Comments on: Next Generation Chevy Volt Might Have 80 Mile Electric Range With Same Size Battery

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:00:03 +0000

That would be good news if they could al least double the electric only range!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:07:59 +0000

An all-electric range of 80 miles would be a Godsend for people whose daily commute exceeds the current 40 mile range (my commute is about 70 miles per day). It would also easily cover all of my routine weekend errand driving. Basically, I’d use gasonline very infrequently.

With luck, I’ll be able to pick up a first-gen Volt, enjoy its 40 mile all-electric range, and then upgrade to an 80 mile battery when it’s available.

Go GM!

By: WILLIAM HUSAR

WILLIAM HUSAR — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 01:31:56 +0000

delete the gas engine solution install on rear wheel rim a ring gear an pinion gear on generator shaft kinetic energy from wheel rotation charges batteery pack optimum gear ratio for rpm`s consider over nite charge 40% chaege the generator kicks in above 15 mph no plug in req`d you arrive where ever with battery charged SLAM DUNK LOCKHEED ENGINEER BILL HUSAR

By: Dan Petit

Dan Petit — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:02:05 +0000

“Preventive maintenance engine run” is likely on the engineer’s table, and is a great idea. More than a few minutes would be needed to clear a Catalytic Converter and light it up at 675 degrees or so to burn off traces of HC, as well as clear the exhaust of combustion water. This may be what GM engineering sees in modifying charge strategies.
Many scan tools have bi-directional controlling of the PCM already for Commanded testing and Commanded Relearns of things like Crank sensor position, etc. (if one is extensively trained to analyze graphing). More mundane toggles are available such as turning off the automatic door locking subroutine which automatically locks all doors at , say, 20 mph.
Licensing of these capabilities at a cost (in a scan tool) is a good idea to keep inexperienced and unintentional activities/switching from occurring, causing unnecessary expense and damages to the owner’s property.
In analyzing thousands of waveforms over the years, the clear intent of everything that the OEM finalizes is simply to the the best things for the owner.
I disagree with an Edmunds article I just read where editors felt the need to apologize for themselves for apparent inconsistencies/changes of GM reps regarding charging strategies. Clearing the Exhaust system may be one of those reasons. (No, you can’t conceive of everything all at once when critical things must change in a design.)
This is an entirely NEW FIELD. There just are not available “definite” specifications during any developmental phase of the Volt. You can not know finally what any specification is going to be until you have amassed vast numbers of sample sizes to validate the usage needs of various demographics. But the open discussions regarding various specs changes is clearly wise, since often some small comment or idea, or post containing one small little fact, written early enough, is each persons’ personal contribution to our futures, If the “Tipping Point” has passed us by already, then we still may be able to help make change feasible with our commentaries before we bypass our “Adaptation Point”.
I think all comments are important, even from angry people letting off their “steam” if they need to.
Dan Petit, Austin, TX

By: Mike Ro

Mike Ro — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:22:03 +0000

I for one would like more range. I drive 44 miles to work and back with a 600ft elevation hill near the end of my trip home so theres no way 40 will do for me unless I charge at work. I’d rather pay more and get 60 or 80 miles. Then I can drop my plans of putting 6 or 8 golf cart batteries in the trunk with an inverter so I can charge the volt while I’m at work…

Mike