As some of you know, I volunteered to gather up as many questions as I could find here & on our daily threads before VoltNation and took them to NYC last week. Rather than try asking so many questions verbally at VoltNation, and after "scrubbing" these questions to eliminate duplicates and any GM had already answered, I gave a copies of them (approximately 31 total questions consolidated into 20, some with 2 or 3 parts) to both Lyle and to Bob Lutz in NYC.

Because Lyle feels it's unlikely Lutz will ask the GM staff to provide answers without further action on our part, he advised me to start a new forum topic to arrive at "the top 10 questions for GM that we didn't get answered" and let everyone offer feedback on the list, eventually arriving at a final 10. I agree, except that I feel that more than the top 10 on this "Lutz List" of 20 questions could be forwarded to GM by Lyle (he took 250 other questions to GM last fall). Here are the rules:

1) In your response below, rank the 20 questions in the "Lutz List", with your most important listed first & your least important listed last (e.g., 14, 3, 6, 1, 7, 2, 20, 4, 5, 8, 11, 9, 19, 10, 13, 15, 12, 16, 18, 17)

2) For now, please do NOT write in or request new questions in this thread (we're trying to "boil our questions down" to the 10 or 20 most important of those from the list below ONLY)

3) If you only want to rank the top few questions (say 6) it's OK to do so (e.g., 11, 2, 7, 9, 3, 18)

4) Please don't respond with explanations intermingled in your ranking ....it'll make my task of consolidating the top 10, 15, 20 or whatever questions more difficult! So, once again, just post your list of QUESTION NUMBERS in the form x,y,z, .....n, where x is your most important & n is your least important

5) Decide your ranking & post your response here by no later than Wed, April 2nd (one week from today)

The next post contains what I'm calling the "Lutz List" of 20 questions for your ranking.....

"Lutz List" of 20 questions for your ranking; see above post for ranking rules:

1) When will the "design freeze" specs for the vehicle be released?

2) Has GM begun to formulate what different models, options and accessories might be made available?

3) Why not include an EV-only dashboard switch that would be automatically overriden if battery state of charge drops too low?

4) A German company makes a cold catalytic converter that needs little or no warmup time

1) When will the "design freeze" specs for the vehicle be released?

9) When we will see the new, aerodynamically-enhanced redesign of the Volt: a) As a drawing or sketch? b) As a photograph?

2) Has GM begun to formulate what different models, options and accessories might be made available?

7) On Mar 5, Robert Babik of GM said in a CNN interview,

1, 2, 18, 16, 12, 11, 9, 3, 4, 8, 15, 17, 19, 10, 7, 6, 4, 5, 20, 13, 14

1,2,20,13,5,6,7,9,14,19,4,10,11,15,16,17,3

1,9,2,20,7,8,16,17,6,5,14,15,18,19,13,10,11,12,3,4

9,1,20,13,19

3, 1, 7, 8, 11, 17, 15, 16, 2, 13, 5, 10, 4, 14, 20, 9, 19, 12, 6, 18

7,8,16,20,6,15,2,19,12,9,5,1,3,17,10,13,14,11,18

1, 9, 2, 10, 7, 5, 14, 8, 13, 11, 16, 18, 15, 20, 4, 6, 12, 17, 19, 3


Thanks, Nasaman!

3,8,18,10,16,19,14,6

7,8,3,9,16

7,8,11,3,9,12,13,14,18,20

( Would still like to know about house back up power. )

8,7,9,1,11,16,19,20,

7-18-9-11-3-13-6-1-8-20-15-14-10-5-2-16-19-12-4-17

As per your list 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18. Thanks Nasaman!!

:D

20, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 15, 13, 8, 4

So far 15 folks here have ranked these questions --THANKS GUYS! Only 4 days remain until April 2, when I'll consolidate your rankings & forward the final "Lutz List" to Lyle, for sending it on to GM. This process will improve our chances of actually getting answers from GM!

11, 7, 4, 8, 12, 9, 1

8,11,15,18,7,9

Nasaman, It was great talking with you at Volt Nation. I should have asked everyone I met for a bus. card to talk off line.
Thanks for doing this.

11, 12, 16, 4, 8, 13, 10, 14, 2, 20

11, 7, 20, 4, 15, 6, 8, 12, 13, 16, 18. Thanks so much Nasaman

I don't know if it is too late, but maybe we now need to ask:

What impact does the new CARB ruling have on GM's product development plan, that was defined in this presentation?:

http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/PDF/presentation-sm.pdf

Specifically, how will the CARB ruling effect the E-flex platform, and in particular, the Volt?

9, 1, 20, 15, 17, 4, 3, 5, 7, 11, 16, 19
Thanks, Nasaman
PS no reply to my emails to you since the show. Did I do something to tick you off?

"Lutz List" of 20 questions for your ranking; see above post for ranking rules:

1) When will the "design freeze" specs for the vehicle be released?

2) Has GM begun to formulate what different models, options and accessories might be made available?

3) Why not include an EV-only dashboard switch that would be automatically overriden if battery state of charge drops too low?

4) A German company makes a cold catalytic converter that needs little or no warmup time


Where did the other 16 questions go? (They were there a few days ago ...)

[Thanks for pointing this out davidelewis]

"LUTZ LIST" QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO RANK FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT.....

1) When will the "design freeze" specs for the vehicle be released?

2) Has GM begun to formulate what different models, options and accessories might be made available?

3) Why not include an EV-only dashboard switch that would be automatically overriden if battery state of charge drops too low?

4) A German company makes a cold catalytic converter that needs little or no warmup time – a) would this help reduce ICE emissions?
b) how does GM plan to minimize emissions due to repeated ICE/generator cycling?

5) How long does government crash testing: a) typically take? b) is it likely to take longer because of the battery, high voltage, etc?

6) A recent study by J.D. Powers found that only eleven percent of buyers were "very willing" to pay more for a greener car. Do GM’s own feasibility studies support or refute this?

7) On Mar 5, Robert Babik of GM said in a CNN interview, “(the Volt) is expected to cost about the same as a typical Chevy compact sedan.” After reading this, I went to the Chevy website and & priced a fully-loaded Malibu LTZ 1LZ, which includes virtually every option available, like a 3.6LV6 (252 hp), 18" alloy wheels, paddle shifters, etc, etc. The site gave me an MSRP of $27,445.00! So am I right in concluding that the MSRP for the base Volt should be about the same as a typical Chevy compact sedan???

8) Is GM considering battery size as a option..... a) smaller ones to keep the cost down or b) larger ones for those wanting longer EV range? ....also c) will it be feasible for an owner to add batteries or will that void the warranty?

9) When we will see the new, aerodynamically-enhanced redesign of the Volt: a) As a drawing or sketch? b) As a photograph?

10) How has the discovery that aerodynamics for E-REV vehicles are proportionally MORE important to efficiency than Mass is, affected design decisions for the Volt or for other larger E-REV or hybrid vehicles?

11) Will Volt be using ultracapacitors to protect the battery and/or enhance the performance of the vehicle?

12) Has GM considered a dash reminder light to run the ICE/generator at least, say, once/month; also, will a fuel stabilizer be needed?

13) Regarding Lithium availablilty, a) does GM foresee any raw Lithium shortages and b) does GM plan to implement a battery recycling program like other makers indicate they’ll be doing?

14) Has GM done FMEAs to be sure the number of single point failures (SPFs) in the Volt and all of its component are minimized?

15) Is there any reason GM wouldn’t use batteries from BOTH sources to meet the demand for cars if both are fully approved?

16) Will the fender, door & hood outer panels be composites? (one of the BEST features of my Saturn SW-2 was its composite exterior –no dents & still shines like new after 14 years!) ....“If not, why not?”

17) Will the roof consist of an opaque composite rear section plus a front section using laminated clear glass (like the windshield), with an insulated, reflective sliding cover beneath it (as for a sunroof) inside the cockpit? ....“If not, why not?”

18) Will the first generation North American Volt be capable of a) accepting 220 volts for charging? b) include any ultracapacitors? c) be available to consumers or to fleets only?

19) We understand the battery pack will be cooled by a recirculated chilled glycol solution, but a) is there a dedicated (reciprocating vapor compression) chiller for the battery pack loop, or b) is there a single chiller shared with the A/C loop? c) how is the pack heated?

20) At what stage a) is the Volt likely to be designated “Pre-Production” instead of “Concept” and b) if possible, when is that expected?

Decide your ranking & post your response here by no later than Wed, April 2nd (TOMORROW!)

11, 7, 4, 5, 8, 15, 17, 2, 12, 9, 16, 18, 6, 13, 1, 20, 10, 14, 3, 19

Thanks for doing this, nasaman!

It helps to have all the questions :)

9, 11, 16, 18, 20, 3, 7, 15

Chris

So nasaman, how did you know that Lyle was going to need this list today????

Curious minds want to know....

:)

And Tag, he did not respond to a PM I sent him about this list either. I guess he must be busy with preparations for the next Shuttle Launch, scheduled for May 31, 2008!

[As shown here, these have been forwarded by email to Lyle in Detroit; is anyone at all surprised at the one that's now #1?!? ;) ].....

1) On Mar 5, Robert Babik of GM said in a CNN interview, “(the Volt) is expected to cost about the same as a typical Chevy compact sedan.” After reading this, I went to the Chevy website and & priced a fully-loaded Malibu LTZ 1LZ, which includes virtually every option available, like a 3.6LV6 (252 hp), 18" alloy wheels, paddle shifters, etc, etc. The site gave me an MSRP of $27,445.00! So am I right in concluding that the MSRP for the base Volt should be about the same as a typical Chevy compact sedan???

2) When will the "design freeze" specs for the vehicle be released?

3) When we will see the new, aerodynamically-enhanced redesign of the Volt: a) As a drawing or sketch? b) As a photograph?

4) Is GM considering battery size as a option..... a) smaller ones to keep the cost down or b) larger ones for those wanting longer EV range? ....also c) will it be feasible for an owner to add batteries or will that void the warranty?

5) Has GM begun to formulate what different models, options and accessories might be made available?

6) Will Volt be using ultracapacitors to protect the battery and/or enhance the performance of the vehicle?

7) A recent study by J.D. Powers found that only eleven percent of buyers were "very willing" to pay more for a greener car. Do GM’s own feasibility studies support or refute this?

8) A German company makes a cold catalytic converter that needs little or no warmup time – a) would this help reduce ICE emissions?
b) how does GM plan to minimize emissions due to repeated ICE/generator cycling?

9) Will the fender, door & hood outer panels be composites? (one of the BEST features of my Saturn SW-2 was its composite exterior –no dents & still shines like new after 14 years!) ....“If not, why not?”

10) At what stage a) is the Volt likely to be designated “Pre-Production” instead of “Concept” and b) if possible, when is that expected?

11) Is there any reason GM wouldn’t use batteries from BOTH sources to meet the demand for cars if both are fully approved?

12) How long does government crash testing: a) typically take? b) is it likely to take longer because of the battery, high voltage, etc?

13) Will the first generation North American Volt be capable of a) accepting 220 volts for charging? b) include any ultracapacitors? c) be available to consumers or to fleets only?

14) Why not include an EV-only dashboard switch that would be automatically overriden if battery state of charge drops too low?

15) Regarding Lithium availablilty, a) does GM foresee any raw Lithium shortages and b) does GM plan to implement a battery recycling program like other makers indicate they’ll be doing?

16) Has GM considered a dash reminder light to run the ICE/generator at least, say, once/month; also, will a fuel stabilizer be needed?

17) We understand the battery pack will be cooled by a recirculated chilled glycol solution, but a) is there a dedicated (reciprocating vapor compression) chiller for the battery pack loop, or b) is there a single chiller shared with the A/C loop? c) how is the pack heated?

18) How has the discovery that aerodynamics for E-REV vehicles are proportionally MORE important to efficiency than Mass is, affected design decisions for the Volt or for other larger E-REV or hybrid vehicles?

19) Has GM done FMEAs to be sure the number of single point failures (SPFs) in the Volt and all of its components are minimized?

20) Will the roof consist of an opaque composite rear section plus a front section using laminated clear glass (like the windshield), with an insulated, reflective sliding cover beneath it (as for a sunroof) inside the cockpit? ....“If not, why not?”

I wanted to post to the Forum a while back, but was not able to register. For the impatient, some of the questions may be answered below.

GM Volt Nation Event March 19, 2008

People I focused on: Lutz, Frank Weber, Jon Laukner, Alexandra Cattelan (Assistant Chief Engineer, E-Flex Extended Range Electric Vehicle)

Overall impressions:

This was a unique event and I learned a great deal by attending. Thanks Lyle and GM!

The GM team working on this car is top-notch technically and very motivated/energized about this vehicle. I really believe they see vehicles like the Volt as the future and have a great sense of purpose and pride about being a leader in this area. I participated in an informal question and answer session with Alexandra Cattelan after the formal event. Alexandra was very impressive, definitely the kind of person one would like to have leading this effort.

Batteries:

GM has several prototype battery packs with cells from A123 and LGChem–at least one since December. The first thing GM said was that the batteries are performing as expected in lab testing. I had several questions ready about the battery packs, but it seems that the only questions left are about cost and production volume which I don’t think they can predict. GM seems to believe the combination of engineering controls (e.g. active temperature control) and the battery characteristics will meet the performance and durability requirements for the Volt.

I asked about low temperature issues for batteries. First, GM is considering the use of some grid power to keep the batteries above a critical temperature while plugged in. Second, if necessary, they will use power to heat the batteries (including possibly power from the ICE). Subtext: They will protect the batteries by whatever means necessary even if it sacrifices some efficiency. I forgot to ask about high temperatures (probably because I live in upstate NY and it’s March). Also, “GM will not sell an unsafe product.”

In a related question they plan to tie the waste heat of the ICE into the same loop as the electrical heating system so that if the ICE is running they can use the waste heat for passenger compartment and battery heating (i.e. they are not going to waste the waste-heat from the ICE).

Also related, the battery internal resistance is much lower in the Li-batteries than for Ni-batteries, which requires different strategies for control (e.g. they have to use a heating system to warm the batteries rather than just allow the internal resistance to self heat). About 250 cells/pack (more or less depending on chemistry). GM believes the batteries will have more than enough power to handle regenerative braking and peak power requirements and that they will not need ultracaps or two sets of batteries (power batteries and energy batteries).

Timing/Manufacturing:

Lutz is “100%” sure they will make the Volt.

Volt will be built in Detroit (at least to start).

“Days” to production design freeze (should be frozen now).

“Weeks” to get battery packs into vehicles.

Philosophy:

I asked what GM perceives the advantage to be of the E-REV design over just adding batteries to a standard hybrid. Answer: The E-REV design allows for more use of grid power when averaged over the distribution of driving behavior in the US. (my conclusion, not stated by any GM rep: other advantages, such as lower criteria emissions (NOx/CO/HC), must be seen as secondary).

I had a vigorous discussion about standardization of the power bus hardware and software, enabling possibilities for options such as varieties of battery pack sizes, engine sizes, motor sizes, etc. The bottom line seems to be that the compressed development time frame for this vehicle does not allow time for those considerations. They seem very focused on getting one well-engineered vehicle designed without taking the time for powertrain options or long-term visions about standardization (something like this: http://osgv.org/).

Other:

The Volt will not have the ability to output AC power (at least in Rev 1).

Having a mode for using both the ICE and the batteries for power simultaneously (even when the battery is fully charged) is under consideration (this would allow for some interesting performance/economy choices by the driver).

GM reps referred several times to the challenges of building this car such as dealing with the possibility of “stale” gas, thinking about shock and vibe for an engine that is not running, dealing with engine lubrication if the car is run only on batteries for weeks or months.

It surprised me to hear that E85 has less of an aging issue than regular gas.

The volt will still have a 12V lead-acid battery (a small one).

Hot and cold weather will have the same impact on range as in a normal vehicle. (my comment here: since the all-electric range is only ~10% of the total range, weather conditions could have a fairly dramatic impact on all-electric range). However, the driver will have control over comfort vs economy.

Engine will be a 1-liter, turbo-charged, port-injected, 3-cylinder engine (but with possibilities for “other” technologies).

Emissions controls are all about the first 30-seconds of the engine running.

And let me add that the Volt will detect and accept any charge between 110volts AC and 240volts AC. (Answer to one of the questions addressed at Volt Nation)

was there an answer to:

10) How has the discovery that aerodynamics for E-REV vehicles are proportionally MORE important to efficiency than Mass is, affected design decisions for the Volt or for other larger E-REV or hybrid vehicles?

was there an answer to:

10) How has the discovery that aerodynamics for E-REV vehicles are proportionally MORE important to efficiency than Mass is, affected design decisions for the Volt or for other larger E-REV or hybrid vehicles?
Yes.


http://www.thetorquereport.com/chevy_volt_concept_new.jpg

http://www.quackit.com/pix/web_graphics/free_website_graphics/icons/arrows/Fle02.gif

http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/autopia/images/2008/12/17/chevrolet_volt08.jpg

That was an ugly car!

That was an ugly car!

Some people loved the prototype, and hate the aerodynamic production vehicle.

You can't please everyone...

People like transportation appliances.. I see beauty in any car.

People like transportation appliances.. I see beauty in any car.

You should say, some people like transportation appliances. There are still very large numbers of Americans that still love the art of the automobile. Myself and others await a rebirth of the automobile in a decade or so (with luck) when the electrification of the automobile is more complete with better power storage devices than we have today so that aerodynamics can take a back seat and allow designers a free hand to create exciting unique designs.

"some" people buy lots of utilitarian cars.. what are the percentages?

You should say, some people like transportation appliances. There are still very large numbers of Americans that still love the art of the automobile. Myself and others await a rebirth of the automobile in a decade or so (with luck) when the electrification of the automobile is more complete with better power storage devices than we have today so that aerodynamics can take a back seat and allow designers a free hand to create exciting unique designs.

Yes, many Americans love unaerodynamic:


http://www.carlustblog.com/images/2008/04/13/suv4.jpg

Once we have unlimited fusion energy and Generation 3 EESU's, we can build all kinds of impractical vehicles.
I myself want an electric spider vehicle that can run at 100 mph, go off road and up hills, and make parking a snap:

http://www.georgehart.com/BM06/spider.jpg

Besides the unlimited Fusion sourced electricity and Gen 3 EESUs, don't forget wireless 500kW charging built into the solar roads!

Also, it might not be Fusion, maybe it will just be harnessing hydrinos.

http://www.blacklightpower.com/