Comments on: GM Would Share Volt E-Flex Technology Among Brands

By: Adam

Adam — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 03:00:10 +0000

3 Phase AC motors have been out there forever, we all know that. The controller is a bit harder to find, but their not rocket science either. The batteries now, I think they’ll last just as long as the NiMH in the RAV4..

The hardest part of the EV system is the software. Even that isn’t that hard, Chrysler and Ford have built EV’s before. They like to lie to the public, (maybe not lie, but you know what I mean) that the technolgy isn’t there, and it’s too hard to build/pull off..

If a rookie can convert a heap of junk Mitsubishi on his own dime, and have a good reliable car, and had little technical experience, what is wrong with the picture here? Why the hell does the big 3 have all these high and mighty people working for them, and having such a hard time with it? 2010? Really, they could have it out the end of this year, but they enjoy dragging their feet I guess.

Really, I’m at a loss of words, I really don’t understand what the problem is…… Waiting for testing of the battery? Please.. we’ll see what happens..

By: cantjam

cantjam — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:12:56 +0000

The technology (except for the battery ) has been proven for decades on your local railroads. Diesel locomotives have been all electric, all the time. The only real change is the battery and plug in charge. Not all that exceptional of a concept to be talking about Licensing. Any car maker will be able to do the same thing soon enough.

By: Grizzly

Grizzly — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:45:41 +0000

Actually, I don’t really think there’s anything to license. You have to have a proven product and not only does this take time, but the RE EV concept is also going to take time for acceptance. I’ll bet that most people for the first year or better will think this is just a late GM entry into the HEV market…a nicer looking Prius if you will.

By the time it does start catching on, more will demand this technology and GM will want to sell all the vehicles it can, and so will the other 4 GM divisions. Not licensing the technology will allow for more vehicle sales and the ability to take a bite out of CAFE.

To give that up for a few bucks per vehicle, not to mention that these vehicles might be opportunities lost for GM just doesn’t seem to make sense at this point.

By: john1701a

john1701a — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:56:20 +0000

1994 the development of Prius was in full swing.

1997 sales of Prius began… the same year RAV4-EV was first available.

The purpose was to compete with the PNGV automakers.

By: storm connors

storm connors — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:36:17 +0000

>> Didn’t Toyota develop their hybrid mainly because of Chevron’s/Cobasy’s
>> lockup of the NiMH battery use, which said that no BEV’s allowed?

“Sorry, that guess is not what happened.”

Yes it was. Check out the RAV4.