Comments on: How Will Air Conditioning Affect the Chevy Volt’s Electric Range? http://gm-volt.com/2008/12/30/how-will-air-conditioning-affect-the-chevy-volts-electric-range/ Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:04:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Chris http://gm-volt.com/2008/12/30/how-will-air-conditioning-affect-the-chevy-volts-electric-range/#comment-183177 Chris Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:58:48 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1447#comment-183177 I do see a few options here. Batterys generate heat. You could come up with a way to pump that heat into the passenger area. They could go with the option of using the engine to run the climate system. When you have your ac or heater on it could draw electricity from the engine. I do see a few options here. Batterys generate heat. You could come up with a way to pump that heat into the passenger area. They could go with the option of using the engine to run the climate system. When you have your ac or heater on it could draw electricity from the engine.

]]> By: 230 mpg - Page 2 http://gm-volt.com/2008/12/30/how-will-air-conditioning-affect-the-chevy-volts-electric-range/#comment-135699 230 mpg - Page 2 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:05:13 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1447#comment-135699 [...] Posted by galveston Will it have an air conditioner? Yes: How Will Air Conditioning Affect the Chevy Volt’s Electric Range? | GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Elect... [...] [...] Posted by galveston Will it have an air conditioner? Yes: How Will Air Conditioning Affect the Chevy Volt’s Electric Range? | GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Elect… [...]

]]> By: Jon http://gm-volt.com/2008/12/30/how-will-air-conditioning-affect-the-chevy-volts-electric-range/#comment-89735 Jon Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:05:22 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1447#comment-89735 Forget A/C you big girls blouses I am more concerned about heating the car up during the winter so your fingers and toes don't go numb, compromising the car's undoubtedly superb handling characteristics. How much of a drain on battery life will heating the car up be when it's well below freezing outside in the morning? Does the passenger compartment have greater thermal insulation than a normal car to reduce this energy loss? Presumably if the car is plunged in overnight, then the cars heating system could automatically warm the car up at a user programmable pre-set time in the morning using electricity supplied directly from the plugged in cable and not the car's batteries. Thus (besides increasing range) making the car nice and toasty (with defrosted windows) when you start off on your journey to work on a cold dark winter morning. A definite selling point for those of us climatically disadvantaged. Forget A/C you big girls blouses I am more concerned about heating the car up during the winter so your fingers and toes don’t go numb, compromising the car’s undoubtedly superb handling characteristics.

How much of a drain on battery life will heating the car up be when it’s well below freezing outside in the morning?

Does the passenger compartment have greater thermal insulation than a normal car to reduce this energy loss?

Presumably if the car is plunged in overnight, then the cars heating system could automatically warm the car up at a user programmable pre-set time in the morning using electricity supplied directly from the plugged in cable and not the car’s batteries. Thus (besides increasing range) making the car nice and toasty (with defrosted windows) when you start off on your journey to work on a cold dark winter morning. A definite selling point for those of us climatically disadvantaged.

]]> By: Van http://gm-volt.com/2008/12/30/how-will-air-conditioning-affect-the-chevy-volts-electric-range/#comment-88894 Van Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:41:27 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1447#comment-88894 Hi Koz, I provided an estimate of a 15% reduction in AER with the AC on based on the energy use of the Prius electric AC unit (.9-1.6 KW). There is not significant difference whether you think the AER will be 32 miles or 45 miles, provided the 8 KWh is used up in about the same period of time. If your point is that my estimate was a rough order of magnitude estimate, that is true. These (ROM) estimates are expected to be in the ball park, not design calculations. If the drive cycle lasts about one hour, then 1.25 KWh will go into the AC, leaving 6.75 to drive the wheels. Without the AC, 8 KWh is available to drive the wheels. Thus about a 15% reduction in the AER. Hi Koz, I provided an estimate of a 15% reduction in AER with the AC on based on the energy use of the Prius electric AC unit (.9-1.6 KW).

There is not significant difference whether you think the AER will be 32 miles or 45 miles, provided the 8 KWh is used up in about the same period of time.

If your point is that my estimate was a rough order of magnitude estimate, that is true. These (ROM) estimates are expected to be in the ball park, not design calculations.

If the drive cycle lasts about one hour, then 1.25 KWh will go into the AC, leaving 6.75 to drive the wheels. Without the AC, 8 KWh is available to drive the wheels. Thus about a 15% reduction in the AER.

]]> By: Will http://gm-volt.com/2008/12/30/how-will-air-conditioning-affect-the-chevy-volts-electric-range/#comment-88722 Will Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:34:01 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1447#comment-88722 #85 GXT, I remember the thread you mention, but you have to remember that the Volt will most likely perform better, if not much better, than what Bob drove. That was the guts of the Volt, true, but not in a Volt body and also without the all important software to manage the battery. GM has staked FAR too much on the 40 mile AER for them to not make it. I'm fully confident that the Volt will give me a full 40 mile AER for ten years or more.....of course, when you turn the AC on it will diminish the range somewhat, but hey, my G6 is rated for 23 city/30 highway. With the AC on high it's actually more like 21 city / 32 highway (I know, the car actually gets about 34-35 mpg highway without the AC on). My point being, you will rarely, if ever, get the mileage posted for a car, unless you try to. Its much more of an estimate than an exact figure, always has been and always will be. #85 GXT,

I remember the thread you mention, but you have to remember that the Volt will most likely perform better, if not much better, than what Bob drove. That was the guts of the Volt, true, but not in a Volt body and also without the all important software to manage the battery.

GM has staked FAR too much on the 40 mile AER for them to not make it. I’m fully confident that the Volt will give me a full 40 mile AER for ten years or more…..of course, when you turn the AC on it will diminish the range somewhat, but hey, my G6 is rated for 23 city/30 highway. With the AC on high it’s actually more like 21 city / 32 highway (I know, the car actually gets about 34-35 mpg highway without the AC on). My point being, you will rarely, if ever, get the mileage posted for a car, unless you try to. Its much more of an estimate than an exact figure, always has been and always will be.

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