Volt Already On TV

[CaptainDan]

Originally Posted by hrcslam

You got it wrong, the Volt goes for 40 miles with NO gas then it goes with gas for up to 150mpg.

That is closer to the truth, but still not right. Yes, the Volt (in the configuration that has been shown) can go 40 miles with no gas, just using the electric charge derived from plugging it in. But the gas mileage figure for the gas engine feeding the power to the electric motor, which powers the car (the gas motor NEVER directly powers the car) has been stated as 50 mpg.

The 150 mpg figure is a combination of the two, AND an assumption of driving 60 miles a day, and then recharging. Meaning the gas engine really only was used to move the car 20 miles (plus 40 from the "free" plug in charge).

20 miles at 50 mpg = 0.4 gallons. But you actually drove 60 miles, which works out as 60 miles on 0.4 gallons, which is 150 mpg.

But that "60 miles driven" assumption is the key. If you drive 40 miles or less per day, then you would use NO gas, so your gas mileage is INFINITY. You never use any gas. Driving 50 miles per day would work out to 300 mpg. 45 miles per day works out to 550 mpg. 41 miles per day works out to 2050 mpg. I think they felt that no one would believe the 2050 mpg number, so they picked the 60 mile assumption, yielding the more believable 150 mpg.

Those (combined) mpg numbers are bogus anyway, since they ignore the energy cost of recharging the battery by plugging it in. Although those electric costs are still a LOT cheaper than the gasoline costs to charge the system. But quoting a "150 mpg" number is still combining apples and oranges, and getting a banana.

[CaptainDan]

Originally Posted by 09camaross

It seems as though everyone thinks plug in cars are great because they don't use any gas, they have zero emissions, no money for gas etc... The problem i have with this is that its not true.

When you plug your car in where does that electricity come from?

It comes from the electric companies who burn oil and other fossil fuels to create electricity. So yeah you might be saving money at the pump and using less gas but you would be spending more money on your electric bill and the same greenhouse gases would enter the atmosphere. You're just diverting the cost and pollution somewhere else.

You are correct with your concerns, and people do tend to ignore this side of the equation, but the big electric power plants can make power more efficiently (cheaper and cleaner) than all the individual powerplants in cars would.

Originally Posted by 09camaross

This is a really cool technology and I think it will do great things for GM but it's not the solution to the current gas consumption problem. The answer is fuel cells.

Fuel cells don't answer this question in any way. They still need fuel. And while they can run on perfectly clean hydrogen, you still have to "make" that hydrogen. Currently that process is VERY energy intensive. And hydrogen is very difficult (expensive) to store - both on board the car and at the "gas" station. But in the distant future, if these problems are solved, maybe.

[Realist]

Originally Posted by ChevroletRevived

Well, first of all there is a lot of people on here that aren't GM fans. Second, this is not just baseless hype. You think it is because you don't have inside information. We see GM PR follow and show what we're hearing on developments within GM. Volt is real, E-Flex is real and it's ahead of the "schedule" GM says it's following. GM gave ample time for itself to do this. You'll see..

I'm still hoping GM will wonderfully surprise with the Volt .

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by Realist

No offense to you either, but this site also has an endless supply of people who believe every single piece of spin that GM throws out there, no matter how ridiculous it may sound. This site also is rife with self-proclaimed "insiders" who make bold claims about future GM products only for them to be proven false. For example, there was a claim by an "insider" here on GMI that the GMT-900 trucks would debut with 6 speeds across the board and that a 400HP 6.2L V8 would be available on all Silverado and Sierra models. So much for that claim.

When GM talked smack about hybrids, a lot of GM fans agreed. Now that GM is fully embracing hybrids, many GM fans have changed their tune and *also* embrace hybrids.

I am certainly reserving judgements until I see the Volt, but I am concerned about GM and some of the questionable decisions they are making. It seems obvious to me now that I am more concerned than a lot of other GM fans here on GMI as to some of the questionable decisions GM is making; decisions that can very likely backfire on the company in the future.

Well I am not one of those people that believe everything either, like when GM was suppose to have On Star in every vehicle by 2007. Aveo anyone? I even criticized the new Malibu and Vue for their respective problems.

GM not offering 6 speed auto's (Yet) in their trucks and the 6.2L are relative minor things in the grand scheme. GM screwing up on the Volt will have major repercussions for the company and I think they know that. I am not saying its impossible but I think its unlikely since this vehicle carries the future of GM. Also I see how serious they are with the Lambda's and 2008 CTS so that gives me hope.

[mcool]

Why did they use the Wa-Mu actor? They should have used some other atctor who isn't already spread across another company's entire ad campaign. I want to focus on the car, not on the fact that I just saw that guy in another commercial. Otherwise, good for GM to forecast where it wants to go. As long as it can back this up with real solid product, that will help move perception.

[Saturn69]

Originally Posted by MrJamesMc

Are they using Tiger Woods in that?

Damn it!

I dislike him, he is quite arrogent from what my aunt said. He ignored this kid who wanted an autograph at a golf tournament. So I hate how GM pays him 3423432532454235423532 dollars for these dang ads when you can hire someone else to do the same.

Uh, that isn't Tiger Woods it's Wayne Wilderson. And so what if they pay Tiger Woods a ton of money? So, a second hand incident from an indirect witness told you something that might or might not have a little (or a lot) of bias in it and you dislike him for that? Get real.

[unkillsam]

Originally Posted by tgagneguam

I love the [idea of the] Volt. If it were available today, I'd replace my present GM car with it. And I like the commercial.

But I don't think it benefits the Company to advertise it 3 years before launch (no, if they haven't gotten the present-generation-technology Camaro out by now, the Volt isn't less than three years away, boys, no matter what you may infer from the commercials). Showing a concept doesn't make you "green." It may on this site, but it most likely doesn't in the larger market. Actually, I think it reinforces in some ways what GM doesn't market now for fuel efficient models, and it reinforces GM's image as an engineering-by-press-release type of automaker.

I am absolutely convinced that the Volt, if delivered on time, on budget, reasonably priced, and as fuel efficient as advertised, will revolutionize GM's image and station in the automaking world. And I bet most of the media-outside of GM's influence-will positively market the Volt for GM. Heck, they did a great job of telling everyone about it already!

As mentioned in others' posts, ad dollars would be better spent touting new technologies coming out soon/imminently versus money spent on a technology that GM won't necessarily be first to market with.

The Camaro is not out yet because there is nowhere to build it. Oshowa is still building FWD Impala's.

Lordstown is available to build the Volt once it get's the Delta II upgrades to build the 2010 Cobalt (hopefully GM doesn't send this to Mexico)

If Oshowa were available now, and GM had started working on the NA Zeta project sooner we would have the Camaro right now.

I believe GM has been working on the E-Flex system much longer then NA Zeta cars.

[PocoToro]

Originally Posted by CaptainDan

That is closer to the truth, but still not right. Yes, the Volt (in the configuration that has been shown) can go 40 miles with no gas, just using the electric charge derived from plugging it in. But the gas mileage figure for the gas engine feeding the power to the electric motor, which powers the car (the gas motor NEVER directly powers the car) has been stated as 50 mpg.

The 150 mpg figure is a combination of the two, AND an assumption of driving 60 miles a day, and then recharging. Meaning the gas engine really only was used to move the car 20 miles (plus 40 from the "free" plug in charge).

20 miles at 50 mpg = 0.4 gallons. But you actually drove 60 miles, which works out as 60 miles on 0.4 gallons, which is 150 mpg.

But that "60 miles driven" assumption is the key. If you drive 40 miles or less per day, then you would use NO gas, so your gas mileage is INFINITY. You never use any gas. Driving 50 miles per day would work out to 300 mpg. 45 miles per day works out to 550 mpg. 41 miles per day works out to 2050 mpg. I think they felt that no one would believe the 2050 mpg number, so they picked the 60 mile assumption, yielding the more believable 150 mpg.

Those (combined) mpg numbers are bogus anyway, since they ignore the energy cost of recharging the battery by plugging it in. Although those electric costs are still a LOT cheaper than the gasoline costs to charge the system. But quoting a "150 mpg" number is still combining apples and oranges, and getting a banana.

Thank you for the math lessen, but your last equation is incorrect.

Apples + Oranges = summer fruit salad, not a banana, but if you add a banana to the summer fruit salad then you will get free gas

[chevygurl72]

i like the ad.. i think it will be effective!

[uboys]

Originally Posted by Saturn69

Uh, that isn't Tiger Woods it's Wayne Wilderson. And so what if they pay Tiger Woods a ton of money? So, a second hand incident from an indirect witness told you something that might or might not have a little (or a lot) of bias in it and you dislike him for that? Get real.

Yes, it was quite absurd. Hah!

[Paul_2001_GT_Conv]

Can't wait to get a Volt and install my 1500 watt sound system with 14 speakers and 6 12 inch subs. I'll be able to afford the stereo with all the money I'll save on gas. I live with my parents so they'll be "filling up" my car every night. Sweet!

[superstreet]

nice ad