People often ask how the Volt’s combustion engine will run after the first 40 EV miles have been driven. It seems that if the generator runs at a fixed RPM, the efficiency of the system will be greater than if it is allowed to vary. Since to this point GM has never publicly told [...]
Popularity: 1%
The way the Volt is designed, the first 40 miles of driving are powered by the electric energy stored in the battery. After that distance from full charge, somewhere around 30% state of charge, the on-board generator kicks in. The generator’s job is to keep the battery at that 30% level all the [...]
Popularity: 2%
On Friday GM dedicated a new advanced powertrain engineering center in Pontiac Michigan. The 450,000 square foot, $450 Million facility will use new specialized technology and procedures to more rapidly roll out advanced fuel efficient powertrains. It should be able to cut 10 weeks off of the typical powertrain development cycle. The Volt’s [...]
Popularity: 8%
Previously we heard rumors that GM might use a 1.4 L non-turbo 4 cylinder engine as the Volt’s range extender. Last week GM CEO Rick Wagoner confirmed it was under consideration.
Now GreenCarCongress’ Mike Millikin reports the decision has been finalized as per personal communication with Larry Nitz who is GMs VP of Hybrid Powertrain Development. [...]
Popularity: 6%
The initial Chevy Volt concept model had a 3 cylinder 1.0 L engine as the generator to keep the battery charged. The model with this engine suggested the vehicle would get 50 mpg when running beyond the 40 mile EV range. Recently we heard rumors on this point, neither confirmed nor denied, that [...]
Popularity: 8%
The initial Volt concept showed a 1.0 L three cylinder gasoline engine as the on-board generator. The role of that engine is to keep the battery at a 30% state of charge once 40 EV miles or so had been driven.
More recent discussions with the Volt engineers suggested that the actual engine to be used [...]
Popularity: 6%
Mike Allen is the senior automotive editor for Popular Mechanics. In a new article he seems to take issue with Detroit’s strategy that plug-in hybrid vehicles have powerful powertrains. He is in fact taking aim at the Volt.
He invokes images of the famous VW (hippie) microbuses that had 40 hp engines, and recommends [...]
Popularity: 4%