Comments on: Cost of Driving The Volt http://gm-volt.com/2007/08/16/cost-of-driving-the-volt/ Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:57:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: LabRat http://gm-volt.com/2007/08/16/cost-of-driving-the-volt/#comment-4699 LabRat Tue, 21 Aug 2007 22:40:50 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/08/16/cost-of-driving-the-volt/#comment-4699 200 Wh/mi sounds very optimistic. If the Prius were an EV it would get ~220 Wh/mi on the urban or highway cycle. Real-world 40mi range will not be attainable in 8 usable kWh. I think its more like 60-70% if, we are talking about A123 cells, if its another technology, 50% may be needed to ensure life. 200 Wh/mi sounds very optimistic. If the Prius were an EV it would get ~220 Wh/mi on the urban or highway cycle.

Real-world 40mi range will not be attainable in 8 usable kWh. I think its more like 60-70% if, we are talking about A123 cells, if its another technology, 50% may be needed to ensure life.

]]> By: Tim http://gm-volt.com/2007/08/16/cost-of-driving-the-volt/#comment-4427 Tim Sun, 19 Aug 2007 14:50:40 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/08/16/cost-of-driving-the-volt/#comment-4427 Control of the “range extender” NEEDS to be tied into an onboard GPS trip computer so that ONLY enough power is produced onboard to safely reach the NEXT charging opportunity. Simply punch in your trip destination(s) and indicate where opportunity charging is available. If the next charging opportunity is greater than 40 miles or 50% of discharge, the "range extender" will ONLY charge the battery with enough energy to reach THAT destination without fully charging the battery. The battery SOC (state of charge) can then be “topped off” via electricity import. This will maximize "opportunity charging" and significantly reduce onboard "range extending" fuel usage. V2G will be able to tap into each trip’s EXCESS available power without damaging the pack or affecting BEV range. Of course, the V2G access will be controlled by each driver on a leg by leg basis. Arrive at your destination and plug-in if available. Program the next leg into the trip computer and whether or not to make excess power available for V2G. I’m sure that hackers will be able to adjust this “state of discharge” for a greater pure BEV range, however this will most certainly void GM’s warranty of this very expensive battery pack. Individual risk tolerance varies. Control of the “range extender” NEEDS to be tied into an onboard GPS trip computer so that ONLY enough power is produced onboard to safely reach the NEXT charging opportunity. Simply punch in your trip destination(s) and indicate where opportunity charging is available.

If the next charging opportunity is greater than 40 miles or 50% of discharge, the “range extender” will ONLY charge the battery with enough energy to reach THAT destination without fully charging the battery. The battery SOC (state of charge) can then be “topped off” via electricity import. This will maximize “opportunity charging” and significantly reduce onboard “range extending” fuel usage.

V2G will be able to tap into each trip’s EXCESS available power without damaging the pack or affecting BEV range. Of course, the V2G access will be controlled by each driver on a leg by leg basis.

Arrive at your destination and plug-in if available. Program the next leg into the trip computer and whether or not to make excess power available for V2G.

I’m sure that hackers will be able to adjust this “state of discharge” for a greater pure BEV range, however this will most certainly void GM’s warranty of this very expensive battery pack. Individual risk tolerance varies.

]]> By: Drake http://gm-volt.com/2007/08/16/cost-of-driving-the-volt/#comment-4388 Drake Sun, 19 Aug 2007 05:29:09 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/08/16/cost-of-driving-the-volt/#comment-4388 Keep up the good work Lyle. It was great to find this site- a place where people are as passonate about PHEVs as I am. Keep up the good work Lyle. It was great to find this site- a place where people are as passonate about PHEVs as I am.

]]> By: Dave http://gm-volt.com/2007/08/16/cost-of-driving-the-volt/#comment-4327 Dave Sat, 18 Aug 2007 14:06:21 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/08/16/cost-of-driving-the-volt/#comment-4327 I think GM better walk before it can run Steven. If the Volt is a huge success, then power companies may be happy to do a joint venture of some sort. But until then, let's get a car that runs first. I think GM better walk before it can run Steven. If the Volt is a huge success, then power companies may be happy to do a joint venture of some sort. But until then, let’s get a car that runs first.

]]> By: Steven B http://gm-volt.com/2007/08/16/cost-of-driving-the-volt/#comment-4256 Steven B Fri, 17 Aug 2007 20:31:29 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/08/16/cost-of-driving-the-volt/#comment-4256 I'm wondering if GM should acquire part of a solar power company and include it with a GM "new way to drive" program or something. I think there would be a lot of money to be made. Honda is doing that with their FCX hydrogen company by integrated at-home refueling with their vision of the future of the car. Solar power is a definite growth industry and will be increasing so with advances in solar power and changing economics of driving. Sensibly, one smart way to buy an electric car is to consider the what the cost savings from gasoline are and buy home electric prouction if it costs the same per mile as using a gas-powered car. I think that's the smartest way to do it. Austin Energy has a 50 cities program to promote plug-in cars, and I know a lot of people are bearish about the idea, but I think that allowing the utilties to use the parked car for V2G services would also be a good alternative way of paying for fuel. It also seems a good way to manage power demand in the future. Any opinions on that? I’m wondering if GM should acquire part of a solar power company and include it with a GM “new way to drive” program or something. I think there would be a lot of money to be made. Honda is doing that with their FCX hydrogen company by integrated at-home refueling with their vision of the future of the car. Solar power is a definite growth industry and will be increasing so with advances in solar power and changing economics of driving. Sensibly, one smart way to buy an electric car is to consider the what the cost savings from gasoline are and buy home electric prouction if it costs the same per mile as using a gas-powered car. I think that’s the smartest way to do it. Austin Energy has a 50 cities program to promote plug-in cars, and I know a lot of people are bearish about the idea, but I think that allowing the utilties to use the parked car for V2G services would also be a good alternative way of paying for fuel. It also seems a good way to manage power demand in the future. Any opinions on that?

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