Comments on: Volt One Step Ahead of the Prius! http://gm-volt.com/2008/12/05/volt-one-step-ahead-of-the-prius/ Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt. Fri, 25 May 2012 22:44:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: kubel http://gm-volt.com/2008/12/05/volt-one-step-ahead-of-the-prius/#comment-86052 kubel Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:26:21 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1409#comment-86052 Battery technology is good enough. It has been since NiMH. It may not be a superior alternative to gas tanks, but what they have works very well. The ultimate battery will be some form of ultracaps or ultracap hybrid. Battery technology is good enough. It has been since NiMH. It may not be a superior alternative to gas tanks, but what they have works very well.

The ultimate battery will be some form of ultracaps or ultracap hybrid.

]]> By: Harleigh Kyson Jr. http://gm-volt.com/2008/12/05/volt-one-step-ahead-of-the-prius/#comment-85638 Harleigh Kyson Jr. Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:21:47 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1409#comment-85638 I like the Prius except for its rear window, which doesn't seem to have much visibility. (I must admit, however, that I have never driven a Prius.) Here's what I find exciting about the Volt: (1) Its drive is all electric. (2) Its range can be extended by charging the battery with an inernal-combustion engine coupled to a generator and running at an optimal speed for efficiency. (3) Its mechanical simplicity. With an engine directly coupled to a generator and with electric motors driving the wheels, there is a great reduction in mechanical components that can break down. This means much easier maintenance. THE BIG PROBLM, however, may be battery technology. From what I have read, it is not likely that batteries are good enough yet to power the volt. Quite naturallyl, I hope I am wrong about this. I am sure, however, that if the Volt works reasonably well, Toyota will come out with a similar car that will probably work better. I like the Prius except for its rear window, which doesn’t seem to have much visibility. (I must admit, however, that I have never driven a Prius.)

Here’s what I find exciting about the Volt:

(1) Its drive is all electric.

(2) Its range can be extended by charging the battery with an inernal-combustion engine coupled to a generator and running at an optimal speed for efficiency.

(3) Its mechanical simplicity. With an engine directly coupled to a generator and with electric motors driving the wheels, there is a great reduction in mechanical components that can break down. This means much easier maintenance.

THE BIG PROBLM, however, may be battery technology. From what I have read, it is not likely that batteries are good enough yet to power the volt. Quite naturallyl, I hope I am wrong about this.

I am sure, however, that if the Volt works reasonably well, Toyota will come out with a similar car that will probably work better.

]]> By: Greg Simpson http://gm-volt.com/2008/12/05/volt-one-step-ahead-of-the-prius/#comment-85333 Greg Simpson Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:58:59 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1409#comment-85333 Until I saw this photo I hadn't realized just how ugly and stupid the Volt grill looks. A sop, I suppose, to those who preferred the ridiculous looking Volt concept vehicle, since it seems to show somewhat the same lack of style. I think the Volt does have the best idea for a hybrid drivetrain, and I hope it does well. Until I saw this photo I hadn’t realized just how ugly and stupid the Volt grill looks. A sop, I suppose, to those who preferred the ridiculous looking Volt concept vehicle, since it seems to show somewhat the same lack of style. I think the Volt does have the best idea for a hybrid drivetrain, and I hope it does well.

]]> By: hagar http://gm-volt.com/2008/12/05/volt-one-step-ahead-of-the-prius/#comment-85232 hagar Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:12:32 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1409#comment-85232 The first 50 commnets here are obviously from the GM cheerleading squad. The Volt is a rehash of the Precept from 1993. GM (and the rest of te American auto industry) has had since 1973 to deal with the high cost, both financial and enviromental, of petroleum fuel. In 1994, all three of "The Big 3" proved the whining today to be a lie. They all produced functional Hybrid cars. And then dumped them when Congress, and subsequently the White House, went far to the right, or was it for the cash. Same difference. Give them a dose of Republican "personal responsibility", and let them die. The first 50 commnets here are obviously from the GM cheerleading squad. The Volt is a rehash of the Precept from 1993. GM (and the rest of te American auto industry) has had since 1973 to deal with the high cost, both financial and enviromental, of petroleum fuel. In 1994, all three of “The Big 3″ proved the whining today to be a lie. They all produced functional Hybrid cars. And then dumped them when Congress, and subsequently the White House, went far to the right, or was it for the cash. Same difference. Give them a dose of Republican “personal responsibility”, and let them die.

]]> By: Dan Frederiksen http://gm-volt.com/2008/12/05/volt-one-step-ahead-of-the-prius/#comment-85167 Dan Frederiksen Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:34:49 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1409#comment-85167 well depending on very serious financing for GM, the volt might be one step closer to the grave than the prius seeing as Toyota is well running and GM is the walking dead. well depending on very serious financing for GM, the volt might be one step closer to the grave than the prius seeing as Toyota is well running and GM is the walking dead.

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