GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Electric Car Site

GM vehicles offer OnStar technology which allows a satellite to detect the vehicle’s position through GPS and communicate with it.

Because of the Volt’s unique characteristics and GM’s goal for it of maximizing EV range and minimizing petroleum use, there are several opportunity for productive synergy in this regard.

I spoke with Bob Kruse, GMs executive Director of Hybrids, and EVs about this.

He said that GM is just at the beginning of their learning experience on how the Volt could use OnStar, and that there are several new “degrees of freedom” that will be explored over the next two years.

He said intriguingly that “OnStar gives us the opportunity to know more about the environment the driver is driving in,” suggesting that by knowing the car’s terrain, generator management could be optimized based on it.

Bob noted that currently using OnStar’s route planning feature, one could choose a fastest or shortest route navigation as examples. In the Volt, however, he said that “it might be possible for OnStar to plan a a route for maximal electrical efficiency…so you avoid hills (for example).”

We also discussed the idea that Bob Lutz alluded to, that OnStar could tell if you are a few miles from home and charge the battery just enough to get there.

Kruse expanded and clarified that idea in the following way:

As a driver goes beyond 40 miles of EV and the ICE is on, energy will be flowing back into the battery through regenerative braking or other opportunities. If OnStar knows that the driver is a certain distance from home and the car recognizes it has the same amount of battery energy stored to cover that distance electrically, it could cut off the ICE so that the driver arrives home at “as close to zero as practical or possible.” Again, the reason for this is to maximize the amount off energy the car is using off the grid, instead of petroleum.

So since GM is still working out ideas to use OnStar to maximize electric-only driving, do you have any suggestions to share?

The other day, GM hosted a live online chat with about 50 people and Volt chief designer Bob Boniface. Some of the discussion highlights follow.

Asked what his favorite exterior styling feature is, Bob said he “loves the headlamps.” He addresses how different the Volt will be than a Prius saying “there many ways to make a car aerodynamically efficient, not one size fits all, all E-Flex cars will be unique from one another.” He assures us the Volt will beat the Prius in “efficiency, looks, and handling.”

He noted that surprisingly, aerodynamic performance is critical even at city speeds.

Our reader TallPete asked about maximum driver height. Bob noted the Volt (like all GM cars) can accommodate up to a 6’4″ male (95th %ile) in the front and rear, and assured him that even larger occupants will still fit.

Our reader Nasaman asked whether there would be movable front grill louvers and Bob noted that the grill panels are fixed.

We also found out that Volt weight will be slightly heavier than comparably size cars due to the “additional mass of the batteries” but that mass has less impact than aerodynamics on range.

Bob said the interior is “FANSTASTIC,” and indicates there will be ipod connectivity, USB audio ports, and bluetooth provided.

I asked if the bowtie was specially aerodynamically tweaked and Bob replied that the bowtie is “nicely integrated into the aero grille.”

Bob noted GM has developed a “good strategy” to address the stale gas issue.

I also asked whether future E-Flex vehicles might have different battery shapes so that 3 people could fit in the back seat. He said somewhat cryptically “obviously we’d like to use the battery in its current configuration in other vehicles where it fits.”

He mentioned the Volt will have a folding rear seat creating a flat cargo area. He also said seating comfort and entry/exit were definitely a priority and will be competitive with others in the market.

I asked about the percentage of components that have been sourced at this point and he said “many of the major components have already been sourced.”

Asked about the tires he said “low rolling resistance tires will be used” and that he’s not sure on their cost, “but to keep in mind that it has to be a vehicle for masses”

Recently we heard GM might be considering a 20 mile Volt variant in the future. This led to some active discussion, and perhaps some misunderstanding. It must remain perfectly clear, the Chevy Volt when it arrives in 2010 will get 40 miles of EV range.

Tony Posawatz (above) is GM’s Chevy Volt Vehicle Line Director. I checked in with him for some insight as to what future generations of the Volt might bring.

Here is what Tony said:

“After we launch the first Chevrolet VOLT (40 miles of pure battery EV on the EPA city cycle), we may consider offering other product variants. Just as certain cars may offer a 4-cyl., 6-cyl. or V-8 version, we may choose to apply the same concept with the VOLT, that is, perhaps, consider a 20-mile version, 40-mile version & even a 60-mile version if battery technology continues to improve (from a power/energy density and cost perspective). Similarly, we may consider different body styles as well in the future. All of this is dependent on “what the customers want!” Some customers may want a lower priced 2nd/3rd car that gets < 40 miles of pure EV and costs them less due to having less battery on board. It’s all about looking out into the future and making sure that we tap into the future needs and wants of the customers as we build and grow the market for electrically-driven vehicles and establish GM as the leader in this space. Some of these considerations for the future are not to replace the 40-mile VOLT, but to potentially offer more people, more choices around the opportunity to drive electrically and thus continue to alleviate the need for gasoline to power our vehicles going forward. Driving electrically is truly an inspiring and exhilarating experience (I have certainly had some fun recently) and we are putting many miles on our test vehicles each and every day.”

Tony also told me this, “It is good to stay connected to our passionate VOLT enthusiasts and potential future customers. As we look forward and think about GM’s future product portfolio plan (which is under development but far from finalized), let VOLT Nation know that we are listening to their feedback.”

I most certainly will.