Racing a VOLT soon?
01-04-2008, 05:32 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Racing a VOLT soon?
GM says 2010 no sure thing for Volt
Wagoner says automaker wants production as soon as possible; battery development is key.
Sharon Terlep / The Detroit News
General Motors Corp. still hopes to have the Chevrolet Volt -- the automaker's ambitious attempt at a plug-in hybrid -- on the road by 2010, CEO Rick Wagoner said on Thursday. But he cautioned that the timeline isn't a sure thing as the automaker works to develop the technology required to produce a battery-powered car for the masses.
"We continue to put massive resources into production as soon as possible," Wagoner said, responding in writing during an online chat session to kick off the automaker's 100th anniversary.
"2010 would be great, but (we) can't guarantee that at this time. We'll keep you posted regularly on our progress."
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Wagoner fielded questions from automotive journalists and bloggers during the 50-minute question-and-answer session, on topics ranging from the automaker's overseas ventures to potential new products.
Whether the Volt becomes reality hinges on GM's ability to develop a lithium-ion battery capable of powering a mass-market car. A battery would drive the Volt's powertrain, and an onboard fueling system would recharge the battery while on the road. GM is working on a fueling system, which would be called E-Flex, that could run on gasoline, diesel fuel and hydrogen fuel cells.
It's been almost a year since GM went public with plans to develop and build the Volt. The high-profile effort is being hailed by many in the industry as a savvy and daring move. Others have dismissed the Volt as a publicity ploy by a company desperate to compete with Toyota Motor Co.'s well-nurtured reputation as the greenest automaker.
GM has said it is in the midst of designing a production-ready version of the Volt. At the same time, the automaker is testing battery packs for factors such as durability and longevity.
Wagoner fielded a few candid questions, including one from a participant who wanted to know if he felt the automaker was caught "napping" because Toyota had hybrid vehicles on the road nearly 10 years before GM.
"Toyota has done a fine job with the Prius," Wagoner said. "But, we are moving fast with technologies like E-85 (ethanol), all-electric, fuel cells and a wide range of hybrid offers. GM is very much in the race in all of these technologies, including leading in several already."
GM mum on Volt details
The Volt was a popular topic during several chats that GM organized throughout the day Thursday. A number of participants tried to pry information out of GM on everything from what the vehicle would look like to whether GM is prepared to deal with potential price gouging.
For the most part, the automaker's executives kept mum and tried to highlight GM's across-the-board efforts to improve fuel economy and develop vehicles that run on alternative fuels.
"The Chevy Volt and the E-Flex system are really important for GM's, and I think the whole industry's, future," Wagoner said.
"With the growing demand for oil, we need to diversify the sources of power for autos, away from our traditional 98 percent reliance on oil."
You can reach Sharon Terlep at (313) 223-4686 or sterlep@detnews.com.
Wagoner says automaker wants production as soon as possible; battery development is key.
Sharon Terlep / The Detroit News
General Motors Corp. still hopes to have the Chevrolet Volt -- the automaker's ambitious attempt at a plug-in hybrid -- on the road by 2010, CEO Rick Wagoner said on Thursday. But he cautioned that the timeline isn't a sure thing as the automaker works to develop the technology required to produce a battery-powered car for the masses.
"We continue to put massive resources into production as soon as possible," Wagoner said, responding in writing during an online chat session to kick off the automaker's 100th anniversary.
"2010 would be great, but (we) can't guarantee that at this time. We'll keep you posted regularly on our progress."
Advertisement
Wagoner fielded questions from automotive journalists and bloggers during the 50-minute question-and-answer session, on topics ranging from the automaker's overseas ventures to potential new products.
Whether the Volt becomes reality hinges on GM's ability to develop a lithium-ion battery capable of powering a mass-market car. A battery would drive the Volt's powertrain, and an onboard fueling system would recharge the battery while on the road. GM is working on a fueling system, which would be called E-Flex, that could run on gasoline, diesel fuel and hydrogen fuel cells.
It's been almost a year since GM went public with plans to develop and build the Volt. The high-profile effort is being hailed by many in the industry as a savvy and daring move. Others have dismissed the Volt as a publicity ploy by a company desperate to compete with Toyota Motor Co.'s well-nurtured reputation as the greenest automaker.
GM has said it is in the midst of designing a production-ready version of the Volt. At the same time, the automaker is testing battery packs for factors such as durability and longevity.
Wagoner fielded a few candid questions, including one from a participant who wanted to know if he felt the automaker was caught "napping" because Toyota had hybrid vehicles on the road nearly 10 years before GM.
"Toyota has done a fine job with the Prius," Wagoner said. "But, we are moving fast with technologies like E-85 (ethanol), all-electric, fuel cells and a wide range of hybrid offers. GM is very much in the race in all of these technologies, including leading in several already."
GM mum on Volt details
The Volt was a popular topic during several chats that GM organized throughout the day Thursday. A number of participants tried to pry information out of GM on everything from what the vehicle would look like to whether GM is prepared to deal with potential price gouging.
For the most part, the automaker's executives kept mum and tried to highlight GM's across-the-board efforts to improve fuel economy and develop vehicles that run on alternative fuels.
"The Chevy Volt and the E-Flex system are really important for GM's, and I think the whole industry's, future," Wagoner said.
"With the growing demand for oil, we need to diversify the sources of power for autos, away from our traditional 98 percent reliance on oil."
You can reach Sharon Terlep at (313) 223-4686 or sterlep@detnews.com.
09-28-2008, 06:40 PM
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Looks like it's a go
Which I think is
I both built and raced and electric car in grad school
Of course if GM hadn't killed it off to begin with, they would be that much more ahead.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Kil...lectric_Car%3F
The cars really had a following.
The maker of the film is now planning a sequel entitled.
Who saved the electric car
Friday, September 26, 2008
GM's new Flint engine plant called area catalyst
Robert Snell / The Detroit News
FLINT -- General Motors Corp.'s $370 million plant that will produce two new fuel-efficient engines -- including one for the Chevrolet Volt -- could be a catalyst to draw others to the area to research and develop advanced automotive technology.
The new plant, which was announced Thursday, also will build a separate engine for the Chevy Cruze small car and could spur millions in additional investment as automotive scientists, researchers and competitors hurry to open nearby.
"It's a natural fit that these jobs come to the region," said Scott Watkins, a technology expert with Anderson Economic Group LLC. "This is exactly the type of investment Michigan should be attracting."
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An industry-wide race to develop electric and other vehicles relying on alternative propulsion technologies could reinvigorate the region. The Volt, which relies on a lithium-ion battery pack that will let commuters travel up to 40 miles on electric power alone, is only one potential magnet.
Chrysler LLC this week promised to introduce its own electric car by 2010 and Tesla Motors also is building an electric sports car that is being researched and developed in Rochester Hills.
UAW Vice President Cal Rapson, who attended Thursday's announcement in Flint, said he hopes suppliers and others will move into the region to be near the exclusive North American home of the Volt engine. And if the Volt is successful, more jobs could be coming.
"Depending on how it goes, it could be up to 700 jobs" at the Flint plant, he said.
GM is receiving more than $265 million in tax incentives from the state and local governments to build the Volt. Flint is providing tax breaks including a 100 percent abatement of personal property taxes through 2033, as well as other incentives. The once-thriving company town has lost about 50,000 GM jobs since the automaker's heyday, but the Volt is expected to play a key role in the automaker's future.
"GM is here to stay and today we celebrate the latest evidence," Wagoner said to a crowd in Flint that included Gov. Jennifer Granholm, local officials, GM executives and workers from UAW Local 599.
The new Flint plant will produce a 1.4-liter turbo engine for the Cruze that will debut next year and get about 40 miles per gallon, and a 1.4-liter naturally aspirated engine for the Volt.
The engines are part of an approach by GM to double global production of small four-cylinder engines by 2011.
A third of all GM engines made in North America in 2011 will be four-cylinder and 21 percent of those will be turbocharged -- seven times the number of four-cylinder turbo engines made today.
GM will start building the 552,000-square-foot plant next month with production starting in 2010. The investment is expected to retain about 300 hourly jobs. About 6,000 workers are employed today at five GM facilities in Flint.
The Flint plant is a slice of the $838 million GM will spend producing the Volt, seen by analysts and executives as a key to helping the automaker combat record-high gas prices and a consumer shift away from once-profitable trucks and sport utility vehicles to cars and crossovers.
The Volt's engine kicks in after its battery is drained by about 70 percent to sustain the battery's remaining charge to keep the car running for several hundred miles beyond the 40 miles of electric-only power.
The Volt, which still must withstand engineering and product testing, is expected to be available in November 2010 and cost as much as $40,000.
It will be assembled in GM's Detroit/Hamtramck plant and ancillary work will stretch from Bay City to Pontiac and Warren.
You can reach Robert Snell at (313) 222-2028 or rsnell@detnews.com.
jobs in America and not Japan or Korea
GM's new Flint engine plant called area catalyst
Robert Snell / The Detroit News
FLINT -- General Motors Corp.'s $370 million plant that will produce two new fuel-efficient engines -- including one for the Chevrolet Volt -- could be a catalyst to draw others to the area to research and develop advanced automotive technology.
The new plant, which was announced Thursday, also will build a separate engine for the Chevy Cruze small car and could spur millions in additional investment as automotive scientists, researchers and competitors hurry to open nearby.
"It's a natural fit that these jobs come to the region," said Scott Watkins, a technology expert with Anderson Economic Group LLC. "This is exactly the type of investment Michigan should be attracting."
Advertisement
An industry-wide race to develop electric and other vehicles relying on alternative propulsion technologies could reinvigorate the region. The Volt, which relies on a lithium-ion battery pack that will let commuters travel up to 40 miles on electric power alone, is only one potential magnet.
Chrysler LLC this week promised to introduce its own electric car by 2010 and Tesla Motors also is building an electric sports car that is being researched and developed in Rochester Hills.
UAW Vice President Cal Rapson, who attended Thursday's announcement in Flint, said he hopes suppliers and others will move into the region to be near the exclusive North American home of the Volt engine. And if the Volt is successful, more jobs could be coming.
"Depending on how it goes, it could be up to 700 jobs" at the Flint plant, he said.
GM is receiving more than $265 million in tax incentives from the state and local governments to build the Volt. Flint is providing tax breaks including a 100 percent abatement of personal property taxes through 2033, as well as other incentives. The once-thriving company town has lost about 50,000 GM jobs since the automaker's heyday, but the Volt is expected to play a key role in the automaker's future.
"GM is here to stay and today we celebrate the latest evidence," Wagoner said to a crowd in Flint that included Gov. Jennifer Granholm, local officials, GM executives and workers from UAW Local 599.
The new Flint plant will produce a 1.4-liter turbo engine for the Cruze that will debut next year and get about 40 miles per gallon, and a 1.4-liter naturally aspirated engine for the Volt.
The engines are part of an approach by GM to double global production of small four-cylinder engines by 2011.
A third of all GM engines made in North America in 2011 will be four-cylinder and 21 percent of those will be turbocharged -- seven times the number of four-cylinder turbo engines made today.
GM will start building the 552,000-square-foot plant next month with production starting in 2010. The investment is expected to retain about 300 hourly jobs. About 6,000 workers are employed today at five GM facilities in Flint.
The Flint plant is a slice of the $838 million GM will spend producing the Volt, seen by analysts and executives as a key to helping the automaker combat record-high gas prices and a consumer shift away from once-profitable trucks and sport utility vehicles to cars and crossovers.
The Volt's engine kicks in after its battery is drained by about 70 percent to sustain the battery's remaining charge to keep the car running for several hundred miles beyond the 40 miles of electric-only power.
The Volt, which still must withstand engineering and product testing, is expected to be available in November 2010 and cost as much as $40,000.
It will be assembled in GM's Detroit/Hamtramck plant and ancillary work will stretch from Bay City to Pontiac and Warren.
You can reach Robert Snell at (313) 222-2028 or rsnell@detnews.com.
jobs in America and not Japan or Korea
Which I think is
I both built and raced and electric car in grad school
Of course if GM hadn't killed it off to begin with, they would be that much more ahead.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Kil...lectric_Car%3F
The cars really had a following.
The maker of the film is now planning a sequel entitled.
Who saved the electric car
09-28-2008, 07:37 PM
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How do the calculate the MPG when the energy comes from a plug into a home outlet?
A TON of energy and CO2 emissions come from making that electricity.
A TON of energy and CO2 emissions come from making that electricity.
09-28-2008, 07:43 PM
#4
Team Owner
Thread Starter
it may be rated at 100 MPG I had a thread in the off topic section and some info.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2143793
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2143793