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Archive for the 'Climate' Category

Study Calls Environmental Benefits of Electric Cars ‘Fiction’

April 19th, 2009 | Posted in: Climate, Environment, Research with 147 Comments

There are two major reason why people want electric cars. To achieve energy independence, to help the environment, or both.
While the first benefit can’t be disputed, a newly publicized study suggests that electric car use may actually be worse for the environment.
The study was performed by the group Transport Watch and found that [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 147 Comments

On The 2010 Prius Solar Roof

January 22nd, 2009 | Posted in: Climate, Efficiency, Features with 138 Comments

To this day people new to the Volt concept continue to draw the conclusion that it should have solar cells on its roof.
Here’s an email I just got today:
THE NEW CAR THE VOLT.WHY DIDN’T YOU PUT SOLAR PANELS ON THE ROOF. IT WOULD CHARGE THE BATTERY WHEN IT SAT OUT SIDE IN THE SUN??????????
The idea [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 138 Comments

Chevy Volt Battery Temperature Control

January 5th, 2009 | Posted in: Battery, Climate, Engineering with 106 Comments

The following is a recent exchange I had with Volt vehicle line director Frank Weber concerning battery temperature control in the Chevy Volt.
Does the battery always have some electronics running, even when the car is turned off?
No, there is a real sleep mode.
Did you hear about former CEO Martin Eberhard noting his Tesla Roadster was [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 106 Comments

How Will Air Conditioning Affect the Chevy Volt’s Electric Range?

December 30th, 2008 | Posted in: Climate, Efficiency, Engineering with 175 Comments

The Chevy Volt has been designed to be able to drive for 40 miles on stored electricity when starting from the point of a fully charged battery. GM has specifically engineered the car around that goal. That range is based on a certain set of assumptions, which includes reasonable driving aggressiveness. Severe [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 175 Comments

Bob Lutz on Chevy Volt Battery Tests, Cold Starts, and Use of OnStar

August 27th, 2008 | Posted in: Battery, Climate with 152 Comments

Leftlanenews.com had the chance to interview Bob Lutz and included some Volt talk.
The GM vice-chairman confirmed that the prototype batteries have been tested both in extreme cold and extreme heat conditions, and aside from some solder failures on the prototypes he said that in terms of the lithium-ion chemistry, there has been an “eerie”, “almost [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 152 Comments

How Will the Volt’s Battery Perform at Different Temperatures?

July 11th, 2008 | Posted in: Battery, Climate with 155 Comments

Some may have noticed an anonymous “Battery Expert” made an appearance in some of our previous posts’ comments sections. He/she claimed the Volt’s batteries might not survive their lifecycle requirements at different temperatures. It is he/she who created the graphic shown above.
Not being a battery expert myself, and seeking clarification of this issue, [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 155 Comments

RSS Recent Posts

RSS Recent GM-Volt Forum Posts

  • Chrysler dismantles electric car plans under Fiat November 7, 2009
    DETROIT (Reuters) - Chrysler has disbanded a team of engineers dedicated to rushing a range of electric vehicles to showrooms and dropped ambitious... […]
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    First Solar buys 117 MW project from solar startup Ausra: _Link_ (http://www.reuters.com/article/mergersNews/idUSN046821420091105) Given that water... […]
    Jason M. Hendler
  • True believers swamp Fisker opening November 7, 2009
    True believers swamp Fisker opening _Link_ (http://www.autonews.com/article/20091106/ANA05/911069996/1137) Can you imagine what the roll-out of the... […]
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  • Zero Motorcycles Announces Consumer Financing November 7, 2009
    Zero Motorcycles Announces Consumer Financing: _Link_ (http://www.allcarselectric.com/blog/1037942_zero-motorcycles-announces-consumer-financing) […]
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  • LeRoy1974 November 6, 2009
    Does the Volt have a trunk in which we can put groceries or a couple of golf bags? All the photos and drawings of the Volt look like it was in an... […]
    LeRoy1974
  • Embrace technology to turn nuclear energy into environmental solution November 6, 2009
    From the Seattle Times: "STEWART Brand, author of "The Whole Earth Catalog," visited Seattle last week, promoting his latest environmental manifesto... […]
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  • Lutz to Head Opel November 6, 2009
    Der Spiegel reports that Lutz is going to head up Opel: Spiegel Online(link)... […]
    dagwood55