Comments on: Chevy Volt Media Day http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/02/chevy-volt-media-day/ Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:19:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: doggydogworld http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/02/chevy-volt-media-day/#comment-36244 doggydogworld Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:51:35 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=991#comment-36244 Rick, the RAV4-EV battery packs cost $15-20k, more than the entire manufacturing cost of a gasoline RAV4. Due to battery pack weight and power issues, RAV4-EV 0-60 time was something like 16 seconds. Volt battery pack cost and 0-60 time is targeted at $6k and 7-9 seconds. The Volt is cheaper, faster and is a "real car" -- unlike the RAV4-EV you can hop in and drive across the country if you want. If you really want a long range EV try the Tesla Roadster. It can do 200+ miles. Still not cross country, but OK for daily driving and short trips. Of course it only seats two and costs $100k, but the pursuit of EV purity requires certain sacrifices. Rick, the RAV4-EV battery packs cost $15-20k, more than the entire manufacturing cost of a gasoline RAV4. Due to battery pack weight and power issues, RAV4-EV 0-60 time was something like 16 seconds. Volt battery pack cost and 0-60 time is targeted at $6k and 7-9 seconds. The Volt is cheaper, faster and is a “real car” — unlike the RAV4-EV you can hop in and drive across the country if you want.

If you really want a long range EV try the Tesla Roadster. It can do 200+ miles. Still not cross country, but OK for daily driving and short trips. Of course it only seats two and costs $100k, but the pursuit of EV purity requires certain sacrifices.

]]> By: Rick Komraus http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/02/chevy-volt-media-day/#comment-36068 Rick Komraus Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:25:34 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=991#comment-36068 I've done a little research on EVs. The new Chevy Volt is using Lithium Ion Batteries which has longer rang and reduced weight. Why is the range only 40 miles. Maybe I misread the specs. Early Toyota RAV4 EVs had almost 100 mile range on NiMH Batteries. I would never make it to work and back with the Volt without a recharge or running on the auxillary engine. I was hoping for an long range useable electric car. This seems like a hybrid? I’ve done a little research on EVs. The new Chevy Volt is using Lithium Ion Batteries which has longer rang and reduced weight. Why is the range only 40 miles. Maybe I misread the specs. Early Toyota RAV4 EVs had almost 100 mile range on NiMH Batteries. I would never make it to work and back with the Volt without a recharge or running on the auxillary engine. I was hoping for an long range useable electric car. This seems like a hybrid?

]]> By: doggydogworld http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/02/chevy-volt-media-day/#comment-35977 doggydogworld Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:09:48 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=991#comment-35977 #66 Storm, the idea that the generator recharges the battery is a marketing concept. It doesn't actually work that way. In extended range operation the ICE/generator will generally match the road load and send power directly to the wheel motor. This avoids an inefficient side trip through the battery. Significant power will only flow in or out of the battery In unusual situations such as rapid acceleration or deceleration. Control logic will maintain battery state of charge near the 30% mark, it will not "recharge" it back to 80%. #66 Storm, the idea that the generator recharges the battery is a marketing concept. It doesn’t actually work that way. In extended range operation the ICE/generator will generally match the road load and send power directly to the wheel motor. This avoids an inefficient side trip through the battery. Significant power will only flow in or out of the battery In unusual situations such as rapid acceleration or deceleration. Control logic will maintain battery state of charge near the 30% mark, it will not “recharge” it back to 80%.

]]> By: Storm http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/02/chevy-volt-media-day/#comment-35430 Storm Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:31:39 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=991#comment-35430 re #61. The charger is to charge the battery. Therefore you will never "run the ICE one minute and shut it down for three." I don't understand why it is so hard to grasp the concept of an electric, battery powered car with an onboard ICE driven charger. re #61. The charger is to charge the battery. Therefore you will never “run the ICE one minute and shut it down for three.”

I don’t understand why it is so hard to grasp the concept of an electric, battery powered car with an onboard ICE driven charger.

]]> By: Jim I http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/02/chevy-volt-media-day/#comment-35375 Jim I Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:34:31 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=991#comment-35375 Eco #62: There are good cars and there are bad cars. I had a 1991 Dodge Stealth, that according to the Dodge mechanics, had a horrible service record. But I had mine for 10 years, and put on 175,000 miles, and the only repairs I had were a bad air conditioner compressor, and a broken power window mechanism, both fixed under warranty.... Eco #62:

There are good cars and there are bad cars. I had a 1991 Dodge Stealth, that according to the Dodge mechanics, had a horrible service record. But I had mine for 10 years, and put on 175,000 miles, and the only repairs I had were a bad air conditioner compressor, and a broken power window mechanism, both fixed under warranty….

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