EVM score: 10Range: 40 miles electric only
Speed: easily freeway capable
Price: well under $30,000
Batteries: Li-Iron Phosphate from A123 Systems
Safe: yes
There are so many things to love about this vehicle. You never run out of power because of the range extender. It will fit your whole family. It looks great and even masculine, a first for an electric car. The performance will likely be lively. And the price is right. You can't go wrong, right? Well, then again, it's heavy, having both an ICE and electric power train. One hit to range. It's beautiful but not very aerodynamic, another hit. Performance is a third trade off to range. So they shoot themselves in the foot by trying to be all things to all people. If they can somehow pull it off and still make a profit at under 30K than my hats off to GM. My advice is take some weight off and then your battery won't have to be so big.
News:
GM receives its first battery to begin testing in mule car. Confidence is +90% to have 60-100k cars in production the first year, 2010.
9 comments:
It's my understanding that this car is really not a hybrid as it DOES NOT have two drive trains as you report in your blog. It has only an electric motor drive train. The ICE is connected only to a generator to charge the batteries, which in turn will extend the range. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Volt
That being said, you also reported the vehicle as being heavy due to two drive train systems, inferring this will affect handling and range.
"GM receives its first battery to begin testing in mule car. Confidence is +90% to have 60-100k cars in production the first year, 2010."
I'm sure you know this by now and haven't updated your update. But GM hopes to 'start production' by November 2010...whichs means at best they could have a few starting production...and zero on the road.
I love everything about the Volt except its presentation as a sporty low profile vehicle. Many of the people with resources to buy this car are elderly and I think a crossover SUV configuration would be very popular if feasible within the engineering constraints.
I love the Chevy Volt concept but i love much the Zap-X concept http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/zap-x and the Volvo ReCharge Concept http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/09/06/frankfurt-preview-volvo-recharge-the-swedes-go-series-hybrid/ with in-wheel motor. No more power lost with some kind of transmission and other thing like that.
I'll think this kind of concept will be the future in car industry.
A future electric car driver
That Volvo Recharge concept looks SWEET! Does anyone have any reliable info on whether it's going to ever hit the street?
Tagamet
Hi
I like your list and your rating of likelihood of production, but I think you should add a few (potential) vehicles to it, then find out about whether they will be produced, and when they will be available:
Volvo RecCharge
http://www.zercustoms.com/news/Volvo-ReCharge.html
Electrum Spyder
http://www.universalelectricvehicle.com/spyder.html
Aptera
https://aptera.com/
Visionary Vehicles
http://www.vvcars.com/
Fisker automotive
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9808423-7.html
This car does have a lot going for it. I agree with the poster who mentioned the Zap and Volvo. Full electric, definitely the only way to go!
@Tagamet
Look this link for Recharge concept
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/30/swedish-plug-in-hybrid-vehicle-update-coming-in-may/
I'll think this car will be available very soon.
Thank to PAZ for the comment.
I'll agre with you, electric car with generator for long distance, is the solution for the future.
A future electric car driver
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