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Archive for the 'Generator' Category

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GM Says Production of Volt Engines in December 2010 Does Not Delay November Volt Launch

February 27th, 2009 | Posted in: Generator, Production with 89 Comments

This week GM announced that they will be building Chevy Volt engines in a re-tooled existing plant rather than building a new plant which had been the previous plan.
Within that announcement GM indicated the first of these engines would begin being assembled in December 2010. This led some to speculate that GM would somehow [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 89 Comments

GM Announces Chevy Volt Engines to be Built at Existing Flint Michigan Plant

February 24th, 2009 | Posted in: Generator, Production with 69 Comments

In recent weeks we heard that construction at the Flint Michigan engine plant where the Chevy Volt and Cruze engines were to be built had been put on hold due to cash flow difficulties. This plant had initially been earmarked for the Family Zero engines back in September.
Now the automaker has announced it will [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 69 Comments

Confirmed: First Production Chevy Volt Engines Will be Imported From Aspern, Austria

February 4th, 2009 | Posted in: Generator, Production with 155 Comments

A key component of the Chevy Volt is the combustion engine that will act as the range-extender, turning the generator to make electricity for continued driving beyond the first 40 miles between charges.
One chapter of the Volt story was that a 1.4 L Family 0 normally-aspirated engine had been chosen for this task. Last year [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 155 Comments

Volt/Cruze Engine Plant Delay Continues

January 28th, 2009 | Posted in: Generator, Production with 89 Comments

Last year GM announced they would be building a special engine plant to construct the family 0, 1.4 L turbo and normally aspirated engines that would be used in the Chevy Cruze, and as the Chevy Volt’s generator.
In December, construction at the plant was suspended due to cash flow concerns, but in no way was [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 89 Comments

Opel Ampera to Use Gas/E85 Generator, Not Diesel, and Chevy Volt Will go to Europe Too

January 27th, 2009 | Posted in: Generator, Marketing, Opel, Voltec with 95 Comments

We just found out last night, GM had given its European Voltec-propelled EREV sedan an official name, the Opel Ampera. We also were given a teaser photo indicating that the car had a very similar styling to the Chevy Volt (see above) although when compared directly, seems to have a squatter, wider, more splayed-out [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 95 Comments

Chevy Volt Generator Engine Plant Construction Placed on Hold

December 17th, 2008 | Posted in: Financial, Generator, Production with 110 Comments

As GM’s cash dwindles to the disappearance point, and we all wait for word from the Fed on when loans will be forthcoming, the Chevy Volt’s heretofore pristine production plans have now shown the first signs of crumbling.
We have heard previously that GM had chosen the 1.4L normally aspirated 4 cylinder family zero engine to [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 110 Comments

Will the Chevy Volt Have a “Limp Home” Mode?

October 31st, 2008 | Posted in: Battery, Engineering, Fuel, Generator with 196 Comments

Obviously the Volt can be driven without gas, in fact that the whole purpose. The range extender exists only for if you have to go further than 40 miles between charges.
One thing to consider is what would happen if the car ran out of gas after the battery has reached its depletion point, or [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 196 Comments

GM Officially Announces it Will Open Chevy Volt Engine Plant in Flint Michigan

September 25th, 2008 | Posted in: Generator, Production with 155 Comments

In a major step forward towards production of the Chevy Volt, GM CEO Rick Wagoner today announced that GM will move ahead to open a new engine factory in Flint, Michigan, investing $370 million to do so.
This 552,000 square factory will be tooled to assemble the special 4-cylinder 1.4 L combustion engine that will turn [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 155 Comments

The Chevy Volt Generator Will Run at One of Several Fixed RPMs

August 26th, 2008 | Posted in: Engineering, Generator with 200 Comments

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 [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 200 Comments

How the Chevy Volt Operates Past the Customer Depletion Point

August 25th, 2008 | Posted in: Battery, Engineering, Generator, Original GM-Volt Interviews, Performance with 226 Comments

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 [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 226 Comments

GM Explains Why the 1.4 L ICE Range Extender was Chosen For the Volt

July 26th, 2008 | Posted in: Generator with 295 Comments

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 [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 295 Comments

GM Has Decided on the 1.4 L 4-Cylinder Engine as the Range Extender for the Chevy Volt

July 26th, 2008 | Posted in: Engineering, Generator with 107 Comments

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.  [...]

Posted by: Lyle with 107 Comments

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