GM To Reduce Gas Tank Size for Volt

[kenman923]

If it runs on pure electricity, there is probably no need for a big gas tank.

[big swede]

It will still have a range of over 350 miles which is plenty. If I had a Volt I would probably never keep more than a gallon or two in the tank unless I was going on vacation. Maybe more in the winter to keep condensation at bay but that's about it.

[SierraGS]

It makes sense to make the tank smaller and 360 miles is about average for cars today, the EPA does MPG tests with a full tank of gas so some weight saved there could help ratings in addition to the added space mentioned by many.

[plane]

What's not being stated is that the batteries are so good and the series efficiency so good, the range loss isn't quite as significant as calculations might indicate.
400+ mile range?

[Ambalanche]

I hope you're right Plane. I get the feeling too, rightly or wrongly, I have no evidence, just a feeling that the batteries are going to be better than GM originally thought. If that's the case, maybe they can advertise an all electric car that uses no gas until it hits 50 miles! That would be awesome!

[Z28x]

Originally Posted by eaton53

Smaller tank = less gas sitting in the tank for long periods of time.

Exactly, for a large number of Volt owners a tank of gas will probably last over 1 month. An 8 gallon tank would also give the Volt some barging rights at fill up. 50% less expensive to fill the tank for the same mileage as a Cobalt/Focus/Civic.

[member12]

Not sure about that.

Drive all day for work on battery power, but at the end of the day your car is spent and you only have a 7 gallons of gas (7x35mpg....245 miles), and not enough range to make it all the way to a weekend getaway.

I don't know about this, but then again, I have no idea how the car works.

It seems like it would be miserable to drive on long trips..having to stop so often for fuel. It does have re-generative braking, therefore works like a Prius when the "plug in" charge is depleted?

That means that 40 miles on pure electricity and then 45-50 mpg average after that. Not bad at all.

[tholland]

If anything it might be an indication the ICE efficiency is increasing... that would be good news as well. I think it's a good decision even at face value... 350 - 400mi range is enough.

[member12]

BTW, this might save them 85 lbs...tops.

It's not for weight savings. It must be for space.

[tholland]

Originally Posted by member12

Not sure about that.

Drive all day for work on battery power, but at the end of the day your car is spent and you only have a 7 gallons of gas (7x35mpg....245 miles), and not enough range to make it all the way to a weekend getaway.

IIRC the mileage with the gen set running all the time is closer to 50mpg.

[SierraGS]

Originally Posted by member12

BTW, this might save them 85 lbs...tops.

It's not for weight savings. It must be for space.

Your right it is not much weight, the problem is the EPA has weight "classes" and rounds weight up so another 5 lbs could get another 100 lbs added.

I might be wrong about that but that is the explanation I got when I questioned the crazy gas tank size differences on some late 80's GM products that were nearly identical otherwise.

[tholland]

Originally Posted by member12

BTW, this might save them 85 lbs...tops.

It's not for weight savings. It must be for space.

I think gas is about 6 lbs per US gal., so it would be more like 40 lbs. The extra space is good to have though.

Actually, I think it's encouraging to hear this... it likely means they are serious about reducing the weight.

[WishIhadatruck]

Every pound counts. There was an article on CNN/Money not long ago about all the weight that was saved on different parts of the Ford Focus. A pound here, a few pounds there, it all starts to add up. They were able to offset all the extra structure and safety equipment, etc. and the car didn't end up gaining weight overall. I'm sure the volume savings is important as well. It will still offer excellent range. 600 miles really was overkill. I have heard that when the battery is new it will likely give you more than 50 miles of range. After 150k miles of use it will still be good for 40+ miles.

[genjy]

Sounds fine to me. If the Volt will work as advertised, then the smaller tank won't be a problem for most people.

[ronald mcretard]

Originally Posted by member12

Not sure about that.

Drive all day for work on battery power, but at the end of the day your car is spent and you only have a 7 gallons of gas (7x35mpg....245 miles), and not enough range to make it all the way to a weekend getaway.

I don't know about this, but then again, I have no idea how the car works.

It seems like it would be miserable to drive on long trips..having to stop so often for fuel. It does have re-generative braking, therefore works like a Prius when the "plug in" charge is depleted?

That means that 40 miles on pure electricity and then 45-50 mpg average after that. Not bad at all.

where are you getting 35mpg from? GM has stated they expect 50 mpg (after the first 40 miles of course).