GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Electric Car Site

In 2006, GM unveiled a plugin hybrid 2-mode Saturn VUE concept six months before unveiling the Volt concept. Since the 2-mode hybrid system was already near production, and the plugin version would require a smaller battery than the Volt, it appeared likely that car would make it to market first.

However, since the Volt met such strong public praise, and GM was desperate for positive press, product guru Bob Lutz pushed the Volt program ahead to leapfrog all else.

Over these years we have seen and heard about the 2-mode plugin hybrid in various forms; there was the VUE, then after Saturn folded a Buick version. Later the system was shown in a Cadillac XTS flagship concept.

The system has been operational though in small test fleets for years. In fact, more than two years ago I test drove a perfectly satisfactory 2-mode plugin SUV on GM’s proving grounds. At the time I heard off the record from GM insiders that a Cadillac SRX 2-mode plugin hybrid was being brought to production.

Now the latest iteration, and in my opinion the one that makes the most sense, is leaking into the media, though not yet of course officially announced.

Jim Frederico, who is GM’s electric vehicle chief, alluded to reporters in Australia that his company was readying a plug-in hybrid version of the Cruze.   When I met Frederico in the past he told me GM had extensive future electric vehicle plans, but was very tight lipped about them as the Volt was about to be launched.  Currently, he didn’t say the Volt would be abandoned but that the two would complement each other in the product portfolio.

“The Volt will always be a plug-in electric vehicle,” Federico told GoAuto. “Plug-in Cruze doesn’t make Volt redundant at all. Plug-in Cruze would have a different powertrain. Plug-in hybrids use both the engine and motor all the time.”

The plug-in Cruze would be able to compete directly with the plugin Prius for which Toyota is currently accepting orders.

The car would presumably have a small battery, perhaps 1/3 the size of the Volt, and be able to travel 10 or 15 miles on electric only at low load demand. High loads and speeds would cause the gas engine to go on and it would drive the car once the battery reaches the depletion point.

The car’s small size lends to more fuel efficiency by the 2-mode plugin system than larger vehicles like SUVs.  Also since the Cruze is in mass production and priced below $20,000, it is likely GM could make the plug-in Cruze affordable – think under $30,000 without rebate.

Furthermore customers going into showrooms to see the Volt and instead buying the Cruze for cost reason, would likely be more tempted to get the plugin version.

Before we get too excited, GM communications as usual gives us the official party (pooper) line, this time attributable to Kevin Kelly:

We have not announced a Cruze PHEV and currently have no plans to produce a Cruze PHEV. Federico was providing direction on the multiple technologies that GM continues to work on in the hybrid space. We have said on several occasions that PHEV technology is something GM continues to work on, but we have no production plans or timing announced yet.

And so just maybe our horizon of a world less dependent on oil slowly widens.

Source (Go Auto)

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With demand anticipated to skyrocket, General Motors is considering adding a second shift to its Detroit Hamtramck plant, a move which could add 1,000 jobs overall. The news was reported by the Detroit Free Press, and comes as gas prices continue to increase across the nation.

A GM spokesman refused to comment on the matter, but the move would help create economies of scale for the electric drive technology, allowing GM to cut the price of the second generation vehicle by an estimated $7,500. GM CEO Dan Akerson also wants to triple the company’s EV sales between 2012 and 2015 to 135,000 units.

General Motors is planning to build 10,000 Volts in 2011 and 45,000 in 2012. So far, the company is only on track to sell 3,600 in this calendar year. However, rising energy costs could see a sudden spike in demand for the Volt.

[Image Credit: Detroit Free Press]

At this year’s Detroit auto show, Toyota unveiled the long expected Prius MPV as well as a diminutive Prius c subcompact concept.

Originally the environmentally advanced leader of automakers, the last couple of years has seen the aggressive strides of competitors GM, Nissan, and now Ford, all introducing either pure electric or plugin electric cars, with both Volt and LEAF deliveries already underway, eat away at Toyota’s environmental marketing monopoly.

To its credit, Toyota has sold over 1 million Prius hybrids worldwide over ten years, and the car is now in its third generation. This announcement reveals the company intends to expand the iconic hybrid from a single model into a family or series of Priuses.

The Prius PHV, which is a plugin hybrid version of the standard Prius with a lithium ion battery and 13 mile EV range will enter the retail market in mid 2012, the company announced. The plug-in will be initially offered in 14 West and East Coast states (Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Virginia and New Hampshire) where nearly 60 percent of all Prius models are currently sold. Availability in all remaining states will be a year later.

In addition to this vehicle the automaker introduced two additional non-plugin hybrid models.

The first is a minivan sized car called the Prius v, with the v standing for versatility. The Prius v shares the same Synergy drivetrain only possess 50% more cargo space. Despite its size, the car manages a respectable 0.29 coefficient of drag, meaning it is highly aerodynamic.

It manages spacious seating for five with impressive rear leg room and considerable rear cargo space. To reduce mass a specially designed resin moonroof is available.

The addition of all this size and mass to the drivetrain’s load not unexpectedly drops the fuel economy from that of the standard Prius which gets 50 mpg combined. The Prius v is expected to be rated at 42 mpg city, 38 mpg highway and 40 mpg combined, which Toyota says is the highest for any SUV crossover or MPV on the market.

Normal, Power, Eco and EV driving modes are available. The car will go on sale by the end of 2011. Pricing has not been announced.

Finally Toyota also introduced the Prius’ little sister called the Prius c. At this point the c is just a concept, though Toyota plans to bring it to market in the first half of 2012. It is a diminutive car smaller than the Prius but that still retains four doors and seating for five.  The c stand for city -centric and the car will offer high mileage cordless hybrid driving at a budget price.

Source (Toyota)

The Wall Street Journal recently published an in-depth profile of GM’s CEO Dan Akerson.

The story begins with the reporter going for a ride with Mr. Akerson in his Chevy Volt. He was delighted at showing off that he had driven 461 miles in the car only having used 1.2 gallons of gas.

It is repeatedly noted that Akerson is ”not a car guy” just like the CEO before him, Ed Whitacre, who stepped down instead of making a log-term commitment to the company.

Akerson used to be the CEO of Nextel where he pushed the envelope engaging in all out marketing to propel new products, like he did with the push-to-talk feature popular at the time.

He sees GM in need of changing its product development stance. “See this can?” he said to the reporter, raising a Diet Coke. “It’s a consumer product. GM has to start acting like a consumer-driven, not engineering-driven, company. We sell a consumer product—our can just costs $30,000.”

A former Naval officer, Akerson took the job at GM  as a “service for my country.”  In fact, he forfeited  $100 million in future pay at his position in the Carlysle group to do so.

Akerons is interested not only in a heavy marketing approach, but a strong global perspective.   Illustrating this, he was recently shown GM’s upcoming portfolio and was concerned it was too focused on North America. “One of three people on this planet lives in China or India—we need cars for them,” he said.   He then ordered up a new inexpensive car model for rural China.

Akerson has pushed for simplification of GM’s existing engine profile. He was concerned about why GM has so many different engines. “Why do we have 18 types of engines? We have only four brands,” he said. After at first trying to explain to him why, soon thereafter VP Tom Stephens relented and now GM will only offer 12 engines by next year.

Akerson is big on electrification, and is already actively studying methods for the company to expand Volt production volumes. He wants “more, faster” with respect to the Volt because “it’s a place where Dan believes we have a lead,” said GM vice-chairman Stephen Girsky.

Finally the story nonchalantly confirmed GM has a Cadillac plugin hybrid under production. Apparently Akerson was for some reason considering canceling the program when company insiders pushed for him to see the car which was then under development in the design studio. After that “he later agreed to continue production,” writes the Journal.

When the Detroit Auto Show opens its doors to reporters tomorrow, Akerson will take the spotlight as a non-car guy at the wheel. We shall see what interesting news develops.

Source (Wall Street Journal)

There is mounting evidence GM plans to build on the success of the Chevrolet Volt and turn out various electric vehicles in the coming years.  GMs CEO Dan Akerson is a big proponent of vehicular electrification and recently noted GM was already studying ways to double or triple production.

Other reports suggest GM may be planning to unveil an extended range electric crossover Chevy Amp at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

The latest report from Reuters cites anonymous GM sources who say the company is also planning to build a plug-in electric Cadillac crossover based on the SRX.  This vehicle would make use of the two-mode plugin drivetrain that GM had previously been working on for the Saturn VUE which was scrapped with the brand’s demise.

GM-Volt has learned non-plugin 2-mode hybrid version of the SRX is also known to be undergoing testing.

When asked if GM would be spreading Voltec technology to brands other than Chevrolet, CEO Akerson told reporters last week, “you know, I am having a meeting on that tomorrow.”

GM vice chairman Steve Girsky also confirms his company and CEO are determined to push hard on electrification, building on the already established lead of the Voltec foundation.  ”We want to push our lead,” said Girsky. “Akerson is intent on pushing the metal on this thing.”

“GM hasn’t had a leadership vehicle like this in a long time,” he said. “Akerson is insistent that we have that.”

The Volt has begn rolling out to owwners across the nation.  GM plans to build 15,000 total copies of 2011 and 2012 model year versions of the car in the 2011 calendar year, and at least 45,000 in the follwing year.  Just how many they eventualy build annually depends on demand, but GM is looking at many options.

“There is a lot of hand-wringing about whether it should be 60,000 or 120,000, and what if we do this, and what if we do that,” said Girsky. “You can talk yourself out of anything that way, but all that doesn’t take into account the need to have a vision and lead.”

One thing seems certain as thee reports confirm, GM doesn’t plan to rest on its laurels, and will continue to push on with vehicular electrification.

Source (Reuters) and (Autoblog)

Honda has finally jumped into the ring with its very own pure EV production offering.

At the LA Autoshow, the Japanese automaker unveiled the Honda Fit EV concept.  The electric version of the popular car will have lithium ion batteries and a 100 mile driving range.  More importantly, Honda is committed to bring the vehicle to market.  It will go into production in 2012 for both the US and Japanese markets.

Styling will be based on the current Honda Fit and likewise has room for 5 passengers and cargo.  The production model will differ in appearance to the concept shown this week.

The vehicle’s high density coaxial motor is the same one that’s used in the Honda Clarity fuel cell vehicle and will offer a top speed of 90 mph.  Honda say the 100 mile EV range is based in the US LA4 cycle and will actually be reduced to 70 miles after EPA adjustment.

The Fit EV has three driving modes; normal, sport and economy which were derived from the settings of the current CR-Z hybrid.  Economy mode will increase range by 17% compared to normal mode, and 25% compared to sport mode.  In sport mode the car will accelerate similarly to an ICE Fit with a 2.0 L engine.

Like other EVs the Fit EV will have a driving  efficiency coaching gauge on the dash and an alert telling the driver to turn off accessory loads like AC for when range become critically low.  The Fit EV will also offer connected features like satellite navigation and a charging station finder as well as mobile apps for remote charge monitoring, notification alerts, and remote cabin conditioning.

Charging from depleted to full is expected to take 12 hours at 120-v and 6 hours at 240-v.

In addition to demonstrating the pure EV, Honda also announced it would begin producing a plugin hybrid as well in 2012.  Though no vehicle was displayed, the drivetrain was outlined.

It will consist of two electric motors, a gas engine, and a 6 kwh lithium-ion battery.  Three driving states are utilized; electric only, combined gas-electric and gas engine only.  The vehicle will be capable of from 10-15 miles electric only, with a top pure electric speed of 62 mph.  The engine is a 4-cylinder 2.0 L Atkinson with CVT.

To support these electrification efforts Honda will begin an advanced technology demonstration program later this year in which Google will be a partner.

Though a little late to the party Honda has finally admitted electric cars are a good idea, a long cry from the CEOs denouncement of GMs plans for the Volt back in 2007.  Now all the top five US market automakers have officially announced production electric car programs, and a world without oil moves closer still.

Source (Honda)