Comments on: Chevy Volt Console Display Data Review, and Car Won’t Drive While Plugged in

By: bram

bram — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:29:46 +0000

The charge-port-door switch is an Achilles heel:
You could immobilize a Volt by opening the charge port door.
A car jacker opens it: victim cannot escape by driving away.

By: Zero X Owner

Zero X Owner — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:40:02 +0000

Gaaaa…..

Nice that they added the consumer tax credit for two wheeled (that’s me) and three wheeled (such as aptera or a piaggio mp3-e), but the power pack on mine is 2 kWh and the minimum for the credit is 2.5 kWh. Guess maybe in their Zero S street version, if they use a slightly larger power pack? Win-win for both consumer and manufacturer if Zero does…

By: jscott1000

jscott1000 — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:38:05 +0000

If this display is anything like the Nav displays on current vehicles it will be considerably dumbed down while the vehicle is in motion.

That drives me crazy on my truck when the PASSENGER is unable to enter anything into the Nav system while the vehicle is in motion. The lawyers don’t want to take any chances.

Personally I prefer digital speedometers and digital everything else. If the speed limit is 55 mph I can process a number such as 57 instantly. When I look at an analog gauge I have to first figure out how much each hash mark equals then interpolate. I hate analog.

Oh and Texas is considering a $4,000 tax credit for plug-in hybrids IN ADDITION to the Federal tax credit. That’s a whopping $11,500 tax credit. Suddenly the Volt is sounding cost effective!

By: George K

George K — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:25:38 +0000

Glad to see temperature display.

Also, colors on gas and battery display should change when getting close to empty, as a warning. Esp. gas, perhaps flash and voice (female) warning as it gets really low.

Have at it, guys. This is looking really good!

By: Luke

Luke — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 17:38:10 +0000

Designboy @ 61,

Graphically, a needle moving up and down along a vernier is easier for the mind to quickly understand than an isolated number floating on a blue field. I realize that all data is collected electronically (digitally) in this case, but it should be easy enough to animate a fat needle moving along a scale.

I’ve driven both and, after some practice, I find both the numerical display and the analog-style gauge to be intuitive. As for the practice required, perhaps you’ve forgotten how long it took you to learn how to read the speedometer when you first started reading?

One very nice thing about the Prius’ digital speedometer placement is that it’s very close to the windshield and very compact. So it requires less movement to see than the conventional gauges in my Ford Ranger (and every other car I’ve driven).

Overall, I really don’t care what style of gauge is used — just so long as the information is, easy to read, and doesn’t interfere with my being able to see the road.