About GM-Volt.com

This website is all about the GM Chevrolet Volt extended range electric car.

WHAT IS THE VOLT?:

The Volt is radically different than any on the road today. Although agreement about definitions vary, GM does not consider it a hybrid. Current hybrids cars, such as the Prius, are defined as parallel hybrids, meaning they have a small electric motor that moves the car when it is going slowly, but when speed or acceleration increases, a gasoline motor kicks in. The Volt, however, is considered an extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV). It has a very powerful all-electric 161-horsepower 45KW (100 KW peak) motor that is the only engine to power the car at all times. This engine should be capable of moving the car from 0 to 60 in 8.5 seconds, and have a top speed of at least 100 mph.

The electric engine gets its power from a very powerful high-voltage battery pack that can store enough energy to drive the car up to 40 miles in standard driving conditions. That battery pack is recharged by plugging the car into your home 110 (or 220) volt wall outlet, just like you do your iPod or cell phone. The full-charge cycle should take about 6 hours (3 hours at 220). Yes, this will increase your electric bill, but you will charge the car overnight when rates are lower. Much more importantly, you will need NO GASOLINE for drives up to 40 miles. So, if gas prices continue to go through the roof, you really won’t care. In most areas, your electricity costs should amount to a gas equivalent price of 50 cents per gallon. Studies suggest that 78% of drivers drive less than 40 miles per day.

Another very important feature of the Volt, and the reason some people (not GM) still consider it a hybrid, is that it will still have an on-board gasoline/E85 combustion engine. Only in the Volt, this engine is the smaller one, and has only one task, it produces electricity for the motor when the stored power gets low. The engine is not connected to the wheels, it is only a generator. The brilliance of this feature is that you will have an overall driving range of over 300 miles. The efficiency of this engine amounts to up to 50 mpg. The old EV-1 did not have this function.

In typical city driving situations, GM claims owners can expect to achieve an average of 230 miles per gallon over time.

This gas engine will not need gears or transmission, and only has to run at a single rpm. It could also be considered an emergency generator. If you have to drive more than 40 miles, you needn’t worry because the generator will allow you to continue to drive.

The electric motor also can generate a lot of instantaneous torque, making the car extremely responsive, and not require gears either.  Maintenance will be low.

The battery pack will use lithium-ion (li-ion) technology. Current hybrids use nickel-metal hydride (NiMh), which carry much less energy per unit weight.Developing the lithium-ion battery packs has been one of the things that has taken so long to develop.  In January 2009, GM finally announced after considerable testing, it had chosen LG Chem to supply the lithium-ion battery cell.  GM themselves would create and assemble the packs with their own software, and thermal management systems.

For more detailed vehicle specifications, click here .

MILESTONES:

The Volt was first announced by General Motors (GM) in January 2007 as a concept car. This site, GM-volt.com, was created on the same date to help compel GM to build the car.

On June 3rd, 2008, GM CEO Rick Wagoner announced that the board of GM approved moving the Volt to production.

On September 16th 2008, GM unveiled the production version Chevy Volt to the world.

On January 19, 2010 GM began operations at its Brownstown Michigan battery assembly plant, beginning mass production of lithium-ion battery packs for the Chevy Volt. This is the first battery pack assembly plant operated by a major US automaker.

The anticipated launch date is November 2010 or possibly sooner.

GM-Volt.com

We will provide you with all the latest information about the vehicle and its technology as it occurs and shall serve as a forum for discussion about the vehicle. We will also act as a conduit to GM about public opinion and overwhelming support for this car. The founder of this site, Dr. Lyle Dennis, has met with and continues to meet with the highest level GM executives involved in the car’s production. We will follow the production process with them, and chronicle it for you right here. We have their ear and will make your opinions known to them.

If you would like a chance to get on our grassroots Chevy Volt waiting list, click here .

Check back often, register, and subscribe to feeds:

Subscribe in a reader

Founder and publisher:

Dr. Lyle Dennis writes and publishes this site. Although a full-time physician, Lyle is a highly-committed advocate for widespread use of alternative energy and petroleum displacement, and believes the adoption of this vehicle will have a tremendously positive impact both on this country and the world as a whole. Although he has some engineering background, Lyle does not in any way work for General Motors (GM) or the car industry at all. Below is a video of Lyle at the Volt Nation event in NY March 2008.

Enjoy and see you on the roads one day!

You can reach Dr. Dennis at chevyvolt AT gmail DOT com or through the form below: