Green Options » chevy volt

Chevy Volt Now $7,500 Cheaper Thanks to Economic Bailout

Adam Shake — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:53:47 +0000

The 700 Billion dollar bailout bill just passed the house, and automakers got $25 billion in low interest government loans, and plug-in tax credits have now been passed by both the House and the Senate, making the Chevy Volt $7,500 cheaper.

Volt Beats Tesla: Series and Plug-In Hybrids More Likely to be Game Changers

Andrew Gilbertson — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:45:02 +0000

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Andrew Gilbertson who is a 2008 graduate of Vermont Law School.

A senior economist at the Argonne National Laboratory has come to an interesting conclusion: vehicles that rely on internal combustion engines are superior to electric vehicles in terms of what consumers would buy and what would save significant fuel.

Even though Tesla is delivering their cars to consumers several years before the Volt hits the show rooms, from the perspective of Dan Santini, you and I are more likely to get our hands on Volt-style vehicles first.

Some of the main obstacles that stand between us and pure EVs were identified at the 1st International Conference on Advanced Lithium Batteries for Automotive Applications, sponsored by the Argonne National Laboratory (where Dan Santini works).

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GM (Officially) Unveils the Chevy Volt

Nick Chambers — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:10:23 +0000

After several unofficial debuts of the ravenously anticipated Volt — including sightings on the set of Transformers 2 and an accidental leak of photos last week showing the Volt design team — GM has officially taken the wraps off the final Volt production car.

No word on pricing yet, but unofficial estimates have ranged from $30,000 to $48,000. Sounds to me like GM is pushing the price estimates as high as possible to make the final price sound like a deal when they actually announce it.

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Chevy Volt 2010 Unveiled in Transformers 2 Spy Footage

Clayton B. Cornell — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:39:09 +0000

Thank goodness for over eager car buffs and Transformer fans - this morning, our friends at Jalopnik posted some great “spy” pics of the yet-to-be-released 2010 Chevy Volt and got some great video of it in it’s break out role in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

>>Read the rest of this post at CleanTechnica.com

Chevy Volt 2010 Unveiled in Transformers 2 Spy Footage

Courtney Carlisle — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:05:10 +0000

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GM Preps for the Debut of the Plug-in Car by Wooing Electric Companies

Courtney Carlisle — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:45:32 +0000

In order to usher in the Chevy Volt, due out in 2010, General Motors is partnering with 30 utility companies across 40 states to ensure that the infrastructure to support the new model will exist. This is great news for the Toyota RAV4 drivers who have been driving electric cars for the last decade.

Of course, this new brand of plug-in cars, will still rely on fuel in addition to electricity unlike their predecessors. The hope, of course, is that gasoline use will only be on an “as-needed” basis, helping cut dependence on the pump.

GM will roll out the Chevrolet Volt and Saturn Vue as plug-in hybrids while competitors, including Toyota Motor Corp. and Ford Motor Co., are working on versions of plug-in vehicles but have not yet released timing and specs.

LIke all changes in technology for the automobile, the plug-in’s success will depend on cooperation from other industries, including the utility companies and battery manufacturers since they will need a supply source. Austin Energy, a city-owned utility that serves the Texas capital, has decided to offer a $1,000 incentive to people who buy plug-in cars according to a Wall Street Journal article.

GM is hoping that other companies will follow suit and offer incentives, to help boost sales for the struggling car manufacturer.

McCain Calls Electric Vehicles ‘Vital,’ Says He’d Support Federal Tax Credits

Timothy B. Hurst — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:38:57 +0000

The Senator also backs state efforts to regulate tailpipe emissions - much to the dismay of the Michigan audience.

After getting a tour of the design room for the GM prototype battery-powered, Chevy Volt, Sen. John McCain laid out his plan to help the auto industry, including a $5,000 tax credit for people buying low-emission vehicles, a $300-million prize for the company that creates the first commercially available battery-powered car and job retraining programs for displaced workers.

“The eyes of the world are now on the Volt and this will be not only be about the jobs or economy of this great and beautiful state,” McCain said. But the Senator also voiced support for individual states to set tailpipe emission regulations - something that was not exactly well-received at the Warren, Michigan GM facility.

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Chevy Volt’s Lithium-Ion Batteries Road- Tested By Month’s End

Clayton B. Cornell — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:41:58 +0000

GM’s plug-in hybrid electric car, the Chevy Volt, will have its lithium-ion batteries road-tested by end of the month. Engineers have already been testing the Volt’s electrical hybrid system, the so-called E-Flex architecture, but only with nickel-metal hydride hybrid batteries in place. The newer, more advanced lithium-ion batteries are seen as the key to to the vehicle, since they store energy more efficiently than other batteries of the same size.

Last week, GM engineers worked to replace the nickel-metal hydride batteries with lithium-ion batteries in three different test-vehicle “mules”. These trial vehicles have allowed engineers to fine tune and improve components of the vehicle system, before putting it all together into something that more closely resembles the final Volt production model. GM hopes to complete road-testing for the Volt by November 2010.

150 MPG Chevy Volt Sneak Peak Video

Clayton B. Cornell — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:51:13 +0000

Yesterday, according to Jalopnik, a reporter leaked out the first video of the Chevy Volt electric car. While GM is keeping their work under pretty tight lock and key, the excitement is tangible—even though the car won’t be officially released for another 2 years (2010)!

Check out the video (click on the image to go to Jolopnik) to see what the release model might look like (that is, if you can estimate what’s underneath about 10 yards of duct tape). There’s also some discussion about the Volt getting 150 MPG, and the advances in battery technology since the EV1.

GM Announces Battery Partner for Chevy Volt

Philip Proefrock — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 21:12:50 +0000

Today was a big day for GM’s concept Chevrolet Volt. First, they announced an official partnership with A123Systems for the creation of the Volt’s batteries, then they told Reuters they had a firm production schedule that includes a 2010 sale date. If they stick to it, it will be the first plug-in electric hybrid from any major manufacturer. GM vice chairman of Global Product Development Bob Lutz announced that GM and A123Systems have agreed to co-develop battery technology for the forthcoming Chevy Volt (and other GM E-Flex vehicles) using A123’s nanophosphate battery technology.

"A123Systems is considered a forerunner in the development of nanophosphate-based cell technology, which, compared to other lithium-ion battery chemistries, provides higher power output, longer life and safer operations over the life of the battery."

This does not necessarily mean that LG Chem is out of the running to supply batteries for the Volt or other GM vehicles. The press release from GM notes that both A123Systems and LG Chem are potential suppliers for E-Flex vehicles. "A123Systems and LG Chem are both top-tier battery suppliers, with proven technologies," said Denise Gray, director of GM’s Energy Storage Devices and Strategies. "We’re confident one, or possibly both of these companies’ solutions will meet our battery requirements for the E-Flex system." But the close cooperation between GM and A123 for the development of batteries specifically for GM’s needs makes it more likely that A123Systems will end up as the major supplier for the final product.

Development of these batteries will, of course, have implications in fields other than just plug-in/hybrid vehicles. Presently, much of A123Systems’ battery production is used for power tools. But ongoing developments in battery technology will have ramifications for all kinds of devices that use portable power from cordless tools to laptop computers and other portable electronics.

After the press conference Reuters caught Lutz, and asked him more specifically about the Volt’s time line. Lutz replied "We’ll have some on the road for testing next spring, and we should have the Volt in production by the end of 2010." That’s the firmest language we’ve yet heard, and the only date currently set by any manufacturer for a plug-in hybrd.

You can find the whole press release in the article at GM-Volt.com.

Hank Green contributed to this article. Cross-posted at EcoGeek.org.

Also on Green Options:

Will GM Revive the Electric Car? Parts 1 and 2.

Future Fuels for Automobiles

Philip Proefrock — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 12:51:03 +0000

Switchgrass: Image Credit: USDA

I'm not that much of an automobile enthusiast. Despite my proximity to the Motor City, I don't pay constant attention to the latest twitches in the auto industry. I take the bus to work, and drive a car only occasionally, usually for errands or to shuttle the kids someplace. But I attended the GM ChallengeX event on behalf of EcoGeek.org and Green Options, and I learned a number of things about where automotive technology is trying to go, and came away excited about new things coming along in the automotive industry.

In addition to the work being done in the ChallengeX competition, GM itself is forging ahead in a number of areas with plans for a wide range of fuel options. Dr. Gary Smyth, one of the GM engineers I had the opportunity to meet over dinner, spoke at length about the fuel mix for automobiles in the future. With increasing demand for vehicles, the issue is not whether, say, switchgrass ethanol or bio-diesel is going to be the magic bullet that addresses the future demand for fuel. Rather, it is going to be a mix of a number of different fuels, all of which are being widely used, that is going to be necessary to keep up with demand, both domestically and internationally. "Displacing petroleum" was the phrase that I heard a number of times throughout the day. GM has evidently seen the writing on the wall and is taking steps to address it.

The configuration of some of GM's cars coming out in the next few years is such that the fuel source does not have to drive the development of the vehicle. With the proposed Chevy Volt, for example, the vehicle is driven by its electric motors and its batteries. Whatever internal combustion engine or fuel cell or something else is under the hood is just to run an electrical generator. The vehicle can get its fuel from whatever source the consumers prefer, and in some cases, as with the current Flex-Fuel vehicles in GM's fleet, it may be possible to use more than one kind of fuel.

GM has set itself on course to use lithium-ion batteries for its forthcoming electric vehicles such as the Chevy Volt. One of the issues with lithium-ion batteries is that they can overheat. There have already been multiple incidents and recalls of laptop computer batteries due to fire hazards from these batteries. The increased energy density means that they are able to provide more useful charge with less weight. But that same energy density also means that the batteries can be more prone to damage from overheating.

One thing that was suggested was for the Volt (and other cars with these batteries) is to have a small solar panel on the car that would provide enough power to operate a circulating fan that could help keep the battery array cooler. This is just one of the many issues that needs to be dealt with and overcome in order to bring the Volt to market. And it is small details such as this that will be the success or failure of the Volt.

I'm much more of an automotive enthusiast than I was a couple of months ago. And I will probably be paying a bit more attention to some of the things going on in the auto industry.

For some other perspectives on the meetings that GM personnel had with several bloggers at the event, see these articles, as well:

Autoblog Green
Podtech.net
GM-volt.com (and also here)
Groovy Green

Green Impressions From The 2007 NY International Auto Show

Michael dEstries — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 13:55:24 +0000

About a month ago, I was invited by GM to attend the 2007 NY International Auto Show, meet with executives, and witness first-hand the automaker's commitment to a more sustainable transportation future. Having just returned, I thought I would share with GO readers a brief synopsis of my time there and the impressions received.

First of all, GM allowing a writer such as myself the opportunity to interview executives and ask hard questions is simply unprecedented in recent journalism history. GM's been pursuing this program only since early 2006. They are being extraordinarily open in their efforts to change the company's image and having dinner with their harshest critics is one way to turn things around. Of course, actions have to follow discussions over seared tuna, but it's a start. Based on what I saw at the Auto Show, it's also just the beginning.

I finally had the opportunity to check out the Chevy Volt, and it's a pretty intriguing design. For extra effect, GM also had a little AC plug coming out the side. Based on my interviews with executives, I'm pretty much convinced that this vehicle will in fact see the light of day. I'll even wager that much of what you see today will make it into the final design. Right now, the battery technology is what's lagging behind – but most of those issues should be resolved in the coming years. For more info, please check out autobloggreen's fantastic in-depth journey with GM's battery development team.

Beyond the Volt, GM also released three concept mini-cars. Yes, these vehicles still use gasoline engines, but their presence in the United States (and not Europe) signals a shift from "think big" to "think small". GM's commitment to the small car is passionate; with an intense drive to make them as appealing design-wise as they are economically. In the spirit of democracy, you can log onto Vote4Chevrolet to pick you favorite concept mini-car. The vehicle with the most votes will tell GM what design will resonate best with the American public.

The most important impression I had from the NY Auto Show is that green is now a part of business-as-usual and not just some buzzword. Almost every major manufacturer had some eco-friendly car to show off. Even the über-luxurious Maybach stood out as the only car with solar panels imbedded in its roof. Hydrogen made its presence known with vehicles from BMW and GM, but I think it's safe to say that we're many years away from a functional infrastructure. Not too mention the costs associated with the technology.

I'll have plenty more videos, interviews, and other topics to share shortly. For the time being, you can read my latest piece on Groovy Green titled "When An Environmentalist Has Dinner With A Hummer Executive" detailing my time with Executive Director of Hummer, Ross Hendrix.