Comments on: Volt Nation Meet-Up: GM Opens More Invitations

By: LB

LB — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 06:14:40 +0000

Never mind. I found the e-mail with the info! I must need glasses.

By: LB

LB — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 04:12:47 +0000

I’m in agreement with Bob. Any news after the confirm e-mail? Don’t want to get there and not find our names on the list after taking the day off from work and making the trip to NYC and spending all kinds of $. Also, what is the plan when we get to the Javits Center? Walk in the front door and run towards the Volt, hugging it like a long lost friend? Would ID’s be required? Are cameras permitted? (I’m assuming yes since this is a press day; but one should never assume!) Any other helpful info on what to expect? Thanks!

By: Bob Cuomo

Bob Cuomo — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:18:19 +0000

Will there be any confirmation of who has the passes to this event? I sent the CONFIRM email. I am making plans to be in New York and it would be nice to know that a pass will actually be there after all of the expense of getting there (from Colorado).

By: Jim

Jim — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:01:06 +0000

Hi Tagamet:

Yes, it certainly would be a double-edged sword, assuming that testing has been minimal on the "bleeding edge technology" that I mentioned. However, those new batteries have been tested for at least 3 years already. Eventually, if a product is to get to market, production has to begin – even if testing continues.

This is where the Volt comes into the picture. They can test it and test it and test it, but if GM is really serious about bringing the Volt to the showrooms, they need to start production (and not 5 years from now).

I have to wonder why they didn’t just put the EV1 back into production. It was capable of highway speeds, had every possible wind tunnel test conducted on it, and had a fair range considering the battery technology available at the time. Now we have Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries and the soon to be released ultracapacitance batteries. With those installed in the EV1, range might even reach 300 miles – without burning a drop of gasoline. To me that is much healthier for us and our planet.

By: Gordo

Gordo — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 22:03:41 +0000

Have you guys seen this SUV modified hybrid? They are saying it has the same range as the volt (40 miles) on electric only, but unlimited range with gas motor. They are describing it as the SUV that gets 150 MPGs. The videos are worth checking out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-cPHtQ0tTwI really like what these guys have done. They built that thing just by modifying an existing Saturn vue hybrid with mostly off the shelf parts. They built the whole thing including a custom transmission for the electric motor, in just 6 months. One thing they are doing that other’s aren’t is the use of super capacitors, this is explained a little in this video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YheGphfNHcY&feature=relatedFrom what I understand the battery packs will be available in large quantities by this summer (just months from now). It can do 0 to 60 MPH in 6.9 seconds:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpjxLntmajA&feature=related Range is unlimited with gas backup with nothing special that the driver has to do (same as all the commercial hybrids being sold already).This car has been featured on CBS:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhM70MnTIvk&feature=relatedAnd CNN:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v09_uTp08zg&feature=related

By: traumadoc

traumadoc — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 16:58:26 +0000

If I could I would go..I frequently look for the updates on how the battery issues are going and hope at the show we will hear more

By: Tagamet

Tagamet — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 04:17:32 +0000

Hi Jim,
A bit of a doublew edged sword there isn’t it? Either test the batteries thouroughly (which takes time) or use untested, bleeding edge tech.

By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 02:10:17 +0000

Hi nasaman:

From what I’ve been reading, the new battery internal structure will be essentually dry, will be of the capacitance type, will require just minutes to charge, will be immune to the effects of cold weather – without the need for insulation and a warming source, and will be less than half the weight of today’s batteries.

I hope GM will be using such batteries in the Volt. If their packs require insulation and a warming source, the Volt will be a failure because the competition will be using them.

By: nasaman

nasaman — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:14:42 +0000

32 Jim

I don’t have inside or specific information, Jim, but my best "fairly educated" guesses to your questions are:

1) The battery packs will be well insulated & will have an ethlylene glycol mix from a heat exchanger in the car’s HVAC circulated thru them (similar to Mercedes’ technique)

2) Full charge will take approx 6 hrs, partial charges proportionately less

3) Packs are expected to last 15 yrs; GM’s standard 100,000 mi drive train warranty will apply (as you know, a car’s value is effectively "zeroed out" after ~15yrs for esthetic or other reasons, so the battery should never need replacing)

4) I’d really be very surprised if GM doesn’t make the announced showroom date of 2010 (or 2011 at the latest).

By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:07:36 +0000

Hi nasaman:

You don’t want to list the Volt accomplishments because they are just too numerous to mention. OK, that’s fine. Just tell me what has been accomplished with the Volt battery pack. Will it be invulnerable to low winter temperatures (existing EVs with the battery packs used today loose half their range during winter months)? How long will it take to get a full charge? How long will the pack last before it needs replacing? How much will the replacement costs be?

And will we see the Volt in showrooms before 2014?