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E-Flex Team’s Opinion on Release Date
In our last post we heard about an interview with GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz in which he suggested a possible tempering of production date for the Volt. He didn’t exactly say that, for we have never really heard him quote confidence at hitting the 2010 delivery date, only his confidence on actually producing the car.
These statements nonetheless make us wonder whether something is going askew at team E-Flex. If felt it was necessary to reach out for their response.
Kindly, GM E-Flex spokesman Rob Peterson responded as follows:
Program timing has not changed, nor has the confidence level of the team. The team is driving toward late 2010 (assuming batteries are available) which is nearly three years from now. Our confidence grows each day, but there are still risks and unknowns that could alter the timing.
30 Responses to “E-Flex Team’s Opinion on Release Date”
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December 21st, 2007 at 12:45 am
Lyle,
Thank-you as always for the excellent information over the last few days. Do you know what we’re looking at a picture of here exactly? Is this a mule or the golf cart demo? Looks like a top of a radiator on the left? What is that on the right? The orange cables are for spark, or something completely different? And in the middle, that square things is….? And where is that, under the hood?
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December 21st, 2007 at 1:14 am
Kyle, I don’t know for sure, but the vented square box in the middle is almost certainly the motor controller that converts the DC from the battery to AC for the motor. This sits atop the motor, and the orange cables going into it probably carry the drive power. The thicker and darker orange cables are probably DC power from the battery to the motor controller and other equipment.
I’m not quite sure what the cylinder on the right is, but it looks like part of the motor. Maybe a secondary coil for regenerative braking? The fuel generator would be behind the motor controller.
As time goes on, I think it would be nice if this site delves more into the block diagram of the E-Flex drivetrain. We know quite a bit about the battery pack, but perhaps not as much about the motor, the controller, the generator, and how it all hooks together as a system.
I think that if anything delays or otherwise screws up the launch of the Volt, it’s most likely going to be something other than the battery. When you put so much focus on the hardest part of the problem (rightfully so to some extent), it’s the stuff you take for granted that has a habit of causing problems.
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December 21st, 2007 at 1:22 am
Mister Lutz, your competition will not wait.
Don’t give them an inch.
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December 21st, 2007 at 3:18 am
The picture looks like it’s off the show model of the fuel cell volt. From another angle:
http://blogs.cars.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/20/volt3.jpg
Anyways, the statement from E-Flex sounds like cautious optimism, which is about what you’d expect.
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December 21st, 2007 at 5:40 am
AES #4
I share your opinions.
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December 21st, 2007 at 7:16 am
I agree with #2 Butters. It would be nice if this site delves more into the block diagram of the E-Flex drivetrain to understand how it all fits together.
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December 21st, 2007 at 7:21 am
I wonder if maybe Mr. Lutz was testing us with that comment to see how we would react to a delay in the timeline……
I guess now they know we are not too happy about it being late!! We will give them the three years they asked for, but not one day more.
And lets not forget that the competition has that target date as well, and could try to burst the Volt’s bubble with an earlier release of something we have not heard of yet.
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December 21st, 2007 at 7:37 am
I am a huge supporter of the Volt, but to be honest, if for whatever reason GM fails to deliver, the Japanese and others will. I expect someone will have a fully functional and affordable mass produced factory PHEV out before GM ever does. And I think you can take a guess of who that will be.
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December 21st, 2007 at 8:02 am
In my opinion, they can take longer to make it as long as it is extremely reliable in the end. I understand that the competition is not sitting by idly while GM reaches the top of the plug-in vehicle market, but if this car is junk when it hits the mass market, GM might as well hang it up.
But I have a question. Is there anyone besides GM working on a real car that is expected to get at least 40 miles on a charge?
I don’t mean Tesla. I mean someone who has priced the car for the masses. One with 4 wheels and not 3. A 4-5 person vehicle.
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December 21st, 2007 at 8:21 am
This car doesn’t have 4 wheels but it’s interesting that it seems to exist and the dash looks interesting. Videos of the Aptera
http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=60552#post60552
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December 21st, 2007 at 8:58 am
Answer to #9:
Yes. Miles Automotive has a fully electric highway speed sedan that is targeted for 2009 that has a 120+ mile range. They expect it to cost under $30K. http://www.milesev.com
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December 21st, 2007 at 9:01 am
I agree with #3. The other companies will not wait. GM MUST make this available by 2010 and it MUST be a top notch vechicle. Anything less is a failure. Every week it seems more and more companies are coming out with Plugin’s that are set to be released by 2010.
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December 21st, 2007 at 9:28 am
This car is going to be too expensive, but it has the right combination of looks and performance specs:
http://fiskerautomotive.createsend4.com/viewEmail.aspx?cID=F81C496399C49A31&sID=E168C88981892DADB93B32EA263377A4&dID=5CB9CB5A1CE688CE
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December 21st, 2007 at 9:40 am
#12 jrcase, I wouldn’t worry about the small electric vehicle manufacturers “scooping” GM on this. While I wish them all success, they are not in the same playing field.
To name just one hurdle, does Tesla or Miles have a nationwide network of mechanics to service their vehicles? If not, what is their plan for training all the local garages to work on high-voltage electrical components?
I would worry much more about a company like Toyota getting there first with a plug-in series hybrid like the Volt. Though from the looks of it, they have no plans to develop such a vehicle by 2010. It really seems like GM is going to be the first on this.
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December 21st, 2007 at 9:58 am
As much as I don’t want to wait for this car… and I don’t want to encourage any hold ups…
It is better to get it done right, then to get it done.
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December 21st, 2007 at 10:12 am
I’m excited about the Volt but 2.5 years is a long time to wait. All the best, GM, but I really hope a Japanese manufacturer comes out with a similar car in 2009. I never wanted to buy an American car anyway.
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December 21st, 2007 at 10:40 am
Tom – haha.
If GM lets the Volt slip to 2012 or 2013, they will have lost their chance. Toyota’s rhetoric about the battery technology not being there is all a smoke screen to discredit any attempt by GM to beat them to market with a li-ion based PHEV. Rest assured that Toyota has put their PHEV development into overdrive and are working feverously this very moment to triumph once again over GM.
There have been many reports that the 2008 Prius will come in a PHEV version with an electric range of around 8 or 9 miles. Sure that’s not 40 miles, but it is also available _next year_ in 2008.
GM has a grand opportunity in front of them as they did with the EV1. If they do not learn from that past (and their previous blunder) there is no doubt in my mind that they will stay at the #2 spot for a long, long time.
I am not tied to the Volt. There I said it. My next car will be a PHEV one way or another, whether it’s a Volt or a Prius. GM will make this decision for me.
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December 21st, 2007 at 10:40 am
If Volvo builds this car:
http://www.dailytech.com/Volvo+Amps+up+With+ReCharge+Plugin+Hybrid/article8763.htm
I will buy it if price is reasonable. I doubt it will become available by 2010 (if at all) but it just proves that other major auto companies are dipping their toes in the water. Who knows, maybe in 5 years or so the market will be flooded with options. Hurry GM if you want the bulk of the sales.
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December 21st, 2007 at 10:44 am
The PHEV Prius actually comes out in 2009. That still beats the possiblity of 2012 or later.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4227944.html
Here’s a picture of it:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4212545.html
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December 21st, 2007 at 10:54 am
Price….30K ish is ok with me for a Volt… 2010 or 2011 is when I will be buying either the Volt (hopefully) or one of the “other” guys version of it be it Honda/ Toyota or whoever… We all know that the technology and all the rest of the concept stuff is already available with probably a travel distance of 100 + miles on a single charge.. GM , in its great “wisdom” is probably looking at the best way to make some BIG bucks out of the Volt technology right up front….and if it soars…well gee… look at that …. we now have oooddles of more milage and option packages available at a nominal “additional cost”…. 2009 should be the release date if GM intends to get the “jump” on the market as Toyota or Honda will definately have something on the streets by then. I too will not be GM Bound if there is something out there that is equivalant or better at the same price… 2010/2011… One of the car manufacturers will be getting my money.
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December 21st, 2007 at 11:21 am
I agree with so many of you that, if the schedule starts to slip, it is almost inevitable that someone will beat GM to the market with this or better tchnology. How sad.
Not to repeat the obvious but, if that happens, a lot of the value of this project will be lost.
Mr. Lutz was recently quoted as saying how critical it is that GM regain a position of technical leadership. I could not agree more. Alas, I fear that a 2011 launch of the Volt will not do it.
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December 21st, 2007 at 12:05 pm
First I’d like to say MORE PICS LIKE THIS!!! I would love to see actual pictures of the car-inside and out. Underneath maybe??
Second I Hope that GM stays on track for their release date or pulls it off sooner. GM seems to be one step behind with everything right now. Getting a remarkable car with the potential to free us from fossil fuel use on a daily basis without the fear of running around searching for an outlet 5 miles from home.
The new battery tech that has been talked about is quite amazing. Wether it would be useful with Gen 1 Volt’s is not likely in my opinion. There is atleast 5 years of testing and BS that goes along with bringing something like that to the market, assuming the military doesnt scoop it up first..
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December 21st, 2007 at 12:15 pm
GM is the one that created this mad PR-inspired dash to 2010. Now the other chickens are running around looking for their heads.
As they have lost their CAFE fight, watch as GM pulls back as the PR benefits wane and reality looms.
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December 21st, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Please GM don’t let anyone else steal your thunder. This truly is the time just before a quantum leap in personal transportation. We need you to create and then ride the wave! I think I speak for all off us here when I say we all feel like insiders on this car and tech. and will be truly crushed if you drop the ball !.(and on a personal note I am willing to put my money where my mouth is in stock and product!!!!)
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December 21st, 2007 at 2:47 pm
#11- see http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/12/19/new-york-mayor-bloomberg-test-drives-miles-automotives-javlon-i/
Miles vehicles are coming off the line albeit they have raised the price to 35K.
Ford Escape PHEVs are being tested http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/12/ford-delivers-f.html that deliver “an equivalent 30-mile all-electric range”
Subaru has an all electric EV, the G4E, waiting for the right time to bring it to market. http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/10/10/tokyo-motor-show-subarus-g4e-lithium-batteries-200-km-per-c/
I think the big manufacturers are waiting to see what kind of tax credits they’ll get before they commit, and that may not be known for a year or so.
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December 21st, 2007 at 5:41 pm
I don’t care who makes it but I am adamant that my next car be a serial hybrid. The allure of instant torque, perfectly smooth acceleration, and silent operation is just too much. If I have to keep the speed under 62 and stress out over how much I’m pressing the throttle, as with a plug-in Prius, then I’m not interested. At that point it’s a glorified golf cart.
Also, the Prius is bad enough already with its 11.5 second 0-60 time and always-on brakes. They are clogging up the highways where I live driving 50 MPH. Now things are only going to get worse with owners trying to maximize their electric-only range.
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December 21st, 2007 at 7:07 pm
[quote comment="21055"]If I have to keep the speed under 62 and stress out over how much I’m pressing the throttle, as with a plug-in Prius…[/quote]
The lack of understanding differences between the “full” and “series” hybrid types is clearly becoming a problem.
MPG BOOST is the purpose of the battery upgrade & plug for a “full” hybrid. So even at speeds above 62 MPH, there is still a decent efficiency improvement.
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December 21st, 2007 at 8:33 pm
drake 17/19. volt is Not a plug in hybrid, stop trying to muddy the waters with your japanese bullsh*t. and where did you get 2012 or later. no one has said that, get your sh*t together jackass.
8 or 9 miles by the prius is a joke. lmao @ drake and his com padres gxt, john1700 and guy, lol…
better run! the sky is falling, the sky is falling, lol.
i’ve said this a hundred times (exaggerating), even if the volt never sees the light of day, it’s still pushing the electric car thing.
it’s even got guys like the ones in my first paragraph so nervous, that they come on here and lie to try to stop it, lol..
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December 21st, 2007 at 8:40 pm
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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December 22nd, 2007 at 8:43 pm
“(assuming batteries are available)”
Not new, but notable that it is singled out here.
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