Archive for July, 2008
Ford: Mass Production of Plug-in Electric Cars at Least 5 Years Away
Ford continues to take a conservative stance on the possibility of mass-producing plug-in electric cars.
“We’re clearly at least five years away from starting what I would call the ramp from very small volumes to substantial volumes,” said Nancy Gioia who is Ford’s director of hybrid vehicles.
She describes plug-in development as “a system that really has [...]
Popularity: 6%
Next Gen Prius Spotted: Volt Wannabe?
The Toyota Prius has been the undisputed king of green cars so far, selling more than 1 million units worldwide. Indeed GM vice chair Bob Lutz has publicly stated it was in part the Prius’ success that spurred him to launch the Chevy Volt.
The Volt is intended to be a lot of things [...]
Popularity: 7%
Production Chevy Volt Will be Revealed to GM Employees in September, Public After That
We have been waiting patiently to see the production redesign of the Chevy Volt concept. Speculation recently indicated that GM would reveal the car at their Centennial celebration on September 16th.
Today, the Detroit News is reporting that the September 16th revelation will be a sneak peek only for GM workers who will not be allowed [...]
Popularity: 7%
EEStor Announces Third Party Verification of Key Production Milestone
Even though they are not involved in the Chevy Volt project, we follow EEStor on this site because of the remarkable energy storage potential that their technology could represent.
Based on barite, their storage units if shown to perform as they are purported to, could hold several times the energy at a fraction of the cost [...]
Popularity: 7%
It’s Official: GM Intends to Build the Chevy Volt’s Engine in a New Plant in Flint, Michigan
According to new paperwork filed by GM, the 1.4 L 4 cylinder family zero engine that will be the Chevy Volt’s range-extender/generator will be built in a brand new plant in Flint Michigan.
The facility will be 530,000 square feet and cost $326 million. It will also produce the similar engine to be used in the [...]
Popularity: 6%
No to Beat But Yes to Trax or Groove: GM US Subcompact Within 2 Years
Since the massive gas price and economy fueled shift started in the North American auto market, all the automakers are scrambling to stop building trucks and start building fuel efficient cars.
The Chevy Beat approved for oversees production seemed like it would be a good fit for this new US market, but couldn’t make it here [...]
Popularity: 6%
Lutz: 1 Million Worldwide E-Flex Production by 2020 and is GM Planning to Bring Battery Production in House?
GM vice chairman Bob Lutz and GM Europe’s president Carl-Peter Forester were on hand at the British Motor Show last week.
In a new article in the Times, there are several unprecedented statements. The author contends that the first E-Flex in Europe will be based on the next generation Vauxhall Astra, appear under that brand or [...]
Popularity: 7%
GM Explains Why the 1.4 L ICE Range Extender was Chosen For the Volt
On Friday GM dedicated a new advanced powertrain engineering center in Pontiac Michigan. The 450,000 square foot, $450 Million facility will use new specialized technology and procedures to more rapidly roll out advanced fuel efficient powertrains. It should be able to cut 10 weeks off of the typical powertrain development cycle. The Volt’s [...]
Popularity: 8%
GM Has Decided on the 1.4 L 4-Cylinder Engine as the Range Extender for the Chevy Volt
Previously we heard rumors that GM might use a 1.4 L non-turbo 4 cylinder engine as the Volt’s range extender. Last week GM CEO Rick Wagoner confirmed it was under consideration.
Now GreenCarCongress’ Mike Millikin reports the decision has been finalized as per personal communication with Larry Nitz who is GMs VP of Hybrid Powertrain Development. [...]
Popularity: 6%
Nissan CEO Ghosn: “I Don’t Want a Range Extender”
It looks like more fighting words in the OK Corral as GM vice-chair Bob Lutz has taken to calling the electric car competition arena.
Nissan’s CEO Carlson Ghosn has long stood by a pure EV approach. He recently told the New York Times that any electric car he would sell in the US would have [...]
Popularity: 7%
GM Considers Chevy Volt Plant in England
Not only is the Volt planned for America, but it has been clear from the start that the Volt will be a global vehicle. We are already aware the Volt will be built in Detroit for US consumption. Now there is news GM is looking to build a Volt plant overseas as well.
Reports out of [...]
Popularity: 6%
Update: Saturn VUE 2-Mode Plug-in Hybrid
GM’s director of Hybrid Powertrain Engineering Larry Nitz has apparently taken to calling the Saturn VUE 2-Mode plug-in hybrid the "other" GM plug-in due to all the attention the Chevy Volt gets.
At the Plug-in 2008 conference he gave an update on the vehicle and has written about it on GM’s FastLane blog.
He mentioned that there [...]
Popularity: 7%
Recent Posts
- Volt Battery Supplier Chosen and GM Comments on Production Photo Leaks (POLL)
- BREAKING: Production VOLT Spied!! The REAL DEAL!!
- Chevy Volt Interior Picture Leak
- Bob Lutz Responds to Toyota’s Announcement: Large Volt Test Fleet in 2009
- Volt Competition: Mazda’s Secret E-REV Program, Toyota Forwards Plug-in Fleet to 2009
- Bob Lutz on Chevy Volt Battery Tests, Cold Starts, and Use of OnStar
- The Chevy Volt Generator Will Run at One of Several Fixed RPMs
- E-Flex Cadillac Next?
- How the Chevy Volt Operates Past the Customer Depletion Point
- The Chevy Volt Will Have iPod Connectivity (Plus More Design Issues)
