Volt Media Blitz

[srschrier]

Beginning this weekend, October 9-10, 2010 in Southeast Michigan over 150 journalists and EV enthusiasts are to be given full access to the Volt with test drives on all roads and, reportedly, all engineering questions answered. This is from Volt Vehicle Line Director Tony Posawatz, posted Oct. 8, 2010 on "the other" Volt website.

[rhellie]

Lyle, thanks for the opportunity to pose questions regarding the Volt. This may seem a little off-topic, but it does relate to the Volt tangentially. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/08/bu...q=Orion&st=cse An article in yesterday’s New York Times regarding the re-opening of the Orion Assembly Plant in Michigan to manufacture small cars, one of them the Verano mentioned in an earlier blog article, was possible because of a cost saving measure that centered on creating a two tier wage that will pay about 60% of the 1,500 workers $28/hour and 40% $14/hour. The article went on to mention that, prior to bankruptcy, the average worker earned $70/hour and currently the average worker at GM earns $57/hour. There are a lot of details on wages left out like benefits, senority, etc. but there is a huge difference between even the current GM average and the top tier wage at the new Orion Assembly Plant. This made me wonder what the average wage for workers is at the DHAM assembly plant where the Volt will be produced. This isn’t really an engineering question and I’m not sure if you will see Teri Quigley on this go around but if there is someone who could answer that question I would be very interested in the answer.

One of the reasons the Volt is so exciting is that it represents a potential game changer for automotive transportation in the US and the world. Likewise, it appears that part of the price for GM’s survival is an equally significant change to workers wage structure. It is a trend worth watching and noting for the future as it will also have a long-term impact that probably is not yet well understood.

[Shaft]

My questions for Lyle to get answered: (mostly pretty obvious ones given what we don't know but have been discussing ad nauseum
-mileage in CS mode, expected range
-how the transmission works (cd and cs mode, various speeds, will GM consider a split hybrid mode in the future?)
-details about the Thermal Management System and how it behaves under various scenarios (when car is and is not plugged in; how much energy it uses in very cold winter and very hot summer; is it advisable to leave the car unattended but turned on with doors locked to continue conditioning while not plugged in; if the battery gets really really hot will any type of conditioning start even though the car is shut off ...)
-max regen charging rate in kilowatts
-Can I install the 220 volt charger outdoors in a Canadian winter? If yes, is there a way to lock it to prevent electricity theft in the middle of the night?
-Will the car take E85? (I think not, but I've been seeing contradictory reports lately.)
-Specs for highway passing (e.g. time from 40-70mph)

[nasaman]

Beginning this weekend, October 9-10, 2010 in Southeast Michigan over 150 journalists and EV enthusiasts are to be given full access to the Volt with test drives on all roads and, reportedly, all engineering questions answered. This is from Volt Vehicle Line Director Tony Posawatz, posted Oct. 8, 2010 on "the other" Volt website.

Lyle – Questions for Tony Posawatz:

1) An automotive writer at the Houston test drives was told the gas tank is 8 gallons, but a CAB member more recently was told 9.3 gals. Considering that the tank is pressurized, & allowing for any added space as an air “cushion” and/or “reserve”, what should a driver use as a safe estimate of the total fuel available to realistically predict the driving distance starting with a full tank?

2) We know the 0-60 time is about 9 seconds in sport mode. What is the approximate passing time (40-80) in sport mode? What is the fastest 1/4 mile time and speed?

3) Are any skid pad g’s or slalom results available yet? What are the numbers?

4) We understand engine RPMs in CS (ER) mode are limited to fixed settings depending on battery depletion and/or charging rates. How many rpm settings are there and what are they?

5) Is the HVAC comfort system a special high-efficiency design? Are heater strips or a heat pump design used? Also describe the battery thermal control system —is it a separate system?

6) Does the Volt use only low-e window glass, including side windows, rear hatch & windshield?

7) Does the Volt use any special passive thermal insulation under the battery, in the roof, etc?

[rphooper]

Lyle,
A few questions I'd like answered.

What is the CS mpg?
Could the 3.3kw charger be upgraded in software or would it require a hardware replacement?
What maintenance expenses will the customer be responsible for until when?
How often will routine maintenance be, what is the customer's responsibility?
Can the GM 240 charger be mounted outdoors?
How do we get the free 240 chargers from GM?

[ferrarimanf355]

Any chances for a pure EV Volt? Or a production version of the Cruze EV?

[Marty]

Lyle,
A few questions I'd like answered.

Can the GM 240 charger be mounted outdoors?
How do we get the free 240 chargers from GM?

GM to the best of my knowledge doesn't make chargers. They're made by Clipper Creek, GE, Blink, Leviton and others. The specifications that I've seen indicate that residential level 2 (240 volt) chargers are built to NEMA 3R standards. This type of enclosure is suitable for outdoor mounting including rain exposure but it is not completely watertight or suitable for immersion in water.

The free chargers are a DoE program, available in certain areas only based on zipcode. Mostly larger metropolitan areas.

[ChrisC]

He's talking about the Voltec-branded charger (made by SPX?) that was announced last week. I'm not so sure it's designed to be mounted outside, and so that is actually a good question to ask.

http://gm-volt.com/2010/10/06/gm-ann...vice-provider/

http://gm-volt.com/wp-content/galler...92810_0085.jpg

[LGA]

The SPX site says the Voltec-branded charger is "outdoor-rated"

https://www.homecharging.spx.com/vol...x?id=7&menu=14