I am trying to limp myold cavalier along until it becomes availablle?

Regards!—-Higgins

My bad. I should have been clearer here. I was backing you up with your comments dispelling Cascus1’s idea.

I do hope your a little wrong about the generator use in ER mode, though. You commented in some detail on this a few posts ago, referecing one of Andrew Farah’s comments. I posted a reply with some conflicting statements and info from Farah and GM. While it is a subtle difference, I expect they will be a little more agressive with the use of the battery in ER mode to get better mpg but still maintain the SOC in the 10% band they have stated. This will give them the ability to be similar in mileage and perhaps outperform the Prius in some situations under RE. Using the generator as you mention will leave them about 10-13% below the Prius’ mpg (extra loss of Mech>Elec>Elec>Mech vs Mech>Mech of Prius).

Statik #90

Guaranteed ICE runnning in EV mode is only with regrads to heating the battery in extreme cold. Of the many, many discourses from GM on this subject and simple logic dictates the ICE use in EV mode with regards to heating is only for extreme cold battery temps for short period of time.
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I agree with you Koz. I fully understand they have never said this would happen, and they have explained their intentions of the conditions where the ICE may turn on very clearly.

Thats why I prefaced my statement by saying, “I can’t believe they would do that. (I mean…I believe they could, but it would really surprise me). ”

Carcus1 just brought a thought about “how much to let the ICE help out in EV operation,” and maybe they would have “the genset working (at a low power setting) in order to manage the temperatures”…which kind of sounded like he was saying that could happen while the car was in operation (if temperatures of the pack dictated it).

…I was just getting way out in front of it, lol. I really don’t see the Volt’s ICE doing anything but prepping (and possibly maintaining) the battery in extreme conditions

Statik @ 90

These two things –

- Volt will (likely) draw power to maintain temperature of the pack while parked.
- Temperature of the pack will be maintained between 10C and 35C (50F and 95F).

– open up a myriad of complications/engineering challenges. What if you drive 40 miles to the airport and then want to leave your volt (unplugged) for a 2 week trip, say you’re leaving out of Brownsville TX in the summertime, or Winnipeg in the winter? Would it even be safe for the Volt’s ICE to come on unattended?

I don’t mind that the ICE would come on in EV mode, in fact, I kind of like the idea from a “techy” perspective. But I certainly understand your take on this and would guess many others would think the same.

To me, what really matters at the end of the year (not at the end of the day) is how much gas did you purchase, and does your car fit into your budget?
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I really don’t have a issue with the ICE if it is a maintenance thing due to my neglect…like the scenario you mentioned at all. (I’d still rather have no ICE…but thats just me)

I still really don’t believe the ‘flipping’ on of the ICE while the car is already operating in EV mode is actually going to happen (or is on the table)…but it is certainly my non-starter. Sadly for me, if GM was to say that, the Volt is instantly dead to me.

I do see why we differ on our opinion on whether or not this is acceptable. You said, “what really matters at the end of the year (not at the end of the day) is how much gas did you purchase, and does your car fit into your budget?” Which both fair and reasonable.

For me, my priorities here are just different, mine are ‘eco-freak’ rather than economical. What matters to me is not using any gas, not polluting at all, making a statement that says I will pay/support/drive vehicles that can drive in pure EV mode.

I realize everyone can’t make that choice, especially in these early, formative years of the electric vehicles when the premium is high…and I don’t have any problem with that.

“In other news we have just had a huge jump in petrol prices and is now selling for $6.39 per gallon. There are quite a few taxes in petrol, most of which are on a percentage basis. Ouchy!”
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Holy cow, so what exactly does NZ apply all that tax revenue too? Feeding the poor, better health care, solving crimes against humanity? Or, like our govt, and give out subsidies to a select few?

Some goes to maintaining/building the roads, some goes to subsidize public transport. 12.5% goes to balance the budget. Some goes to Rail, Ferries, walking tracks and, bike lanes. That’s pretty much it.

Higgins off to work to PAY for other people’s cars, houses, welfare, illegal aliens… . Come Boys! Zeus, Apollo Come! They seem so sad!