Comments on: Bob Lutz: “The Road Ahead” http://gm-volt.com/2008/02/21/bob-lutz-the-road-ahead/ Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt. Thu, 24 May 2012 22:53:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: nasaman http://gm-volt.com/2008/02/21/bob-lutz-the-road-ahead/#comment-31240 nasaman Sat, 23 Feb 2008 19:19:28 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/02/21/bob-lutz-the-road-ahead/#comment-31240 62jscott1000 You're largely right when you say, "....With regenerative braking you almost take mass out of the equation, and suddenly a big vehicle can be nearly as efficient as a much smaller one. And the energy savings more substantial. The main reason GM is making the Tahoe and Silverado Hybrids. When they go e-flex it will be even better." However, I would add that GM will need to upsize the battery for the E-REV versions of the Tahoe (et al) from the Volt's battery (16KWh) to something more like 24KWH to achieve ~40miles EV-only range. That's why I've been lobbying GM heavily to put a much bigger battery in the '09 plug-in VUE ....to extend its EV range well beyond the wimpy 10 miles they've announced. 62jscott1000

You’re largely right when you say, “….With regenerative braking you almost take mass out of the equation, and suddenly a big vehicle can be nearly as efficient as a much smaller one. And the energy savings more substantial. The main reason GM is making the Tahoe and Silverado Hybrids. When they go e-flex it will be even better.”

However, I would add that GM will need to upsize the battery for the E-REV versions of the Tahoe (et al) from the Volt’s battery (16KWh) to something more like 24KWH to achieve ~40miles EV-only range. That’s why I’ve been lobbying GM heavily to put a much bigger battery in the ’09 plug-in VUE ….to extend its EV range well beyond the wimpy 10 miles they’ve announced.

]]> By: jscott1000 http://gm-volt.com/2008/02/21/bob-lutz-the-road-ahead/#comment-31237 jscott1000 Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:56:05 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/02/21/bob-lutz-the-road-ahead/#comment-31237 Lutz is correct. Here in Texas, almost every other vehicle on the road is a 3/4 ton truck or bigger. I personally know a half dozen or more folks who do haul horses around in big trailers. I personally haul my auto transport trailer behind my half-ton truck. That doesn't mean the same technology can't be used to make big trucks more efficient. With regenerative braking you almost take mass out of the equation, and suddenly a big vehicle can be nearly as efficient as a much smaller one. And the energy savings more substantial. The main reason GM is making the Tahoe and Silverado Hybrids. When they go e-flex it will be even better. Lutz is correct. Here in Texas, almost every other vehicle on the road is a 3/4 ton truck or bigger. I personally know a half dozen or more folks who do haul horses around in big trailers. I personally haul my auto transport trailer behind my half-ton truck. That doesn’t mean the same technology can’t be used to make big trucks more efficient.

With regenerative braking you almost take mass out of the equation, and suddenly a big vehicle can be nearly as efficient as a much smaller one. And the energy savings more substantial. The main reason GM is making the Tahoe and Silverado Hybrids. When they go e-flex it will be even better.

]]> By: THERMOS(R) ECO-LOGIC LIVING » Blog Archive » The GM Volt Has Its Very Own Site! http://gm-volt.com/2008/02/21/bob-lutz-the-road-ahead/#comment-31166 THERMOS(R) ECO-LOGIC LIVING » Blog Archive » The GM Volt Has Its Very Own Site! Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:19:30 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/02/21/bob-lutz-the-road-ahead/#comment-31166 [...] vehicles, but will it beat the Tesla Roadster? My thought is probably not, but you just never know. Check out the site here to learn more about the Volt, global warming news, or even some predicitions by vice-chairman Bob [...] [...] vehicles, but will it beat the Tesla Roadster? My thought is probably not, but you just never know. Check out the site here to learn more about the Volt, global warming news, or even some predicitions by vice-chairman Bob [...]

]]> By: Texas http://gm-volt.com/2008/02/21/bob-lutz-the-road-ahead/#comment-31124 Texas Fri, 22 Feb 2008 03:30:09 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/02/21/bob-lutz-the-road-ahead/#comment-31124 #54 wrote: I would much rather see vehicles like the volt being built rather than the Prius. The Prius is not a long term option, it is not flexible as the ICE cannot be removed and still have a functioning vehicle. If carmakers are going to have to invest billions to migrate our vehicle fleet to a sustainable point we need our designs to be more forward looking and the Prius just doesn’t accomplish that. You might want to wait for the Toyota's answer to the Volt. I heard that the new design can drive around 62-65 mph using only it's electric motor. I'm betting it will be quite competitive. Actually, I'm hoping it is because competition is always a good thing for the consumer. They have to drive the price down to win market share. Maybe you prefer the iPod model where they can just about charge what they want and the masses still flock. Thus, "Go Volt! Go Prius! Hey Volt, I hear Prius says his father is better than your father." #54 wrote:
I would much rather see vehicles like the volt being built rather than the Prius. The Prius is not a long term option, it is not flexible as the ICE cannot be removed and still have a functioning vehicle. If carmakers are going to have to invest billions to migrate our vehicle fleet to a sustainable point we need our designs to be more forward looking and the Prius just doesn’t accomplish that.

You might want to wait for the Toyota’s answer to the Volt. I heard that the new design can drive around 62-65 mph using only it’s electric motor. I’m betting it will be quite competitive. Actually, I’m hoping it is because competition is always a good thing for the consumer. They have to drive the price down to win market share. Maybe you prefer the iPod model where they can just about charge what they want and the masses still flock. Thus, “Go Volt! Go Prius! Hey Volt, I hear Prius says his father is better than your father.”

]]> By: john1701a http://gm-volt.com/2008/02/21/bob-lutz-the-road-ahead/#comment-31123 john1701a Fri, 22 Feb 2008 03:25:26 +0000 http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/02/21/bob-lutz-the-road-ahead/#comment-31123 >> I would much rather see vehicles like the volt being built rather... That sounds a lot like something I could have said 10 years ago. Study the market. You're in for a rude awaking. Sorry, but the challenges we face will require some flexibility well beyond the ideal. Consider what the market needs. One solution does not fit all. Then consider when change is needed and to what degree of penetration. There's a whole lot more to that picture than you first realize. >> I would much rather see vehicles like the volt being built rather…

That sounds a lot like something I could have said 10 years ago.

Study the market. You’re in for a rude awaking. Sorry, but the challenges we face will require some flexibility well beyond the ideal.

Consider what the market needs. One solution does not fit all.

Then consider when change is needed and to what degree of penetration.

There’s a whole lot more to that picture than you first realize.

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