AND 
The Opel Flextreme
It’s official. Despite previous leaks, GM has taken the wraps off its European E-Flex vehicle. It is called the Opel Flextreme. The car is built on the same Cobalt platform that the Chevy Volt is and uses some of the same components. These include the 120 kW peak power front electric motor, 16 kWH lithium-ion battery pack, and on-board 53 kW generator. The main engineering differences are that the generator will be a 1.3 L CDTI diesel/biodiesel engine, and the charger will handle 220V supply and therefore fully recharge in 3.5 hours. Also the engine will sit in a slightly different location.
There are also clearly structural design differences. The car will be more of a box/hatch shape instead of sedan. The car also will be outfitted with two Segway scooters that fit into the back and are able to charge off of the cars battery, they get 23 miles of range, and can travel where cars are not allowed.
Principally, the vehicle is intended to illustrate the flexibility of the E-flex design, such that a third type of range extender, diesel, can be used to charge the battery. Previous Volt concepts have illustrated how gasoline, E85, and hydrogen could also be suitable energy sources.
The concept also emphasize how serious GM is about this paradigm, that they intend to roll it out not just in the states, but world-wide. Indeed gas prices are considerably higher in Europe, for example gas in the UK works out to roughly $8 per gallon.
I had the opportunity to discuss this car with Tony Posawatz of GM who is the Vehicle Line Director for E-Flex systems.
Tony points out that Rick Wagoner and GM has “placed a bet” on this technology from when he first started working on the project in early 2006. He and GM as a whole believe strongly in the need for energy diversity and reduced dependence on petroleum in the future, and also believe E-Flex is a means to achieving that end. Different parts of the world will benefit from different energy sources, such that diesel might be best in Europe, but E85 and gas are still optimum in the U.S. Iceland, for example, due to its tremendous geothermal supplies and infrastructure particulars could do well by generating its own hydrogen and using fuel cells.
He notes that, importantly the Flextreme will achieve the European standard for plug-ins of < 40 g CO2 production per kM driven.
He also point out that E-Flex is not a "research project" but a real production program, and that there are already over 150 engineers assigned to the E-Flex program.
Whether and when we see this Opel Flextreme on the road is not as clear. Tony tells us that it is a showcase car, much like the fuel-cell Volt. Engineering work seems most directed to the gas generator model right now, and in I am told, the Chevy Volt will be the first E-Flex car to arrive.
I also asked Tony a few questions about the Volt development, look for it shortly as an audio podcast.
Opel Flextreme Press Release:
Sept 10th, 12:00 PM EST
Less Than 40 gm/km CO2 Emissions
Plug-in Electric Vehicle Features 55 Km of Emissions-Free Range
FRANKFURT – General Motors Corp. today unveiled the Opel Flextreme concept electric vehicle, which based on the current European test cycle for plug-in vehicles is expected to emit only 40 g of C02 per kilometer (km), at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt.
The Flextreme uses a diesel version of GM’s E-Flex electric-drive system. In contrast to conventional vehicles and hybrids, E-Flex uses an electric motor, powered by a large lithium-ion battery, to propel the Flextreme for up to 55 km (34 miles) of electric-drive-only range. A 1.3 L turbo-biodiesel onboard engine creates additional electricity to replenish the battery and extend the vehicle’s driving range to a total of 715 km (444 miles). Fully charged, the Flextreme’s 55-km all-electric driving range is enough for most daily commuters in Europe to travel without using any diesel fuel or emitting any CO2.
“The Opel Flextreme diesel concept, the third variant of our E-Flex system, is a natural for the Opel/Vauxhall brand in Europe, where it has long been known for technological innovation and strong design,” said Bob Lutz, GM Vice Chairman Global Product Development. “Commutes to major city-centers in Europe will do nothing but grow more challenging in the future, and we see E-Flex vehicles as an elegant solution for commuters.”
With the E-Flex system, the generator, battery technology, plug and electric motor are the same in each variant – the source of additional electricity is what varies. The Opel Flextreme’s 1.3 L common-rail diesel engine, which is not connected to the wheels, features a cylinder pressure-based closed loop process to control the combustion process and further reduce the vehicle’s exhaust emissions.
The Flextreme’s electric propulsion architecture also supports two Segway electric scooters with docking stations that are integrated into the vehicle’s cargo area. The electric scooters are capable of up to 38 km (23 miles) of range, offering European customers greater access to places where cars are not allowed.
The E-Flex system was first shown in the Chevrolet Volt concept, which had its debut in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Volt is powered by a 16 kWh lithium-ion battery to power the vehicle for 64 km (40 miles) of all-electric range. A small biofuel engine with a generator is used to extend its range to more than 1000 km (640 miles).
A second E-Flex variant was shown in Shanghai with GM’s new fifth-generation fuel cell propulsion technology and an 8 kwh lithium-ion battery to provide up to 483 km (300 miles) of petroleum- and emissions-free electric driving.
GM has initiated production engineering for the E-Flex System. Production timing is dependent on continued advances of key enabling technologies – specifically the development of lithium-ion batteries for hybrid and electric vehicle applications.
“We fully intend to bring this technology to market,” said Frank Weber, Vehicle Line Executive and Vehicle Chief Engineer for the E-Flex system. “Although the battery required for the E-Flex system is still being developed, we’re increasingly confident that our strategic battery partners – Compact Power, Inc.; and LG Chem, Continental Automotive Systems and A123Systems – will be able to deliver a production-ready battery in the near future.”
The presentation of the E-Flex biodiesel variant is the latest step in GM’s global efforts to diversify transportation away from petroleum and reduce CO2 emissions with a range of alternatives. These include:
- The 2008 launch of the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTI, the premiere model in the ecoFLEX range of vehicles, which emits just 119 g/km of CO2.
- Globally, GM is the leading producer of E85-capable biofuel vehicles, with more than 2 million on the road. This year, Saab will expand the availability of BioPower engines across its 9-3 and 9-5 portfolios, and E85 will be available on Cadillacs this autumn in Europe.
- The introduction of eco-Turbo engines that offer lower consumption and CO2 emissions, with no trade-off in acceleration or top speed compared to the large-displacement engines they replace.
- The introduction of the HydroGen 4 fuel cell vehicle and its inclusion in a global demonstration project to better understand the steps required to move hydrogen fuel cell vehicles toward commercialization.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Related posts:
- Opel Flextreme is not for Production: Chevy Volt will be a Global Vehicle
- GM CEO Admits to Dedicated Production E-Flex Opel Program
- Is This Really an Opel Flextreme Prototype Spy Photo?
- E-Flex Opel Appears to Have a Name: Opel Flextreme
- Flextreme Concept Wins Prestigious Design Award, Still Not Production Intent
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September 10th, 2007 at 11:27 am
Cool, let’s change the world, not just the USA.
Thanks GM & Lyle
I wonder whether GM will consider also selling this in US and Volt in Europe to reach wider markets, and spread the appeal of the concept.
As for me, I’ll be buying the first car available.
[Reply]
September 10th, 2007 at 11:41 am
Same for me Mark, and thanks again Lyle, I just watched the webcasted presentation of the Opel Flextreme in Frankfurt on gmeurope.tv. It was just fun to see the CEO of Segway arriving on his machine and comment on the partnership.
I have also asked my Opel dealer to reserve one of the firts that bwill be on the market.
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September 10th, 2007 at 11:50 am
I don’t quite unerstand the reluctance to commit to production, since a week or so ago, the head of GM Europe said that the Opel Flextreme would launch in late 2010,
the same as the VOLT.
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September 10th, 2007 at 11:50 am
A couple of thoughts. First off, why do I get the feeling the Opel is a better car than the Volt: hatchback, Segways, & diesel? Come on…offer it here!
Second, there was mention of 150 engineers. Somewhere I’d heard there were 500 engineers working on the project. Let’s hope the latter. GM, develop these or bust!
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September 10th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
I agree with Dave- I am all for a diesel variant. My father owned a diesel Volkswagon Rabbit in the early 80s and it got some pretty amazing gas mileage.
I think the Segways are just part of this concept vehicle, however. Concepts usually push the limits more than production vehicles. Like I imagine the production version of the Volt might look a little different than the concept that we are familiar with.
All in all, the world is ready for PHEV technology. Its time has come and we are seeing a lot of great vehicles and technologies under development.
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September 10th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
In a world where alternate fuel is a necesity to save our resources and our pocketbooks and all we are offered by GM are possibilities?! How about an Electric car that we can use now! What is wrong with this society? “Big Auto Manufacturing” still suck on “Big Oil” to dictate direction. Imagine that. We have the technology, use it.
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September 10th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
My ‘91 Firebird Formula is kaput so I had to upgrade. I’d have bought the GM-Volt but just couldn’t wait anymore. Fuel cells and CVT-based parallel hybrids just don’t cut it so I bought an AWD ’sedan’ with a 5-speed manual transmission (there’s only one I could find with this combination … anybody guess?), hopefully converts to electric more easily by coupling a motor to the rear differential when Li-ion batteries are reasonable. In three years I’ll be checking to see if GM has come through with the Volt. I sincerely hope they do.
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September 10th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
The Opel is really cool looking just like the Volt; however, histroy has shown that cool looking concept car get watered down to ugly like the Pontiac Aztec. GM, keep it cool and bring the diesel Opel to the US too.
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September 10th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Keep your freaking segways.
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September 10th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Darryl J Beckwith - Dude, a new car can’t be designed and put into production overnight. Even one using established technology would take years to put into production. Given the challenges of what they are doing, GM is moving plenty fast.
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September 10th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Looks good, very futuristic style, should have good passenger/cargo space, and appears to have a great shape for aerodynamics. We need this in the U.S.A. as well as Europe, maybe with a gas engine option to placate the air resources police in California.
The sooner the better! We’re sick of buying gasoline, which puts American dollars into the hands of people who aren’t to our best advantage to make rich.
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September 10th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
Nice - but could the Segways be an optional extra please? I don’t see myself needing one (let alone two) as I’d rather cycle where the Segway can go. Plus dragging 2 Segways around with you will mess with the vehicles efficiency.
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September 10th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Looks good. It’s never going to happen. Just like the Volt. Why doesn’t GM quit B.S-ing and re-release the EV-1 cars that were perfected years ago?
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September 10th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
[quote comment="7079"]Looks good. It’s never going to happen. Just like the Volt. Why doesn’t GM quit B.S-ing and re-release the EV-1 cars that were perfected years ago?[/quote]
That’s a bit pessimistic innit?
Electric vehicles are the future and no car manufacturer would survive if they didn’t develop feasible vehicles (unlike the EV-1, do some research on its demise and don’t just fire off rhetoric). The EV-1 was a great start, and its demise shouldn’t have spelt the end of the development of electric-cars by GM, but it was a flawed concept, with many issues from sustainability (GM made losses on the sale AND maintenance of the EV-1) to practicality - it only seated two and had very small storage possibilities.
For the future well-being of the GM/Opel/Vauxhall group I do hope they release at least one of the two, because if they don’t someone else will. And the eco-consumer (as well as the tight-wads amongst us who have figured out that PHEVs are a great way to be stingy) will buy it from someone else.
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September 10th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
Couple of things to keep in mind: there is no need for a diesel variant of any E-flex vehicle in the US. The benefits of diesels (torque and efficiency) only go to the generator which you’re not liable to use much anyway. The efficiency is nearly irrelevant due to the fact that the 1.0 L flex-fuel generator shown on the Volt gives more total range and gasoline/E85 are collectively more readily available than diesel here, too.
Also, the EV1 is dead. The Volt is coming, but E-flex in all designs is the descendant of the EV1 anyway. The Honda Insight is dead too, and I don’t here many people complaining.
Don’t be pessimistic, the Volt and E-flex are on the way. But I do want to say that it would be awesome if the Flextreme were to come to the U.S. not long after the Volt as a Saturn product. I think E-flex would do very well here if that becomes the case.
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September 10th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
I to buy a GM Volt, and I would like to know if I can have a 220V recharge option for the U.S. and not just 110V.
Since many homes have 220V (at least at the junction box), I think this would be useful, and I’d assume slightly more efficient, or at any rate, recharge faster.
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September 10th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Jack the R- and Twitchy. The pessimism relative to GM is justified. If I hear another “we have to have battery breakthroughs before we can build it” I’ll scream.
A number of the electric Rav-4s have over 100,000 miles on their original packs. Unfortunately, GM sold the NiMH technology to Exxon/Mobil who won’t license the production of vehicle sized cells. E/M successfully sued Panasonic over the Rav-4 packs built for Toyota.
No new battery technology is required to build the Volt. After all, it is a hybrid. GM has had the design work done and prototypes built for ten years. One has to wonder at the delay to production.
If they ever build it, I will buy one. I sure wouldn’t lease it.
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September 11th, 2007 at 12:33 am
Wow!!!!
It looks cute!
I like the volt design but this looks better to me.
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September 11th, 2007 at 12:36 am
[quote comment="7098"]…If I hear another “we have to have battery breakthroughs before we can build it” I’ll scream…
If they ever build it, I will buy one. I sure wouldn’t lease it. :-)[/quote]
LOL, I hear you on both of those counts!
[quote comment="7089"]Couple of things to keep in mind: there is no need for a diesel variant of any E-flex vehicle in the US. The benefits of diesels (torque and efficiency) only go to the generator which you’re not liable to use much anyway. The efficiency is nearly irrelevant due to the fact that the 1.0 L flex-fuel generator shown on the Volt gives more total range and gasoline/E85 are collectively more readily available than diesel here, too.[/quote]
If you rarely use the generator, then diesel would be the fuel of choice at it stores longer than petrol (a.k.a. gasoline). The longer range of the Volt would most likely be due to a larger tank which most likely would have been sacrificed in the Opel variant to make room for the Segways.
Diesel is considerably more efficient than petrol when used to generate electricity. Furthermore, diesel generators usually last longer than their petrol, they generally operate at a lower RPM which makes them more reliable as well as producing more torque at lower speeds.
The other huge advantage is the ability to run on ‘biodiesel’ which can be made from almost anything, including used cooking oil.
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September 11th, 2007 at 4:07 am
The 1.3L Diesel at
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September 11th, 2007 at 4:09 am
The 1.3L Diesel at less than 40 g/km suggests one of two things:
1) the diesel engine is expected NEVER RUN MORE THAN 30% of the time for ALL MILES DRIVEN
OR
2) the 1.3 diesel is within striking distance of CARB compliant … IF NOx is below 70 mg/km (as suggested by the 40 g/km CO2) then a slightly over 60% reduction of NOx would be all that is required to meet Teir 2 Bin 5 … provided I understand everything correctly.
IF 2) is TRUE, why wait for the 16kwh battery pack? A leased 2 kwh battery (field upgradeable to 16 kwh … if or when it ever became available … and the customer wanted the higher capacity at an acceptable price) would be satisfactory AROUND the WORLD TODAY!!!
GM/OPEL/VAUXHALL quit stalling … DELIVER !!! WHAT IS THE DELAY? Are you waiting for someone else to obsolete your designs in 2008 … say Peugeot’s diesel electric hybrid projected to achieve 70 mpg(US) combined aveage?
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September 11th, 2007 at 6:30 am
HI MPG - I don’t believe a 2kwh battery pack would speed things up that much:
1) The internal combustion engine of a serial hybrid design only delivers average horsepower, not peak horsepower. So if you’re going up a long steep hill, you’ll need peak horspower for a while. The usable range of a 2kwh battery may not cut it.
2) The serial hybrid design is totally new. Give them a little time to get it right. We don’t want any lemons.
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September 11th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Compared to the Volt, I greatly prefer both the appearance and the hatchback utility (though not the name) of the Flextreme.
GM may want to consider making this vehicle available for sale in the States, or at least design and build it to meet applicable US standards so that individuals can purchased it in Europe and import it back to the States.
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September 11th, 2007 at 10:25 am
I still like the looks of the Volt better. My Cherokee doesn’t have a lot of life left in it, so hopefully Chevy can hit the release date!
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September 11th, 2007 at 11:59 am
[quote comment="7108"]
If you rarely use the generator, then diesel would be the fuel of choice at it stores longer than petrol (a.k.a. gasoline).
[/quote]
I am not arguing that diesel is not a great fuel but just another thing to think about, the US model runs on E85 which also is more stable and stores longer than straight petrol. Also it is 85% bio fuel whereas most diesel blends are no more than 20%. Most places in the US have or will have access to a 10% ethanol blend, E85 is slowly becoming more available throughout the country.
Again not arguing against diesel, just keep this in mind as well.
[quote comment="7108"]
The other huge advantage is the ability to run on ‘biodiesel’ which can be made from almost anything, including used cooking oil.[/quote]
Again here, the petrol engine will also run on a biofuel - E85 which is an 85% blend.
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September 11th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
I love the new volt concept. It looks great, and sounds like a great design. Just still wondering what happened to the EV-1? Come on GM lets pass up Toyota with this plug-in.
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September 11th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Plug-in IS GOOD … BUT IT HAS A PROBLEM right? In the US over 50% of domestic electricity is derived from coal using President Bush’s “Clear Skies Strategy”! But … that is OK though, because IT is in someone else’s “backyard”.
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September 11th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Segways are silly. As someone suggests above, bikes are a lighter and much less dorky solution for non-comfortable travel.
You are in the gas-free auto business now. Don’t mess up the concept: stick to remaking your brand as:
Gas friendly or gas free autos by ChEVy for EVER! (Extended Range Electric Vehicles) Opel for EVER? YES!
And lets get these on the road before it’s too late.
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September 11th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
HI MPG,
for about $800 bucks you can put in a solar panel on your carport/garage to power an EV.
For the rest of the national energy mix, get active politically: contact your rep at http://www.congress.org (enter your zipcode to locate him/her) to tell them to support the new energy bills now in congress to reduce coal electricity / add more renewable green energy.
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September 11th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Solar car ports at home and in parking lots are the way to go. Lets see what happens to silicon production if the plug-ins are produced at a resonable price. I think panel prices will come way down. Think of the benifits if we get off fossil fuels.
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September 11th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Even coal power is cleaner than autos, and the coal power is getting cleaner all the time.
Where did you get the information that alcohol blended gasoline stores better than pure gasoline? It has not been my experience.
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September 11th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Susan K says “for about $800 bucks you can put in a solar panel on your carport/garage to power an EV.”
I’m not against solar. However, I am in favor of realistic analysis.
MAXIMUM solar radiation is approximately 950 watts per square meter. What is the maximum electrical output … under 250 watts, probably closer to 100-150 watts/m^2 today, if I remember correctly. So to charge a 16 kWh battery pack within 4 hours would require at least 16 square meters of solar panels (about 4 kW output would be required) at peak radiation (day time only in Arizona?).
Maybe it can be done … but you might pay half the price of the VOLT for the collector and controls for a system this size.
Just the way I see it …
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September 12th, 2007 at 3:24 am
This seems a really sellable car - at last - as long as its not too pricey. I would suggest dropping the Segways, which would really put people off.
Style wise is it possible to drop the window line by a few cm?
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September 12th, 2007 at 3:26 am
The other questionable decision is over the use of a 1.3 litre diesel. A 1 litre petrol engine would do a lot to reduce the vehicle cost. If the aim is to drive on mains electricity, then the economy of the charger is not so important. Better still, provide customers with the option of either.
[Reply]
September 12th, 2007 at 5:42 am
[quote comment="7098"]Jack the R- and Twitchy. The pessimism relative to GM is justified. If I hear another “we have to have battery breakthroughs before we can build it” I’ll scream.
A number of the electric Rav-4s have over 100,000 miles on their original packs. Unfortunately, GM sold the NiMH technology to Exxon/Mobil who won’t license the production of vehicle sized cells. E/M successfully sued Panasonic over the Rav-4 packs built for Toyota.
No new battery technology is required to build the Volt. After all, it is a hybrid. GM has had the design work done and prototypes built for ten years. One has to wonder at the delay to production.
If they ever build it, I will buy one. I sure wouldn’t lease it. :-)[/quote]
You can keep your NiMH technology.
GM will go with Lithium Ion.
We have no time for outdated and conspiratorial speculative views.
The electric RAV-4 did not sell well because it did not meet the needs of the vast majority of consumers.
Not everybody lives quirky lives in an urban environment with a “life partner” and no children. A life of dinner parties, New York Times reading and “career”–with an overdose of “the arts”.
Some of us live closer to nature and have more relaxed–less uptight–lives (not to mention children; [i]multiple[/i] children).
You may or may not take it personally. Suit yourself.
However, technology will be adopted when it serves the people, and not according to some government (or worse, regulatory of judicial) fiat.
[Reply]
September 12th, 2007 at 5:57 am
[quote comment="7180"]I still like the looks of the Volt better. My Cherokee doesn’t have a lot of life left in it, so hopefully Chevy can hit the release date![/quote]
You might be better served keeping your Cherokee or buying another used car. That would save you more money in the long run.
If you are worried about gas, the Volt might help, but you are still better off buying a two-mode hybrid SUV, as that would be the most logical fuel-efficient equivalent of the Cherokee.
the Volt will almost certainly be less useful.
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September 12th, 2007 at 6:01 am
[quote comment="7199"]Plug-in IS GOOD … BUT IT HAS A PROBLEM right? In the US over 50% of domestic electricity is derived from coal using President Bush’s “Clear Skies Strategy”! But … that is OK though, because IT is in someone else’s “backyard”.[/quote]Well, like France, it [b]could[/b] be NUCLEAR POWER–but the same people who oppose President Bush’s policy oppose nuclear energy as well.
In fact, they oppose all forms of energy they cannot [b]tax and regulate[/b]. That after all is the whole point.
The social control and regulation of the economy.
[Reply]
September 12th, 2007 at 6:09 am
[quote comment="7203"]HI MPG,
for about $800 bucks you can put in a solar panel on your carport/garage to power an EV.
For the rest of the national energy mix, get active politically: contact your rep at http://www.congress.org (enter your zipcode to locate him/her) to tell them to support the new energy bills now in congress to reduce coal electricity / add more renewable green energy.[/quote]
That would jack up the cost of energy beyond belief and would be unwise to the same degree.
It would INCREASE our dependence on foreign oil–and all for a pipe dream: the NONSENSE theory that wind and solar power can replace other forms of energy (without the use of nuclear power).
Just the Physics of it says it is impossible.
But never let science get in the way of feel-good post-modernism.
[Reply]
September 12th, 2007 at 6:13 am
[quote comment="7208"]Solar car ports at home and in parking lots are the way to go. Lets see what happens to silicon production if the plug-ins are produced at a resonable price. I think panel prices will come way down. Think of the benifits if we get off fossil fuels.[/quote]Solar panels are inefficient–and not everybody lives in Nevada to boot.
Let us return to reality.
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September 12th, 2007 at 7:25 am
Please offer the diesel option here in the US.
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September 12th, 2007 at 8:00 am
John. What is your definition of efficiency? Solar panels may be inefficient (they don’t utilize all the energy they receive from the sun) but they certainly can be effective. They work for me here in Connecticut.
Dismissive statements such as yours serve no purpose.
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September 12th, 2007 at 8:27 am
John sez:”Well, like France, it [b]could[/b] be NUCLEAR POWER–but the same people who oppose President Bush’s policy oppose nuclear energy as well.
In fact, they oppose all forms of energy they cannot [b]tax and regulate[/b]. That after all is the whole point.”
I agree that any environmentalist who opposes nuclear power hasn’t thought through the problems and solutions. Unfortunately most decisions are made on emotion. You imply that nuclear power wouldn’t be taxed and regulated. I don’t understand that aspect at all.
John also sez,”If you are worried about gas, the Volt might help, but you are still better off buying a two-mode hybrid SUV, as that would be the most logical fuel-efficient equivalent of the Cherokee.”
A hybrid that doesn’t plug in is still 100% dependent on gasoline. We have to do something to reduce the petroleum we consume. Using solar or nuclear or coal for our individual transportation is the simplest, most logical approach. Keeping your 53 Chevy running for your personal transportation is the cheapest approach for you as an individual.
Using a truck to commute one person from home to work is not an efficient use of your resources. The usefulness of the Volt will depend on what you are using it for. For a daily commute of less than 40 miles, it would be (IMHO), very useful. For hauling firewood, not so useful.
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September 12th, 2007 at 11:43 am
I like the new Flextreme and Volt concepts,and your new hybrid offerings, but why are they only limited availability or lease only vehicles? Also I noticed one electric vehicle being offered is using a gas generator towed in a trailer as a solution for longer journeys than a fully charged battery will allow. Is there anything in the works at GM along these lines? I suspect there are others who are wondering why such a thing hasn\’t become commonplace already. Here is a link to just one. http://www.metrompg.com/posts/phev-pusher-trailer.htm
[Reply]
September 13th, 2007 at 10:09 am
Solar Panels are inefficient–and not everybody lives in Nevada to boot.
Let us return to reality.[/quote]
John - they may be inefficient but they still provide a substansial amount of electricity if placed on the roof of a house, I helped my cousin install PV cells on his roof and the energy that he buys from a power plant has been cut in half, he lives in Minneapolis and his his panels provide him about 500-700 KWH per month depending on the season. If every house in the US had solar panels that would reduce the need for a lot of power in our country.
In order for it to make a difference there needs to be a collective effort by society, and we need to get rid the pessimistic like mentality like yours.
The Volt is a great car, and imagine how much less oil would be needed if every family in the US traded in just one gas car for a series hybrid.
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September 13th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
[quote comment="7334"]I like the new Flextreme and Volt concepts,and your new hybrid offerings, but why are they only limited availability or lease only vehicles? Also I noticed one electric vehicle being offered is using a gas generator towed in a trailer as a solution for longer journeys than a fully charged battery will allow. Is there anything in the works at GM along these lines? I suspect there are others who are wondering why such a thing hasn\’t become commonplace already. Here is a link to just one. http://www.metrompg.com/posts/phev-pusher-trailer.htm/quote
There is no talk that the next iteration of PHEV from GM will be limited release, nor lease only vehicles. There is talk of leasing the battery pack, not the whole vehicle.
I don’t understand why you would want to tow a generator along - wouldn’t the added weight and drag reduce efficiency during a long trip to the point that it would have been more efficient to go with a PHEV in the first place?
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September 13th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
I WANT THIS CAR SO BAD!!!! When can I get it????????
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September 13th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Talking about renewable energy right now is like telling a heroin addict that junk food is bad for you. Yeah, junk food is bad, but if it somehow helps you kick the habit, then it’s good right now. You can shop at the health food store after you’ve broken the addiction.
So let’s stop bashing coal and other non-renewables, and focus on breaking our addiction to oil. Once PHEVs go mainstream, then we can start the push to increase renewable sources of electricity.
If we try to do everything all at once, it will end up taking longer.
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September 13th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
I am really looking forward to either of these cars. I am saving ca$h right now so I can buy one as soon as they come out. As I love in Los Angeles there are not many places where the Segways will become a daily use. I’d opt not to include them. How about a bike rack (for the inside).
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September 13th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
I am really looking forward to either of these cars. I am saving ca$h right now so I can buy one as soon as they come out. As I live in Los Angeles there are not many places where the Segways will become a daily use. I\’d opt not to include them. How about a bike rack (for the inside).
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November 19th, 2007 at 11:59 am
first of all, i would like to say hi to all people in this forum.
and, i believe that you´ll find some errors in my “speech”.
so, i believe that, this concepts are a great start to the “slow down” of the global warming.
i´ve read the first comment that i belive that´s selfish i mean, i believe that the americans weren´t the first ones to do something to stop the global warming. in fact they can´t say anithing about that because they are the biggest consumer of oil and, their cars, please… here in europe, our cars don´t have the cc. that in america has. so, less co2 less consuption, more worries about the global warming.
there´s the toyota hibrid, that i´ve heard many american people in tv saying: “down the hibrid toyota…” in some car show´s that were showing big muscled cars… now tell me were did the americans are worried about this subject?
i believe that are but thei´re few…
i believe that this car, is a great start to a better world. so bring it on. yesterday was too late…
hugs and kissies.
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February 21st, 2008 at 11:34 pm
A $800 solar panel would take about a week to charge a volt. (I have 62 of those panels on my house). As for the EV1 and others watch the movie “who killed the electric car” it’s corny the facts are accurate. As long as GM and our Gov. both repub. and dems. are in bed with big oil they will always keep us looking to the next maybee. Lith-ion batteries have been out for years.
If GM was to release the Opel version of the eflex and sell it for $25,000 (without a bunch of useless crap like scooters) , They could mass produce them and they would be the #1 selling car in the world. But they won’t they make 5 thousand of them, have old ladies in their comercials like the EV1, and then feed the nation another load of crap about how we just weren’t ready for electric cars.
As for the other big oil lie about our electricity being as bad as gas due to coal. Even if 100% of your electric came from coal (wich it’s not) it would still be 40% less poluting than gas. Tesla motors will have a all electric sedan before the Volt and it will go 300 miles on a charge. The difference: their not in bed with exxon/mobil. Watch WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR.
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April 14th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
[...] automakers, Volvo has announced the C30 concept car, which is similar to GM’s Opel “Flextreme” concept, that is, an EREV series hybrid just like the Volt, but using an onboard diesel [...]