Comments on: GM-Volt Exclusive Feature: Ask the Chevy Volt Leadership Team Your Questions

By: JT

JT — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:48:19 +0000

Is the Volt available as a convertable? If not, when?

By: rick wessel

rick wessel — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:54:06 +0000

How does a/c effect range and performance?

By: Erwin

Erwin — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:03:26 +0000

Hey,

Will the “Volt” be exported to Europe?

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:44:54 +0000

Will GM be able to keep dealers from price gouging or adding markup to the MSRP?

When and where will we be able to make deposits.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:27:28 +0000

Concerning the Volt’s reliance on Lithium ION batteries,
isn’t Lithium far too rare a metal to be building 1000s
let alone millions of Volts? Lithium is only the 33rd
most abundant element on the planet where most
of the world’s Lithium is in Chile and China. Last time
I checked, U.S. relations with both of these countries
were poor. What is the environmental impact of
procuring the Lithium necessary to produce the batteries
for the Volt? Isn’t moving from an Oil dependency to a
Lithium dependency simply going to perpetuate existing
problems? Isn’t there a battery chemistry based on a
metal which is common to the U.S. that is adequate?
How many Volts have to be made to make a real difference
in air quality? Will nickel metal hydride batteries be used
in a 20 mile all electric version of the Volt?

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:46:54 +0000

How about outfitting the Volt with a fuel cell and a magnesium
hydride slurry tank? The fuel tank should only take about 20%
more space than the equivalent gas tank and because slurry
is stable at ordinary temperature and pressure, a slurry tank
is cheap compared to a high pressure tank. Of course, fuel
cells are too expensive right now. Still, if a replacement can
be found for the expensive platinum catalyst fuel cells should
hit the market sooner than later. The major advantage of
chemical hydride slurry is that the fuel tankers of today could
carry it. It will flow through pipelines nicely and it is at
least stable for a few weeks. I guess there are still freezing concerns for fuel cells.

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 06:41:04 +0000

I am sure this question has been asked over and over again because it makes too much sense. Why dosen’t GM equip the VOLT with solar cells on vehicles hood and roof to add flexibility to charging the batteries? Or at least make it an option?

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/04/solar_electric_.html

By: Dan Petit

Dan Petit — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 01:49:51 +0000

Question for Mr. Boniface.
01-15-2009.
The last two cold fronts which arrived here in succession over 8 days here in Austin seemed to have the effect of clearing upper ozone. The sunlight getting into my tall-windowed suv was fairly painful to the skin. Others I asked about this also complained they felt that the sunlight was painful to them also in their vehicles.
Will the Volt have glass that blocks all the UV bands so that we can enjoy our drive when these cold fronts first come through?
Otherwise, maybe there may be a high quality solar tint film that does not distort light for night time driving that can at least protect us at the driver’s window and passengers’ window. The Front windshield would need this sort of protection also, but you can not efficiently install solar tint film on the front windshield. I think this is very important.
Thanks for the question survey.
Dan Petit Austin, TX.

By: Frank K.

Frank K. — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:00:41 +0000

Are you (GM) considering the ultracapacitor (e.g., EESTOR) as a direct replacement for the Li ion battery. Findings show the capacitor can drive an electric automobile to 400+ miles on a single charge while having a 3 minute recharge time. The range extender can add another 400 miles on top of the capacity of the new capacitor.

I have several products using the BOOSTCAP capacitor technology replacing the electrochemical Lithium ion battery technology.
(e.g., coleman rechargeable screwdriver). Maybe a next generation VOLT would benefit from this new technology.

By: Tom Leach

Tom Leach — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 14:13:15 +0000

Will all dealerships be able to provide sales and service for the VOLT? Are there plans for training technicians in all dealerships (and possibly vocational high schools)? I would be driving my Volt on battery chargre only for 90% of the time. Would this create a problem with stale gasoline and too little use of the engine?