2011 Chevy Volt: Can GM get it done?

[Ambalanche]

Especially the first year Zete since Lutz said they are looking at only around 11K or so. If you remember how hard it was to get a Solstice, imagine what this will be like!

[Ambalanche]

Who Killed the Electric Car? You Did

I LOVE THAT!! I wish GM would grow some balls and tell the media that!

[edsuski]

Originally Posted by crooner214

It does look very promising, but I don't know anyone who buys new cars anymore that keep them for 10 years. Especially cars priced over 30k. That being said, even the savings over 6 years is impressive. If the 30mpg car you're buying is half the price of a Volt, though, is it still worth it? I guess it is going to come down to the price of the car.

That is an "interesting" question - "Is it worth it?". Who knows what the price of gas will be in 6 years but, I think the more important consequence is the countries ability to become completely independent from an oil stand point. If you consider that only about 22% of the oil we use comes form the most objectionable sources (read between the lines) then having a vehicle that would allow 78% of it's users to buy ZERO gasoline is worth a lot - in my opinion. The fact that the Volt includes the range extender which virtually guarantees that you will never be stranded (unlike the EV1 - a consequence of CA's ZERO emission mandate) is a real differentiator. Not to mention the potential impact this may have on the environment. The fact that 100% of the needed infrastructure is in place TODAY to not only recharge the vehicle at home during off peak times (assuming you have 120V outlet) but even for long distance trips that would require the range extender (any gasoline station) makes a plug-in electric vehicle an even better solution. Besides, if 78% of us use zero gasoline - the domestic oil we have access to will likely last century’s (especially since battery and recharging technology will continue to increase the 78% number over time).

I think it is worth it for many reasons.

[edsuski]

Originally Posted by eaton53

I expect an older Volt to be either a great buy or impossible to sell.

If they keep the gizmos available and batteries improve / get cheaper an older Volt could be a great buy... you drop in a new battery pack and continue on for many years. The engine should go forever... it'll have very low hours compared to most cars.

But... if they don't maintain availability on the gizmos, it'll be like any other obsolete electronic device - undesirable and worth little. However, I was able to get a new rebuilt engine computer (it was discontinued) for my 17 year old Montero, so there's reason to beleive there will be an expanding industry revolving around rebuilding electric car components.

This could also be strongly driven by green interests due to lower manufacturing energy requirements and pollution created by recycling existing electrics.

Last I read (correct me if I'm wrong) the battery pack for the Volt is supposed to cost $8000.00. One would have to imagine that the cost will almost certainly come down over the next ten years so lets assume it only cost $6000.00 to replace it in ten years (150,000 miles). That would only increase the cost of the vehicle by $600 per year to extend its "useful" life another ten years (then total input for battery would be only $300 per year (6000/20)) - just about what you would save in a month of two vs. buying gas today. I doubt many people would want to do that - but it doesn't sound "crazy" if you are so inclined.

[kmacleod]

I only hope there is @ least $10K worth of tax credits for this car. I'm starting to warm up to the idea of purchasing a Volt or the E-Flex.

Can't wait to see the unveiling of this car!!!!!

Ken

[tgagneguam]

In truth, GM cared about electricity, but no one else really did. Conspiracy theorists might complain that GM had an evil agenda, but they'd be better off either taking a short course in high school economics about supply and demand or looking for flying saucers in Roswell, New Mexico.

I believe a variety of events led to the demise of the EV-1, though I'm not generally a subscriber to conspiracy theories.

Bob Boniface did the early work on the 2010 Camaro's proportions and design language while in GM's advanced studio and now he's directing the Chevy Volt design.

This is promising development, indeed. Well, maybe not for the uninspired Prius.

Originally Posted by eaton53

...There is one thing that the Volt will get that your plasma TV, Blu-Ray player and I-Phone didn't: a government subsidy. That will hopefully accelerate cost reductions that will take the technology mainstream.

A tax incentive on this car assumes something that I don't buy for one bit: the Volt will need an incentive to get it off the lot. To the contrary, I see lots filled with consumers, money in hand, waiting to get their names on a list for this car; lots will be lacking in Volts. A tax incentive is superfluous. And remember, it will apply to Nissan's version, too. You can clock in extra hours to support Nissan, I sure as hell will pass on that opportunity.

The Chevy Volt is more than a flying car; it's a rocket to the moon, GM's own NASA-style program to reinvent automotive technology and thus assure the triumph of truth, justice and the American Way. And that's why the Chevy Volt has been on the cover of every publication in the country for the last 18 months.

And the press-despite its alleged intentions to bring down GM-has spoken favorably about this car, which is still over a year from launch. I suspect GM will have to do little to advertise this vehicle, which may actually be a good thing.

[jbernie]

Originally Posted by Ambalanche

Who Killed the Electric Car? You Did

I LOVE THAT!! I wish GM would grow some balls and tell the media that!

They would but you are asking the media who crucifies GM on everything to actually report that fact in a way that doesn't make GM look like a bunch of whingers.

The Volt is looking better and better with each day. Hopefully by Gen II the packaging will be more compact/flexable/advanced that it can be more easily put into the Malibu, Aura, Impala etc and give GM a really big boost in making the Fed mandated fuel economy numbers.

For all the gas wasting big engine high performance anti green type cars Lutz has been associated with, it will be interesting to see if the very green Volt becomes the vehicle he is most remembered for.

[kenman923]

I guess we will find out whether this is going to be a success.

[mang01]

Originally Posted by zete

Interesting article. Thanks for posting it!

Also interesting, operating costs for the Volt at $0.02, which translates into $200/year vs. a 30mpg car's cost of $1300. Across the full 10 year battery warranty, and assuming 100,000 miles (160,000 kms) the Volt would cost $3200 vs. $20,800. That's an appreciable difference. Even across 6 years you'd end up saving $6,600 vs. a 30mpg car.

Is that sufficient to erase the initial premium the Volt will command? Across 10 years, it just might, especially with government credits.

Let's hope the cost of electricity doesn't sky-rocket given the increase in demand due to everyone plugging their Volts into the mains without a commensurate investment by the power companies increasing supply. And of course electricity doesn't materialise out of thin air, there has to be fuel to drive generators, and there are losses incurred in transmission costs to get it to the recharging points, too, so it's not as efficient and clean as we like to think.
However, despite possible incentives and the fact that my current usage of a vehicle (once or twice a week because I commute on public transport) means a Volt would suit me for all but the interstate trips I take occasionally, I still couldn't justify buying one over keeping the gas-consuming cars I have. Just let everyone else buy one and leave the remaining gasoline supplies for me to use up at my leisure!

[WopOnTour]

From today's Automotive News

Originally Posted by Automotive News 9/4/08

GM plans to show production Volt this month
John Revill
Automotive News
September 4, 2008 - 1:12 pm ET

General Motors plans to show a production model of its Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle as part of the automaker's upcoming 100-year anniversary celebration this month.

The automaker, which formally celebrates the 100th anniversary Sept. 16, so far has shown only concept versions of the Volt.

"The rumors that a production version of the Volt will show up at the celebrations are true," a GM source told Automotive News Europe.

"The car will be a true representation of what the production version looks like and be somewhat different from the concept versions."

The car will be shown to employees and media at GM headquarters in Detroit.

Speaking at the London auto show in July, Bob Lutz, GM's vice chairman of global product development, said, "A production model will be showing this fall, but not at Paris (auto show)."

Preproduction models of the Volt will be built next year and 2010 ahead of the final production version in 2010, Lutz told Automotive News Europe. A European version will follow in 2011.

"Everything is looking good," Lutz said. "We have quite a few running around now in old Chevy Malibu bodies, so we can modify the engine and battery configuration."

Lutz said the body would be the next-generation global compact architecture. That's the same one to be used on the next-generation Vauxhall/Opel Astra and the Chevrolet Cruze, which will be launched at the Paris auto show in October.

WopOnTour

[megeebee]

I can see the billboards now:




Who killed the electric car?.......




......NOT US !


.

[biggerj]

Originally Posted by zete

Interesting article. Thanks for posting it!

Also interesting, operating costs for the Volt at $0.02, which translates into $200/year vs. a 30mpg car's cost of $1300. Across the full 10 year battery warranty, and assuming 100,000 miles (160,000 kms) the Volt would cost $3200 vs. $20,800. That's an appreciable difference. Even across 6 years you'd end up saving $6,600 vs. a 30mpg car.

Is that sufficient to erase the initial premium the Volt will command? Across 10 years, it just might, especially with government credits.

I believe the savings will be even more. As the cost of operating a vehicle drops, consumers are more likely to drive more miles (see the trend of miles driven vs gas prices http://calculatedrisk.blogspot.com/2...ine-price.html)

[CaptainDan]

Originally Posted by mang01

...... a Volt would suit me for all but the interstate trips I take occasionally, I still couldn't justify buying one over keeping the gas-consuming cars I have......

But a Volt is more than "just" a 40 mile range electric car. With the range extending ICE, it gets a total range between fillups of around 600 miles! That's about twice the range that most "regular" cars can do. And it will need a whole lot less gas to achieve it too. The Volt's most impressive advantages are indeed in those shorter (under 40 mile) commute drives, but this sounds like a VERY appropriate choice for interstate travel too.

This is another reason for the EV-1's failure, it was too limited in usability, and would push most buyers to still need a second vehicle for longer trips.

[CaptainDan]

Originally Posted by megeebee

I can see the billboards now:




Who killed the electric car?.......




......NOT US !


.

I like that! Very much! But it can't be used until the Volt is out there, and deemed a success.

[edsuski]

Originally Posted by mang01

Let's hope the cost of electricity doesn't sky-rocket given the increase in demand due to everyone plugging their Volts into the mains without a commensurate investment by the power companies increasing supply. And of course electricity doesn't materialise out of thin air, there has to be fuel to drive generators, and there are losses incurred in transmission costs to get it to the recharging points, too, so it's not as efficient and clean as we like to think.
However, despite possible incentives and the fact that my current usage of a vehicle (once or twice a week because I commute on public transport) means a Volt would suit me for all but the interstate trips I take occasionally, I still couldn't justify buying one over keeping the gas-consuming cars I have. Just let everyone else buy one and leave the remaining gasoline supplies for me to use up at my leisure!

Keeping in mind that charging should happen during non-peak times (i.e. not during 2:00 pm - 9:00 pm) the existing grid could charge 85% of the existing passenger cars and light trucks without adding a single wire or power generating station to the grid. The off-peak vs. peak demand is that significant. Utilizing the production capability more during off-peak times should make energy generation more efficient for the power companies. That would suggest that they could actually reduce the cost somewhat - but as we all know - energy will be priced to market so I don’t think anyone expects the power company to reduce their price. However, that being said, most companies do already offer reduced rates for off peak charging. In Southern California the "pig" mode (that most of us are in by the third day of the month) rate is $0.28/KWh. Off-peak charging rates for electric vehicles is only $0.20/KWh. Most of the rest of the country pays about $0.10/KWh.

So bottom line - the cost to generate and distribute the energy to your cars charger does not change and most power companies actually offer a break for electric vehicle energy use.

Lastly, plug-in electric vehicles are not for everyone or every situation but, as you point out - the more of use who use them - the more likely we are to be able to rely on domestic sources of oil only and the more oil that will be available for those needs that simply do not fit into the plug-in electric vehicle usage model.