Home and Auto GM charges up the Chevy Volt - Page 4

**Donger** · 09-16-2008, 02:02 PM

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/...x.html?cnn=yes

General Motors unveiled the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle on Tuesday, allowing outsiders their first full look at the car GM says will go on sale in 2010.

"The Volt symbolizes GM's commitment to the future," said Rick Wagoner, the company's chairman and CEO.

The Volt will be driven by electricity stored in a large T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack running the length of the car. After charging for several hours, the Volt will be able to run for up to about 40 miles without using gasoline.

GM did not announce pricing for the car, which will have the equivalent of about 150 horsepower and a top speed of 100 mph, the automaker said.

The car's zero-to-sixty time will be under nine seconds, said GM vehicle line director Tony Posawatz. That would make the performance about average for a modern car

"The center of gravity of the car, with the center battery pack, it's going to have real great ride and handling," said Posawatz.

To charge the batteries, drivers will plug a cord into a port just ahead of the driver's side mirror. The cord can then be attached to an ordinary home electrical outlet.

The car will cost "less than purchasing a cup of your favorite coffee" to recharge, and use less electricity annually than a refrigerator, according to GM. The Volt should cost less than 2 cents per mile to drive on electricity, GM said, compared with 12 cents a mile on gasoline at a price of $3.60 a gallon.

As the battery begins to run down as the car is in use, a small gasoline engine will turn on and generate enough electricity to drive the car about 300 miles, said GM.

Unlike hybrid cars, or plug-in hybrids, the Volt is driven only by electricity. The gasoline engine never directly drives the car's wheels.

xbarretx · 09-16-2008, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

The key is making the car affordable to EVERYBODY, not selling it for $40,000 or some such shit. If I can afford a $40,000 car, chances are I don't care how much gas costs, and so why would I buy it?

QFT

xbarretx · 09-16-2008, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

I have a 2006 Impala. It's about as exciting as a glass of milk, but it's a good car.

a WARM glass at least?

Frazod · 09-16-2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xbarretx

a WARM glass at least?

Not really, no.

When I bought this, the choice was down to the silver Impala or a blue Pontiac G6 GT, which I really liked. It was sportier, faster and had more features. But it was more expensive, and I was able to get a better interest rate on the Impala due to some promotion that was running at the time. So I did the smart thing and got the Impala, but every time I see a blue G6 it pisses me off, because that's the one I really wanted. Had I gone that route, my payment would be $40 more a month, but I'd be much happier. Oh well.

Chazno · 09-16-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewie

Why can't they use a battery that has better performance? The Tesla gets 220 miles per charge and it, too, uses Lithium Ion. They have a proprietary battery design but good grief GM, if you can't figure it out, buy the rights. 40 miles per charge is not acceptable to most people.

The Tesla also costs $109k. What happens if you need to take the Tesla on a 250 mile trip...you'll have to stop and recharge. I'm guessing the batteries are similar or possibly the same, GM is just bringing it to the masses in a more cost effective and practical manner.

Valiant · 09-16-2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Pic:

If they leave it looking like that I will be amazed..

Usually they **** up the style once it is in production..

Stewie · 09-16-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chazno

The Tesla also costs $109k. What happens if you need to take the Tesla on a 250 mile trip...you'll have to stop and recharge. I'm guessing the batteries are similar or possibly the same, GM is just bringing it to the masses in a more cost effective and practical manner.

The Tesla is a niche car with small production runs, hence the price. I'm talking about their battery technology. Electric cars are not for cross country runs and probably won't be in my lifetime, but driving more than 40 miles in a day isn't uncommon for most people. The 220 miles the Tesla battery offers makes a huge difference in day to day use.

**Donger** · 09-16-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

I love current news

Watt?

Simply Red · 09-16-2008, 04:10 PM

Too bad I'm buying the new A-5,

**Donger** · 09-16-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

I wonder how long it would take to charge 40 miles? Might take two days to get from here to KC.

The only thing connected to the drive wheels is the electric motor. But, it has a little gasoline engine that can also charge the batteries, so range is not 40 miles and dead.

It takes 10 hours to charge at standard household voltage and current, apparently.

Valiant · 09-16-2008, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

The only thing connected to the drive wheels is the electric motor. But, it has a little gasoline engine that can also charge the batteries, so range is not 40 miles and dead.

It takes 10 hours to charge at standard household voltage and current, apparently.

What happens if you cut short the charge??

jiveturkey · 09-16-2008, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewie

The Tesla is a niche car with small production runs, hence the price. I'm talking about their battery technology. Electric cars are not for cross country runs and probably won't be in my lifetime, but driving more than 40 miles in a day isn't uncommon for most people. The 220 miles the Tesla battery offers makes a huge difference in day to day use.

I think that 40 miles or below per day is where a majority of people fall. I remember seeing a stat when this car was first being discussed that 70% or so fall into this category.

**Donger** · 09-16-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

What happens if you cut short the charge??

The gasoline motor apparently kicks in to charge at around 30% battery remaining.

**The Franchise** · 09-16-2008, 04:25 PM

So I can pay $30-$40k for a car that will get me back and forth to work once in a day....and I have to charge it for 10 hours?

No thanks.

**Saulbadguy** · 09-16-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Watt?

**007** · 09-16-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

$35,000 - $40,000? That's not really that bad, but the ROI is pretty poor. Still, it'll be nice to have the option.

Out of my price range. I love how they do that.

09-16-2008, 02:02 PM
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $6939900 VARSITY	GM charges up the Chevy Volt http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/...x.html?cnn=yes General Motors unveiled the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle on Tuesday, allowing outsiders their first full look at the car GM says will go on sale in 2010. "The Volt symbolizes GM's commitment to the future," said Rick Wagoner, the company's chairman and CEO. The Volt will be driven by electricity stored in a large T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack running the length of the car. After charging for several hours, the Volt will be able to run for up to about 40 miles without using gasoline. GM did not announce pricing for the car, which will have the equivalent of about 150 horsepower and a top speed of 100 mph, the automaker said. The car's zero-to-sixty time will be under nine seconds, said GM vehicle line director Tony Posawatz. That would make the performance about average for a modern car "The center of gravity of the car, with the center battery pack, it's going to have real great ride and handling," said Posawatz. To charge the batteries, drivers will plug a cord into a port just ahead of the driver's side mirror. The cord can then be attached to an ordinary home electrical outlet. The car will cost "less than purchasing a cup of your favorite coffee" to recharge, and use less electricity annually than a refrigerator, according to GM. The Volt should cost less than 2 cents per mile to drive on electricity, GM said, compared with 12 cents a mile on gasoline at a price of $3.60 a gallon. As the battery begins to run down as the car is in use, a small gasoline engine will turn on and generate enough electricity to drive the car about 300 miles, said GM. Unlike hybrid cars, or plug-in hybrids, the Volt is driven only by electricity. The gasoline engine never directly drives the car's wheels.
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09-16-2008, 04:10 PM	#53
Simply Red You Sweetie! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2021206219 VARSITY	Too bad I'm buying the new A-5,
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09-16-2008, 04:25 PM	#58
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $2085047	So I can pay $30-$40k for a car that will get me back and forth to work once in a day....and I have to charge it for 10 hours? No thanks.
Posts: 92,316