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Archive for the 'Features' Category

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GM Reveals OnStar EV Lab Which Connects to Chevy Volt Prototypes, OnStar Will be Standard in Production

October 21st, 2009 | Posted in: Features, OnStar with 191 Comments

OnStar is General Motors’ cellular and GPS-based system for monitoring vehicles.
It currently provides real time assistance, directions, theft prevention and other features to 5.6 million drivers who pay from $199 to $299 per year for the service.
Its no secret that GM believes the Chevy Volt could gain significant value-added utility from having access to OnStar. [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 191 Comments

Poll: Volt Will Offer a Low Power HVAC Option, Will You Choose it?

October 15th, 2009 | Posted in: Efficiency, Features with 140 Comments

One question the Volt engineering team is often asked by journalists is how much accessory electric draw will effect the Volt’s 40 mile all electric range.
Clearly there will be an effect.  During the recent 30 to 40 degree mornings I, for example, have been driving my MINI E electric car with the heat on moderately [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 140 Comments

Chevy Volt Display May Not Show Instantaneous MPG

October 6th, 2009 | Posted in: Efficiency, Features, Interior with 238 Comments

The Chevy Volt has two configurable LCD screens, one behind the wheel where traditional gauges are typically found, and one atop the center stack. The latter will also be a touch screen. I have seen it in person in a pre-production car and was very impressed with its crispness, vividness and high definition.
We [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 238 Comments

GM Exec: Volt to Have Very Cool Eco-Graphic Interface

October 5th, 2009 | Posted in: Efficiency, Features, Interior with 146 Comments

The following is a discussion I recently had about the Chevy Volt with Bob Kruse who was GM’s director of hybrids and EVs, just before his recent departure.
I would imagine driving style will affect the Volts’ electric range. Hyper-milers probably will try to get the car to go 100 miles without going into generator [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 146 Comments

There Will be No Customer Access to High Voltage on the Chevy Volt, but it Can Jump Start Another Car

May 18th, 2009 | Posted in: Charging, Features with 173 Comments

The Volt is different than traditional cars on many levels beyond its electric drivetrain.  One way is that its battery can store 16 kwh of energy, enough to power the average US household for about half a day.
People ask if they will be able to access that energy to power their home during a blackout, [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 173 Comments

Chevy Volt Charging Functionality, Gen One and Beyond

May 11th, 2009 | Posted in: Charging, Features, Grid with 142 Comments

The Volt will be primarily charged at home, although there is certain to be demand for public charging outlets for people who wish to charge at work and for those who live in apartments.
The Volt will have some capacity to regulate its charging function, but more advanced features are expected to be coming in future [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 142 Comments

GM Aims to ‘Wow’ Customers With Seamless and Intuitive Chevy Volt Driving Experience

March 16th, 2009 | Posted in: Engineering, Features, Original GM-Volt Interviews, Prototypes with 170 Comments

People who follow the Volt development closely know that GM has about 35 mules clad in Chevy Cruze bodies.  These have been undergoing extensive continuous daily testing for months.  By the summer we will see the arrival of the first full Volt interior and exterior prototypes, and likely begin to see public test drives.
I had [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 170 Comments

Chevy Volt Console Display Data Review, and Car Won’t Drive While Plugged in

February 14th, 2009 | Posted in: Features, Interior with 124 Comments

Cars.com gave a review of the information that is expected to be displayed on the Chevy Volt’s 7 inch center console touch screen LCD display.  I suspect at this point the final information rendered in the production car is still under revision.  Reviewed is what the show car illustrates on its screen as it flips [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 124 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

More Future Volt Competition?: Lotus E-REVs and Solar-Powered Toyotas

January 3rd, 2009 | Posted in: Competitors, E-REV, Features, Solar with 80 Comments

Sportscar maker Lotus has just announced its intention to get into the electric car arena. They already make the bodies for the Tesla Roadster, which are based on the Lotus Elise.
Lotus’ CEO Michael Kimberley said “Don’t be surprised to see an electric Lotus shortly, we are working on the technologies that will go behind [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 80 Comments

The Chevy Volt’s Green Leaf Function

November 4th, 2008 | Posted in: Design, Efficiency, Features, Interior with 98 Comments

Many people have noticed the interesting “green leaf touch” sensor button on the Chevy Volt’s interior center stack.  To date we have not heard a good explanation of what function it might perform, although there have been some amusing guesses by commentators here.
I had the chance to ask this question to Volt lead designer Bob [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 98 Comments

The Sound of the Chevy Volt

October 28th, 2008 | Posted in: Engineering, Features, Original GM-Volt Interviews with 295 Comments

An issue often debated when it comes to electric cars is what sound should they make. There are indeed legislative efforts underway to ensure EVs make some noise, to protect the visually impaired. Some manufacturers such as Fisker have gone so far as to engineer artificial engine sounds played through external speakers.
We often [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 295 Comments

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