Yesterday the Rocky Mountain Institute announced something they are calling Project Get Ready. The goal of the initiative is “to help communities prepare for and welcome plug-in vehicles including full battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and converted hybrid or internal combustion vehicles.”
This involves facilitating the engagement of advocates, utility companies, local government and other stakeholders to increase and prepare for the adoption of plug-in cars like the Chevy Volt. They have collated a menu of strategic actions that city and regional leaders can enact to become plug-in pioneers that are available on an online database.
Project manager Laura Schewel says “With this project, we can help get the nation to President Obama’s goal of 1 million plug-ins by 2015…and maybe even beat it.”
GM’s Director of Infrastructure Britta Gross says “We know that many Volt drivers will never require a public charging infrastructure, instead depending on the Volt’s range-extender to carry them any distance beyond its electric vehicle range. But public infrastructure is very important for those who live in apartments or houses without garages where they can’t simply plug into a household outlet for a full charge.”
RMI has announced they are working on initiatives with Portland, Oregon; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Raleigh, North Carolina and plan to convene at least 20 cities in the near future to develop best practices.
The following are RMIs 15 “Must Have” Actions*
Suggested stretch target: 2% of registered vehicles by the end of 2015.
Barrier: Not enough cars in the pipeline, OEMs need proof of future consumer demand
1. Corporate/city/state fleets commit to buy a certain number of plug-ins (RFPs for major purchases or conversions).
2. Stakeholder group provides a place for interested consumers/fleets to register early, and put cash down to reserve plug-ins (cash used for readiness where possible).
Barrier: How can we manage this as a multi-sector, city-wide project?
3. Create collaborative stakeholder group within the community to help regulatory, commercial, and community interests align. Sign on to a clear regional plan (based on this menu!). Plan should give equal consideration to conversions.
4. Have one “champion” whose job it is to keep this group moving forward, who has authority
Barrier: How can we bring down upfront costs for consumers?
5. Work with banks and dealers to offer low-interest loans for plug-ins, based on projected lower operating costs from gas savings.
6. Bundle all key incentives at vehicle point of purchase (home charger vouchers, rebates, etc.)
Barrier: Consumer hesitation at diving into a new paradigm for mobility
7. Perks: access to HOV lanes, free tolls/downtown parking, reserved airport parking.
8. Create consumer, city government, local business and utility education plans including test drives and “quick lease” options to individual and fleet consumers as well as high profile drivers.
9. Reduced (or free) electricity rates for charging.
Barrier: Red tape around infrastructure installation
10. Fast-track permitting for charging stations.
11. Ensure new and reconstruction/renovation building codes support the operation of plug-ins.
Barrier: What if these cars exacerbate my peak load?
12. Tie provisions of free home and public charge spots, as well as free or cheaper electricity, to either utility override power or “no charge” times.
Barrier: Who will pay for infrastructure?
13. Local employers/retailers provide some charge stations at parking decks.
14. Install public charge spots in high-traffic zones and parking areas, either with public money (via utility or gov’t for the first 2% of vehicles) or private money that uses the stations to market.
15. Provide affordable and available—or free—Level 2 home-charger/driveway circuit installation.
Also should you be so motivated you can Tweet with Britta Gross on Twitter @GMblogs later today at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time.
And as a reminder we have a special Plug-in Readiness Forum right here on GM-Volt.com.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 at 1:44 pm and is filed under Charging, Grid, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Feb 25th, 2009 (1:52 pm)More momentum!
Feb 25th, 2009 (2:12 pm)I’m ready, give me my Volt
NO PLUG, NO SALE, JGTVWOTR, DBNGCMEMEV, (my house) =D~~~(my volt)————————-STOP THE BAILOUTS———————-ooooooops too late
Feb 25th, 2009 (2:15 pm)This is the infrastrcuture cars like EV 1 lacked for wide spread commercial sales.
YES!!
Feb 25th, 2009 (2:29 pm)I’m sure the cost of electricity would make public charging stations for a Volt look attractive to those without a way to charge at home, but I doubt that a parking space for the car while it’s charging would be cheap enough. Even if it was, it still seems like too much trouble to go to just to save a gallon of gas a day.
The Volt should be a very fuel efficient vehicle even if it’s never plugged in, but I think it will be a long time until many are sold to those who can’t charge at home.
Feb 25th, 2009 (2:38 pm)Public charging stations and Volts don’t really go together. BEV’s and charging stations . . . that’s like peas and carrots.
Feb 25th, 2009 (2:45 pm)Any gas station in the country can charge a battery you can find plugs all over the place, there’s plenty of places to get a charge, enough places to get started now, the rest will come as things get going, private business’s will take care of it.
BTW
Most of my friends and people I talk too are not buying a new car, not just because they can’t get financing (they can) or because they don’t want too, most just don’t want to get caught up into the oil company’s gouging again. So they are just waiting for something different.
Also the cost of a new car is so expensive and that’s another reason I think they’re not buying and IMO the reason that hybrids are not selling as fast as you would think is because they cost a grand or two more than their counter part
NO PLUG, NO SALE, JGTVWOTR, DBNGCMEMEV, (my house) =D~~~(my volt)————————-STOP THE BAILOUTS———————-ooops too late
Feb 25th, 2009 (2:46 pm)I thought that was the point of the volt, it did not need all this crap.
Feb 25th, 2009 (2:54 pm)Thank God, a new thread!! I hope that I didn’t say anything on the last one to give offense to the good Dr. Dennis, because that was absolutely not my intention. The political back and forth just drives me nuts. Of course, as my esteemed ex-wife used to say, “That’s not a drive Noel, it’s a putt.” Hehehe, beat you to it.
As to this one, so much the better. Bring it on!!
Do Ms. Gross’s comments mean that GM is working in cooperation with RMI? If so, so much the better again.
I really like #6, “Bundle all key incentives at vehicle point of purchase (home charger vouchers, rebates, etc.)
Feb 25th, 2009 (2:56 pm)This charge station bullshit is not neede for the Volt, it’s an EREV. Even the Plugin Hybrids really don’t need it. This should be aimed at BEV’s. Although it’s helpfull in the “Image” to support Electric vehicles it’s confusing consumers to think the “Oh, I need to go park somewhere I can charge my car…”. That’s wrong but correct for a BEV.
As far as Gas stations having power, yes they do, As a matter of fact, they have 3 phase 220V in amperage enough to charge 15 vehicles at a time. What do you think powers the fuel pumps and shlt like that. Most even have a big as$ XFormer in the back. So yes, the infrastructure is there, we just need the outlet plug to connect to. I can get that at Lowe’s or Home Depot or any hardware store.
I’ll take my Volt with No Generator, No ICE, ShAkEn not StirreD…
Feb 25th, 2009 (3:06 pm)I was reading this thread on Autobloggreen…
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/02/25/strong-early-sales-in-japan-prompt-honda-to-increase-insight-pro/
I was thinking, when this car as well as the Prius hits the states, people will most likely flock to it. I say this because of the “Stimulus” pack that was announced on the incentives of purchasing a car this year. I think most people who can afford to purchase will probably do so this year on Hybrids. What’s going to happen when in 2011 the incentives are not there and/or have been reduced when the Volt comes out?
Personally I am trying to hold out till then but ny phukin Ford Explorer is sukin a$s and it makes me want to trade the muthafu#$%^ thing in. This year looks like it’s going to be the most “Advantageous” to purchase.
Feb 25th, 2009 (3:08 pm)Sounds a lot like what GM and the electric utility companies have been working on for months. So what is really different except that we have a different player in the game to come up with a different set of proposals and requirements. They need to work with the auto companies and the electric companies to get things done together.
Feb 25th, 2009 (3:11 pm)I hear a lot about the RMI on the Science/Discovery channel, but I have yet to actually see anything they have proposed come about in the marketplace. Of course, I don’t get to see everything available on the market and I might be wrong about them. How about you others? Anything concrete except ideas thrown out there?
Feb 25th, 2009 (3:15 pm)#3 Mitch
“This is the infrastrcuture cars like EV 1 lacked for wide spread commercial sales.”
—————————
Sorry to burst your bubble, but it would have taken a lot more than infrastructure to make the EV1 successful. First off GM would have had to sell them at a price people could afford and there was no way to do it. Who would have paid $100,000 back then for a two-seater? I would certainly not have done so. We don’t even need this infrastructure to be built (at what cost?) for the Volt to be successful or any sibling of the Voltec technology. That is the beauty of the Voltec drive.
Feb 25th, 2009 (3:18 pm)N Riley Says:
“We don’t even need this infrastructure to be built (at what cost?) for the Volt to be successful or any sibling of the Voltec technology. That is the beauty of the Voltec drive.”
Yeah, what he said!…
p
Feb 25th, 2009 (3:24 pm)As far as providing charging stations for apartment dwellers, let that cost fall on the property owners. If they want to provide the chargers for their renters, they can do so at their cost. Competition between apartment projects will drive this and save the taxpayers a bundle. As far as companies providing charging stations for their employees, that follows the same logic. Let them do it to keep satisfied employees if that is what it takes. The same can be said for shopping centers and malls. If they want to attract customers who need to re-charge a Volt-like vehicle or a fully electric, let them fund the construction. It is not the place of the taxpayers to fund these projects. I know that with our new style of government that we must look for Washington to do everything for us and provide “free” everything. But, enough free stuff and we are no longer free. We are dependent on the provider of the largess. Remember Rome and the Roman citizens who were given free bread to keep them quiet until it became the source of their daily bread and so they demanded it be given to them when it was not available. That one little “free” item helped lead to the Roman Empire’s downfall.
Feb 25th, 2009 (3:27 pm)Project Get Ready is an extremely bad idea. Think about it. The underlying message is: “We’re not ready for for plug-ins yet, so don’t even think about buying one”.
This is exactly the wrong message to send. EREVs and PHEVs don’t require anything. All we need are the cars. Sending out any other message is counter-productive.
Feb 25th, 2009 (3:30 pm)#15 N Riley Says: As far as providing charging stations for apartment dwellers, let that cost fall on the property owners. If they want to provide the chargers for their renters, they can do so at their cost. Competition between apartment projects will drive this and save the taxpayers a bundle.
————————————————————————————–
Yes, well said.
There are more than enough home owners to get plug-in sales up to critical mass. After that, plugs in apartment buildings will be as common as cable TV.
Feb 25th, 2009 (3:35 pm)#9 CaptJackSparrow
If my commute was 80 miles round trip, I’d plug my Volt into a charging station while it was parked.
Feb 25th, 2009 (3:36 pm)Charging stations in apt complexes and businesses like malls should build one but use Solar. If you think about it, they will get incentives for Solar and look good doing it while being “Ready” for BEV’s. When the charge is not being used, which will be the majority of the time, then they feed the grid and get their energy credit. It’s a win-win, especially if the Govt gives them the tax credits/breaks for going Solar.
Just MHO.
Feb 25th, 2009 (3:43 pm)#15 N Riley
Maybe you assumed too much about government funding the whole enchirito. Lyle’s “Project Get Ready” post says,
—————-
Who will pay for infrastructure?
13. Local employers/retailers provide some charge stations at parking decks.
14. Install public charge spots in high-traffic zones and parking areas, either with public money (via utility or gov’t for the first 2% of vehicles) or private money that uses the stations to market.
15. Provide affordable and available—or free—Level 2 home-charger/driveway circuit installation.
————————-
Some government investment is probably going to happen. Hopefully, it will pay off by getting us further away from ICEs. But, Project Get Ready is not calling for government to do everything. Project Get Ready seems like a stakeholder group that involves both public and private sector.
Feb 25th, 2009 (3:50 pm)Starcast @ 7,
I agree that the Volt does not need all of this infrastructure crap… But, what about a true BEV breakthrough where other BEVs do need this crap? My intention is to support a society free of oil. Therefore, I do not mind investing in this crap in perhaps shifting funding from say nation building to say building our infrastructure (with its obvious economic benefit(s)). Why not?
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:01 pm)From the article: GM’s Director of Infrastructure Britta Gross says “We know that many Volt drivers will never require a public charging infrastructure, instead depending on the Volt’s range-extender to carry them any distance beyond its electric vehicle range. But public infrastructure is very important for those who live in apartments or houses without garages where they can’t simply plug into a household outlet for a full charge.”
————————————————————————————–
We park our cars in our driveway. That’s where I plan on plugging in. There are two GFI protected outlets on the house right next to the driveway.
Is there some sort of problem charging the Volt outside? Is this a design limitation in the Volt’s charge port cover? Is Britta Gross from GM saying that we can only charge the Volt in a garage or other sheltered area?
Lyle, could you ask GM if the Volt can be charged outdoors?
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:07 pm)Perks: access to HOV lanes, free tolls/downtown parking, reserved airport parking.
I don’t agree with these perks, really. Perks like these for current hybrids are what gave them the current “smug” image… implying that drivers of these vehicles are better than everyone. Snobbery.
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:15 pm)#13
No bubble burst..but electrification of transportation is a goal, then this infrastructure will be needed.
I know the Voltec platform does not need it.
I mention that this was one hurdle.
thats all…
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:15 pm)@Gary 23
“Perks: access to HOV lanes, free tolls/downtown parking, reserved airport parking.
I agree. The perk should be “I don’t have to buy gas”.
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:16 pm)#23 Gary
Perks motivate people. I’ll take those perks. Gas wasters can exhibit their own form of snobbery; I’m better than those snobs because I’m not a snob.
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:18 pm)#21 Dave B Says: I agree that the Volt does not need all of this infrastructure crap… But, what about a true BEV breakthrough where other BEVs do need this crap? My intention is to support a society free of oil.
————————————————————————————–
Two points:
1) We can completely free ourselves from gasoline by using a combination of EREVs and ethanol. EREVs can replace 80% of our gas usage. Ethanol can replace 35% of our gas usage. Together, that’s 115% – more then enough to completely replace gasoline.
2) Gasoline is only 44% of oil consumption, so to free ourselves from oil, we would also have to free ourselves from diesel, jet fuel, home heating oil, industrial fuel oil, fertilizer, plastics, petro-chemicals, etc..
Bottom line: There is no one “silver bullet” that will free us from oil. It will take a combination of many things.
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:25 pm)Obama is leading the charge (pun intended) toward electrification of the auto industry in this country. It is time to abandon the bush oil days and move to the electric grid that can be controlled locally. Barack has the proper vision to get these EVs on the road. The Obama administration will force GM (kicking and screaming) into the future. Join us as we update and retool the entire U.S. automotive industry. YES WE CAN !
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:31 pm)ONE(1) MILLION PLUG-INS BY 2015 !!!
GO OBAMA GO !
It’s about time someone has the courage to lead.
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:31 pm)From the article:
13. Local employers/retailers provide some charge stations at parking decks.
————————————————————————————–
Retailers?
Charging during the day will wreak havoc on our electrical grid. Plug-in experts agree that most people should only consider charging overnight. The only exception would be people with very long commutes.
Anyone who recommends day-time charging will also have to allocate $ hundreds of billions to expanding our current electrical grid’s peak capacity in order to avoid constant rolling blackouts. Do we want plug-ins to go mainstream or not?
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:33 pm)My Volt wont need it (most of the time), but my car after that may. Heck I may even buy a NEV. Might as well get the ball rolling. Put plugs everywhere. I dont see the harm. If I owned a business or apartment complex, i’d put a few plugs out there.
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:35 pm)@Obama Nation 28
So far all I see is the reward to all the people who bailed in their mortgage and money to cover bad decisions and investments….blah blah blah.
I can go on but whole heartedly I wish him luck on the endeavors. And yes he has my support for his attempts but I am waiting for my “Something” for being a good person by keeping my mortgage, paying my bills, understanding that the house I bought was in fact something I can pay for year after year as well as my vehicles. So far I don’t see jack shlt.
In my meger opinion, if I don’t see anything for folks that are in my situation, more importantly ME, than all I see of our president is nothing but an “Obamination” to us all.
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:41 pm)#28
The Obama administration will force GM (kicking and screaming) into the future
Well …(and I hate this) as GM currently has no futur to go to without the Obama administration….I think it will go there happily…
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:42 pm)#22 Dave G
There is nothing to prevent a Volt or other plug-in from being charged outside except inclement weather. You would not want to be charging during a rain storm. Other than rain, ice or snow it should be ok. That, of course, rules out most outside charging unless it is at a properly designed charging station. Running an electrical cord from the garage or somewhere else would be a bad idea unless you stick around to monitor the weather. Look again at the pictures showing the plug-in port on the Volt. It is pretty exposed to weather. Looks like you would have trouble in inclement weather even at a properly designed charging station unless it had an overhead cover.
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:44 pm)#24 Mitch
OK, I see where you are coming from, so to speak.
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:45 pm)@k-dawg 31
“Heck I may even buy a NEV…”
lol….
Dude, have you ever driven one of those “Golf Cart” style NEV’s? They’re pretty fun. Open air fell during the summer. A neighbor had one and we took it to the grocery store a few times, it was cool. We were like a couple of kids on our first ride…..lol
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:46 pm)It is nice to see Obama put some much needed pressure on GM to more efficiently manage their money. In the past GM would have wasted hundreds of millions on a brand NEW shiny plant to build 1.4L engines instead of use the massive excess capacity they already have in place. Believe me, if it wasn’t for the Obama administration, GM would be wasting tons more money left and right, just like in the good’ol days. Beware GM, those days are OVER !!!
There is a new sheriff in town. And his name is…
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:47 pm)Well, I guess it can’t hurt. But it sounds like a lot of talk about not a whole heck of a lot…which could possibly be the ‘electric car segments’ motto.
We all know we don’t need any infrastructure/special programs I think. It is hard to justify that the sector even needs so many/much (or any) subsidies…we don’t even have a single car out there to test the waters.
To me, when that most blessed of all years 2010 comes, and we supposedly find 50 different electric cars hitting the market at the same time we will know better.
I think logically the only real issue here is the batteries. If we subsidize/’encourage’ them into the marketplace as quickly and cheaply as is economically viable…the rest will fall in line.
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:48 pm)Dave G #30,
Then maybe its good to get this ball rolling now. As daytime power usage increases so will the pressure to update our current grid. I’d rather have a gradual change then a flip of a switch, and then all of sudden no one can charge during the day.
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:53 pm)#28 Obama Nation
It is great to have a champion, but facts are facts. Bush spent more on solar and wind than any president before him. He may have come from oil roots, but he was the first president to speak up and say we were addicted to oil and we needed to get off it. He proposed much more clean energy research than congress was willing to fund each year if his presidency. So, lets stop kicking Bush and get to work solving our problems. It serves no one but the Bush haters to continue this type of trash talk.
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:55 pm)#36CaptJackSparrow Says:
February 25th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
@k-dawg 31
“Heck I may even buy a NEV…”
lol….
Dude, have you ever driven one of those “Golf Cart” style NEV’s? They’re pretty fun. Open air fell during the summer. A neighbor had one and we took it to the grocery store a few times, it was cool.
————
Not a real one.. just the golf-cart one in our plant. Its fun to squeel the tires on the plant floor.
Feb 25th, 2009 (4:58 pm)#18 ThombDbhomb:
Me too.
#30 Dave G:
My commute is 25 miles each way. I WILL plug my Volt in during the day so I can make it home without the “range extender”. Plus, I run a lot of business errands during the day, and want to limit gas consumption for them. I doubt if I am alone. Get ready for it grid.
And, if the Volt does not materialize, I will be driving an Aptera, or some similar US made car, so I will need all of this stuff for sure.
Feb 25th, 2009 (5:04 pm)Another good thing about being able to plug your Volt in at work.. even if your commute is short, is that it can use the electricity to pre-condition the battery. My car will sit at work for 8 hours at -20 degrees. If it knew i needed to drive home at 5pm, it could start warming the battery up at 4:45pm. This way I could truely drive gas-free, even in cold (or hot) weather.
Feb 25th, 2009 (5:06 pm)#34 n Riley
GFCI , problem solved.
(no charging station or planning committee required)
Feb 25th, 2009 (5:12 pm)#42 noel park Says: Plus, I run a lot of business errands during the day, and want to limit gas consumption for them. I doubt if I am alone. Get ready for it grid.
————————————————————————————–
Then get ready for either: a) sky high electric rates, or b) rolling blackouts. Take your pick.
There’s a reason that plug-in experts recommend night-time only charging…
Feb 25th, 2009 (5:16 pm)#34 N. Riley
I dont think there will be any issue charging outside. The plug looks like it has gasketing, I plug my Xmas lights in during snow/rain/whatever. I’d be more concerned about someone stealing my plug at night though. They need to have a lock in it so someone can’t just run off with it.
Feb 25th, 2009 (5:21 pm)@k-dawg
“They need to have a lock in it so someone can’t just run off with it.”
Or some hoodrat punk can come by and unplug it thinking it’s funny.
@Dave G
Then get ready for either: a) sky high electric rates, or b) rolling blackouts. Take your pick.
I pick “a) sky high electric rates,”. It is expected they will tax your utilities to regain road maintenance fees to help keep up the streets and freeways.
Feb 25th, 2009 (6:01 pm)I will go on record as being in favor of HOV lanes, low cost parking, and priority parking for electric vehicles.
The reason for this is that new technology is expensive, and it is good to have other incentives for owning an EV other than a tax credit. Unlike many of us, a lot of people are hesitant to jump into a new technology that they know nothing about. Incentives will be needed to get the average Joe to buy an EV (E-REV).
With that said, as EV’s become mainstream and well-accepted by the public, these incentives should no longer be needed, and thus eliminated.
Feb 25th, 2009 (6:01 pm)With the need for more daytime power to charge electric vehicles while shopping or at work, let’s not forget nuclear. No long transmission lines needed. Walt Disney wanted GE to put one in his experimental prototype community of tomorrow (back when EPCOT was going to be a city for thousands of permanent residents.)
http://www.the-original-epcot.com/2008/05/progress-city-model.html
The dialog describing “Progress City” at Disneyland was a hoot. This is one of my favorite lines: “…we have a welcome neighbor, our GE nuclear power plant…”
http://www.boingboing.net/2001/10/28/-aaaaaaaaaah-they-cl.html
Taking this one step further. Why not get the government to fund the design of a self contained nuclear power plant inside the BEV. No plug needed.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-powered-car.htm
Feb 25th, 2009 (6:22 pm)The following are RMIs 15 “Must Have” Actions*
Suggested stretch target: 2% of registered vehicles by the end of 2015.
Ok lets go with 2%.
I looked up this statistic on the internet, if it’s wrong please let me know.
“There are 107 million US households, each with an average of 1.9 cars, trucks or sport utility vehicles and 1.8 drivers, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported. That equals 204 million vehicles and 191 million drivers.”
If there are 204 million vehicles, 2% would be 4,080,000 vehicles need to be put on the road in the next 5 model years to reach the 2% mark, 816,000 vehicles assuming of course none of those 816,000 die a premature death from a crash or just wear out.
The number of cars in the 2009 model year that offer plug in capability is……….. zero.
Say the economy recovers a little and car makers average 12 million delivered vehicles per year for the next 5 years. 6.8% of all vehicles will need to be plug in hybrids per year for the next 5 years to meet this goal.
Plug in cars are coming, but they aren’t coming this fast no matter how much money Uncle Sam prints. Hell, most car makers don’t even offer a “non-plug” hybrid yet. Plug in hybrids with their premium price are not going to penetrate the market at these levels for a long time.
Feb 25th, 2009 (6:36 pm)Somewhat off-topic, but here is a hint that GM is looking at E-Flex for pickups.
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/02/gm-promises-better-towing-for-nextgen-hybrid-pickups.html
Feb 25th, 2009 (7:24 pm)“Lyle, could you ask GM if the Volt can be charged outdoors?”
************************************************************************************
Joe says
Designing the Volt so it can be charged outside isn’t difficult task. Of course the Volt will be able to be charged outside. It would be a major blunder on GM’s part if it couldn’t.
Feb 25th, 2009 (7:56 pm)______________________________________________________
Project GET Ready:
America is already more than ready…just waiting for the VOLTEC.
_____________________________________________________
Electric Cars + Nuclear Power = American Energy Independence!
_____________________________________________________
Feb 25th, 2009 (8:08 pm)______________________________________________________
#51 BillR1 Says:
Somewhat off-topic, but here is a hint that GM is looking at E-Flex for pickups.
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/02/gm-promises-better-towing-for-nextgen-hybrid-pickups.html
_______
BillR1, that was an excellent link find! Thanks. Very encouraging that VOLTEC may find its way to GM Trucks!
______________________________________________________
Electric Cars + Nuclear Power = American Energy Independence!
______________________________________________________
Feb 25th, 2009 (8:09 pm)RE #49 – nuclear powered car. The first technical problem is not killing the driver with all the rads given off by a fission reaction. Several feet of concrete (or less feet of lead) are required to absorb stray high energy neutrons and photons. Nuclear powered 18 wheeler maybe.
I like the comment “…we have a welcome neighbor, our GE nuclear power plant…” On Long Island we have a half built nuclear power plant that costs billion $ or something like that and was canceled because no one wanted it for a neighbor. So there’s an interesting statistic people on Long Island were prepared to pay about an extra $0.05 per KWh to cancel a nuclear plant in their back yard.
RE #50
Yep, that’s some “back of envelope” or “back of napkin” (UK/US) math that helps to paint the picture clearly. Thanks.
Feb 25th, 2009 (8:10 pm)What a load of baloney – I don’t give a paradigms for this dilettantish drivel.
Free electricity – right. Fast track permits – right. A champion instead of a Tsar – right.
Did this come from a break down group in a community organizer meeting?
It’s no wonder our economy is a mess. Like Statik says, we have no products and the central planners are laying out THE (5 Year?) PLAN.
May the Almighty help us.
Feb 25th, 2009 (8:22 pm)There is plenty of room in the daily electric load curve for daytime charging.
The Volt just needs to make intelligent exceptions for the morning and evening peak loads if the temperature is extreme – let’s say above 90F or below 20F. Otherwise, go ahead and charge; no need to waste all that capacity. Can charge in random intervals as mentioned before. No reason in the world that it can’t be done so I do wish people would stop propagating their misconceptions.
Who is the Felix Unger of this site anyhow?
Feb 25th, 2009 (8:23 pm)looks the voltec system is going to be in trucks also
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/02/gm-promises-better-towing-for-nextgen-hybrid-pickups.html
If trains can do it, I think trucks also can follow it.
The wikipedia says :
Advantages
Regenerative braking.
No gearshifting
No backlash and breaking of couplings during shifting.
Constant availability of maximum diesel generator power.
Easy addition of multiple power units.
Less maintenance with modern ac generators and motors without commutators.
Disadvantages
More weight
Less efficient in fuel use.
Needs high tech electronics with use of ac generators and motors .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_locomotive#Diesel-electric
Last summer i cried seeing the gas prices, now i see good things coming from it. Let cheap oil do not drive us away
Feb 25th, 2009 (8:36 pm)New Campaign Slogan:
A chicken in every pot,
a plug at every parking spot.
Feb 25th, 2009 (8:44 pm)#56 Shawn Marshall Says: Did this come from a break down group in a community organizer meeting?
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Nope. It came from RMI, the same folks who were pushing Fool Sells.
Feb 25th, 2009 (8:44 pm)When ever you see the word “FREE” used that many times you best run like hell with both hands on your wallet.
Feb 25th, 2009 (8:50 pm)#51, #54, #58,
Well, pickuptrucks.com can speculate all they want, but GM already said right here on gm-volt.com that there was no way a large EREV pickup or SUV would work with current battery technology. It ain’t gonna happen.
When GM talks of improving the towing capability of a Silverado Hybrid, they mean bigger electric motors in a standard parallel hybrid configuration.
Don’t shoot the messenger.
Feb 25th, 2009 (8:55 pm)#52 Joe Says: Of course the Volt will be able to be charged outside. It would be a major blunder on GM’s part if it couldn’t.
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Right, but in the above article Britta Gross of GM implies that people who don’t have a garage will have a problem charging the Volt.
From the article:
GM’s Director of Infrastructure Britta Gross says “We know that … public infrastructure is very important for those who live in apartments or houses without garages where they can’t simply plug into a household outlet for a full charge.”
Feb 25th, 2009 (8:59 pm)#62 Dave G,
From the article at pickuptrucks.com:
“…Gary White, GM North America vice president and vehicle line executive for GM Full-Size Trucks.”
“E-Flex is an option that’s on the table,” White said. “I don’t know if the current system, the one that’s in (today’s) trucks, could evolve enough. One of the things you might consider is E-Flex.”
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So I guess you are saying that this VP at GM needs to read this site so he will know that “there was no way a large EREV pickup or SUV would work.” Correct?
Feb 25th, 2009 (9:05 pm)#47 CaptJackSparrow Says: I pick “a) sky high electric rates,”.
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OK, that will work, as long as all the work is finished when plug-ins go mainstream.
My point here is that our electrical grid is built to handle peak load. Average load affects how much fuel is used in power stations, but the grid has to handle peak load. Peak load happens on hot summer days around 2-3pm. Peak load is currently around twice the power of night-time load. Our electric grid already strugges with peak load on hot summer days.
So building a new grid that can handle more than the current peak load will be a major challange. If you’re willing to pay for it, then it will create jobs. But it is a big deal…
Feb 25th, 2009 (10:47 pm)Let’s check in on another Volt project, Lincvolt:
http://www.lincvolt.com/lincvolt_media
(There’s no way in HE double toothpick Neil’s gonna get 100 mpg out of that 5,000 pound car, but it’s fun to watch. Especially with some “Live Rust” qued up on itunes.
Feb 26th, 2009 (12:50 am)Okay…. I’ve been seeing this a lot, and I don’t know what the hell it is. Mind elaborating:
JGTVWOTR, DBNGCMEMEV??????????????????????
Feb 26th, 2009 (12:51 am)I do not know about others but I have 240V in my house and in the garage . Plus I can change out a plug end so it will work .
What else do I need ?
Aircraft People do that but if I lived in town I would call the porper electrician .
God Bless
Feb 26th, 2009 (1:51 am)SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Oil was steady above $42 a barrel on Thursday, after surging more than 6 percent overnight on U.S. government data that showed a larger-than-expected drop in gasoline stocks.
Venezuelan Finance Minister Ali Rodriguez, a former president of OPEC, said the OPEC nation expected to propose new output cuts when the group next meets in March.
___________________________
Electrolytes
Liquid electrolytes in Li-ion batteries consist of lithium salts, such as LiPF6, LiBF4, or LiClO4, in an organic solvent, such as ether.
A liquid electrolyte conducts Li ions, acting as a carrier between the cathode and the anode when a battery passes an electric current through an external circuit.
=D~
Feb 26th, 2009 (2:24 am)#62 Check out this hummer
Raser’s Electric 100mpg SUV (hummer)
http://www.rasertech.com/media/movies/html/fev_jan09.html
Feb 26th, 2009 (6:36 am)I don’t see the harm in “Project Get Ready”.
At the very least, they could get people talking about the idea.
Feb 26th, 2009 (7:33 am)A.P.
The 4th Quarter News……
GM Posts $9.6B 4th Quarter Loss
Thursday, February 26, 2009
DETROIT — General Motors Corp. says it lost $9.6 billion in the fourth quarter and burned through $6.2 billion in cash as it sought government help to avoid running out of cash.
The nation’s biggest domestic automaker lost $30.9 billion for all of 2008 as it struggled against a U.S. sales slump and a global recession.
GM has received $13.4 billion in federal loans and its executives are in Washington, D.C., Thursday to talk to the Obama administration about the company’s request for up to $30 billion.
For the fourth quarter, GM says it lost $15.71 per share, compared with a loss of $722 million, or $1.28 per share, in the year-ago period.
Excluding special items, The Detroit company’s loss was $9.65 per share. On that basis, analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters predicted a loss of $7.40 per share.
Feb 26th, 2009 (7:36 am)February 26, 2009: 6:48 AM ET
Oil prices rose 78 cents to $43.28 a barrel, after jumping more than $2 a barrel on Wednesday
=D~
Feb 26th, 2009 (7:48 am)#72 Exp_EngTech Says:
GM Posts $9.6B 4th Quarter Loss
=========================
Full glory PDF if your so inclined:
http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/84/84530/Q4_2008_Highlights__Parts_2_and_3.pdf
Cliff notes, with PR spin from the GM media portal:
http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewmonthlyreleasedetail.do?domain=3&docid=52444
Other tidbits:
Lost 31 billion for the year
Burned through 6.2B in cash for the quarter
GM’s GM’s net pension obligations, is now underfunded by $12.4 billion
Feb 26th, 2009 (7:50 am)#71 Rashiid Amul Says: I don’t see the harm in “Project Get Ready”. At the very least, they could get people talking about the idea.
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I feel just the opposite. The underlying message is that you need all this stuff to make cars like the Volt viable, which will make more people turn off to the idea of plug-ins.
I can’t tell you how many people still think the Volt has only a 40-mile range. Someone has beat in into their brains that plug-ins are not yet viable. Project Get Ready will only reinforce these existing stereotypes, which will delay many people from even looking at plug-ins. So I see a lot of potential harm in this…
Feb 26th, 2009 (8:01 am)This is all really interesting but:
Just Build The Car!!!!!
Feb 26th, 2009 (8:12 am)The Volt in L.A.
http://garfwod.250free.com/Photos/LA%20Volt%20022.jpg
=D~
Feb 26th, 2009 (8:18 am)If GM lost $31 billion last year, and I imagine that understates it slightly, the only solution will be fundamental movement by management, the UAW and the bondholders. They all need to take a serious haircut or die. And I don’t see anyone heading towards the barbershop.
I am not sure a government structured Ch. 11 will work, and I am nearly positive GM can’t do it on its own.
I hope whoever buys up the pieces of GM after the failure buys the Volt, because I can very well imagine it just slipping away in Chapter 7 proceedings.
Feb 26th, 2009 (8:49 am)Lyle – do you have any official word on where the Volt’s engine block will be cast? I have conflicting information, some saying Defiance OH, and some saying Saginaw MI.
Feb 26th, 2009 (8:58 am)#74 statik ==>
you for these links.
Is there a link to audited numbers?
Feb 26th, 2009 (9:08 am)#74 statik ==>
you for these links.
Is there a link to audited numbers?
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As I understand it (after looking at the 22 page) report:
GM filed a 12b-25, because they expect a ‘ongoing cern’ flag in the audit, so the 10-K/Item 8, with the Independent Auditor’s signoff/report is in there, but will/can be delayed up to 15 days …and they have a whack of year end oddities along with to disclose (including everyone’s fav–executive compensation).
Feb 26th, 2009 (9:22 am)Ok, that last post needed proofreading..here it is again, lol
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#80 RB said:
statik ==> you for these links.
Is there a link to audited numbers?
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As I understand it (after looking at the 22 page) report:
GM filed a 12b-25, because they expect a ‘ongoing concern’ flag in the audit, so the 10-K/Item 8, with the independent auditor’s signoff/report is in there, but will/can be delayed up to 15 days …and they have a whack of year end oddities to disclose as well (including everyone’s fav–executive compensation).
/apologies
Feb 26th, 2009 (9:26 am)Dave G #75 says,
I feel just the opposite. The underlying message is that you need all this stuff to make cars like the Volt viable, which will make more people turn off to the idea of plug-ins.
I can’t tell you how many people still think the Volt has only a 40-mile range. Someone has beat in into their brains that plug-ins are not yet viable. Project Get Ready will only reinforce these existing stereotypes, which will delay many people from even looking at plug-ins. So I see a lot of potential harm in this…
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You and I are on different sides of this for sure.
Marketing and Advertising can be used to educate people about plugins. I think if the automakers want to see these cars purchased, it will be their responsibility to educate. The more people talk about these, the more informed they will become. When I talk about it, I make sure people understand that the first 40 miles is electric and then gasoline will take them further. I also stress how much cheaper it is to plug the car into the grid.
Feb 26th, 2009 (10:01 am)Dave G
Rashiid Amul
” Project Get Ready will only reinforce these existing stereotypes, which will delay many people from even looking at plug-ins. So I see a lot of potential harm in this…”DG
” I don’t see the harm in “Project Get Ready”. At the very least, they could get people talking about the idea.” RA
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Talk about an obscure subject! Most people know little to nothing about PHEV’s or even current EV plans and the most boring subject in the world for them is minutia that occurs at the overlap of utilities, big business and government. Mention it and their eyes glaze over and they dream about ski vacations and they don’t hear a word you say. This won’t ever register in public perceptions except for the folks who congregate here.
Feb 26th, 2009 (11:54 am)#83 Rashiid Amul:
I agree. It’s all good.
Feb 26th, 2009 (12:07 pm)#67 Zach:
Let’s Just Get The Volt’s Wheels On The Road!! – courtesy of Tagamet.
Don’t Buy New Gas Cars, Make ‘Em Make Electric Vehicles – courtesy of casey.
Months ago, these things got put up so many times that some wise a**ed blogger (no names please) suggested turning them into acronyms.
Feb 26th, 2009 (12:43 pm)Wonder how Mr Lutz would characterize this wonderful plan? Does crock-a-poo come to mind?
The local Soviet will elect a Commissar of Plugs to implement the Central Party strategy of a free plug/free HOV/free parking award for all loyal Party members that drive an (X)EV.
Feb 26th, 2009 (12:58 pm)Ho hum. Really. After three years of this claptrap the ranks are getting extremely bored with clunky computer simulations. There is a need to keep sim writers busy which is why we have items like this attempting to construct a conflict out of thin air.
Volt runs on flexfuel if it doesn’t have electrical charge. So, grow up and choose – you live in an apartment? Don’t have an overnight charge ability? Does you workplace provide charge stations? No? Then, for the Lord’s sake buy a HEV. In fifteen years when AER is 150 mpc and there are quick charge pedestals at the Seven Eleven and Wendys – it won’t matter.
Gotto get back to work inventing new problems for my World in Crisis sim. Hey… itsa job!