Chevy Volt unveiled!!

Check out this article from CNN (pasted below). It LOOKS like an average sedan, and apparently performs like one, too (and I mean this in a good way).  I found the most intriguing part of the article to be that it'll cost less than a cup of coffee to recharge the Volt for its 40-mile electric-only distance capability (until the gas kicks in).  Sweet!  I really think this might revolutionize the general public's adoption of hybrid capabilities....

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yeah it looks sort of like the lovechild between a Prius and Malibu.  A lot of people are disappointed that it doesn't look as "badass" as the prototype did, but I'm sure they made the changes to make it more aerodynamic in order to get that 40 mile electric range.  Looks fine to me.

Generally electric cars cost 2-3 cents per mile to recharge.  I think saying it will cost under 2 cents is a little unrealistic.  Regardless, it's way better than gas cars (Prius is 8 cents per mile with gas at $4/gallon, a 30 mpg car is 13 cents per mile).

I have to admit, it still irritates me that they call it an electric vehicle.  Sure the gasoline engine doesn't actively power the wheels...but....but.....it's still there!  Yes, it would be silly to come up with an entirely different term just for that kind of car.

Oh well....

In any case, it is a huge step in the right direction and hopefully it will see some good adoption (and hopefully not cost an arm and a leg).

Well, it's not a BEV - Battery Electric Vehicle (or just EV - which seems interchangeable, implying a battery is on board...) - it's a PHEV... not sure why it is so hard to call it a PHEV - I guess it's not a "sexy" term to those doing the marketing.  Stins is completely correct - it is annoying that they call it an electric vehicle.

...incidentally - another annoying "label" is Ford comparing it's Focus to the Prius in a radio commercial they run down here in S. CA.  "The Focus is a PZEV just like the Prius" - what?!?, 'cause it has auto-stop when it's not moving?  I guess it's technically correct, but then many Chevy trucks are "just like the Prius" as well... jeez.  I would love to see the Focus take off powered from a standstill without it's ICE running... hmmmm.

As far as the looks of the Volt - I think it looks more sellable to the masses than the concept did.  The concept was very cool, but it did not look very practical... like at all.  It appeared to be a two-seater with limited visibility and bad aero-dynamics.  This - probably a little of form following function - looks like the new Insight and the Civic.  Hope it sells well...

Yeah it bugs me when they call it an electric car too.  It's either a plug-in hybrid or a range-extended electric vehicle.  But they drop the "range extended" (which is the internal combustion engine and gas tank) from the name, which is cheating.

Yeah - that whole phrase "range-extending" thing... so inconvenient on marketing adds... What's the big deal - not mentioning an entire ICE and fuel tank...  LOL!!!

BTW - interior pics look very cool!

Kudos to GM. Competition is good. If Toyota thinks GM might beat them to market they will work that much harder to get their product out there. Who wins? Ultimately the customer.

*edited due to violation of the Commerical Use Policy

Aftering watching 'who killed the Electric Car', I am not giving a penny to GM.

I've been interested in purchasing a Toyota for a long time, just taking my time with finding the right one for the right price!

Does anyone hear of good things about the Ford Fusion Hybrid? 

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcierizzo 

 

Does anyone hear of good things about the Ford Fusion Hybrid? 

Yeah, see the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid gets some rather puzzling rave reviews discussion.

 thanks!! 

I agree with the post. At this point doesnt look like it's worth the $.

2010 seems to be the big year for alternatives to get the word out and market themselves, but Im sure 2011 will be even bigger with sales. 

Seems like Im going to end up waiting until the 2011 models come out. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcierizzo 

 

2010 seems to be the big year for alternatives to get the word out and market themselves, but Im sure 2011 will be even bigger with sales. 

Agreed.  2010 and 2011 are going to be big years for cars powered by alternative fuels.  It's going to be really exciting!  Hopefully some of the bigger companies who have laid off bunches of folk will really get on board with the tech, and start hiring back people to produce alternative vehicles.