Comments on: Bob Lutz Announces Chevy Volt Production Volume Plan

By: pjkPA

pjkPA — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:21:24 +0000

I think when enough people experience the electric driveline and the reliability and simplicity is noticed (no transmission and one moving part in the motor)… most of the ICE will go away .. when the hydrogen fuel cell gets into cars and trucks… that’s when we will say good bye to oil. I commend GM for being the ones to advance the technology the most. GM has been building deisel-electric transit buses for many years that use half the fuel as standard diesel buses.

By: Dan Frederiksen

Dan Frederiksen — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 09:34:51 +0000

GM ultralite. just do it

By: Eric E

Eric E — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:47:42 +0000

The low numbers surprise me. I assume they have other vehicles with newer technology in the works that will be released soon after the Volt.
A $40,000 four seat car cannot dominate the market, GM knows this. I would guess they are working on a full portfolio of EVs and/or EREVs.

By: Dave G

Dave G — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 12:16:23 +0000

Matthew B: Completely eliminating personal vehicles would actually get us right up to the edge of eliminating importation all on it’s own. Add in some reductions on airplane use and we’re there.

I disagree. Oil consumption breaks down roughly as follows: • 44% gasoline (mostly for passenger vehicles) • 17% diesel (mostly for heavy duty long distance travel) • 5% jet fuel • 15% fuel oil (home heating and industrial) • 19% other (petro-chemical, plastics, fertilizer, etc.) The U.S. imports around 66% of the oil we consume. Gasoline fuels the vast majority of personal vehicles. I don't have an exact figure here, but I'm sure it's in the high 90's percent wise. If gasoline went away tomorrow, we would still be importing around 22% of of our current oil consumption. So this tells me that, in addition to plug-ins and conservation, we need other solutions to completely rid ourselves of foreign oil.

By: Matthew B

Matthew B — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:50:10 +0000

Dave G: I disagree.More efficient vehicles will never achieve this goal.If all cars went away tomorrow, we would not achieve this goal.

Completely eliminating personal vehicles would actually get us right up to the edge of eliminating importation all on it's own. Add in some reductions on airplane use and we're there.

Big trucks, ships, and planes are not going to get much more efficient.We need other sources of liquid fuel.

Trains are 6X more efficient than big trucks. Trucks represent about 25% of the oil use, and that number could be slashed just by going to diesel trains. Trains also have the advantage that they don't have to run on liquid fuel because they can also be directly powered by electricity.