Comments on: Production Volt to Have Left and Right Charging Ports http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/ 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: Joe http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-35737 Joe Sat, 05 Apr 2008 18:47:14 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-35737 They are certain choices that GM has to make, which are not really choices. It is certain that the volt will be duel voltage. To start with,the regular 120v will be the one of choice. Two hundred forty volts is a better choice for many reasons. At the beginning though, 240v will not be the one of choice because of availability Also, thee cord you see used in the picture will have to be physically twice that size. What I saying are not hunches, physics and common sense dictates these these statements. They are certain choices that GM has to make, which are not really choices. It is certain that the volt will be duel voltage. To start with,the regular 120v will be the one of choice. Two hundred forty volts is a better choice for many reasons. At the beginning though, 240v will not be the one of choice because of availability Also, thee cord you see used in the picture will have to be physically twice that size. What I saying are not hunches, physics and common sense dictates these these statements.

]]> By: Joe http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-35728 Joe Sat, 05 Apr 2008 18:21:39 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-35728 Why should people get angry at GM for not divulging every little details of the Volt. If it were Toyota doing the same project, nobody would dare to complain and nobody would know anything. As a matter of fact, Toyota is working on such a project. For the complainers, why don't you all go on the Toyota WEB site and do your complaining there. GM, thanks for being so opened and telling us about the Volt years in advance. Why should people get angry at GM for not divulging every little details of the Volt. If it were Toyota doing the same project, nobody would dare to complain and nobody would know anything. As a matter of fact, Toyota is working on such a project. For the complainers, why don’t you all go on the Toyota WEB site and do your complaining there. GM, thanks for being so opened and telling us about the Volt years in advance.

]]> By: Luke http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-20162 Luke Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:09:59 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-20162 wirenutjd@48, Not all solar systems work this way. A grid-tie system is cheaper since you don't need batteries and can provide the homeowner with a carbon-neutral house (or other environmental benefits) -- so they're quite popular. However, if you you want to shell out the cash for a few dozen lead-acid batteries, then an off-grid solar system may what you're looking for. Google for "off-grid solar" for more information. As with all of this kind of thing, one must engineer a solution that matches your needs -- and your needs (including your need for independence) may be different than those of the average homeowner. Happy reading! -- P.S. I know not to feed the trolls, but it seems like this guy has probably only seen a couple of solar installations -- and didn't ask any questions. wirenutjd@48,

Not all solar systems work this way. A grid-tie system is cheaper since you don’t need batteries and can provide the homeowner with a carbon-neutral house (or other environmental benefits) — so they’re quite popular.

However, if you you want to shell out the cash for a few dozen lead-acid batteries, then an off-grid solar system may what you’re looking for.

Google for “off-grid solar” for more information. As with all of this kind of thing, one must engineer a solution that matches your needs — and your needs (including your need for independence) may be different than those of the average homeowner.

Happy reading!

–
P.S. I know not to feed the trolls, but it seems like this guy has probably only seen a couple of solar installations — and didn’t ask any questions.

]]> By: David http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-20087 David Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:01:32 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-20087 #20,Scott... I agree. Personally I'd like to see the plug in port located inside the glove box. #20,Scott… I agree. Personally I’d like to see the plug in port located inside the glove box.

]]> By: q http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-20016 q Mon, 17 Dec 2007 03:54:16 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-20016 Well the initial sales of Volt will probably not be big enough to cause a sudden surge of consumption during night (or day). As already pointed out there is supposed to be a lot of space capacity at night. However, the next Toyota Prius is supposed to add charging capability (from current HEV to PHEV). Toyota already has a significant production capacity for Prius, so between Volt and Prius we have a decent sales volume. Not to mention the specialty smaller manufacturers of smaller/slower/limited range electric vehicles. Thus in a not too distant future there may be enough PHEVs and EVs to start causing issues on the grid. Still I don't think this is either GM's or Toyota's problem, just as shortage of oil is not their problem to solve (at least not directly). It will be first and foremost our own problem, the drivers'. The most practical solution will be installation of a combination of solar panels and/or wind turbines that will provide most of the power to charge our cars. The tricky bit is that solar panels generate the most power when car is not in the garage - day time. So there are problems to solve ... In any case, some power will have to come from local sources, close the the house/garage where our cars will consumer it. The grid just cannot handle millions of cars on top of all the existing power users. This will be our own task, hopefully with some government aid (incentives, tax credits, etc.) Well the initial sales of Volt will probably not be big enough to cause a sudden surge of consumption during night (or day). As already pointed out there is supposed to be a lot of space capacity at night.

However, the next Toyota Prius is supposed to add charging capability (from current HEV to PHEV). Toyota already has a significant production capacity for Prius, so between Volt and Prius we have a decent sales volume. Not to mention the specialty smaller manufacturers of smaller/slower/limited range electric vehicles.

Thus in a not too distant future there may be enough PHEVs and EVs to start causing issues on the grid.

Still I don’t think this is either GM’s or Toyota’s problem, just as shortage of oil is not their problem to solve (at least not directly). It will be first and foremost our own problem, the drivers’.

The most practical solution will be installation of a combination of solar panels and/or wind turbines that will provide most of the power to charge our cars. The tricky bit is that solar panels generate the most power when car is not in the garage – day time. So there are problems to solve …

In any case, some power will have to come from local sources, close the the house/garage where our cars will consumer it. The grid just cannot handle millions of cars on top of all the existing power users.

This will be our own task, hopefully with some government aid (incentives, tax credits, etc.)

]]> By: Anti-Oil Jihadi http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-20010 Anti-Oil Jihadi Mon, 17 Dec 2007 02:45:25 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-20010 Dave, when higher amps are drawn from a 110V circuit than a 220V circuit, higher amps are drawn on the main power grid transmission lines. The transformers you speak of are simply step down transformers. So if a certain amount of watts are needed per hour to charge a Volt, doing so with higher voltage will draw less amps from the grid. Use of more amps will overload the grid, not use of more voltage. More voltage is more efficient anyhow. I'm not worried about fast charging issues, and if it does eventually overload the grid because of 220V issues, then the grid will be upgraded. Also, I don't believe 20 amp circuits are all that common, as far as I'm aware 15 amps is the average maximum. Upgrading circuit breakers is a non issue if the wiring can't handle the amps. I think 110V will do just fine for now, but we will outgrow it with future electric vehicles. Thus it would be prudent to make 220V available now, and encourage 220V wiring, even if quick charging is not an option. This way we'd grow into the system, not grow out of it. Dave, when higher amps are drawn from a 110V circuit than a 220V circuit, higher amps are drawn on the main power grid transmission lines. The transformers you speak of are simply step down transformers. So if a certain amount of watts are needed per hour to charge a Volt, doing so with higher voltage will draw less amps from the grid. Use of more amps will overload the grid, not use of more voltage. More voltage is more efficient anyhow.

I’m not worried about fast charging issues, and if it does eventually overload the grid because of 220V issues, then the grid will be upgraded.

Also, I don’t believe 20 amp circuits are all that common, as far as I’m aware 15 amps is the average maximum. Upgrading circuit breakers is a non issue if the wiring can’t handle the amps.

I think 110V will do just fine for now, but we will outgrow it with future electric vehicles. Thus it would be prudent to make 220V available now, and encourage 220V wiring, even if quick charging is not an option. This way we’d grow into the system, not grow out of it.

]]> By: Jake http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-20008 Jake Mon, 17 Dec 2007 02:01:56 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-20008 I am all for E-REV's and getting off oil. My point is that (again, in my opinion) there will not be enough "first Volt users" to cause any grid problems whatsoever, even if some of them do want to try fast charging. I imagine that, for Volt 1.0, the fast charging would be more of an issue on the household level, not a grid level. And if the Volt really does start appealing to a broad array of Americans, I think many of these people will be "average" enough that they won't bother with "custom" fast charging, as much as it might be convenient to them. I agree very much that the Volt will set a precedent. It is extremely important that GM gets this one right. I just think that rolling blackouts are the least of our concerns right now. But we might as well get the ball rolling in this direction... I am all for E-REV’s and getting off oil. My point is that (again, in my opinion) there will not be enough “first Volt users” to cause any grid problems whatsoever, even if some of them do want to try fast charging. I imagine that, for Volt 1.0, the fast charging would be more of an issue on the household level, not a grid level. And if the Volt really does start appealing to a broad array of Americans, I think many of these people will be “average” enough that they won’t bother with “custom” fast charging, as much as it might be convenient to them.

I agree very much that the Volt will set a precedent. It is extremely important that GM gets this one right. I just think that rolling blackouts are the least of our concerns right now. But we might as well get the ball rolling in this direction…

]]> By: Dave G http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-20006 Dave G Mon, 17 Dec 2007 01:48:36 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-20006 Jake Says: "Guys, forgive me but I think many of you are over-estimating the Volt’s ability to cause a significant drain on the grid. ... I do think that fast charging is an important idea that should be pursued aggressively by GM." So as long as E-REVs don't sell that much we're OK! Doesn't sound like much of a plan to get off of oil... My point is that the first Volt users will set a precedent. If that precedent leads to rolling blackouts, the Volt and E-REVs in general will get a bad name. Jake Says:
“Guys, forgive me but I think many of you are over-estimating the Volt’s ability to cause a significant drain on the grid.
…
I do think that fast charging is an important idea that should be pursued aggressively by GM.”

So as long as E-REVs don’t sell that much we’re OK! Doesn’t sound like much of a plan to get off of oil…

My point is that the first Volt users will set a precedent. If that precedent leads to rolling blackouts, the Volt and E-REVs in general will get a bad name.

]]> By: ENV Bike http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-20005 ENV Bike Mon, 17 Dec 2007 01:45:23 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-20005 Found about your site through John Chow's review, nice site, I was not even aware of this car! Found about your site through John Chow’s review, nice site, I was not even aware of this car!

]]> By: james http://gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-20004 james Mon, 17 Dec 2007 01:29:57 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/15/production-volt-to-have-left-and-right-charging-ports/#comment-20004 jake 57. good points. but as far as getting in the car and going (which as you say most americans are used to), if the battery is that low, the generator will kick in. hence, you can just get in and go any time you like. death to oil! god bless the e-rev electric chevy volt, god bless nanosolar, god bless a123 and l.g., god bless g.e., bell labs innovations, and a little company called google and God Bless the United States of America! Volt! american made, american fueled, american driven... jake 57. good points. but as far as getting in the car and going (which as you say most americans are used to), if the battery is that low, the generator will kick in.
hence, you can just get in and go any time you like.

death to oil! god bless the e-rev electric chevy volt, god bless nanosolar, god bless a123 and l.g., god bless g.e., bell labs innovations, and a little company called google and God Bless the United States of America!

Volt! american made, american fueled, american driven…

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