Comments on: Chevy Volt and the Electric Grid: Drive 15,000 Miles for $73 http://gm-volt.com/2008/09/19/chevy-volt-and-the-electric-grid-drive-15000-miles-for-73/ Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:53:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Dave http://gm-volt.com/2008/09/19/chevy-volt-and-the-electric-grid-drive-15000-miles-for-73/#comment-136587 Dave Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:20:05 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1282#comment-136587 From their own figures of a total range of 640 miles on a 12 gallon tank, it's easy to calculate that the volt actually does 54mpg including the initially charged section and the gas part of that works out at 50mpg (600miles/12gallons). Thus, it's easy to work out the gas consumption in total for any journey length. The claims of 230mpg are spurious because they assume no enery is being consumed in the electric part of teh cycle. This is akin to saying that electric milk flaots have infinite mpg, as would (using their methodology) a Volt that only covers 40 miles per day between charges. They make a similar wild claim on the amount of electricity charging is equivalent to. See my later post for details. Maybe they think they will fool enough people anyway without needing to be numerate or even closely accurate with their figures. GM are will be selling Hair Restorer and GM Cure-All from the backs of their Volts next. From their own figures of a total range of 640 miles on a 12 gallon tank, it’s easy to calculate that the volt actually does 54mpg including the initially charged section and the gas part of that works out at 50mpg (600miles/12gallons). Thus, it’s easy to work out the gas consumption in total for any journey length. The claims of 230mpg are spurious because they assume no enery is being consumed in the electric part of teh cycle. This is akin to saying that electric milk flaots have infinite mpg, as would (using their methodology) a Volt that only covers 40 miles per day between charges.

They make a similar wild claim on the amount of electricity charging is equivalent to. See my later post for details. Maybe they think they will fool enough people anyway without needing to be numerate or even closely accurate with their figures. GM are will be selling Hair Restorer and GM Cure-All from the backs of their Volts next.

]]> By: Dave http://gm-volt.com/2008/09/19/chevy-volt-and-the-electric-grid-drive-15000-miles-for-73/#comment-136585 Dave Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:13:16 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1282#comment-136585 Their electricity usage comparison doesn't add up either. See my later post. GM need to employ more numerate engineers and less advertising executives more used to advertising low calorie water. Their electricity usage comparison doesn’t add up either. See my later post. GM need to employ more numerate engineers and less advertising executives more used to advertising low calorie water.

]]> By: Dave http://gm-volt.com/2008/09/19/chevy-volt-and-the-electric-grid-drive-15000-miles-for-73/#comment-136582 Dave Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:09:32 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1282#comment-136582 See my comments before you start spending the money you've saved using a Volt! Their maths just doesn't add up. However, you are right, if we do get solar power to recharge them then the costs will then plummet (although where I live, powering them off rain would be more efficient). See my comments before you start spending the money you’ve saved using a Volt! Their maths just doesn’t add up. However, you are right, if we do get solar power to recharge them then the costs will then plummet (although where I live, powering them off rain would be more efficient).

]]> By: Dave http://gm-volt.com/2008/09/19/chevy-volt-and-the-electric-grid-drive-15000-miles-for-73/#comment-136580 Dave Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:07:29 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1282#comment-136580 Once more, after the ludicrous230mpg mileage claims, GM are now making nonsensical comparisons on charging. A modern fridge takes 300kWh annually, a freezer 200kWh or 500kWh combined. Lets just double that to allow for bigger American fridge/freezers and to make the Volt sound better. Thet works out at 3kWh per day. So GM are saying that you can drive the Volt for 40 miles on a 3kWh charge. Assuming that the charging cycle is 100% efficient, that means if we were to drive the vehicle 40 miles at 40mph then it would be able to do this using an average of 3kW power. Given that 1hp=746W this is equivalent to approximately 4hp. Anyone who can run a family vehicle at 40mph using a 4hp engine would not need any fancy battery hybrid system, they could just put in a moped engine and achieve more than the 54mpg this car actually achieves. Once more GM is providing advertising statements which don't add up along with its ridiculous 230mpg claim. Once more, after the ludicrous230mpg mileage claims, GM are now making nonsensical comparisons on charging.

A modern fridge takes 300kWh annually, a freezer 200kWh or 500kWh combined. Lets just double that to allow for bigger American fridge/freezers and to make the Volt sound better. Thet works out at 3kWh per day. So GM are saying that you can drive the Volt for 40 miles on a 3kWh charge. Assuming that the charging cycle is 100% efficient, that means if we were to drive the vehicle 40 miles at 40mph then it would be able to do this using an average of 3kW power. Given that 1hp=746W this is equivalent to approximately 4hp. Anyone who can run a family vehicle at 40mph using a 4hp engine would not need any fancy battery hybrid system, they could just put in a moped engine and achieve more than the 54mpg this car actually achieves.

Once more GM is providing advertising statements which don’t add up along with its ridiculous 230mpg claim.

]]> By: Thomas http://gm-volt.com/2008/09/19/chevy-volt-and-the-electric-grid-drive-15000-miles-for-73/#comment-119731 Thomas Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:49:47 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1282#comment-119731 I am so excited for the Volt! $73 would cover a year of my driving! As it stands now I spend probably around $1500! So all cars will be electric and we will use solar power to recharge them! I am so excited for the Volt! $73 would cover a year of my driving! As it stands now I spend probably around $1500! So all cars will be electric and we will use solar power to recharge them!

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