigger electric motor and a bigger battery pack, and changed the software to make the car electric-only.

Putting the battery pack in the trunk isn’t going to help with rear crash tests, by the way. That pack placement may have also been a factor in not equipping the next Prius with lithium-ion batteries. Call me a GM fanboy, but I’ve always thought the centerline battery placement strategy (which is the same in both the EV1 and Volt) was properly brilliant.

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