Chevrolet Volt

[Bud Plug]

I'm sorry, how exactly is it that you know the technology is not ready for prime time? I'm sure a lot of people said the same thing about automobiles back in the days of horses and wagons.

At one time, automobiles were also not ready for prime time. Thus, initially only the idle rich owned them, more or less as toys. However, they were ultimately developed to the point where they were: 1) affordable to the masses, 2) had sufficient operating range, and 3) were supported by a vast service station network. Then, and only then, did the popularity of the automobile explode.

The volt's drive technology just isn't there yet. (And the current automobile is a little more difficult to best than the horse and buggy was!)

Boeing made an electric rover for the moon over 40 years ago. It's about time we have mass production electric vehicles.

The lunar rover cost 38 Million in 1971 dollars (19 Million over budget)! Will you been buying or leasing? We're still a long way from practical electric vehicles.

This is a brilliant move from GM. They have a lot of guts and I respect them for that.

What kind of move? Business or PR?

Please buy as much GM stock as you can, and let me know when you have. I'll be shorting as much GM stock as I can at that point!

 

[Tangwhich]

We're still a long way from practical electric vehicles.

We're two years away.. that's when the volt comes out. I don't know where you're getting this nonsense that the volt technology isn't there yet. It certainly is.. the only real issue is the cost of batteries.. and with mass production the prices will come down fairly quickly.
There's many people who have built their own electric cars that are cheap to run, fairly cheap to convert and certainly practical. Plus there are other winners out there... do a search for Toyota Rav4 EV and Telsa Motors.

Don't forget that the volt will have a gasoline generator on board, so we're not looking at people running out of power stuck on the highway all over the place.

 

[Esco!]

We're two years away.. that's when the volt comes out. I don't know where you're getting this nonsense that the volt technology isn't there yet. It certainly is.. the only real issue is the cost of batteries..

And also range

When engineers can achieve 500km range and charge up the battery in under 10 minutes, they
will have a winner

 

[dajodo2]

Probably the same way the Toyota Prius does.
HVAC is not rocket science.

OK I get it now upon looking into this car further.

I thought this thing was a 100% electric car, it's not it's a hybrid in my opinion.

It has a 1 litre gas engine too so that explains how it will have the power to heat/cool the cabin.

I don't see how a 100% electric car will be able to do that with todays batteries.

 

[Tangwhich]

And also range

When engineers can achieve 500km range and charge up the battery in under 10 minutes, they
will have a winner

There are batteries today that can get around an 80% charge in about 10 minutes.. although they are beaucoup bucks..

 

[Tangwhich]

Here's something out of the blue. Chrysler are making their own Volt like car!

http://gm-volt.com/2008/09/19/chrysler-to-unveil-new-extended-range-electric-car-next-tuesday/

 

[Cinema Face]

The Chevy Volt is an EREV, (Extended Range Electric Vehicle). It's powered by an electric motor and a small gas motor charges a battery. It can go up to 60 km on a charge which is probably 80% of most people's daily driving.

For longer trips the gas motor switches on and keeps the battery charged. I heard that cruising range is approx. 1000 km.

EREV's are extemely inexpensive to run. A less than 60 km trip would cost pennies. A longer trip is still pretty cheap on fuel.

BTW, the technology's been used in diesel electric locomotives for decades. It's seems to work pretty well.

Kuddos to Chevy for the Volt. Hope we see more like it.

 

[Bopper2]

I'm going to wait until someone perfects the flux capacitor.