GM Considering 4-Door Cadillac Converj for 2013

The Cadillac Converj was a particularly beautiful concept car revealed by GM at the Detroit Auto Show. The vehicle is a 2 door 4 seater luxury model that uses the Voltec range-extended electric drivetrain with some tweaks to improve driving performance.
It also has a remarkable futuristic interior involving a massive OLED touch screen center [...]

Chevy Volt Generation Two

I had the chance to speak with Nick Zielinksi, he is GM’s vehicle line director for advanced technology vehicles. He is doing some of the coolest stuff at GM, developing the engineering for their “way in the future” cars.

Since you are responsible for the generation two and three Volts can you say anything about what [...]

Automakers Poised to Profit From Electric Car Batteries, GM Missed its First Chance, Will it Also Miss its Second?

BusinessWeek has published an article entitled “Automakers Seek Profit in Electric-Car Batteries.” The report discusses how lithium-ion batteries for automotive use are likely to become an important source of revenue for some automakers, beyond just selling cars.
It is pointed out that Toyota is one of the only automakers that produces its own batteries. [...]

Volt/Cruze Engine Plant Delay Continues

Last year GM announced they would be building a special engine plant to construct the family 0, 1.4 L turbo and normally aspirated engines that would be used in the Chevy Cruze, and as the Chevy Volt’s generator.
In December, construction at the plant was suspended due to cash flow concerns, but in no way was [...]

Did Cost Play a Role in Why GM Chose LG Chem Over A123 for the Chevy Volt Batteries?

Our recent post about GM’s decision to choose LG Chem over A123 to supply the Volts cells led some to speculate that price was an issue. This is not something I directly discussed with Denise Gray at that time. I did have the opportunity to now re-address it with Bob Kruse, GM’s executive [...]

Opel Ampera to Use Gas/E85 Generator, Not Diesel, and Chevy Volt Will go to Europe Too

We just found out last night, GM had given its European Voltec-propelled EREV sedan an official name, the Opel Ampera. We also were given a teaser photo indicating that the car had a very similar styling to the Chevy Volt (see above) although when compared directly, seems to have a squatter, wider, more splayed-out [...]

GMs’ European Volt Electric Sister to be Unveiled in March: Introducing the Opel Ampera

It has been known for some time that that Chevy Volt is a global vehicle intended to be sold and driven in many of the countries GM does business.  Europe is clearly a key market intended for this car.  We have also heard that the Volt will first appear there under the Opel brand, which [...]

GM’s Advanced Battery Director on Why LG Chem Beat A123 for the Chevy Volt Contract

Those of us who follow the Volt story closely have known for a long time that LG Chem and A123 were in competition to get the Chevy Volt battery contract. Earlier this month, GM announced it had chosen LG Chem. I had the chance to ask Denise Gray, who is GM’S Direct of [...]

How GM Decided on the Term E-REV to Describe the Volt

Last week we held a poll here indicating support of readers to using the term E-REV for extended-range electric vehicle to describe the Chevy Volt, versus REEV as some automakers are using.
The poll (summarized above) showed that of 986 respondants, 70% preferred E-REV versus 10% preferring REEV.  15% felt the term didn’t matter, and 5% [...]

New 2011 Chevy Volt Picture Gallery

GM has decided to afford us with a new set of visually interesting Chevy Volt pictures. You can click them to bring you to the galleries from where you can get to wallpaper size if your click the “View this photo on Flickr” link.  Enjoy.
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GM Q&A With Bob Kruse on the Chevy Volt’s Batteries

Bob Kruse is GM’s executive director of global vehicle engineering for hybrids, electric vehicles, and batteries. There is a report of a new interview with him. Bob is an executive integrally involved in producing the Volt and other future electric cars.
He discussed the current status of lithium-ion battery technology. He described the [...]

On The 2010 Prius Solar Roof

To this day people new to the Volt concept continue to draw the conclusion that it should have solar cells on its roof.
Here’s an email I just got today:
THE NEW CAR THE VOLT.WHY DIDN’T YOU PUT SOLAR PANELS ON THE ROOF. IT WOULD CHARGE THE BATTERY WHEN IT SAT OUT SIDE IN THE SUN??????????
The idea [...]