Chevy 'Volt'

[rhys 0]

Glad to see a 'plug in' electric car being offered in the not too distant future.

Lets hope they don't 'Shred' these like they did with the EV1.

http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

[mnealtx 0]

Isn't this the same thing as a Prius that has had the plug-in conversion?

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[sfc 1]

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Isn't this the same thing as a Prius that has had the plug-in conversion?

hardly, it is not a hybrid drive system.
It's an electric car with a generator that uses gas.

[mnealtx 0]

Thanks for the info - hopefully they'll get it into production once they figure out the battery issues.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[sfc 1]

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Thanks for the info - hopefully they'll get it into production once they figure out the battery issues.

the thing I like best about it is that it is an American car, it is about time we started building something that will compete with honda and toyota

[rhys 0]

They started the EV1 last century, they just didn't go through with it!

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

[normiss 897]

Isn't that the one that Chevy took back and destroyed every last one of them?

[Gawain 0]

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Isn't that the one that Chevy took back and destroyed every last one of them?

You're thinking of the Chevy Impact. It's a good thing they did too. It was a good starting point, but it proved what the automakers had been stating at the time: battery technology was not ready.

With the Volt, I think we're in much better shape. It's good for local/tight regional work, but not ready for "prime time" per se.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[jcd11235 0]

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Isn't that the one that Chevy took back and destroyed every last one of them?

You're thinking of the Chevy Impact.

The Impact was the prototype upon which the EV1 was based. It was the EV1s that GM recalled and destroyed or otherwise disposed of.

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[SpeedRacer 1]

There was an episode of NOVA last night about this. Unfortunately I was busy & missed most of it.

They also talked about people using carbon fiber to build the frame of some cars (not sure if the Volt is one of them) instead of steel, claiming that it is stronger & lighter than steel & would therefore save energy & still be safe.

Problem is, over the last century the car manufacturers have geared their factories for producing steel cars, and they would all have to be drastically overhauled & the car manufacturers are, as usual, resisting such a radical change.

Speed Racer
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[idrankwhat 0]

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It was a good starting point, but it proved what the automakers had been stating at the time: battery technology was not ready.

Actually the NiMH battery technology was ready. Chevron currently holds the patent, which I believe expires in 2015.

[mnealtx 0]

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They also talked about people using carbon fiber to build the frame of some cars (not sure if the Volt is one of them) instead of steel, claiming that it is stronger & lighter than steel & would therefore save energy & still be safe.

I think it would be MUCH harder (and more expensive) to repair after an accident, though.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[Trent 0]

The Volt commercials I hear on the radio claim a 40 mile range before recharging. That's not a whole hell of a long way. Shorter than my daily driving. Unless people start putting plugs in parking lots, not real useful... especially for a road trip.

I hope they get better though, I'm ALL for throwing up a bunch more nuke plants and powering all our goodies electrically!

Oh, hello again!

[mnealtx 0]

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The Volt commercials I hear on the radio claim a 40 mile range before recharging. That's not a whole hell of a long way. Shorter than my daily driving. Unless people start putting plugs in parking lots, not real useful... especially for a road trip.

I hope they get better though, I'm ALL for throwing up a bunch more nuke plants and powering all our goodies electrically!

For electric only, yes... from a bit more searching it appears there is a pony motor to put a charge on the batteries, so you're not limited to the electric only range.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[PhreeZone 20]

The Volt is looking to have Gas assist so that it will recharge the batteries but not actually propell the car. Nissian on the other hand just announced they are targeting a 100% electric 4 seat car wth a range of 80-100 miles before 2012 into mass production. They are also setting it up to be charged via straight 110V with out any special "charging station". The only issue with this is there is no assist so once you are at your range you are stuck until the batteries recharge.

If electrics catch on I can see parking garages setting up "charging stations" and making a nice premium on daily recharges in most cities.

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