View Full Version : Chevy Volt tagline: "More Car Than Electric"
daveb91
09-24-2010, 08:17 AM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/gm-volt-stand-new1-630jc.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt-5/#1468519) 2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery
When the Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/model/volt) was unveiled back in January 2007 (http://green.autoblog.com/2007/01/07/detroit-auto-show-its-here-gms-plug-in-hybrid-is-the-chevy-v/), here's what we wrote based on the information General Motors (http://www.autoblog.com/make/gm) was giving out:
The Volt has a range of about 40 miles on the battery alone... However, when the fuel tank is filled to its capacity of 12 US gallons of gas, the Volt has a range of 640 miles. In addition, the Volt ICE is fully flex fuel capable and can run on any combination of gasoline or ethanol up to E85.
Since then, the E85 capability has been dropped (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/02/17/first-2011-chevrolet-volts-reportedly-wont-be-e85-capable/), the gas tank was shrunk to an expected nine gallons (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/07/01/report-volt-gas-tank-holds-9-gallons-total-range-could-be-near/) and, today, the oft-cited 40-mile range is also in question thanks to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission about GM's mid-November IPO. GM spokesman Rob Peterson told the AP (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/GM-now-says-Volt-can-go-2550-apf-1180779913.html?x=0&.v=3) that the company's new official stance is that the Volt will be able to travel anywhere between 25 and 50 miles on battery power before the gas-powered range extender kicks in.
What will affect the range? The usual suspects: how you drive, the temperature (outside and inside the car), hills and "the age of the lithium-ion batteries." Peterson told the AP that the range estimate changed because GM engineers have now had more time to test the Volt's powertrain. So, who's surprised? Thanks to Roy B for the tip!
Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt-5/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/04/gm-volt-stand-new4_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt-5/#1468522)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/04/gm-volt-stand-new3_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt-5/#1468521)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/04/gm-volt-stand-new2_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt-5/#1468520)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/04/gm-volt-stand-new1_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt-5/#1468519)
[Source: AP (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/GM-now-says-Volt-can-go-2550-apf-1180779913.html?x=0&.v=3)]Report: Chevy Volt's range will be 25 miles on battery power, or maybe 50 (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/24/report-chevy-volts-range-will-be-25-miles-on-battery-power-or/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Read (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/GM-now-says-Volt-can-go-2550-apf-1180779913.html?x=0&.v=3) | Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/24/report-chevy-volts-range-will-be-25-miles-on-battery-power-or/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19647182/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/24/report-chevy-volts-range-will-be-25-miles-on-battery-power-or/#comments)
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daveb91
09-29-2010, 01:59 AM
Filed under: Car Buying (http://www.autoblog.com/category/carbuying/), Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/2011chevyvoltnew007opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3208707) 2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery
Lyle Dennis (http://green.autoblog.com/2008/02/19/new-york-08-chevy-volt-fans-invited-to-a-meetup/). Bill Nye (http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/know-who-loves-electric-cars-bill-nye-the-science-guy/). Jim Woolsey (http://green.autoblog.com/2008/12/04/jim-woolsey-fires-up-dc-crowd-with-his-pro-plug-in-hybrid-talk/). Brian Wynne (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/01/29/dc-2010-edta-president-brian-wynne-this-is-not-your-fathers/). What do these people have in common, besides being featured at one time or another on AutoblogGreen (http://green.autoblog.com/)? They are all members of the new Chevrolet Volt (http://autoblog.com/model/volt) Customer Advisory Board that General Motors (http://autoblog.com/make/gm) announced today (disclosure: AutoblogGreen columnist Chelsea Sexton (http://green.autoblog.com/bloggers/chelsea-sexton/) is also on the panel).
So, what will the 15 people who make up the board actually do? Basically, they're getting a Volt before you do and will tell GM what's working and what isn't. More specifically, they will be the first people who get to, "experience the Volt every day under real-world conditions during a three-month vehicle and charging evaluation program starting in late October."
The 15 (see all the names after the jump, and note the number of electric vehicle enthusiasts included) volunteered for the position and Chevy picked people who knew the most about electric vehicles and also happen to live in one of the initial markets where the Volt will be available. Besides getting a three-month test vehicle, board members will get a free 240-volt charging station, "for the duration of the vehicle evaluation program." Sexton is excited about the group, and said in a statement that:
It's great to see Chevrolet tap into both experienced and new electric vehicle enthusiasts for real-world feedback. This is a great opportunity to not only provide meaningful input to the Volt team, but also to raise awareness using a real, available electric vehicle instead of a PowerPoint slide.
Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/x11ch_vt004_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/x11ch_vt002_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/x11ch_vt007_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/x11ch_vt005_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/x11ch_vt003_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)
[Source: GM]Continue reading Chevy Volt's first customers will be 15-person Customer Advisory Board (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/28/chevy-volt-customer-advisory-board/)
Chevy Volt's first customers will be 15-person Customer Advisory Board (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/28/chevy-volt-customer-advisory-board/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/28/chevy-volt-customer-advisory-board/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19652420/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/28/chevy-volt-customer-advisory-board/#comments)
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daveb91
10-08-2010, 12:02 AM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Technology (http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11coat002opt.jpgSure, the sticker price for the 240V Voltec home charging unit designed to quickly and efficiently recharge the Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/model/volt) is a wallet-friendly $490, but this is a case where reading the fine print is important. That's because the cost to install this charger in your garage is slightly more. General Motors (http://www.autoblog.com/make/gm) estimates that installation of the Voltec unit will cost you around $1,475, so we're talking about a near $2,000 premium to have your Volt suck down electrons faster than it would if just plugged into a wall.
The Volt can charge just fine from a standard outlet and comes with a 120V-to-J1772 charger. Using that method will take around ten hours to reach a full charge from empty, while using 240V charger Voltec charger will cut that down to around four hours. For people who have short commutes or plan to leave the Volt plugged in every night, a 240V system might be overkill since the Volt has a gasoline-powered generator on board to extend its range should the electrons dry up.
The Voltec system's $2,000 overall cost, however, is in line with the Aerovironment 240V charge station for the all-electric Nissan Leaf (http://www.autoblog.com/model/leaf). Nissan says that charger will cost $2,200 (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/07/13/nissan-sends-out-leaf-charger-quotes-priced-as-expected-at-2-2/) installed, though Leaf fans began complaining that Nissan was forcing owners to use just one installer and the automaker has since pointed out that there are cheaper alternatives available (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/08/30/future-leaf-owners-revolt-over-aerovironments-outrageous-charge/).
Of course, there are ways to get free chargers (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/06/17/first-4-400-volt-owners-could-get-free-home-charging-stations/) (i.e. luck out and live in place with local incentives or be one of the first Volt buyers), but most people looking to add a Volt to their garage will need to cough up an extra $2,000 to receive quick-charging functionality. For an in-depth look at Chevrolet's Volt chargers, click here (http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/gm-shows-off-120v-and-240v-chargers-for-2011-chevy-volt/).
[Source: General Motors]Continue reading Chevy Volt home charger priced at $490 or nearly $2K with installation (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/07/chevy-volt-home-charger-priced-at-490-or-nearly-2k-with-instal/)
Chevy Volt home charger priced at $490 or nearly $2K with installation (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/07/chevy-volt-home-charger-priced-at-490-or-nearly-2k-with-instal/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/07/chevy-volt-home-charger-priced-at-490-or-nearly-2k-with-instal/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19664678/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/07/chevy-volt-home-charger-priced-at-490-or-nearly-2k-with-instal/#comments)
Movfast Members can read more here... (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/07/chevy-volt-home-charger-priced-at-490-or-nearly-2k-with-instal/)
daveb91
10-11-2010, 11:21 AM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), GM (http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt142opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)
2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery
Until today (http://translogic.aolautos.com/2010/10/11/gm-comes-clean-on-volt-drivetrain/), talking about whether the internal combustion engine (ICE) in the 2011 Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/model/volt) should have a direct mechanical connection to the wheels (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/should-the-chevy-volt-have-direct-mechanical-drive-of-the-wheels/) was an interesting thought experiment. Sure, there were hints and patents (http://www.plugincars.com/truth-about-volt-mechanical-linkages-starts-emerge-81480.html) that suggested that the ICE could drive the wheels, but General Motors (http://www.autoblog.com/make/gm) kept saying its "extended range electric vehicle (ER-EV)" was just that: an electric car with a gasoline-powered generator on board. Guess what?
GM has now confirmed, late in the game, that the Volt can, in some situations, use the ICE to power the wheels. This came to light after Motor Trend (http://gm-volt.com/2010/10/11/motor-trend-explains-the-volts-powertrain/) was allowed to test the car for three long drives and discovered:
However of particular interest, when going above 70 mph in charge sustaining mode, and the generator gets coupled to the drivetrain, the gas engine participates in the motive force. GM says the engine never drives the wheels all by itself, but will participate in this particular situation in the name of efficiency, which is improved by 10 to 15 percent.
This is exactly the opposite of what GM has been saying for years - most recently in June, when GM spokesman Rob Peterson told AutoblogGreen that there was no mechanism in the Volt to drive the wheels (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/06/30/repeat-after-us-the-chevrolet-volts-gas-engine-does-not-drive/) even if the engineers wanted too. Or, at least, that's what we heard. Peterson told AutoblogGreen today that the "news":
is consistent with everything we've said to date. The new "news" is that we can tell the complete story as our key patent has been allowed by the US patent office. The Volt is an electric vehicle with extended range as the Volt has full battery electric performance at all speeds when there is charge in the battery.
Click past the jump (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/11/gm-yes-the-volts-gas-engine-can-power-the-wheels/) for more.
Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt143_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456355)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt151-1286812692_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456345)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt120_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456349)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt149-1286812695_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456346)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt142_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456358)
[Sources: General Motors, Translogic (http://translogic.aolautos.com/2010/10/11/gm-comes-clean-on-volt-drivetrain/), Motor Trend (http://gm-volt.com/2010/10/11/motor-trend-explains-the-volts-powertrain/), Green Car Advisor (http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2010/10/chevy-volt-jolt---gms-e-rev-is-not-all-electric-all-the-time.html), The Car Connection (http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1050290_what-a-2011-chevy-volt-has-in-common-with-a-huge-tahoe-hybrid), Popular Mechanics (http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/alternative-fuel/electric/chevy-volt-range-tests)]Continue reading GM: Yes, the Volt's gas engine can power the wheels (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/11/gm-yes-the-volts-gas-engine-can-power-the-wheels/)
GM: Yes, the Volt's gas engine can power the wheels (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/11/gm-yes-the-volts-gas-engine-can-power-the-wheels/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/11/gm-yes-the-volts-gas-engine-can-power-the-wheels/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19669176/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/11/gm-yes-the-volts-gas-engine-can-power-the-wheels/#comments)
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Racerx300zx
10-11-2010, 02:38 PM
If it had weirder windows I could see it being the spiritual successor of the SVX.
daveb91
10-12-2010, 01:35 AM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Technology (http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), GM (http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt143opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456345)2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery
For the past three years, General Motors (http://autoblog.com/make/gm) has consistently described the 2011 Chevrolet Volt (http://autoblog.com/model/volt) as a pure electric vehicle with a range-extending on-board gas engine/generator. Today we learned that, in fact, there are instances where the gas engine will contribute motive force (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/11/gm-yes-the-volts-gas-engine-can-power-the-wheels/) to move the car along, which technically makes the Volt a plug-in hybrid, not a pure EV. The question we'd like to ask is, how big a deal will this range-extended EV versus plug-in hybrid debate be for The General?
Already, several media outlets such as Inside Line (http://www.insideline.com/chevrolet/volt/2011/gm-lied-chevy-volt-is-not-a-true-ev.html) have expressed frustration and disbelief (http://twitter.com/#!/insideline_com/statuses/27047836228) over feelings that they've been "lied to" for the past three years in regards to whether or not the Volt's engine can power its drive wheels. The boys from Jalopnik (http://jalopnik.com/5661051/how-gm-lied-about-the-electric-car) have gone so far as to Photoshop Chevy's Volt as the devil. GM, meanwhile, claims this news didn't come to light earlier because the company was protecting its patents on the Volt drivetrain, which have since been approved.
You can bet you'll be hearing plenty more on the topic from those of us who Obsessively Cover the Auto Industry, but for now, we're more curious about what you think.
Has General Motors knowingly lied about how the Volt operates or is the explanation less sinister? Or do you simply not care as long as the final design is as efficient as possible? Take our poll below and then weigh-in with your more detailed thoughts in the Comments.
View Poll (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/11/poll-did-general-motors-lie-about-the-chevrolet-volt/#poll54042)
Poll: Did General Motors lie about the Chevrolet Volt? (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/11/poll-did-general-motors-lie-about-the-chevrolet-volt/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/11/poll-did-general-motors-lie-about-the-chevrolet-volt/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19669305/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/11/poll-did-general-motors-lie-about-the-chevrolet-volt/#comments)
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daveb91
10-12-2010, 02:35 PM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Technology (http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), GM (http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/volt-630.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456379)2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery
After yesterday's media inferno (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/11/gm-yes-the-volts-gas-engine-can-power-the-wheels/) surrounding whether or not the 2011 Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/model/volt) is a true electric vehicle (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/11/poll-did-general-motors-lie-about-the-chevrolet-volt/), General Motors (http://www.autoblog.com/make/gm) is out to set the record straight. The company has released a statement on its Chevrolet Voltage blog that goes deeper into the Hows and Whys of the vehicle's drivetrain. According to The General's latest statement, the car's Voltec drivetrain cannot operate without power to the electric motors. Furthermore, the 1.4-liter four-cylinder range-extending engine can't move the Volt by its lonesome.
That sounds good and all, but what about the reports that arose yesterday that indicated that the gasoline engine could, in fact, drive the Volt's wheels? GM says that notion is somewhat misguided. In its statement, GM states that there isn't a fixed gear ratio between the engine and the drive wheels. Instead, the four-cylinder generates power that is then fed through the drive unit during extended range driving. That power is then "balanced by the generator and traction motor."
That still reads a little murky to us, but we're going to reserve final judgment until we can manage to drive the production vehicle for ourselves. As for why it took so long for GM to come out and reveal the details of the Volt drivetrain, the company says that until just recently, its patents on the Voltec system were still pending. Now that they've been secured, GM is less worried about another manufacturer swiping ideas from its system. You can read the full statement here (http://www.chevroletvoltage.com/index.php/Volt/clearing-up-confusion-about-the-chevrolet-volt.html), including a laundry list of complimentary quotes about the Volt from various media outlets.
Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt143_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456355)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt151-1286812692_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456345)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt120_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456349)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt149-1286812695_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456346)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt142_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456358)
[Source: Chevrolet Voltage (http://www.chevroletvoltage.com/index.php/Volt/clearing-up-confusion-about-the-chevrolet-volt.html)]Chevrolet statement looks to clear the air on how Volt works (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/12/chevrolet-statement-looks-to-clear-the-air-on-how-volt-works/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/12/chevrolet-statement-looks-to-clear-the-air-on-how-volt-works/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19670498/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/12/chevrolet-statement-looks-to-clear-the-air-on-how-volt-works/#comments)
Movfast Members can read more here... (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/12/chevrolet-statement-looks-to-clear-the-air-on-how-volt-works/)
daveb91
10-13-2010, 04:10 PM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Etc. (http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), GM (http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/2011chevyvolt_qd_000_opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/quick-spin-2011-chevrolet-volt/)
2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery
Did General Motors lie or didn't they (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/11/poll-did-general-motors-lie-about-the-chevrolet-volt/)? The media (http://www.insideline.com/chevrolet/volt/2011/gm-lied-chevy-volt-is-not-a-true-ev.html) and public got extremely swept up by the fact that GM (http://www.autoblog.com/make/gm/) told the world its range-extended electric vehicle would not use the on-board internal combustion engine to power the wheels, when it will under certain conditions. This bit of news has blown up in the General's face (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/12/chevrolet-statement-looks-to-clear-the-air-on-how-volt-works/), but does it change the fact that the Volt is still a pretty amazing piece of automotive engineering? Motor Trend spent a couple of weeks with one and came away impressed by what the Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/model/volt) could do. In fact, lead flip-flop lead-foot Jonny Lieberman scored some seat time (http://blogs.motortrend.com/6719595/green/127-mpg-this-volt-story-must-be-told/index.html) and was able to hit 127 miles per gallon.
The 127 mpg figure was achieved over a variety of Los Angeles city streets, canyon roads and highways. During the trip, the car ran out of battery power and the gasoline engine quietly turned on to give it more juice. Not to the wheels, but to the battery. If the car gets up over 70 miles per hour, then the ICE will send a small amount of power to the wheels, but by doing so it makes the car more efficient.
The M/T editors took the car on another trip and really tried to push it hard. They ran the Volt up to its 101 mph top speed, had the A/C cranked and traveled across some hilly terrain. The result? The Chevy (http://www.autoblog.com/make/chevrolet/) returned nearly 75 mpg. MT feels the takeaway from its time with the Volt is that the car is incredibly efficient and the fact that the gasoline engine occasionally pitches in doesn't make it any less remarkable of a vehicle.
Gallery: Quick Spin: 2011 Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/quick-spin-2011-chevrolet-volt/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/2011chevyvolt1_qd_027_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/quick-spin-2011-chevrolet-volt/#2489859)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/2011chevyvolt1_qd_028_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/quick-spin-2011-chevrolet-volt/#2489857)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/2011chevyvolt1_qd_029_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/quick-spin-2011-chevrolet-volt/#2489856)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/2011chevyvolt1_qd_030_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/quick-spin-2011-chevrolet-volt/#2489855)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/2011chevyvolt1_qd_031_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/quick-spin-2011-chevrolet-volt/#2489854)
Photos Copyright (C)2010 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Motor Trend (http://blogs.motortrend.com/6719595/green/127-mpg-this-volt-story-must-be-told/index.html)]127 MPG: What Motor Trend got driving the Volt in the real world (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/13/127-mpg-what-motor-trend-got-driving-the-volt-in-the-rea/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Read (http://blogs.motortrend.com/6719595/green/127-mpg-this-volt-story-must-be-told/index.html) | Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/13/127-mpg-what-motor-trend-got-driving-the-volt-in-the-rea/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19672285/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/13/127-mpg-what-motor-trend-got-driving-the-volt-in-the-rea/#comments)
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Racerx300zx
10-13-2010, 08:47 PM
Okay, that's pretty damn good. GM, I tip my hat to you.
For once a hybrid isnt retarded looking.
daveb91
10-14-2010, 07:29 AM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Technology (http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), GM (http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/myvolt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/13/chevy-volt-owners-get-onstar-powered-website/)
Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids like the 2011 Chevrolet Volt (http://autoblog.com/model/volt) (and we'll let you decide which of those two categories General Motors' (http://autoblog.com/make/gm) green halo car fits into...) promise to save drivers money on fuel bills. But, just as operating expenses for traditional cars rises and falls with the price of gas, so too will battery-powered cars vary in their running costs as electric utility rates fluctuate.
GM has announced a new website for Chevrolet (http://autoblog.com/make/chevrolet) Volt owners called MyVolt.com (http://myvolt.com) that seeks to help consumers keep their electric charging rates in check. Statistics for battery usage and fuel economy will be transferred to the user's Facebook and Twitter accounts, and utility companies are expected to use this data to help owners choose times to plug their cars into the grid. These utility companies can also make sure their power grids are up to the challenge of keeping EVs on the road.
Other techy benefits offered to Volt owners include a display to show whether the car is plugged in (and whether it's charging at 120 or 240 volts), the creation of a charging schedule to make use of the best rates and the ability to monitor current battery state of charge and predicted range. One intriguing feature will allow OnStar to create its own charging schedule where the program will choose the lowest rates possible in order to achieve a full charge by a set time.
There will also be a provision to remotely start the Volt to get the interior up to a set temperature, and future updates will allow further customization of the car, such as setting radio presets. Want to know more? Check out the official press release after the break (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/13/chevy-volt-owners-get-onstar-powered-website/).
Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt143_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456355)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt151-1286812692_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456345)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt120_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456349)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt149-1286812695_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456346)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt142_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456358)
[Source: General Motors]Continue reading Chevy Volt owners get OnStar-powered website (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/13/chevy-volt-owners-get-onstar-powered-website/)
Chevy Volt owners get OnStar-powered website (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/13/chevy-volt-owners-get-onstar-powered-website/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/13/chevy-volt-owners-get-onstar-powered-website/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19673059/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/13/chevy-volt-owners-get-onstar-powered-website/#comments)
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daveb91
10-14-2010, 07:40 AM
Like the Camaro was less talking more producing GM!!
daveb91
10-19-2010, 01:11 AM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), GM (http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt143opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456345)2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery
We've known all along that General Motors (http://autoblog.com/make/gm/) planned to ramp up production of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt (http://autoblog.com/model/volt/), with 10,000 to 15,000 sales in the first year of production. But what of 2012? The Detroit News is reporting that Doug Parks, GM's electric vehicle executive, said at the Business of Plugging In conference that in 2012 the Volt will "be in this max rate of 60,000." Parks insists that The General can move that many Volts in 2012, and possibly more. Given the fact that the Volt's 2012 production was moved from 30,000 to 45,000 (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/30/gm-will-increase-volt-production-by-50-to-45-000-units-in-2/), we're thinking there's a solid chance GM hasn't stopped adjusting it's production figures.
In other Volt news, GM is hoping to get official efficiency figures from the Environmental Protection Administration within the next month. Parks said at the conference that the company expects the Volt will fall somewhere in the 25-50 mile range in electric-only mode. GM has said since the Volt concept was unveiled in 2007 that it was shooting for 40 miles in EV mode, though Parks is hoping the Volt will over-deliver. As far as miles per gallon go, Parks says the Volt is hitting mid to high 30s combined while the gasoline engine is charging the batteries.
Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt143_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt151-1286812692_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt120_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt149-1286812695_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt142_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)
[Source: Detroit News (http://detnews.com/article/20101014/AUTO01/10140449/1148/rss25?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)]Report: GM exec says 60,000 Chevy Volts may be built in 2012 (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/18/report-gm-exec-says-60-000-chevy-volts-may-be-built-in-2012/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Read (http://detnews.com/article/20101014/AUTO01/10140449/1148/rss25?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter) | Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/18/report-gm-exec-says-60-000-chevy-volts-may-be-built-in-2012/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19677377/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/18/report-gm-exec-says-60-000-chevy-volts-may-be-built-in-2012/#comments)
Movfast Members can read more here... (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/18/report-gm-exec-says-60-000-chevy-volts-may-be-built-in-2012/)
daveb91
10-19-2010, 01:20 PM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Marketing/Advertising (http://www.autoblog.com/category/marketing-advertising/), Hatchback (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt151-1286812692opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery
General Motors (http://www.autoblog.com/make/gm/) has been advertising its "extended-range electric vehicle" since 2007 (http://green.autoblog.com/2007/09/13/video-three-years-before-job-1-and-gm-is-already-advertising-th/), but does anyone remember the first video commercial for the Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/model/volt)? It first aired back in late 2007 and featured a dog licking a person's foot. The gist? You care about the environment and save water on showers by having Fido lick your feet; Chevy cares about the environment and so it's working on the Volt (watch the 30-second spot here (http://green.autoblog.com/2008/02/08/tv-ad-for-chevy-volt-environmentalists-let-dogs-lick-you-inste/)).
In the very near future - i.e., during the World Series - GM will begin airing a series of new commercials (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/10/01/world-series-meet-the-chevy-volt/) using the Volt's just-revealed new tagline: "More Car Than Electric." We got a sneak preview of these commercials during a Volt media event last week (and promised we wouldn't reveal anything about the visuals or the voiceovers) but thought that the slogan might generate some discussion.
Is it convincing? Does it do what it needs to do? We'll soon get an idea of how the general public reacts, but what's your first take?
Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt143_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt151-1286812692_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt120_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt149-1286812695_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt142_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)
[Source: GM]Chevy Volt tagline: "More Car Than Electric" (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/19/chevy-volt-tagline-more-car-than-electric/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
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daveb91
10-20-2010, 01:50 PM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Hatchback (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), First Drive (http://www.autoblog.com/category/driving/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
"She Blinded Me With Science"
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011chevroletvoltopt1opt.jpg
(http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-volt-first-drive/)2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery
The Chevy Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/model/volt) has finally, successfully, made the leap from science fiction to fact. Quite a bit has changed in the nearly four-year journey from the 2007 Detroit Auto Show (http://www.autoblog.com/category/detroit-auto-show/) to last week, when General Motors (http://www.autoblog.com/make/gm/) let us drive a production-spec car. The Volt may not be the stuff of Blade Runner, but it's a technologically advanced showpiece for GM, and the first widely practical electric vehicle, ready and waiting for mainstream acceptance.
Give GM credit for building the Volt during the most miserable turn of events in the company's long and storied history.
But first some basics: The Volt is a four-passenger, compact hatchback. While there's considerable controversy over whether or not to call it a plug-in hybrid, that's how we'll be referring to it, following the lead of the Federal government (http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxphevb.shtml). GM prefers "extended-range electric vehicle," which is somewhat misleading, since the Volt is only an electric vehicle for the first 25-50 miles. In EV mode, the Volt's electric drive system draws power exclusively from a 16 kilowatt-hour battery pack, at all speeds up to its 100-mph maximum. Once the battery gets drawn down to 35 percent of its capacity, the Volt's gasoline engine fires up, spinning a generator to produce more electricity.
Of all the changes GM's engineers have wrought since the first Volt concept, the most controversial has to be the design of the transmission, which GM kept a secret until last week. GM has been saying all along that the Volt was driven purely electrically, but as it turns out, this is not exactly the case. At highway speeds in extended range mode, the Volt's gasoline engine is actually clutched together with the electric drive system inside the vehicle's transaxle. There's no point in belaboring the controversy beyond saying that the design is 10-15 percent more efficient, according to GM. Since efficiency is pretty much the whole point of the vehicle, we're satisfied, even if we're not happy that we (along with the rest of the media) were misled. However, it's time to move on and focus on evaluating the Volt as a vehicle, and to that end, it's an amazing piece of machinery.
Continue reading (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/20/2011-chevrolet-volt-first-drive-review/#continued)...
Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt: First Drive (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-volt-first-drive)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011chevroletvoltopt1_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-volt-first-drive/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011chevroletvoltopt2_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-volt-first-drive/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/01chevroletvoltfd2011_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-volt-first-drive/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/02chevroletvoltfd2011_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-volt-first-drive/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/03chevroletvoltfd2011_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-volt-first-drive/)
Photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert / AOLContinue reading First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/20/2011-chevrolet-volt-first-drive-review/)
First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/20/2011-chevrolet-volt-first-drive-review/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/20/2011-chevrolet-volt-first-drive-review/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19677572/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/20/2011-chevrolet-volt-first-drive-review/#comments)
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daveb91
10-24-2010, 09:41 PM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), Event Alert (http://www.autoblog.com/category/event-alert/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/chevyvolttour.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/chevy-volt-tour-in-la/)Chevy Volt Tour hits L.A. Fashion Weekend - Click above for high-res image gallery
The Nissan Leaf (http://www.autoblog.com/model/leaf) is on a nationwide tour (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/15/want-to-test-drive-a-nissan-leaf-and-live-in-southern-california/) to spread the electric gospel, and it turns out the Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/model/volt) is also making a national round to pitch its "More Car than Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/19/chevy-volt-tagline-more-car-than-electric/)" mantra. We swung by its L.A. stop more interested in the L.A. Fashion Weekend show that was going on behind the test drives. This particular blogger had never been in the Volt and hadn't thought much of it beyond the three years of headlines it's been making - especially because our tastes tend more toward words like Gumpert Apollo (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/12/gumpert-apollo-first-drive/) and Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/first-drive-bugatti-veyron-16-4-grand-sport-is-a-temple-of-zen/) and Aston Martin DBS Carbon Black (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/03/aston-martin-dbs-carbon-black-review/) and Lamborghini Murciélago (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/22/in-the-autoblog-garage-lamborghini-murcielago-lp640/).. and Fisker Karma (http://www.autoblog.com/model/karma).
But then we drove it. Twice. Once with the engine juicing the battery, once on battery power alone. They were short drives, just around a few blocks. And, um, we hate to go all Volt homer with this, but we have no choice: it was fantastic. As coincidence would have it, we rocked up to the event in a Honda Insight and discovered that the Volt is at the opposite, highly enjoyable pole of hybrid driving. We characterized it as "the best hybrid experience we've ever had."
Of course, we can't pass judgment on the car as a complete proposition because we had just a moment of seat time. Yet it was long enough to know that we're going to get in one again as soon as we get the chance. And it was long enough for us to recommend that if the Volt tour comes your way and you're into cars at all, then take our advice: drive it. For dates and cities, have a look at the info after the jump.
Gallery: Chevy Volt tour in LA (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/chevy-volt-tour-in-la/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/chevyvolttour01_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/chevy-volt-tour-in-la/#3484862)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/chevyvolttour02_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/chevy-volt-tour-in-la/#3484863)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/chevyvolttour03_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/chevy-volt-tour-in-la/#3484864)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/chevyvolttour04_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/chevy-volt-tour-in-la/#3484865)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/chevyvolttour05_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/chevy-volt-tour-in-la/#3484866)
[Source: General Motors]Continue reading The Chevrolet Volt is out there on the test drive circuit, too (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/24/the-chevrolet-volt-is-out-there-on-the-test-drive-circuit-too/)
The Chevrolet Volt is out there on the test drive circuit, too (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/24/the-chevrolet-volt-is-out-there-on-the-test-drive-circuit-too/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Sun, 24 Oct 2010 14:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/24/the-chevrolet-volt-is-out-there-on-the-test-drive-circuit-too/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19681077/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/24/the-chevrolet-volt-is-out-there-on-the-test-drive-circuit-too/#comments)
Movfast Members can read more here... (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/24/the-chevrolet-volt-is-out-there-on-the-test-drive-circuit-too/)
daveb91
10-28-2010, 01:58 AM
Filed under: Safety (http://www.autoblog.com/category/safety/), Videos (http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), Police/Emergency (http://www.autoblog.com/category/police-emergency/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/volt-emergency-vidcap.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/27/video-first-responders-learn-ev-rescue-techniques-on-chevy-volt/#continued)Click above to watch the video after the jump (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/27/video-first-responders-learn-ev-rescue-techniques-on-chevy-volt/#continued)
While a vocal gaggle of Birkenstock-wearing tree-huggers might be rambling on about how we need to replace the internal combustion engine overnight with EVs, we know that phasing out the automobile as we know them just isn't that simple.
Among the myriad stars you need to align in order for the electric car to enter the mainstream are such safety concerns as how emergency first responders will deal with electric vehicles in the event of an accident. High-voltage electric systems just don't behave the same in an accident as do combustible fuels. And the more EVs there are on the road, the more accidents involving them are bound to happen.
In order to address that eventuality, Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/make/chevrolet) has taken its Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/model/volt) around to training sessions for first responders to learn how to deal with the car's power systems in the event of an emergency, including how to disable the battery, how to sever the high-voltage cables and how to get an occupant out of a wrecked EV in an emergency. Chevrolet's being among the first, they've taken the initiative to get this EV safety ball rolling, but the lessons learned by paramedics, firefighters and the like will inevitably help as more EVs hit the road. Follow the jump (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/27/video-first-responders-learn-ev-rescue-techniques-on-chevy-volt/#continued) to watch the video.
[Source: Chevrolet]Continue reading Video: First responders learn EV rescue techniques on Chevy Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/27/video-first-responders-learn-ev-rescue-techniques-on-chevy-volt/)
Video: First responders learn EV rescue techniques on Chevy Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/27/video-first-responders-learn-ev-rescue-techniques-on-chevy-volt/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/27/video-first-responders-learn-ev-rescue-techniques-on-chevy-volt/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19689807/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/27/video-first-responders-learn-ev-rescue-techniques-on-chevy-volt/#comments)
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daveb91
10-29-2010, 03:11 AM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Government/Legal (http://www.autoblog.com/category/government-legal/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/chevyvoltulev.jpg (http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2010/10/2011-chevy-volt-classified-as-ulev-by-carb-emits-more-co-than-prius-ineligible-for-carpool-stickers.html)
The California Air Resources Board has given a green rating to the 2011 Chevrolet Volt (http://autoblog.com/model/volt), the grade atop the page being ULEV (http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onroad/cert/pcldtmdv/2011/gm_pc_a0061675_1d4_b4u2_hevge.pdf) (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle). That's below the SULEV and PZEV ratings of cars you might not expect to beat the Volt, such as the four-cylinder Honda Accord (http://autoblog.com/model/accord) and Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0T (http://autoblog.com/model/golf) and Jetta TDI (http://www.autoblog.com/model/jetta+tdi). Also on the list as being cleaner than the Volt are the Toyota Prius (http://www.autoblog.com/model/prius), Honda Insight (http://www.autoblog.com/model/insight) and Honda CR-Z (http://www.autoblog.com/model/cr-z). Click past the break (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/carb-gives-the-chevy-volt-ulev-ii-status-misses-sulev-ii-by-a-h/#continued) for some interesting comparative charts.
The issue is that CARB performs its testing with the engine running - it has no electric-power-only test. When the Volt's engine runs, it emits 1.3 g/km, which puts it 0.3 grams beyond the allowance for a SULEV vehicle. What's more, since it can't get the PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) rating of the Prius and Leaf, it can't get carpool lane stickers in California. One of the biggest boons of buying a green car, at least in California, is the extra time you get to enjoy your life because you can use the carpool lane and don't need to haul around Frank and Bob from sales in order to to it.
Will any of this affect the Volt's reception? In most places, wherever a sticker can't get you in the VIP line, probably not. And it doesn't affect what the Volt can do. This is really a reflection of the Volt paying the price for an outdated testing regime and an engine connected to the wheels in a three-mile-per-hour speed band. But in the green space where everyone is counting every feather in every cap, we imagine GM (http://autoblog.com/make/gm) is ruing having missed out on this particular one. Perhaps the tagline "more car than electric (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/19/chevy-volt-tagline-more-car-than-electric/)" is here proved a little too true...
Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt143_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt151-1286812692_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt120_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt149-1286812695_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt142_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)
[Source: Inside Line (http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2010/10/2011-chevy-volt-classified-as-ulev-by-carb-emits-more-co-than-prius-ineligible-for-carpool-stickers.html)]Continue reading CARB gives the Chevy Volt ULEV II status, misses SULEV II by a hair (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/carb-gives-the-chevy-volt-ulev-ii-status-misses-sulev-ii-by-a-h/)
CARB gives the Chevy Volt ULEV II status, misses SULEV II by a hair (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/carb-gives-the-chevy-volt-ulev-ii-status-misses-sulev-ii-by-a-h/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Read (http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2010/10/2011-chevy-volt-classified-as-ulev-by-carb-emits-more-co-than-prius-ineligible-for-carpool-stickers.html) | Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/carb-gives-the-chevy-volt-ulev-ii-status-misses-sulev-ii-by-a-h/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19693746/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/carb-gives-the-chevy-volt-ulev-ii-status-misses-sulev-ii-by-a-h/#comments)
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daveb91
10-29-2010, 09:30 AM
Something tells me this will change....Cali sucks so bad!
daveb91
11-11-2010, 12:09 PM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/ge-volt-630.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/11/general-electric-ordering-25-000-electric-vehicles-including-12/#continued)2011 Chevy Volt - Click above to watch video after the jump (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/11/general-electric-ordering-25-000-electric-vehicles-including-12/#continued)
We recently mentioned that General Electric (http://green.autoblog.com/tag/general+electric) was about to order thousands of electric vehicles (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/10/29/report-ge-to-order-tens-of-thousands-of-electric-vehicles-in/) for its corporate fleet and now, it seems, the buying binge has begun. The company announced today it will be ordering 15,000 electric vehicles for itself and partner with its fleet customers to get an additional 10,000 on the road by 2015. First on the list? The Chevy Volt (http://green.autoblog.com/tag/chevy+volt). 12,000 of them.
Yes, we know that technically the Volt is not a "pure" electric, but considering the dent these vehicles will put in total gasoline usage, we won't quibble.
The move isn't completely altruistic. Yes, it should be a bonus for the environment and reduce dependence on foreign oil. But by helping ramp up sales numbers in this new segment, GE expects about $500 million to find its way into its own coffers over the next three years.
Besides the big Volt buy, GE also announced the creation of what it calls "electric vehicle customer experience and learning centers." The facilities will be put in place to give some of its customers, employees and researchers "first-hand access to electric vehicles and developing technologies." One will be located at its Advanced Manufacturing and Software Technology Center in Van Buren Township outside Detroit while another will find a home at GE Capital's Fleet Services business headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
Check out all the details in the official press release after the break (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/11/general-electric-ordering-25-000-electric-vehicles-including-12/#continued) as well as a bit of corporate video discussing the purchase.
[Source: General Electric (http://www.ge.com/)]Continue reading Officially Official: General Electric ordering 25,000 electric vehicles, starting with 12,000 Volts (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/11/officially-official-general-electric-ordering-25-000-electric-v/)
Officially Official: General Electric ordering 25,000 electric vehicles, starting with 12,000 Volts (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/11/officially-official-general-electric-ordering-25-000-electric-v/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Read (http://www.ge.com/) | Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/11/officially-official-general-electric-ordering-25-000-electric-v/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19712613/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/11/officially-official-general-electric-ordering-25-000-electric-v/#comments)
Movfast Members can read more here... (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/11/officially-official-general-electric-ordering-25-000-electric-v/)
daveb91
11-17-2010, 11:36 PM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Government/Legal (http://www.autoblog.com/category/government-legal/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), GM (http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt143opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456345) 2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery
The first batch of production Chevy Volts (http://www.autoblog.com/model/volt) are ready to ship, they're just waiting on the EPA to issue an official mileage label (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/20/epa-still-not-settled-on-mpg-labels-for-plug-ins-volt-unlikely/). General Motors (http://autoblog.com/make/gm) global product chief Tom Stephens told Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101116/OEM05/101119879/1186) that the required sticker certifying the Volt's miles per gallon rating is expected "any day," and that's a requirement before the vehicles can head out the door.
As we reported (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/08/2011-toyota-prius-is-epa-fuel-economy-leader-for-one-more-year/) a few weeks ago, when the 2011 Fuel Economy Guide was released by the EPA and DOE, the Volt just missed being included in the publication because, as the EPA stated, "no 2011 model year electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles have completed testing as of publication of this list." The Toyota Prius (http://www.autoblog.com/model/prius) was again listed as the most fuel efficient available in the U.S., but we'll soon be able to see where the Volt stands in terms of official fuel economy.
The Volt, named the Motor Trend 2011 Car of the Year (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/16/motor-trend-car-of-the-year-the-2011-chevrolet-volt-w-v/), can run 25 to 50 miles on battery only and an additional 310 miles when assisted by the gasoline engine. GM is pushing through with its plans of producing 10,000 Volts through 2011 and 45,000 in 2012.
Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt143_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt151-1286812692_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt120_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt149-1286812695_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11chvt142_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/)
[Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101116/OEM05/101119879/1186) - Sub. Req'd]Chevy Volts ready to ship, just need official EPA mileage stickers (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/17/chevy-volts-ready-to-ship-just-need-official-epa-mileage-sticke/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Read (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101116/OEM05/101119879/1186) | Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/17/chevy-volts-ready-to-ship-just-need-official-epa-mileage-sticke/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19722892/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/17/chevy-volts-ready-to-ship-just-need-official-epa-mileage-sticke/#comments)
Movfast Members can read more here... (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/17/chevy-volts-ready-to-ship-just-need-official-epa-mileage-sticke/)
daveb91
11-19-2010, 04:06 AM
Filed under: LA Auto Show (http://www.autoblog.com/category/la-auto-show/), Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), GM (http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/volt-green-car-award-gm-pr-630.jpg
Joel Ewanick, VP, U.S. Marketing for General Motors, and the Chevy Volt with the Green Car of the Year Award
The Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/model/volt) drove off with the 2011 Green Car of the Year Award (http://green.autoblog.com/tag/green+car+of+the+year/) at the LA Auto Show (http://green.autoblog.com/category/LA-Auto-Show/) this morning, beating out tough competition from the Nissan Leaf (http://www.autoblog.com/model/leaf) and ending a two-year diesel powertrain reign (at the 2008 show, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI (http://www.autoblog.com/model/jetta) was named the winner (http://green.autoblog.com/2008/11/20/la-2008-green-car-of-the-year/); last year, the Audi A3 TDI (http://www.autoblog.com/model/a3) won (http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/la-2009-audi-a3-tdi-named-2010-green-car-of-the-year-in-diesel/)). The other finalists for this year's award, given out by Green Car Journal, included the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/08/2011-lincoln-mkz-hybrid-first-drive-road-test-review/) , Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/18/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-second-drive-review/) and the Ford Fiesta (http://www.autoblog.com/model/fiesta).
The Natural Resources Defense Council's Roland Hwang (http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/rhwang/green_car_of_the_year_award_-.html) said during the ceremony that "the environment means business." To be globally competitive, automakers need highly-efficient vehicles to compete and, "what this means is that green vehicles are going to go mainstream." The Green Car of the Year award embodies this change. When it was first given out in 2006, it was sort of tacked on at the end of the LA Auto Show. Today, as it was in '09, the ceremony was a highlight of the show.
Last year, Green Car Journal editor Ron Cogan made a point to mention the five vehicles up for consideration were notable because they were mainstream vehicles that were already available. This year, only three of the candidates are currently on dealer lots. With the high tech involved in the Leaf and Volt, though, we're okay with the slight delay in availability.
If you were rooting for the Leaf, don't worry too much. Today, that car won the Green Car of the Year title (http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/2010/11/17/nissan-leaf-named-green-car-of-the-year-/38221/) from TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk over in the UK. Still, in the U.S., the Green Car Journal award is the big one, and we want to know if the Volt claiming the first Green Car of the Year award of the electric era - and if there's one message we're heard here in LA this year, it's that we're really in the electric era now - make sense to you. Let us know in the comments below.
[Source: Green Car of the Year]Continue reading 2011 Chevy Volt wins Green Car of the Year title in LA (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/18/2011-chevy-volt-wins-green-car-of-the-year-title-in-la/)
2011 Chevy Volt wins Green Car of the Year title in LA (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/18/2011-chevy-volt-wins-green-car-of-the-year-title-in-la/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/18/2011-chevy-volt-wins-green-car-of-the-year-title-in-la/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19724271/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/18/2011-chevy-volt-wins-green-car-of-the-year-title-in-la/#comments)
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daveb91
11-25-2010, 03:57 AM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), GM (http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/volt-mpg-epa-label.jpg
(http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevy-volt/#3456345)
After yesterday's 99 miles per gallon (equivalent) EPA rating for the Nissan Leaf (http://www.autoblog.com/model/leaf), General Motors (http://www.autoblog.com/make/gm/) had to be eager to get the numbers for the Chevy Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/model/volt) from the government - if for no other reason than because these efficiency stickers are the last thing holding up deliveries of the first production vehicles (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/17/chevy-volts-ready-to-ship-they-just-need-official-mpg-stickers/).
Today, GM shared the official numbers with the world, and they range from 37 miles per gallon to 93 mpge (equivalent) combined to 60 mpg "composite." Sixty mpg composite is a "combined, combined" number, and will be completely different for everyone. You might want to think of it as a lifetime figure, since it accounts for both electricity and gasoline consumed. Oh, and it's also best in class for compact cars. The Volt's official electric-only range will be 35 miles, but GM, like Nissan, has been giving a range recently of 25-50 miles. The Volt now has an official total range of 379 miles, with 344 miles of that being extended range (i.e., gas) driving. As Tony DiSalle, Chevrolet product marketing director, said, "If you try to boil it down to a single number, it gets quite difficult."
Doug Parks, Chevrolet Volt Global Vehicle Line Executive, said he is "quite pleased" with the numbers and understands that it is a complicated story to tell. GM and the EPA worked together to come up with this label to figure in all of the different modes that impact the vehicle's efficiency. We've heard that the 2011 Volt will have a temporary EPA label, but Parks told us that what you see above will likely be what we see in next year, saying "Our intent was not to do something that was a one-year deal. Our hope is that this is very similar to the path that everyone will go down in the future. We tried to make the label look as similar as it can to next year."
So, what about that "230 mpg" GM touted last year (http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/12/chevy-volt-and-230-mpg-negative-reactions-abound-but-not-from/). Well, that was a different way to calculate things. "230 by itself was never intended to be a composite number," Parks said.
[Source: General Motors]2011 Chevy Volt gets 93 mpge (and 37 mpg and 60 mpg) rating from EPA (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/24/2011-chevy-volt-gets-93-mpge-and-37-mpg-rating-from-epa/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/24/2011-chevy-volt-gets-93-mpge-and-37-mpg-rating-from-epa/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19732823/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/24/2011-chevy-volt-gets-93-mpge-and-37-mpg-rating-from-epa/#comments)
Movfast Members can read more here... (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/24/2011-chevy-volt-gets-93-mpge-and-37-mpg-rating-from-epa/)
daveb91
11-29-2010, 02:57 PM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), GM (http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/2011chevroletvoltopt1opt-1290646847.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/24/over-6-000-people-test-drive-the-chevy-volt-during-their-unplugg/)
The Chevy Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/model/volt) Unplugged Tour is officially over after traveling to 12 cities across the country. Chevy is calling it a success with a total of 6,384 lucky participants spending time behind the wheel. The tour traveled 4,124 miles and made sure to stop in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, which are part of the initial launch markets.
After driving the Volt in Tacoma, Washington, professional test pilot Normal Howell remarked that "It is very well sorted out... very, very mature in all aspects of vehicle dynamics and driver interface, and I'm very impressed." Chevy created a Driver Scrapbook section on the Volt's website allowing people to share their driving impressions of the Volt at ChevroletVoltAge.com (http://chevroletvoltage.com).
[Source: Chevrolet]Over 6,000 people test drive the Chevy Volt during Unplugged Tour (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/29/over-6-000-people-test-drive-the-chevy-volt-during-their-unplugg/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/29/over-6-000-people-test-drive-the-chevy-volt-during-their-unplugg/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19735179/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/29/over-6-000-people-test-drive-the-chevy-volt-during-their-unplugg/#comments)
Movfast Members can read more here... (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/29/over-6-000-people-test-drive-the-chevy-volt-during-their-unplugg/)
daveb91
11-29-2010, 04:51 PM
I'm very interested in test driving one.
m pwrd 3
11-29-2010, 04:56 PM
I'm very interested in test driving one.
I am as well.
daveb91
11-30-2010, 06:18 PM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Videos (http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), GM (http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/voltauctionhome-630-1291131679.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/chevy-volt-charity-auction/full/#3618526) First Chevrolet Volt gets built - Click above to watch the time-lapse video (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/30/chevrolet-volt-production-officially-begins-today-gm-auctioning/)
Want to be like Lance Armstrong (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/09/30/lance-armstrongs-nissan-leaf-is-a-dazzling-black-gold-delight/) and get the first available production model of one of the most eagerly-awaited vehicles of the decade? You can, if you're willing to bid some money to help the Detroit Public Schools - more specifically the Detroit Public Schools Foundation, which supports math and science education.
The "first Chevrolet Volt available for retail sale" will be auctioned on Bidonthevolt.com (http://www.bidonthevolt.com) through 6 p.m. (EST?) December 14, with the winner announced on December 16. The actual first retail Volt will be kept by General Motors (http://www.autoblog.com/make/gm/), so the Viridian Joule (http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/viridian-joule-picked-as-winner-of-chevy-volt-paint-color-contes/) auction car will have a vehicle identification number ending in BU100002. The car includes the Light Neutral interior with dark accents, has the Premium Trim Package, Rear Camera and Park Assist Package and polished wheels. The auction starts at $50,000 and comes with a 240-volt charging station installed in the winner's home. No word on whether of not winning the auction still qualifies you for the $7,500 federal tax credit.
As you might expect, GM is highlighting the connection between all of the advanced technology in the Volt and the math and science needed to create it. General Motors North America president Mark Reuss said in a statement that, "By encouraging Detroit-area students to pursue these topics, we hope to cultivate the next generation of engineers who will build upon the Volt's innovative technologies." To this end, GM will also hire 1,000 engineers and researchers in Michigan within the next two years. You can read about these jobs on AutoblogGreen (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/30/gm-adding-1-000-jobs-to-advance-next-gen-electric-vehicle-develo/), but before you go anywhere, check out an official time-lapse build video of the first Chevy Volt after the jump.
[Source: Chevrolet]Continue reading Chevrolet Volt production officially begins today, GM auctioning first one for charity [w/video] (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/30/chevrolet-volt-production-officially-begins-today-gm-auctioning/)
Chevrolet Volt production officially begins today, GM auctioning first one for charity [w/video] (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/30/chevrolet-volt-production-officially-begins-today-gm-auctioning/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
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daveb91
12-01-2010, 09:36 PM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Plants/Manufacturing (http://www.autoblog.com/category/plants-manufacturing/), Hatchback (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), GM (http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
Early Volts reportedly cost $40,000 to build
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/2--chevrolet-volt-battery-copy.jpg (http://gm-volt.com/2010/09/13/chevrolet-volt-production-plant-update-first-40-salable-builds-have-been-produced/) Chevrolet Volt battery pack - Click above for high-res image gallery
How's your math? If you have 240,000 "potential buyers" but only 10,000 vehicles to sell them in the first year, what can you do? If you're General Motos (http://www.autoblog.com/make/gm/) and the item in question is the Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/model/volt), then you look for ways to seriously increase the number of Volts you can build (and, of course, sell).
That's exactly what CEO Dan Akerson says his company is trying to do, looking to double or triple production rates of this very important car. The problem, according to GM North America President Mark Reuss, is the bottleneck created by the limited number of battery cells that vendor LG Chem can produce for GM (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/12/officially-official-lg-chem-to-build-lithium-ion-cell-factory/). The current plan is to make around 10,000 in 2011 and 45,000 in 2012. That 2012 number has already been increased from 30,000 (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/07/30/gm-will-increase-volt-production-by-50-to-45-000-units-in-2/).
Upping the production numbers is good for GM for another reason. According to Steven Rattner, who was President Obama's former auto bailout chief and worked intimately with GM, "At least in the early years, each Volt would cost around $40,000 to manufacture (development costs not included)." GM won't confirm this number, but increased production will get the company, presumably, better economies of scale and thus lower production costs.
Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt battery pack (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-volt-battery-pack)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/5--chevrolet-volt-battery-1279129352_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-volt-battery-pack/)http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/4--chevrolet-volt-battery_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-volt-battery-pack/)http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/3--chevrolet-volt-battery_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-volt-battery-pack/)http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/2--chevrolet-volt-battery_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-volt-battery-pack/)http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/1--chevrolet-volt-battery_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-volt-battery-pack/)
[Sources: The New York Times (http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/steven-rattner-dishes-on-the-chevrolet-volt/), Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101130/OEM01/101139980/1261#ixzz16s9BcLIo) - sub. req.]Report: GM studying how to double or triple Chevy Volt production (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/01/report-gm-studying-how-to-double-or-triple-chevy-volt-productio/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Read (http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/steven-rattner-dishes-on-the-chevrolet-volt/) | Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/01/report-gm-studying-how-to-double-or-triple-chevy-volt-productio/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19740210/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/01/report-gm-studying-how-to-double-or-triple-chevy-volt-productio/#comments)
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