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Your Questions For GM
January 10th, 2009 | Posted in: Feedback to GM
As your Volt representative I am heading out today to Detroit where I will be attending the Auto Show.
I also will have the chance to interview many key top executives from the Volt team and GM as a whole, I will even get to meet CEO Rick Wagoner in a group setting, and vice chairman Bob Lutz.
It is always best for me to bring back any questions readers here might have that they would like answered.
So please feel free to put those questions down in the comments section of this post, and I’ll do my best to get them answered.
And stay tuned for lots of new information.
Posted by: Lyle
180 Responses to “Your Questions For GM”
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Have a good time Lyle, and give Rick and company our best show of support!
GO GM!
GO VOLT!
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:11 am
GM: You’re bankrupt and living on Federal charity. Why is a vehicle that won’t make money for years a priority? If you make deliberately unprofitable decisions, how are you going to pay back the Federal loans?
The Volt is projected to cost $40K. Why would anyone who cares about the environment buy a Volt instead of a Prius and $18K in solar panels? Why would anyone who doesn’t care about the environment buy a Volt instead of a Prius, which has a far lower operating cost? If this car is intended to make a real difference in oil imports or impact on the environment, why is it so expensive and will be built in tiny quantities?
Why do you claim that the Volt is a techological leap when several other manufacturers are building parallel hybrids already and, therefore, have experience with all of the components that you propose to put into the Volt? When better and more cost-effective batteries are available, Toyota, Ford and Nissan can simply change the parameters of their vehicle and build their own ER-EVs.
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:25 am
#2 charlie h
Your ignorance suggests who haven’t been a regular at this site. Get your facts straight before you start bashing GM. The reason for this post is to come up with good, intellegent questions for Lyle to ask and GM to answer. If you can’t think of anything better to say, I suggest you don’t say anything at all.
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:29 am
3 Kyle
Thats what Thumpers mom would say to
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:33 am
I’m torn. Although I’d like to see GM succeed, I’m definitely not in favor of all these government bailouts and stimulus packages. Let the market work!
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Please ask what the Volt MPG is when being driven by ICE; both City and Highway mileage, if there is a difference.
Thanks for all your good work, Lyle. I hope they let you dive one of mules or the real thing.
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Lyle:
Here’s a few burning questions
1 – Is the battery testing complete from GM’s end? If so, will it meet the real world needs in terms of capacity, life, and performance?
2 – How near completion is the software control algorithms for the Volt?
3 – When will a true Volt proto be on the road, running with the nearly released hardware and software?
4 – What will the price of the Volt be? I want a straight answer that includes the govt credit. They always skate around this and never clearly state if the price includes or excludes the $7,000 credit.
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Is GM pursuing other battery technologies such as EESTOR?
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Will the back seat be functional for anything more than 2 people. In other words, will it be relatively flat or will it have a hump of some sort in the middle. Just trying to figure out if my German Shepherd will fit in the back seat.
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:40 am
#3, Kyle, I’ve read many of the things on the site. Moreover, I’m an involuntary investor in GM and now, like any other taxpayer, I’m entitled to the answers to any questions that occur to me. If GM wasn’t runing on government money, my questions might be considered impertinent. As it is, the answer are owed to me and the public.
Lyle, here’s another question:
Why should we expect a company that can’t keep its business running in a healthy way to deliver a meaningful advanced technology car?
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:42 am
#2 Charlie
Shut Up !
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:45 am
#9 Larry B, Good question and never heard anything about that.
Lyle, have a great time at the show.
One question I have is with thousands too many dealerships, will a special delivery model exist for scarce Volts? Will dealerships have to trim margins or meet other special requirements to take delivery of the iconic Volt?
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:45 am
When will I be able to make a deposit on my new Volt???
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:49 am
#10 Charlie H,
Run for congress if you want to ask pompous questions.
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:49 am
For GM,
I’d just let them know we have high hopes and are pulling for them and Volt to be a huge success.
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:49 am
#10 Charlie,
Just so you know, you don’t have to worry about being on the hook for the loans to GM. The dollar will collapse due to hyperinflation and a new currency will be issued and it will all be paid off with he worthless dollars. The whole thing is a generational ponzi scheme. GM is not to blame for playing the only game in town. They were actually profitable before the financial system collapsed.
The Volt is a high priority because it is the best solution at this time to eliminate the average citizen’s dependence upon foreign sources of energy and provide us with a little more freedom. IF we were all driving Volt’s now the run up in oil last year and the subsequent financial crisis would not have hit us all so badly, imho.
Lyle a question for GM:
Do you plan to create a low-end e-rev in the 12-18k range that will be affordable to the average citizen who are the ones that actually drive less than 40mi to and from work.
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:51 am
The BYD F3DM is now selling at $22000 with technology comparable to Volt. BYD has said they will start selling to US in 2011. Will that force GM to lower the price of the Volt to where it is uneconomical to GM to make the car? Is the Volt feature set going to change to remain competitive against the F3DM?
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Please see if you can get a good definition of the “M” position on the shift lever. When would it be used?
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:54 am
When will GM start accepting orders for the VOlt and will this list be included?
Enjoy the show Lyle and I hope you get to drive a mule and look forward to your report.
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Ask them why they put the local car GM dealership Prospect Motors out of business in Martell California. Is it their policy to abandon all small town dealerships.
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:00 am
charlie h
You have valid questions, and I would like answers to them also, but I am sure you realize this is not the podium for these questions.
The mulligan stew is underway, so we might as well make the best of it.
Just a thought of course…
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:11 am
I would like to know the show schedule for the Volt. At which auto shows throughout the country will the production Volt be shown? Thanks, Mike
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Lyle:
Can you ask Bob if he knows anything about when we can expect the Volts to be available in Canada? It says on our TV ads here that Canadian availability is 2011, but is that January or December?
Thanks,
Canuk
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:13 am
One question for GM
Is Chrysler going to beat you to the punch? BYD has.
Take Care
Arch
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Lyle,
Please ask GM what the mileage life of the electric motor is expected to be.
I think the guy with the Corvair gasoline heater had a very good suggestion.
We know they have plans for cheaper cars at a 20 mile range – any updates there?
How’s Coskata/GM progress?
Have they ever considered an EV only vehicle with a detachable auxiliary ICE/battery range extender?
Thanks – Hope you get a drive.
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Lyle…
Will the Volt be available only in certain regions/markets in the first year?
If so, how long till we can expect Volts to be available nationwide?
Will this waiting list be honored in some fasion?
If so, will it only work for those in available markets, and how is GM expecting to use this waiting list? (for example, I live in Kentucky)
Thanks so much and enjoy your stay.
Hawk
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:22 am
When will there be a Volt battery contract?
Has the delay in awarding a battery contract been because of overall GM finances, or is there some other reason?
Where will the ICE come from, for the initial 10K Volts?
Is the CA-first distribution plan still GM’s current thinking?
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:23 am
#24 Arch, I’d be more worried about Ford than Chrysler. Ford is being very, very quiet on the EREV front, though they have dropped a couple tantalizing hints here and there.
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:26 am
?: GM has played a large roll in verifying that there is a valid (not niche) consumer market for EREV vehicles. Even with the estimated US government tax incentives that will aid in the purchase of a Volt the difference between the original GM “around $30k” and the now “around $40k” price tag is significant. There are many people who are very serious about the purchase of a Volt for which the $10k price difference is a deal breaker. What exactly is GM’s plan to make the Volt pricing competitive with other hybrid sedans from other automakers?
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:26 am
I assume that the first generation Volt design is complete except for tweaks as a result of testing. What I’m wondering about is the next generation Volt:
1. What changes are forecast for the Gen 2 Volt?
2. Will there be new battery innovations for Gen 2? Will ultracapacitors be incorporated in Gen 2?
Also, will the EREV concept be expanded to other types of vehicles, e.g., small pick-up trucks, cross-over SUVs, etc.
Thanks, Lyle!
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:27 am
When going down hill, is there any restriction [computer program] on the regeneritive braking. I drive across PA a couple of time a year and some of the down hill stretchs are a bit long. [ had this question since the peaks peek post ] As I remember the battery would be at the C D P when the volt reachs the top but I don’t remember anything about what the state of charge would be after going back down the mountain.
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Stop Global Warming buy local (American Cars)..
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Question:
How long before November 2010 will GM and/or dealers start taking deposits?
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Charlie has a point, but I don’t think this is right the right place to discuss them. I would ask that question myself, but…
How long until hydrogen replaces the gasoline engine in the Volt?
Why wasn’t a higher importance (for us in the US) put on diesel engines instead of gasoline since diesel has a higher MPG by design?
Any plans on sport car hybrids? (ie. G8, Camaro) What about Volt platform Saturn Sky and Pontiac Soltice to take full advatage of the quiet running and the convertible design?
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Question:
When do you expect a battery contract to be agreed?
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:34 am
1) Are you considering offering serial hybrids that are optimized for a generater-optimized, alternate fuel ICE instead of the early focus on expensive, extended range batteries?
2) Are considering a performance hybrid?
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Lyle,
Will GM honor the GM-Volt.com list?
All Wheel Drive is important up here in Canada. Will there be an option for AWD in the Volt?
Thanks,
Eric
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:37 am
OK off topic, but hey it’s Saturday!
I have had this idea in my head for years…but I keep forgetting to throw out the idea (I am sure this is not a new idea, but I find myself thinking of this alot)
Back to range anxiety, and one of the major hits against the full BEV. As I see it one of the main issues with BEV’s is range and time to re-charge (and availability of recharge stations).
So, my solution would be to use a model similiar to propane tanks for gas grills. I take it into a store and they give me an replacement tank full of propane, and they keep my old tank.
Apply this to BEV’s, and you would have stations that would exchange your battery. This eliminates the issue with fast charging of batteries.
Ok, now for the problems/hurdles to overcome to make this reality, and I admit these are likely to significant to overcome:
1-Battery physical sizes: The different sizes are a big problem. Getting anyone to agree to standard sizes is probably the biggest challenge to make this a viable solution.
2- Battery termination: Again, the batteries need to have standard plug styles (possibly have adapters that mitigate this?)
3- Access: Yes, the batteries need to have some way of “easily” being removed and re-inserted.
4- Heating and cooling: If the batteries have an integrated environmental system, this would really put a kink in this proposition. But, if the heating/cooling is not actually integrated, then this is more doable.
5- Others? I am sure there are many other issues that would need to be ironed out.
Just food for thought….anyone have a hungry brain today?
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Lyle, I am interested in any plans to combine an ultracapasitor to the storage system to improve performance and longevity of the battery similar to the AFS Trinity hybrid.
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Although a price has not been announced, $40,000 seems to be a widely accepted number, before any applicable tax credits. And there has been talk of putting E-Flex technology in more expensive (Cadillac) platforms, but what about a more affordable ‘Joe the plumber’ platform?
Stew
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:49 am
One more question. Is G M considering in the wheel motors and if not why not?
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Questons:
1) Any chance the Volt will be release before the Nov 2010 date?
2) What is the current price of the Volt expected to be?
3) What cities will we see the Volt first when released?
4) What is the current projection of Volts to be released for sale? (If it’s changed)
Thanks!
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January 10th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
One more! I wonder about the Ford Refl3x concept car drive system of a gas or diesel engine running a generator running the electric motor to propel the car. Any thoughts at G M for this design to get rid of the extreme battery cost of the Volt and still have the high 50 + MPG. Of course it would not have to be a volt, MAYBE THE CRUZE!!
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January 10th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
How readily can GM switch the energy supply source out when better technology arrives. They have previously stated that they do not intend to build their own batteries so that they would not have a stake in any one technology and just buy it from various suppliers. In the event of a new technology arriving, how quickly would the adapt. Would it take a normal model redesign cycle of 3-5 years or be the special Volt redesign cycle of one year?
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January 10th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Why is GM lying about the batteries? NiMH or lead-acid are more than enough for 40 miles all-electric range.
All successful EVs started out with lead-acid batteries and then upgraded: the HondaEV, RAV4-EV, EV1, RangerEV, S10E, etc.
When will GM stop lying?
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January 10th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
#11, Redeye,
No.
#14, D Lo,
These aren’t pompous questions, they are important questions that are unpopular.
#16, George: “IF we were all driving Volt’s now the run up in oil last year and the subsequent financial crisis would not have hit us all so badly, imho.”
Except there aren’t any Volts to buy. However, Detroit could have scaled back on their attempts to get us to buy ever-bigger cars and then SUVs and trucks, built better small cars, put modest funding into basic fuel efficiency improvements and increased average vehicle fuel economy in a meaningful way and… same result; lower oil imports, better balance of trade, reduced oil demand keeping oil price low and dictators starving for funds.
But, they didn’t. They chose to spend billions developing big vehicles and persuading people that they need a 3-ton vehicle to take 2 kids to school or soccer.
#34, Adrian: “Charlie has a point, but I don’t think this is right the right place to discuss them. I would ask that question myself, but… How long until hydrogen replaces the gasoline engine in the Volt?”
How long? Consider that we have a great need for new long-distance transmission lines. Known technology, moderate cost, builds on and enhances the utility of an existing system. Progress: Zilch. Compare that minimal, incremental and entirely necessary investment with H2 where a massive investment must be made to get the first kilogram of H2 to a customer.
If nobody’s willing to step up and do something as small and incremental and necessary as a transmission line, where is the will to do H2 going to come from?
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January 10th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Why did GM crush the EV1??
“Range problem??” FALSE
The NiMH EV1 had an EPA certified range of 140 miles on a charge; none of the EV1 lessees complained about the range. So if the customer wants the car, despite what someone else says, why not sell it to them? Ask GM, or some of the soft reporters who fawn on GM and are afraid to annoy GM with the tough questions.
“Liability??” FALSE
When GM crushed the EV1, it drove away its own customers, who went to Toyota. Toyota was happy to take our money and sell us the Toyota RAV4-EV, last sold in Nov., 2002. If there was no “liability” issue for Toyota, why did GM whine about “liability”?? Ask GM!
“Not enough electric??” FALSE
Far from a shortage of electric, being able to buy a plug-in car would actually help the utility grid. The EV1 charges slowly, at night, when there is too much electric; and the money you save NOT buying gasoline will more than pay for your rooftop solar PV system. This isn’t fantasy, it’s FACT; hundreds of Toyota RAV4-EV drivers put solar on their roof and now drive for free, free of pollution and free of cost since the money they saved paid it off years ago. But you can’t do this unless you can buy a plug-in car, none are offered for sale by the Auto Alliance.
“Battery too expensive??” FALSE
The EV1 came in two “flavors”: one using advanced NiMH batteries, and the other using cheaper lead-acid batteries. With PSB EV-EC1260 lead batteries, this EV1 had a range over 100 miles on a charge. The cost of this off-the-shelf battery is no more than $4,800. The rest of the EV1 is just electronics and bent metal. By comparison, the VOLT battery costs more than $6000, has less energy, and doesn’t last as long. Why not the lead-acid EV1? Ask GM!
“Cost too much to build??” FALSE
Lutz stated that the EV1 would cost too much to build. But in 1994, GM bought control of the NiMH batteries under guise of going into production, and, in 1996 and in 2000, famously claimed that it would have leased as many as people wanted, it was a “production vehicle”! What’s the truth, here? Which GM statement is false? GM HAS NO ANSWER!
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January 10th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Why are Electric car batteries not made in America?
To find out why, you have to unlearn GM and oil company propaganda that Lithium batteries are needed for plug-in cars.
The only proven EV batteries, the most successful, are Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH). NiMH is controlled by an oil company, Chevron, which sued to stop their use in plug-in cars. Chevron, the successor to Standard Oil of California, worked with GM to suppress the use of these NiMH batteries, suing Toyota to stop production of the only Electric car sold to the general public by a major auto company.
HISTORICAL SKETCH
The late Roger B. Smith, at the time GM’s CEO, developed the EV1 in secret, and it may have cost him his job.
After the California Air Resources Board (CARB) decided to force GM to make the EV1, GM spent years sabotaging and then crushing it.
The EV1 was originally desiged to run on lead-acid batteries; even though it only had 100 miles range, about 5000 drivers loved the “Impact” test vehicle, which was the prototype for the later EV1.
GM heard about a much better battery, Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH); Electric cars fitted with primitive NiMH batteries had more than 200 miles range.
GM-OVONICS SUPPRESSION OF NIMH
In 1994, GM bought control of the exclusive worldwide patent rights to NiMH from its inventor, Ovonics. The rights were then vested in a company called GM-Ovonics. GM claimed that the NiMH batteries were not viable and would not run the EV1.
In Nov., 1996, GM released the EV1 with defective Delco lead-acid batteries. These were failure-prone, and only gave 60 miles range.
In Mar., 1997, Toyota and Honda brought out small SUV Electric cars with over 120 miles range and with very reliable NiMH batteries. These were the RAV4-EV and HondaEV.
CARB forced GM to upgrade their bad Delco lead-acid batteries to much better PSB EV-EC1260 lead-acid batteries, because CARB finally realized that GM was trying to sabotage the Electric car. With the better batteries, the range improved to over 100 miles, and the batteries were very reliable. GM then issued a “voluntary recall” of all lead-acid EV1, and started crushing them.
CARB also forced GM to release a version of the EV1 with NiMH batteries; it only had 140 miles EPA certified range, but it was in high demand. The last one was leased in late 2000. But the election of George Bush in Nov. 2000 killed the need for GM to pretend to comply, and GM ceased production of the EV1. No more were leased, and GM started crushing them.
Upcoming Republican control of EPA removed the need for CARB to force auto makers to produce Electric cars. With the pressure gone, auto makers started crushing Electric cars, including the HondaEV and others.
GM-OVONICS BECOMES CHEVRON-OVONICS (COBASYS)
On Oct. 10, 2000, GM sold control of GM-Ovonics, and the NiMH batteries it controlled, to Texaco.
On Oct. 16, 2000, Texaco announced it was merging into Chevron (Standard Oil of California), taking control of the NiMH Electric car batteries with it.
Chevron renamed GM-Ovonics as Chevron-Ovonics BAttery SYStems (”COBASYS”). In 2001, Cobasys filed suit against Toyota and others, claiming violations of its patent rights.
In Mar., 2002, Toyota, perhaps in reaction to the lawsuit, became the only modern car company to offer an Electric car, the Toyota RAV4-EV, for sale to the general public.
In Nov., 2002, Toyota abruptly ended the program and stopped selling Toyota RAV4-EV.
Less than a month later, in Dec., 2002, Cobasys and Toyota announced a settlement agreement had been reached in which Toyota paid $30 million to Cobasys and Chevron. Toyota was licensed to produce batteries too small to allow plugging-in, e.g., for the Toyota Prius. From this date, no plug-in car has been produced using NiMH batteries; CARB and Toyota discourage volunteer engineers from adding batteries to NiMH Prius and other hybrids so that they can plug in.
Toyota ceased production of the “EV-95″ large-format NiMH battery that powered the Toyota RAV4-EV, and Toyota ceased production of the Toyota RAV4-EV. No more of these NiMH batteries can be purchased at any price for any reason, not even for replacement in the existing Toyota RAV4-EV.
WHY RELY ON LITHIUM WHEN NIMH IS THE STANDARD EV BATTERY?
To this day, Chevron’s unit Cobasys retains control of the NiMH batteries; for this reason, it is believed necessary for car companies to try to make Lithium batteries work. Lithium is much more expensive than NiMH, doesn’t last as long, and has no recycle value. Batteries are measured by life-cycle cost of ownership: Lithium is about six times as expensive as NiMH or lead-acid.
While no all-Lithium Electric car has gone more than 50,000 miles without significant battery degradation, there are hundreds of Toyota RAV4-EV in the hands of the public, many of which have more than 100,000 miles. All are still in use, still running.
Lithium perhaps will some day work; but the only proven EV batteries are lead-acid and the far superior NiMH.
It’s odd that, in this time of a national energy emergency, car makers are not in control of the NiMH battery that they need to make Electric cars.
It’s true that an oil company worked with GM to sequester these batteries, and that the oil company still retains ownership of the patent rights, aggressively defending them against any use for plug-in cars.
Why is it so important? If you could buy a plug-in car, you could use the money you save by NOT buying gas to pay for your rooftop solar system. This is not fantasy, it’s fact for hundreds of Toyota RAV4-EV drivers who plug in their EVs for slow charging at night, using credits from their daytime peak production of excess electric. Not only do they get to drive “for free” after the solar system is paid for, they also get their household electric “for free”, free of cost and free of pollution.
If there were plug-in cars for sale, solarizing America would be self-financing; the only loser would be Chevron, as the money that formerly went to buy oil and spread pollution instead went to pay for rooftop distributed solar power.
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January 10th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
One more. Can we get some info on this new, never before thought of transmition?
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January 10th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
I don’t think I’m going out on a limb when I say that I think Lyle will only be asking ‘Volt’ questions about specs, deadlines, contracts and pricing…not GM’s overall questionable profitabily/viability, and bailout finance.
—
For me, the question is GM’s own comfort level about that their estimated price tag and production run … considering that was ultimately determined and budgeted at the june Board of Directors/Annual meeting.
Out of that meeting GM, came up with a MSRP in the neighbourhood of 40K and a production run of about 45,000-60,000 to maximize the product. (They gave the go ahead for the 1 line at Hamtramck…which has a max capacity of about 60K, and usually car companys like to be around a 75% utilization rate or higher).
Back in June the economy was ‘OK,’ GM said they were fine through 2009, and gas was $4 gallon.
Since then the economy has tanked, GM lost the ability to lease, the SAAR has dropped to an annualized rate of about 10 million and most significantly gas is back down in the $1.50 range.
Clearly, the environment has changed…how has GM’s outlook/forecast for the program changed? Has their been internal discussions of adjusting program goals/parameters? What might they be? Or does the Volt program get a special pass regardless of economic realities, because programs like this are what the US gov’t clearly wants GM to support and maintain…and afterall it is only their money that keeps GM breathing.
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January 10th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Question:
When will Canadians be able to purchase a Volt??
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January 10th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
#28 Rob
Notice the date on this new website.
http://www.chrysler.com/en/2009/aspen/hybrid/?bid=chryslerllc&pid=chryslerllc.com&adid=www.chryslerllc.com/en/innovation/hybrid/&rid=&hrf=www.chryslerllc.com
Take Care
Arch
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January 10th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
My question has to do with the maintenance cycle for the ICE. How will you know when it is time for oil changes, spark plugs, etc. All the maintenance schedules for current cars are based on number of miles driven. But the ICE’s use in the Volt will be very different from one driver to another. How will you know when it needs service?
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January 10th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
To charlie h and Doug Korthof:
Lyle is asking for questions from ENTHUSIASTS of the Volt that he can ask GM. He is not going to entertain your wildest Chris Paine fantasies and ask GM why they suck so much, so get over your bad selves. If you think you are here to educate us poor mindless, brainwashed drones with your infinite wisdom and grasp of the facts, well… F*** OFF! I am sick of having to scroll through your reams of troll detritus to actually read an informative or useful post.
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January 10th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
I’m really disgusted when I see anyone on this board tell another to “shut up” or even worse like the post #54.
That is a juvenile, pompous, asinine and ignorant response to a ANY question.
Grow UP!
There is no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid and RUDE children with answers like “shut up”.
I want E-Flex and more importantly fully electric cars as much as anyone on this board BUT I realize that GM and EVs MUST compete to survive, therefore we NEED to know how GM plans to compete with the Volt against other (more economical) “green” alternatives.
A $40K Volt -vs- a $25K Prius or BYD + $15K home solar system is a REAL question of TRUE pocket book decisions during challenging economics times.
GM is using OUR tax dollars therefore we DESERVE an answer!
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January 10th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Also of interest is the rebate.
Originally drafted as ‘up to $7,500 per manufacturer’ it now reads industry wide, which is a problem to marketing this vehicle, ‘rebate-in’ pricing…and future sales.
We have a lot of players coming into the market soon…some with limitied quantities in 2009, but most ramping in 2010. Specifically the Plug-In Prius, Mitsu i-Miev, a Chrysler ENVI product.
The Volt is confirmed to have a production goal of 10,000 units in its first full year, which takes us to 2012. We also have Obama saying his goal is to get 1,000,000 EVs on the road by 2015.
I like to think of myself as a fairly astute guy, but I don’t think it takes a genius to see that in all likelihood the Volt will be only garnering a small percentage of these rebates…as opposed to getting a free, running headstart on 250,000 copies.
The real wild card is the Prius, which has the ‘Plug-In’ as a option…not as a stand alone vehicle. Their capacity for production is already much higher, being a high volume car, it is also easily scaleable for the option…and because their pack is only a third of the Volt’s size, raw battery availability would be much greater (and they built their own…where GM doesn’t even have a supplier…and they don’t have a fabrication plant built)
So can GM market this with the rebate factored in? Do they not have to now price the Volt as if the rebate does not exist? If only the first few thousand customers get it, (which are probably all pre-orders)…what is the backlash of stating one price, only to find out it probably is not available when ‘Joe public’ goes into his dealership? The public will see the expiration of the rebate as a $7,500 price hike.
Understandibly GM wants to sell the vehicle for as much as it can get…but this presents a problem. Can GM market the car at $40,000 less rebate, then turn around and adjust the price to $32,500 (that being clearly the sweet spot they see for the car to maximize capacity and profit)…possibly before a singe car hits the dealerships (that is not already spoken for/pre-ordered) if the rebate is used up? Is there legal implications to this? Is this considered gouging? Government reaction? Public perception factors that GM was just sucking up the rebate that was intended to make EVs more affordable if they have to instantly move the price down to sell it?
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January 10th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
#38 JEC says (off topic) “Back to range anxiety, and one of the major hits against the full BEV. As I see it one of the main issues with BEV’s is range and time to re-charge (and availability of recharge stations)…..Apply this [propane tank swap idea] to BEV’s, and you would have stations that would exchange your battery. This eliminates the issue with fast charging of batteries”
———————————————————————-
It might be more advantageous to work on the quick-recharge side. Some experts express the view that the charge rate is limited mainly by the charging circuit, not the auto battery. If that is true, and if GM or others cooperate with the right information and connectors, then it should be possible to have recharge stations where recharge can be done in say, an hour, maybe while you shop at other stores in the mall, or whatever.
No doubt fast recharge would require special equipment and trained personnel, but perhaps much less than what is needed for battery replacement. It seems to be what Mitsu is thinking about in Japan. Also, fast recharge capability seems to have more opportunity for standardization across multiple car lines. Intangibly, fast recharge might be more readily accepted as an analogy to gasoline filling stations and avoid the question “Why should I swap my new battery for someone else’s long-used battery?”
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January 10th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
1. Will I be able to schedule battery conditioning? (e.g. I leave my car outside in winter, plugged in, and I always leave the house at 8am in the morning, so I’ll want the battery ready to go when I press the accelerator at 8am.)
2. Will I be able to schedule cabin warm-up? (2 cases please: When plugged in and when not plugged in.)
3. What will the 40 mile AER be reduced to if I do all highway driving? (2 cases please: at 60mph and at 70mph)
4. Who will the battery supplier be?
5. Please find out as much as you can about the battery testing results. The one liner positive statements we have been fed so far are frustrating, frankly not encouraging, suspicious (there must be some issues!) and not in the spirit of openness that GM is claiming for Volt development. ( … also recognizing that there are valid reasons to be careful what information is released … please find a better happy medium)
6. I alternately hear that an electric car like the Volt does not need a tansmission, and that the tansmission design is very clever and surprising. Can we get any clarity on that obvious contradiction?
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January 10th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Does anybody have any information about all of these working together.
————————————————————————————-
IMPROVING FUEL ECONOMY AND RANGE
Chrysler LLC, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors and BMW have joined forces to develop a full Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) system.
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) achieve significant gains in fuel efficiency by combining powertrain systems, typically an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Batteries store energy captured during deceleration and braking – that energy is then used to drive the electric motor, reducing the work required by the gasoline or diesel engine.
This hybrid represents a major automotive industry milestone due to the unprecedented fully integrated combination of electric motors with a fixed-gear transmission.
As a result of its low- and high-speed electric continuously variable transmission (ECVT) modes, the system is commonly referred to as the two-mode hybrid.
However, the sophisticated fuel-saving system also incorporates four fixed-gear ratios for high efficiency and power-handling capabilities in a broad variety of vehicle applications.
During the two ECVT modes and four fixed-gear operations, the hybrid system can use the electric motors for boosting and regenerative braking.
The first Chrysler LLC products to feature this technology will be the 2009 Dodge Durango Hybrid and 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid, which will deliver almost a 40 percent[1] improvement in city mileage and nearly 25 percent[1] improvement overall.
1 Based on manufacturer’s preliminary fuel economy estimates using EPA methodology.
HEMI is a registered trademark of Chrysler LLC.
Take Care
Arch
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January 10th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Lyle, I’d like to know:
Are there any plans to sell the Volt (or its e-flex counterpats) directly to customers over the Internet like Tesla, perhaps helping to do away with the costly dealer network which is being downsized?
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January 10th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I’m a business man AND a gear head. To build a car is one thing. To sell it is quite another.
Question 1:
Now that GMAC has ALSO received $Billions in taxpayer money, could you tell us more about GMAC’s further loosening lending requirements so more people could actually BUY a Volt?
Question 2:
Did you see the new TV ad where Hyundai (I believe) will take back any car within the first year of purchase if the buyer loses their job and can’t make their payments with no questions asked and no negative credit reporting? This is an interesting “OUTSIDE the box” concept in these uncertain economic times.
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January 10th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
My question deals with cold temperature. Up here in
Québec it’s not unusual to reach -30 in the winter. How will the Volt performance be affected in those conditions?
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January 10th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
#55 Tim
Well said and I couldn’t agree more. They owe us answers when they are using OUR money to operate. What, we should just shut up and buy their cars now ? Once they failed as a private company and started taking our tax money, we are entitled to get answers hard questions.
My question is how does GM plan to pay back the 1st loan when they still have the same flawed business model and are not making a profits any time soon?
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January 10th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Questions for GM:
I’ve asked it before, but what the hell, one more time, is GM testing, developing or considering a performance version of the Volt for driving enthusiasts? Sort of a Volt SS.
Will they support the aftermarket in their inevitable quest to make the Volt faster or sportier?
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January 10th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Will the added cost of the Volt deliver a safer car than the BYD F3 shown in this crash test video?
http://technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DyAskckqdCLk
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January 10th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Hyundai Launches One-Year Refund Guarantee
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200901/200901070005.html
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January 10th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Lyle,
I would like to know,
1. Current guess on MSRP for Volt with a clear answer that does not include a Govt’ Rebate.
2. Current guess on availability of Chevy Cruze.
This car is needed to help GM make some money and stay viable which is a necessity if they are going to be able to sustain the Volt program.
3. Some idea of the schedule for Volt version 2.0.
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January 10th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
SafeTpleze (#65)
The BYD video looked OK.
The Crumple zones worked with no intrusion into the cabin and no buckling of the driver compartment. Notice that although the front engine compartment crumple zone was completely destroyed, the driver door gaps and forward roofline remained unchanged showing little or no deformation so the crash energy was contained.
Of course, a look inside and “dummy accelerometer data” may tell a different story, but keep in mind that the car must receive a rating and certification before it is sold in the US so what’s you point?
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January 10th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
As for you EV1 conspiracy guys. Here is another point of view.
The EV1 was a Govt sponsored vehicle that would have never have been built without a Govt. mandate.
After a few years, the Govt (CARB) pulled the requirement for this vehicle to be built. GM no longer was forced to make it, and they stopped.
The Govt. killed the EV1. They had the power to force this program to continue and they also had the power to drop the mandate a and they did. If they were lobbied into this decision, so what. They are the ones who actually voted and only they are responsible. Again, the Govt. (CARB) killed the electric vehicle.
It is very similar to the solar panels of today. Solar panels sales are spurred along by Govt intervention and rebates. If the Govt stops doing this and the demand goes way down, it will not be the fault of the solar panel makers if they decide it is not worth it to continue selling them in very small numbers. IT will be the fault of the Govt.
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January 10th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Been interested in the Volt since I first seen the looks of the concept
version,Ist I would not pay $40K for a car that did not look like the concept somewhat,plus only go 40 miles without using any gas.
I would buy the Prius PlugIn next year and could almost buy 2.
If this is to be The futur of GM so to speak,you would sell more cars at a lowered price than $40k
A sporty look like the Volt concept,and a longer range than 40 miles,then maybe the car would be worth $40 K on the show room floor.
Len in the midwest
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January 10th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
The out-of-pocket price will make or break the Volt. If the Volt is sticker priced at $38,000. And the dealer adds $2000 “delivery and prep” costs.
Can the government $7500 “credit” be taken off before tax and license fees? After all it’s tax payer money.
If you duck this question by saying, “Go ask your representative”, then you have driven 1/2 of potential buyers away. This is a big issue and should not be ignored.
=D~
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January 10th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
#48 Doug
Nice history lesson but you might think about moving on now. Clinging to the old EV1 only holds you back. Besides…
“Lithium is much more expensive than NiMH, doesn’t last as long, and has no recycle value. Batteries are measured by life-cycle cost of ownership: Lithium is about six times as expensive as NiMH or lead-acid.”
Actually LiIon are fully recyclable. While more costly than Pb they have far longer cycle lives and much better weight/size to energy density. The entire auto world knows that economy of scale will bring LiIon costs down closer to $350/kWh by 2015.
Let Ovonics keep their NiMh chemistry. New Li cathodes are cycling up to 4,000 cycles. If in their infinite wisdom they want to make money – they’ll offer up discount licenses for their out-dated technology.
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January 10th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
2 questions for GM:
(i) Have they considered an earlier deployment of plug-in hybrids or hybrids with less AER than the Volt using non-lithium battery technology such as the ultrabattery from the CSRIO (Australian government funded science research).
http://www.csiro.au/resources/Ultra-Battery-FAQs.html
It is a lead acid battery that is similar in performance to the NiMH battery but with faster charge/discharge rates and 70% less cost. It has also been tested in cars and last over 150,000 km and still counting.
I can envisage a rapid deployment of flex-fuel platform across existing product lines using the ultrabattery due to its applicability to vehicles and low cost.
Advantages of this approach include:
- providing substantial tangible results for US congress and executive in short time-frame e.g. 6-12 mths
- incremental step in consumer education of Volt-like technology
- green GM’s image
- buys time for refinement of Volt
- not everything riding on Volt -> eases investor anxiety
- can form basis of new product line of aftermarket conversion kits for existing GM customers.
(ii) Any chance of seeing an EV1 body in either a EV or EREV model? Would be a shame to see such a nice looking design (2 seat corvette) go to waste.
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January 10th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Have a great time Lyle!
These are the questions I think you might be able to get an answer about (battery supplier and price and so forth they are going to announce on their own schedule so asking is a waste of time):
1. Any details on the Volt transmission that Lutz mentioned?
2. Will the tires have sensors that give real time data? (As opposed to only going off when the tires are seriously underinflated).
3. Any possibility of having two charging ports, one of each side of the vehicle? (Think I know the answer to this)
4. Will the data plug be the one mentioned in Popular Mechanics where you have five separate connectors (prongs) for data transmission back and forth (five versus the standard three prongs)? Is this the industry standard?
5. Any possibility that electric utilities will participate in a rebate plan?
6. When will Lyle get a test drive?
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January 10th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
#57 RB
I agree with you on the more likely “quick charge” idea. I just had to get this idea out of my head, but when I think of all the issues around “replacement battery” I think it is less and less likely.
One comment on trading in your new battery for someones old battery. I think leasing the battery would make this more palatable. You do not own the battery and you just rotate batteries. The stations would need to monitor batteries for life and defects, so as to only install batteries that meet specific quality and electrical spec’s.
Have a nice day
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January 10th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Lyle, please ask GM to stop stalling and get the Volt out now, then start making improvements like they do every other new car.
NO PLUG NO SALE, LJGTVWOTR, DBNGCMEMEV, (my house)=D~~~(my volt)
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January 10th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
74 DonC
“4. Will the data plug be the one mentioned in Popular Mechanics where you have five separate connectors (prongs) for data transmission back and forth (five versus the standard three prongs)? Is this the industry standard?”
=======================================================
I am not sure I saw the spec on the data transmission interface, but the standard communications on all modern cars is DeviceNet. DeviceNet defines the protocol, but the physical layer is called CAN-Bus. The CAN-bus interface requires 4 wires, with a 2-wire CAN+ and CAN – (for bi-directional data) and 2- wire power (+24v and ground).
CAN has been in cars for past 10-20 years (maybe longer?). I would see no reason for GM to use a different transport media, but you never know.
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January 10th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
#69 nuclearboy
WOW. I see your point, and your analysis of solar is spot on, but it seems quite the stretch to blame the government for everything you don’t like.
For example, I disagree that dropping the CA mandate was the sole cause of GM dropping the EV-1. There were other reasons. Chief among them was the price of gas. An equally large reason was that the technology wasn’t really ready on a variety of fronts — too limited a range, could only be a two seat vehicle, not workable in cold weather, etc. (Of course Toyota built the Prius but a Prius is a far cry from the electric EV-1. Given that there are no electric cars even now should be a clue here).
Finally, GM and the other Detroit automakers were very successful working with Newt Gingrich, Jesse Helms, and Carl Levin to gut the CAFE standards. You could say this was government (in)action, but given that GM spent heavily lobbying the government to get this result, I’d say that, contrary to the view you’re espousing, the onus would be on them as well.
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January 10th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Lyle,
My question for them:
When is GM planning on making a light 4X4 EREV pickup truck?
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January 10th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I am following the Better Place endeavors pretty closely and they appear to be gaining steam with their battery charging/swapping system for electric cars. Nissan/Renault is on board and rumor has it Mercedes may be getting involved in supplying the electric cars with swappable batteries. My question for GM is: are you designing an Electric car to coincide with the Better Place initiative? If No, then why not?
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January 10th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Just tell them that I want them to circle the wagons around Wagoner, as he has been doing an outstanding job in impossible circumstances.
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January 10th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Please ask them to stop wasting precious money on Hummers & Escalades and other useless gass guzzlers of the past and stay with fuel effecient vehicles.
Mainly, please ask him if they will make a sunroof an option because millions love the open air feeling of a sunroof, and would be more than wiling to sacrifice 1/2 a mile of total range for the enjoyment of a sunroof.
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January 10th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Will GM produce a strait EV at a lower cost than the Volt?
60 mile charge at a lower cost will work for most people including me.
NPNS
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January 10th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Q: To what extent are you working with Utilities and other companies that provide or build electrical capacity in order to ensure that there will be enough electrical power as the EREV concept goes forward?
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January 10th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
How much, if at all, has the bailout affected your brand, relative to Ford’s?
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January 10th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
# 38. Because oil controls the world unfortunately.
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January 10th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Lyle,
If a Series Hybrid is a better approach, why not build a less expensive series hybrid with a smaller battery that more or less functions as a regular car? GM would save buckets of money on each unit if a smaller, perhaps 4KWH battery was used but would still get the benefits of a serial hybrid. The smaller battery would also eliminate some of the packaging issues that the Volt faces and could lead to a small car that had, overall, better effieciency with more interior room, cargo space and longer range on ICE. It could still be marketed as a vehicle with some AER and the battery could be routinely topped off by the owner, if it was convneient. The vehicle wouldn’t have the price penalty the Volt will command in the market on account of the very expensive battery.
Anyway, the short version of the question is, if serial hybrid is a better powertrain, why isn’t GM using it in other vehicles?
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January 10th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I’m your average greedy consumer: I want an electric car, but I don’t want to pay an arm and a leg to get it.
What is GM doing to reduce its operating costs and also the cost of its vehicles?
Best regards,
D’Artagnon
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January 10th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Ask if the roof will have a clear/tinted option vs solid (kind of like what was seen in some images of the original concept)
And definitely a sunroof you can open, too. For 40k I would want my volt to have everything I want
New sunroofs are marvelously engineered – they shouldn’t affect range at all. The last car I was in with a sunroof had it open on the highway and the air zips past the top without creating drag, yet still allowing subtle air circulation.
Also, ask if they have plans to put volt technology in their current car shells – for example, a pontiac G6+volt chassis would probably fit together well. It wouldn’t be the best-engineered aerodynamics, but they can cut their production costs and bring down the price (and have a lower advertised range because of aero costs)
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January 10th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
GM-Volt.com wait list?
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January 10th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I second these questions, Per George # 16 – Do you plan to create a low-end e-rev in the 12-18k range that will be affordable to the average citizen who are the ones that actually drive less than 40mi to and from work. Per Robert #19 – When will GM start accepting orders for the VOLT and will this list be included? Per Doug #47 – “Good Work!”
Please add list post to the history field/tab on this web site. Enough Said!
Thx & have fun Lyle
GO EV, GO NO PLUG NO SALE, LJGTVWOTR, OAIWAEVASAP!
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January 10th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
#54 DaV8or,
I’m one who believes in keeping this site respectable, and that includes no profanity. But in this instance, I applaud your message.
Thanks for slapping these guys upside the head for me!
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January 10th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
I would like to know what GM’s program, if any, will be for the re-cycling and sustainability of the E-Flex platform is, going into the future. I know this is an important issue with many consumers.
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January 10th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
hi BillR #92,
I am not in favor of F-bombs being dropped on this site. But, I respect Lyle’s authority to control the volume. He’s doing a good job with everything.
________________________
I hope Lyle has his turn in the Detroit Volt Mule test drive line. If for no other reason than to relay the comparison to currently available cars.
________________________
Being that I’m in the 2nd year Volt buying group, I say work out the details. Don’t rush the product. A prime example of a rush job was the recent recall of a popular Japanese model for frontal exposure to ice and salt resulting in a safety feature malfunction. The recall is posted for 240,000 cars and trucks.
=D~
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January 10th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Everyone of us here is hoping that you Lyle, get a test drive the Cruze/Volt around the 700 foot indoor track at the show.
That should answer most of our questions…NPNS LJGTVWOTR
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January 10th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Alright GM, here’s a question for ya:
Is GM considering making a two-seater electric sportscar, like the Tesla, perhaps based off the Kappa or Corvette platfroms?
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January 10th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
#57 RB,
JEC, a couple different posts. You raised the possibility that someone would swap batteries.
At least one major venture has already taken this approach, having recently announced plans to outfit Hawaii with the infrastructure necessary. The company, Better Place, pretty much does exactly as JEC suggested. http://www.automobilemag.com/green/news/0901_hawaii_electric_vehicle_charging_infrastructure/index.html
My reaction is much like RB–seems like a lot of work that doesn’t really solve the range limitations of batteries, only attempts to mitigate them.
Hey Lyle, in the spirit of Charlie H, maybe you can ask Rick Wagoner his opinion on why he had to make two trips to Washington and answer the same questions–prefaced with statements and opinions–when the banks (who lent out money like absolute idiots) didn’t even so much as have to ask for capital? Ah,
it requires such skill to ask questions that aren’t really questions at all.
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January 10th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
My questions are, how much will the Volt cost, what is your profit margin, how much profit will be used to pay off the gov’t loans, and why did you crush the EV1(I would have preferred a big bonfire)?
Now to the serious questions,
1) Attached is a link to test data for the EV1.
http://avt.inl.gov/pdf/fsev/eva/ev1_eva.pdf
a) Note that at a constant 45 mph, the EV1 needed 127 Wh/mile. In a driving cycle, it needed 179 Wh/mile. So at a constant 45 mph, the EV1 had greater range. I would expect similar scenarios for the Volt. So, will the 40 AER change daily depending upon the driving scenario, or, as I have read lately, is 40 AER a “hard” number, and the software will be programmed to give 40 miles AER in most circumstances (except extenuating circumstances like stuck in traffic for hours, etc.)?
b) Again, looking at the EV1 test data, the Charging Efficiency is shown as 373 Wh/mile. This is significantly more than the 179 Wh/mile in the driving cycle. What will be the Volt’s charging efficiency, or, how many grid kWh’s are needed to get 8 kWh’s into the battery for the 40 mile AER?
2) Last year Bob Boniface gave a presentation in which he noted that 10 counts of aero reduction adds 0.25 miles city AER. Also, 10 kg of mass reduction adds 0.25 miles of city AER. Therefore, a 200 kg mass reduction would result in an additonal 5 miles AER. To reduce weight, will the Volt use:
a) composite body panels
b) a lightweight frame, such as aluminum?
3) Will the battery pack, ICE, and others systems utilize a common cooling system?
4) Will the AC system also work as a heat pump to provide heat on cold days?
5) Will the lightweight forged aluminum wheels also use a backing plate, possibly made of polycarbonate, to reduce aero drag for the rims?
Thank you Lyle for your continued efforts, and extend our thanks to the folks at GM for all their diligence and the continued supply of information to sooth our insatiable curiousity.
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January 10th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
#78 Don,
My point to make is that it is the Govt that can make the conditions that will force our country to go to Electric cars. GM is not responsible for saving getting us off of oil. That should be a stratgegic decision by our Govt and they need to set up a stable and reliable set of laws that will make it happen.
They failed.
To blame GM is a joke.
What about Ford, Chrys, Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, Honda, etc. etc.
If Electric is a good idea, what about the Europeans with their high fuel costs. Are BMW and Mercedes and Peugeot in bed with big oil too?
I still claim that the Govt. Screwed up on this. They should have forseen the oil issue in 1973 and they should have setup laws to break our addiction.
The CARB tried to do this but then backed out. They could vote anyway they wanted to and they voted to eliminate the requirements. The blame is solely on them for the EV1 and Toyota Electric car cancellations.
We are governed by idiots.
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January 10th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
1) Clarification of Cruze EREV or not
Counter stratagies on Hundai 1 year return plan
2) Cruze SUV (4×4 ) .
3) Volt battery and life expectations
4) Current finance situation and plans for going forward.
6) Matiz to US ( the 50 mpg one – low power offering )
7) Work on Quality preception change ( I had talked to a couple of friends and all has same preception that American vechicles are bad and lot maintance)
9) Plans to increase resale value
10) Volt – newly expected changes and delays
11) Erev new entrants
12) Do GM will have new term Electric Guzzlers ?
13) EREV big ones ( trucks, SUVs )
14) 70 + mpg SUTs
15) When in US and when in Canada.
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January 10th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Questions:
1) When will folks be able to put up a deposit on the Volt?
2) What is the “M” drive position?
3) What is the size of the gas tank, 8 gallons?
4) When will independent test drivers (including Lyle) be allowed to evaluate a prototype?
5) Using the US06 cycle, what is the AER and charge sustaining mode mileage?
6) Will the usable (8 KWh) capacity of the Volt be expanded, if life cycle degradation allows?
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January 10th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Hi Lyle,
Please tell the Volt team that those of us who actually want to see the Volt’s wheels on the road, thoroughly appreciate all of the effort and courage they’ve invested in making the Volt become a reality.
Have a great trip (and I DO hope you get a ride)!
Be well and thanks,
Tag
LJGTVWOTR!! NPNS
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January 10th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
97 D Lo
Thanks for the link! I guess I should move to Hawaii.
Hawaii would be a very good fit for the all electric. Good luck to them.
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January 10th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Lyle, I have 1 question – What would happen if the Volt owner let the Volt run out of gas, and (intentionally) never put any more gas in the tank ?
Reasoning that the Volt could not burn gas it did not have, the Volt’s owner could turn the Volt into a defacto BEV with zero effort. With no gas, the ICE could not possibly be started. Battery only travel would be assured, either city or highway. The problem is, would the Volt keep trying, in vain, to start the ICE – or would the Volt be smart enough to know the gas tank is empty ?
———————————————————
Before you flame me – You know that if I can think of this, someone will try it. Will they trash their Volt’s ICE starter motor by not using gas ? Will it cause some other type of breakdown ?
Please, no answers from the “expert” posters on this site, about a car they don’t yet have, because it’s not available yet. Please, no opinions, no educated guesses, no napkin mathmatics. This question is for Lyle only. Thanks !
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January 10th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
FYI
Toyota unveiling electric concept car in Detroit.
Lyle please take a look at this bad boy, while in Detroit.
http://allcarselectric.com/2009/01/toyota-to-unveil-ft-ev-electric-city-car-concept/
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January 10th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
104 The Grump
“What would happen if the Volt owner let the Volt run out of gas, and (intentionally) never put any more gas in the tank ? ”
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The volt will first lock down the car, then using the remaining charge in the batteries, it will apply a lethal electric charge to the driver. The specification of the exact voltage applied is top secret, but I have heard rumors that they will apply a voltage similiar to the demonstrated video (HANG ON!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSLutQFf8yk
Signed,
Mr. Expert Poster
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January 10th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
hi JEC #105,
That micro Toyota a neat little car….but, the first few reported freeway beach ball rollover wrecks will stunt sales quite a bit. Wouldn’t want my teenage child getting behind the wheel.
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hi The Grump #104,
I happen to have a Taco Bell napkin here next to my keyboard. And as a consumer with some knowledge of the Volt. My #2 pencil lead calculations say that the “check engine” idiot light will come on followed by a silent coast to a full stop.
BTW: Does compressed air remove taco sauce keyboard fingerprints?
NLTDNS
No Lyle Test Drive, No Sale
=D~
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January 10th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
#75 JEC said “One comment on trading in your new battery for someones old battery. I think leasing the battery would make this more palatable. You do not own the battery and you just rotate batteries. The stations would need to monitor batteries for life and defects, so as to only install batteries that meet specific quality and electrical spec’s.”
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I agree. Should there be a battery swap program, it would be much better to take the battery out of the purchase price, lease for some duration, and then do swaps as needed.
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January 10th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Even before Saturn had brought a single model to market, they advertised heavily:
“Saturn, a new kind of car, a new kind of company”.
So my question to Lutz & Wagoner is this:
Why the hell are’nt you guys advertising the Volt like you did Saturn?
Advertising, after all, can be dangerous…it can cause you to run out of product.
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January 10th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
When will it be possible to order/pre-order Volt in Europe?
I really want to get one, but it’ll probably be a LOOOONG time before dealerships in Ukraine start to sell them
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January 10th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
#99 nuclearboy says “My point to make is that it is the Govt that can make the conditions that will force our country to go to Electric cars”
No argument from me, except I’d say “encourage our country to go to Electric cars” rather than “force”. In this regard, I think we should at least consider a petrol tax that is revenue neutral (offset by payroll tax reductions). Pricing signals are very important, though from my friends in energy I understand you can’t get an oil tanker at the moment — they are all full and being used for storage in the expectation that prices are headed up (also see March futures).
#98 BillR – The 40 mile range will be based on the standard EPA test, which, as I understand it, combines city and highway cycles with a dash of US06. The software is not going to force you to go 40 mph if you want to go 80 mph. You’ll just get less range.
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January 10th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
#110 Alex Besogonov said:
When will it be possible to order/pre-order Volt in Europe?
I really want to get one, but it’ll probably be a LOOOONG time before dealerships in Ukraine start to sell them
=================
Do you guys even have gas?
/sorry, couldn’t resist
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January 10th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Will we see Volts in November 2010?
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January 10th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
45 Doug “Douchebag” Korthof:
You aren’t helping your precious Electric movement by bashing a manufacturer working on Electric cars and accusing it of lying. With enough research and truth spinning, you can make any company look truly evil. Looking at your patchwork quilt of a web site, it seems that you still can’t get over the EV1 and other electric cars that didn’t make it into the mainstream. Boo hoo. You whiny baby.
Nobody cared about electric cars 10 years ago when gas was dirt cheap, except for crazy people who suffered from OCD in happy sunny California, where the world is perfect and everybody lives in a world of
siliconemake believe.Batteries made out of heavy lead aren’t exactly the best choice when it comes to mainstream buyers who demand decent performance. And ask anybody with some semblance of knowledge about batteries and they’ll say that Lithium packs a lot more punch than Nickel. If GM came out with a NiMH battery in their car, the media would be all over them, accusing them of using outdated technology (i.e. the pushrod engine that all car magazines whine about) and not being to keep up with the Japanese. When GM tries to use newer technology,
peopletrolls like you come out of the woodwork and start criticizing anyways. What is GM to do?Now I feel better by getting that off my chest.
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January 10th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
@ #87 – see comment #73, point (i)
@ #94 – ditto – that’s why I asked if GM would consider getting a lower AER platform (either serial or parallel hybrid and either HEV or plug-in) using non-lithium chemistries in an existing model as a way to:
(a) satisfy low-end of market;
(b) educate and acquaint mainstream consumers on Volt like value propositions;
(c) get s/t to mkt to satisfy green promise and thus buy more time to get Volt correct.
@ #96 – see comment #73, point (ii). Would love to see the EV1 body come back and would put down the EV1 conspiracy theories for good.
@ #97 – or Australia or California or Israel, Denmark or Portugal.
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January 10th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
When will GM start taking orders / deposits for the Volt?
What can we do to help get our local dealer on the list to get some of the Gen-1 Volt deliveries?
What can we do to get the GM-Volt,com list involved in the first vehicle sales?
Lyle – keep up the good work!
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January 10th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
#114 Gary
You’re the douchebag.
#45, 47, 48 Doug Korthof
You’re awesome.
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January 10th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
@ #114 – Gary, I am one of those that argues GM should come out with a model NOW with NiMH or the CSRIO ultra battery (lead acid with ultracapacitor) because these chemistries are proven technologies and don’t need the testing that Lithium chemistries require. GM could stick in a couple batteries with a plug and charger into an existing model in no time. This would get GM started and provide GM experience rather than have it all riding on the Volt.
From where I sit, waiting for the Volt for a couple more years seems a promise too far. I mean, they did not have a proper production car to arrive in @ Capital Hill – it was a mule with “Volt technology inside”. I confess being one of those whose faith has been affected by the EV1 PR debacle (contrast to Toyota & Rav-EV & Prius). However, I do appreciate any effort that GM is putting in, but think they have overlooked the potential for some quick wins. I wish them the best in trying to achieve the ambitious Volt goal and hope they give due consideration for prepping the market with a lower spec model.
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January 10th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
I want to know about the latest and greatest BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES that GM might be putting into the Volt in the next 5-10 years. Specific information would be nice. Silicon nanowire batteries? What is the “next big thing” when it comes to batteries for the auto industry? That’s what I am most interested in these days.
Battery breakthroughs will make cars like the Volt explode in popularity. Of course everyone would one day like to have a “no compromise” 100% electric that has all the performance and different models of today vehicles and still can somehow get 300+ miles of range. That’s the dream right there. Use electricity as your “fuel” as much as possible. Use gasoline or other non-renewable (polluting) fuels only if you HAVE TO. I understand that it may be awhile before we have 100% electric cars everywhere, but getting “no-compromise” E-REV cars on market would be fine for most people for now.
Try to get the price reasonable though. That may be the key right there. We may have to go through an EVOLUTION process with less battery and range for low priced vehicles and more battery and range for more expensive vehicles. Hopefully, in 5-10 years, more battery and more range will trickle down to even the entry level cars that the high school kids drive.
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January 10th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
I apologize if these questions have already been asked. I didn’t have time to read all the earlier entries closely.
Question: Do the contracts GM has with A123 and LG allow them to sell batteries developed for the Volt to other companies if they win the Volt contract? If they lose the Volt contract?
Thank you.
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January 10th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
My questions for GM:
1. What will the Volt cost after the the $7500 tax credit?
2. When the ICE turns on, how many miles per gallon will the Volt get?
3. Will the Volt speedometer have an configurations other than digits?
4. What is the status of the battery contract?
5. What is the lowest temperature the battery can operate without warming?
6. Will the Volt interior include 110 volt convenience outlets?
7. Just what exactly does Bob Lutz mean by a Volt transmission?
8. Does the Volt use a permanent magnet generator or induction generator?
9. Will the Volt require a special plug and cable? If so, what if I lose it? How much does it cost?
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January 10th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
#9 Larry B Says:
January 10th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Will the back seat be functional for anything more than 2 people. In other words, will it be relatively flat or will it have a hump of some sort in the middle. Just trying to figure out if my German Shepherd will fit in the back seat.
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I forget where i read it, but the back seat is suppose to fold down so you will have a big cargo space.
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January 10th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
#38 JEC
I brought this idea up a couple months ago. I forget all the reasons people came up with to shoot it down. I still think its a good idea.
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January 10th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
At the show, if anyone sees a charging cord for the Volt, please look carefully at each end, and then tell us what it looks like, what kind of connector, how many pins. Thanks.
Also, please look carefully at the cover over the Volt receptacle and describe it for us, how it opens, how it closes. Again, thank you.
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January 10th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Lyle, could you find out how much leg and head room for the driver
( in inch’s please) Much easier to compare that way.
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January 10th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
#58 Shaft – Those are the same questions I’d like answers to.
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January 10th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Just want to reiterate the following query:
Will GM consider prepping the market for the Volt by getting a plug-in hybrid out soon by taking an existing hybrid, adding extra NiMH batteries (refer Gigacell battery which should get around Texaco patent) or use Ultrabattery from CSRIO (lead acid with ultracapacitor), adding a plug and charger, and reducing the ICE to a 1.3/1.4L.
I request this b/c it will be difficult to deliver the Volt on time given the engineering issues over integrating the different components of the serial hybrid design (particularly the RE and its software). By getting a more conventional hybrid out to market with a plug, it gets GM green points, keeps us happy and buys time for the Volt to be done right.
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January 10th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Can I have a wagon E-REV? I crave utility (read: a place to put my bike). How about a diesel range extender to boost efficiency? These are directions I would like GM to explore.
#121 Dave G – in your question #8, do you mean the Volt’s main motor? I don’t understand your use of the word “generator.” Either way…I am under the impression that electric automobiles tend to use induction motors rather than permanent magnet motors. I forget why. Maybe the reliability/reduced cost of an induction motor compared to having big ‘ol rare earth magnets on board.
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January 10th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
#87 charlie H…
You do need to read more if you don’t understand why a series hybrid is different from a parallel hybrid.
With a series hybrid, I can go to work and back home without using 1 gallon of gas…. none… zip… nada….rien.
With the parallel hybrid…as soon as you go over a certain speed you will need that gas… electric motor only assist the ICE as for series hybrid, the electric motor IS the motor.
There is plenty of article around here explaining in more details the gains of this approach.
And to answer your question, the reason it was not done before and why it is not that easy, it about battery and their life cycle…
And no question from me… I thank you, but Lyle, if there is one person that know what question to ask, it is you
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January 10th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
#87 Charlie
Anyway, the short version of the question is, if serial hybrid is a better powertrain, why isn’t GM using it in other vehicles?
————
Because they are just developing the technology now. Who knows whats to come in the future. I think the Concept of the Volt is to give 80% of drivers essentially gas-free driving.
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January 10th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Ford 6 months to EV :
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/business/11electric.html?ref=us
more questions :
1) Volt transmission – buzz word and reality
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January 10th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
x
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January 10th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Away from the really negative things, a few REAL questions:
Will we soon see the Volt’s solar roof option, as previously stated?
Will the solar power provide any assist to the non-driving electronics (such as climate control) when the car is in motion (possibly taking some of the effort off the battery to save THAT power for motion)?
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
#130 HDAWG
The serial hybrid has been around for a long time.
In 1901, while employed at Lohner Coach Factory, Ferdinand Porsche designed the “Mixte”, a series-hybrid vehicle based on his earlier “System Lohner-Porsche” electric carriage. The Mixte broke several Austrian speed records, and also won the Exelberg Rally in 1901 with Porsche himself driving. The Mixte used a gasoline engine powering a generator, which in turn powered electric hub motors, with a small battery pack for reliability. It had a range of 50 km, a top speed of 50 km/h and a power of 5.22 kW during 20 minutes.
The 1915 Dual Power, made by the Woods Motor Vehicle electric car maker, had a four-cylinder ICE and an electric motor. Below 15 mph (25 km/h) the electric motor alone drove the vehicle, drawing power from a battery pack, and above this speed the “main” engine cut in to take the car up to its 35 mph (55 km/h) top speed. About 600 were made up to 1918.[3]
In 1931 Erich Gaichen invented and drove from Altenburg to Berlin a 1/2 horse power electric car containing features later incorporated into hybrid cars. Its maximum speed was 25 miles per hour, but it was licensed by the Motor Transport Office, taxed by the German Revenue Department and patented by the German Reichs-Patent Amt. The car battery was re-charged by the motor when the car went downhill. Additional power to charge the battery was provided by a cylinder of compressed air which was re-charged by small air pumps activated by vibrations of the chassis and the brakes and by igniting oxyhydrogen gas. An account of the car and his characterization as a “crank inventor” can be found in Arthur Koestler’s autobiography, Arrow in the Blue, pages 269-271, which summarize a contemporaneous newspaper account written by Koestler. No production beyond the prototype was reported.
Take Care
Arch
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
HAving no use for a small sedan When will a plugin pickup truck be available from GM. We contractors like to save gas too.
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January 10th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Lyle,
My head starting swimming after about the 20th question. How can you stand the strain of trying to read all these questions and glean enough reasonably good questions to ask GM? I feel for you, Lyle.
I don’t really have a question for GM, but I want you to express my gratitude and my good wishes to a company that has provided so much to America for the past 100 years. I am sorry they find themselves in the position they are presently in and I hope they can recover as soon as possible. I do hope they are able to build the kinds of vehicles in the future that not only Americans will want to buy, but all the people around the world.
Thank you, Lyle for all your efforts and have a good time.
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
DonC #111 I think we are in complete agreement.
The point of my initial comment on this was aimed at the “GM sucks” crowd because of the refrain I here so much “GM Killed the Electric Car”. I simply wanted to say that the Govt could have maintained a regulatory framework that made Electric cars viable but they did not. This was their choice. Only the Govt. had the power to do such a thing 10 years ago when Electric cars were not viable economically for the mainstream. The Gov’t changed the rules and therefor I would argue that the Gov’t killed the electric car.
Just another angle that should be considered by some.
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
I know some or all of these are duplicates but thought it was still worth (re)posing these questions:
-Now that the specs are almost finalized and prototypes (mules) are on the road, what do they anticipate the EPA highway gas mileage will be in range extended mode? And of lesser interest what will the city gas mileage be?
-Will the GM-Volt.Com waiting list be given consideration if/when GM starts accepting deposits for the Volt?
-Are they still planning to build 10K first year and approx 50K the second year? Does that mean 10K as 2011 models and 50K as 2012 models but starting delivery when in 2011?
-Everyone knows battery developement is key to improving and reducing costs of future EREVs and BEVs. What importance does GM see in the development of ICE powerplants designed specifically for the unique steady power demands of EREVs? What technologies is GM testing or think have potential as the generator power plant (smaller reciprocating turbo, nutating, rotating Atkins, rotating other, single bi-combustion piston, etc)? Do they see any other lower power, high energy sources besides hydrogen as potential replacements for the ICE as the range extending technology (Zinc-air, sulfur, etc)?
-When do they anticipate having a BEV only version of the Volt or other vehicle in production?
-What improvement are they working on for version 2 of the EREV powerplant that has GM the most excited?
-When do they realistically expect the second EREV model to be in production?
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
#104 The Grump
“Please, no answers from the “expert” posters…This question is for Lyle only”
If you want to pose a question for Lyle only, why wouldn’t you e-mail him directly? It is a bit unusual, but his home page has a “contact” link.
(Did that sound grumpy?)
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
______________________________________________________
Have a good trip!
______________________________________________________
Electric Cars + Nuclear Power = American Energy Independence!
______________________________________________________
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Ah, will the Volt be available in Victory Red?
Red HHR (Let the people, in GM, who know how to build the car, build the car)
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
1. Will the Volt have breakaway side mirrors?
2. What options will be offered?
3. What came about of the statement ( Each Volt price takes into account a replacement battery pack)?
4. Will the first rollout of 10,000 or so only be in major populated areas? Any thought to the list this site has?
A lot of GM vehicles have breakaway side mirrors ( will fold either front or back if bumped into or hit)
From the looks of the pics, it appears they are solid with the door.
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
unni #131:
Interesting video of the test drive of the Ford mule. It would have been nice if they had said what kind of range they expect to get with a 23 KW battery pack….
And since they are going in the direction of an all electric, no range extension vehicle, that should make some of the users here happy!
But for me, E-REV is the way to go…..
It looks like there will be several models to choose from in 2011!
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January 10th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Lyle, I want to know about antitheft measures Volt will have implemented. It will be an expensive car, and I’d like to know if they have thought of this aspect.
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January 11th, 2009 at 12:02 am
CDAVIS (post #140), nuclear power plants = a way to destroy America. Everything fails, sooner or later, and failures of nuclear power plants can be extremely disastrous. This becomes even more valid when one takes into account a threat of a terrorist attack. They are plenty of alternatives to achieve energy independence.
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January 11th, 2009 at 1:46 am
If you want NiMH so bad, then sue the freakin oil cartel that shanghaied the rights for auto applications. Even the inventor got screwed on that. Check out Ovionic’s web site, hell they even regretted getting involved with investors in the first place. You can use national security as a basis and the fact that they’ve intentionally made the bloody things too exspensive for folks to purchase for conversions. By keeping us tied to the black drug(aka. oil) they’re intentionally keeping this nation at risk for their own profit margins as evidenced by the billons they’ve garnered and are still garnering from the fuel prices since 9/11. If Eestor is legit then expect those oil drug lords find ways to crush them too for the same reasons; unless we order “OUR” elected officials to put a stop to them. Dodd, Dingle, and the rest of the oil lackies won’t do it ; but others might. For me, solar power would be perfect. As a third shift worker I sleep during the day anyhow; and I’m not so lazy as to not build my own freakin solar and wind combo powered hydrogen generator for fuel cell applications. Hell, search the net; there are pletty for sale if you’ve got the cash. Including the ones for research use which are factory grade and quality. As for those who tell others to shut up when real substansive questions are asked regarding “OUR” tax money I have this to say; GET OUT OF OUR NATION YOU FREAKIN DIRTBAGS! SINCE THE REST OF THE WORLD WOULDN’T WANT YOU EITHER GET OFF OUR PLANET!! While your spoiled butts whine about needing usb ports and other fanscey(costly) nic-naks, the rest of us want to get our nation back on it’s feet and off foreign oil!
Sorry Lyle, folks; for the rant. Some people just get on my nerves.
Lyle, I do have a question; is GM serious about fuel cells and would they be willing to partner with U.S. groups(Ovonics, United Nuclear, etc.,) to promote U.S. manufacturing and respond to the overseas compatition who are close to H2 powered vehicles like the Honda fcx; which they plan on leasing stateside within this or next fiscal year?
Sorry again about the rant. Thanks.
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January 11th, 2009 at 2:27 am
Lyle:
Thanks for agreeing to take our questions to the show!
My understanding is that, after the battery is depleted, the ICE will start and supply just enough energy to propel the car, but not enough to also charge the battery. The battery will get recharged when the car is plugged in.
However, while operating on the ICE, will regenerative braking put some energy back into the battery, providing a partial recharge?
Also, how do I get on the list to get one of the first Volts? Would it help to send money to Rod Blagojevich? <8-O
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January 11th, 2009 at 2:38 am
I would like to know if LG Chem working to improve the battery and what if any progress?
Also is GM looking into an EEStor type capacitor system and how is that going ?
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January 11th, 2009 at 2:47 am
What is the estimated MPG when the Volt’s batteries are exhausted and it’s running on gasoline to power the electric motors?
When will the Volt be available without a range extending combustion engine, but rather, more batteries for longer electric only driving? No more fluid changes and monitoring!!
Why is the Volt recharging time considerably longer than what competitors are suggesting theirs can charge? Volt = 6hrs or something, and Tesla Roadster = 2hrs, was it? The Volt has one of the shortest electric-only drive capability, but is projected to take FAR longer to change than vehicles that have several times the range.
What is the estimated official 0-60MPH time of the Volt?
Can we expect the same performance from the Volt when it’s running on gasoline as when it’s running on a fresh charge of batteries?
How significant (percentage?) will the performance loss be when the batteries lose most of their charge? (for example, if One already drove 25 miles in their Volt)
Hmm… I think that’s it.
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January 11th, 2009 at 5:03 am
charlie h @ 2 -
You rike I buy you prane ticket, charrie-san ?
Other than that, it’ll be interesting to see what answers and new info come out.
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January 11th, 2009 at 9:01 am
The frustration with Charlie H type comments is that Lyle is a neurosurgeon that started this sight with the belief that the Volt is a step in the right direction for his children. The reason he spends so much time and effort on this sight is because of his belief in the importance to the electrification of the automobile. Most others posting here have similar beliefs (at least on this point), albeit coming from varied mindsets. Charlie H’s comments rudely ignore the purpose of this blog and the intent of Lyle’s request. If those are the issues that means the most to him, he should have associated his inquiries with the Volt in a meaningful way not as means to slap GM in the face through Lyle. Anyone wanting to do this should create their own website, write a letter, or travel to Detroit to slap GM directly. We can still be plenty critically of GM while working to promote the production of intelligently designed electrified automobiles.
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January 11th, 2009 at 9:40 am
I took a Cruze thru these posts this morning and I’m awfully glad I’m not GM or Lyle.
GM says they are trying to do the Volt; Let’s please take them at their word and please get over yourselves.
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January 11th, 2009 at 10:21 am
What electric vehicles will you be selling in the $20,000 range?
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January 11th, 2009 at 10:44 am
#151 and #152 Well said !
Lord help us if some of the GM Hecklers get loose at the Detroit show.
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January 11th, 2009 at 11:10 am
I believe the Volt has already proven that it is marketable. Both Presidential candidates saw the car. The new administration is the most environmental committed and understands that these cars represent freedom from the countries that control the oil.
Consumers are driven by their pocketbooks – especially now. If electric cars are marketed for their fuel economy the public will buy. We have been spoiled in our buying habits.
I would love to know the cost of the TV ads that bombard us every 15 minutes of every day! I look at these cars now as antiques!!!!
I would like to know why new auto companies, especially in China, have electric cars ready to go but we don’t? And the cost is not $40K it’s $20K!
Will the Volt be sold for the same price overseas, or just a higher price in the US?
Is GM working on a way to take their large variety of cars and trucks and re-tool them with electric engines? To me this would be a dream come true – a car of my choice with an electric engine!!
I’m on the Volt list and it cannot come fast enough!
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January 11th, 2009 at 11:10 am
When can I put down a deposit?
Will the Volt waiting list have relevance as we have been behind GM since the beginning.
I want one in 2010, can I have one?
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January 11th, 2009 at 11:52 am
How will GM initially handle distribution/availability when the Volt is introduced? Will there be a new waiting list? What cities will initially have dealers selling it?
Also are there any plans for third party leasing of the batteries? (If consumers didn’t have to own the batteries, it could be easier to afford — since owner’s lower gas costs would help offset the lease cost of a battery).
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January 11th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
(This is a comment rather than a question:)
I have been waiting for over 15 years for a car that is almost entirely made in the United State and is extremely fuel efficient.
The Volt will be that car for me, but it must be almost entirely made in the country. It is not enough to be fuel efficient if it is made elsewhere or if the key components (i.e. batteries) are developed and made outside the country.
The Volt should be about both (a) getting off foreign oil and also (b) remaking the domestic auto industry — and keeping it domestic.
I think these criteria are reasonable and I will not comprimise on either point — even if I have to create my own EV conversion to do it.
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January 11th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
VOLT Batteries.
Back in the summer, GM said it would announce by year end 2008 its battery supplier for the Volt. The rumors included the Korean company, but now that A 123 is seeking $ 1.8 Billion for US battery manufacturing plants, could it be that GM will chose A 123?
If not, then why the delay in the battery supplier?
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January 11th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Similar to #13, When will GM take Deposit money for the Volt, how much will be the Deposit be, what qualifies a Buyer to buy the Volt (close to the Service/State area, Credit Score, etc), is GM going to use the unofficial GM-Volt Wait List? Thanks!
(Given the economy, I need to plan way ahead for this Volt purchase)
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January 11th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
I think I will go with the FlowAIR the compressed air car. Makes sense to me.
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January 11th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
#134 Arch – yes that technology has been around a long time. And the battery has been around for 1000 years, but that wasnt my point. To put this technology in a mass production car that is acceptable to today’s society, meets all the driving demands, and is profitable is something GM is working on now.
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January 11th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
I am appalled that GM engineers would be so unimaginative as to use a body style for the VOLT that looks essentially like the new Saturn sedan. C’mon guys, use your brains; great looking sheet metal will sell more cars than any pedestrian presentation.
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January 11th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I’m wondering if they plan to add any kind of 120V AC outlet on the car anywhere so that it can be used as a generator.
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January 11th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Here’s another question for GM…
Given Toyota’s announcement of a vehicle that gets plugged in:
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/toyota-plug-in-hybrid-coming-late-this-year/
How is GM going to manage its marketing message so that these vehicles, which are really the same in function, appear different enough to the consumer that GM can, in all likelihood, charge a lot more money for their vehicle? Or, does it just make more business sense to give up the project altogether, cut the investment in the Volt project and steer the investment into into making conventional cars very well and reestablishing public trust in GM quality?
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January 11th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
You sceptics are really tiring. If we want to have new tecknology, we have to encourage it and, yes, pay a bit more for the privlige of driving around without burning gas. Do the math at $2.00 gallon, now try at $5.00. So plug your Volt into a windmill and think about all the oil you are not importing. Take a deep breath of cleaner air. I drive a Saab 2T and practise ‘gliding’ by anticipating stops and ‘contouring’ on secondary roads. So I save gas. My business needs a truck so I am getting a GM hybrid Sierra, a big innovation that is the start of the gas free commecial era for small business. I enjoy avoiding gas stations.
The bla bla about quality is BS, besides, the guaranttee is total, they even cover light bulbs.
My wife wants a 2010 Camaro SS for her 50′th. Not to drive, but as an investment. After all a ‘69 is up about 1500%. We might drive it once or twice, just to check out ‘launch control’
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January 11th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
165.
Toyota plans to sell 150 of these plug in hybrids. They will be essentially hand built. Who really cares. This makes the 10K run of the volts in the first year look like a lot of cars.
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January 11th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
#139 ThombDbhomb Says: If you want to pose a question for Lyle only, why wouldn’t you e-mail him directly? It is a bit unusual, but his home page has a “contact” link.
(Did that sound grumpy?)
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Why, yes it did. I’m proud of you. (Sniff, *dabs a tear from his eye)
Actually, since this entire thread is addressed specifically for questions for Lyle to take to the Auto show, I thought direct contact would be unnecessary. Lyle asked for questions – boy, did he get them.
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Lyle, I have one more question. In states that require a front license plate, how could the volt comply with the law without ruining its own aerodynamics?
It would be great if there was a clear compartment in the Volt’s bumper or grill area, which could be opened, front plate inserted, then closed again, leaving a nearly seamless smooth surface where the front plate would normally be, but the license plate would be plainly visible. In rear plate only states, owners could insert any of the normal array of fake plates, like “Big Toys For Bad Boys”, etc.
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January 11th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
charlie h # 2, 10, 46, 87, 165
Son, if you’re trolling for bottom feeders, you have to do it right. Be out on the water before dawn, use dough balls, and use a weight to keep the bait at the bottom. Bring the bait in s-l-o-w-l-y – give the catfish a chance to take it. Trolling is an art unto itself. LOL
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Really, I can see you are very angry about two things – the Volt’s price (which leads me to believe that you are both poor and depressed) and that GM would build anything other than a “green” vehicle (leading me to believe you went to a liberal college, live in California, or both).
I would like to have a 120 hz 50 inch LCD Hi-Def TV, but I can’t afford it. The new L-ion battery tech will come down in price, but not right away – it’s too new.
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I don’t understand your anger – you’re angry that GM did not go “green” fast enough, and now that GM is trying to go green as fast as they can, you want them to abandon the Volt – just because YOU can’t afford it ? Your views contradict each other – and that worries me. I think you need help with your anger issues, and you need it now, before you slip into paranoia, hurt yourself, or hurt someone else.
Anger is like a cancer – it eats you up from the inside. You lose all interest in everything not related to the focus of your anger. You shut your friends out, and they drift away, rejected. You become extremely unpleasant to work with, because you’re so angry all the time. Eventually, you lash out at work and lose your job, and your income from your job. Very soon, all you have left is your anger, and not much else.
Please, charlie h, get help. Lose your anger before it’s too late. You would be supprised how much better life feels without all that anger banging around inside you, making you miserable. Anger really does eat you alive, IF you let it.
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January 11th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
169, Zen,
Poor – wrong.
Depressed – wrong.
Liberal college – wrong.
Live in California – wrong.
Now, Zen, when you stop being gratuitously wrong, you can advance to thinking about the question I posed. Even here, any posters don’t understand the Volt, there’s continual argument about what mpg ratings will mean, endless fruitless discussion about whether or not the vehicle will recharge the battery, etc, etc.
The Prius plug-in will have a plug for electricity and a filler port for gasoline. So will the Volt. For almost all the buying public, this will make these vehicles fundamentally identical (functionally, they are, except in parameters).
The question remains for GM, now that you’re going to lose your lead and face a head-to-head situation with a PHEV Prius; how are you going to differentiate these things?
GM’s marketing strategy with the Volt was surely, at least in part, hit ‘em where they ain’t. This is not such a bad general strategy but expecting Toyota wouldn’t be able to counter the Volt with several years’ advance warning was a masterpiece of self-delusion on GM’s part.
Now, the truth is out. GM will face direct competition from a company that can build small cars profitably and can build hybrids profitably.
How is GM going to get around that?
You might also bear in mind that GM’s problem isn’t to solve any of the world’s problems a pitiful 10K money-losing vehicles at a time; GM’s problem is to survive to pay back a large chunk of federal money.
GM has lost this round and a few more. GM should return to fundamentals and rebuild the company as a company that builds profitable cars.
If they don’t, their CEO will be back to Washington with his tin cup in his hand looking for a bailout on top of the bailout. Not the best use of our tax money, if you ask me.
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January 12th, 2009 at 8:56 am
(caps for noticiablility)
WHAT HAPPENS IF I RUN OUT OF GAS, BUT STILL HAVE BATTERY POWER LEFT?????
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January 12th, 2009 at 10:24 am
@#2 Charlie H
“how are you going to pay back the Federal loans?”
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I won’t accuse you of being poor or of having attended a “liberal” college…
But you don’t really think GM ever had any intentions of paying back the bailout money, do you?
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January 12th, 2009 at 10:25 am
In fact, that’s a great question for GM:
GM, will you commit to signing a contract with the taxpayers that makes you liable to repay the funds you received from the federal government by 2015?
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January 12th, 2009 at 10:43 am
There’s a typo in my #170. “Even here, any posters…” should read, “Even here, many posters…” Certainly, some posters on GM-Volt do understand how the car works (although there’s still room for arguing the details). Some don’t get it at all.
#172, &eye, There’s no good answer to your question. I can’t even think of any funny ones.
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January 12th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Hey JEC #38! There is already money, a program and a country (!) [Israel] that is going to implement what is actually a rather old idea of swappable batteries. The company is Better Place (the CEO used to be at SAP a software company like Oracle, the name came from a conference where these executives were challenged with, “How will you make the world a better place?”)
I think the idea is dead in the water. This site has already been exposed to the reality of the cost of the battery that can power a car and the cost is horrendous. To expect a franchisee to shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars just for the batteries let alone, real estate, building and other expenses just seems like a business model with no future. Also, this site has been given an idea of how much the batteries must be SO carefully managed to get reasonable life. I would think just a few lemon batteries would sink a mom-and-pop battery exchange station.
Of course that’s just my opinion….
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January 13th, 2009 at 2:39 am
Sorry – I didn’t have time to read all the posts so I hope I didn’t duplicate any question.
Are there any plans for a EREV convertible and a sports car?
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January 13th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Please, ask to know
1 How difficult will be to change Volt to power the utility grid during peak hour?
2 How difficult will be to get hot water during peak power operation, if possible. Gas engine wast heat.
Thank you,
Mamiro Yoshizawa electric power engineer
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January 13th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Ask the MORONS IN CHARGE OF GM why they didn’t roll this car out two years ago like Toyota did the Prius.
Are they going to correct their “short term focus on the stock price” and start thinking about the long term development like Toyota did?
Or are they gonna stay stuck in 1990s economics and waste our federal bailout money?
Ask them if they are going to beat up on welfare moms in the future, now that they are welfare schlepps themselves.
Ask them.
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January 16th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
What about LiFePO4 battery technology?
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January 16th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
What about those of us that need a 4 wheel drive to get to our homes?
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