Chevy Volt Update June 2008

[ferrarimanf355]

Everybody, ignore liveoilfree. He lives to troll every single Volt-related video and is a very bitter man.

[emforty2]

why would i buy new untested hybrid car like the VOLT for $40K

where i can buy a decade old technology like the Prius or civic for less than $25K

don't give me an answer like buy American as I drive a CHEVY AVEO american car[Daewoo Matiz]

[ferrarimanf355]

Everybody, please ignore liveoilfree. He just lives to troll every single Volt-related video on YouTube and is a very bitter man.

[diggingforgold]

I'm hoping to get a second generation Ford based on E-Flex. Supposedly GM and Ford are collaborating. Ford will license GM their engines, and GM will license Ford their E-Flex technology.

[r4nd0mn4me]

The public only knows what they see on television, and as I don't watch TV I only believe what I read and see. I have ridden in an EV and loved it. And if Nissan, Smart, Mitsubishi, and Volvo don't meet the 2010 to 2014 release dates, then I will just have to do what Gav did and make my own EV. I would rather support a car manufacture as I would be selfish of me to take work from all those people/robots....but I will do what I must. But I am not buying GM.

[hellasow]

so if someone prints (for your to read)something it more valuable as knowledge than if it is broadcast on tv?

...well that just stupid

...and cause i printed it instead of making a video of it it must be more valid...

[nucflashevent]

If people want to believe that it is all a conspiracy, and 'somehow' the bad men are keeping you from this GLORIOUS future of electric cars, then go right ahead.

The American people (aside from the TEN people who spend all day on youtube) didn't give a shit about electric vehicles until it started hitting them in the pocketbook.

AND, if the price of gas were to drop tomorrow to $2 per gallon, they wouldn't care now.

[liveoilfree]

That's exactly what GM's hoping for. When gas drops, they will drop the VOLT like a hot potato.

[nucflashevent]

BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL ONLY BUY ELECTRIC CARS WHEN THEY ARE CHEAPER!

Why is that so hard to understand?

BTW, I'm not just picking on you, liveoilfree, I'm asking this of EVERY person who seems to think it is anyone else's fault.

If the public (I'm not talking about CELEBRITIES, I'm talking about the general public) had shown any interest in Electric Vehicles, you would find them EVERYWHERE you went right now.

[hellasow]

liveoilfree....gm does not care what they sell they have no conspiracy with the oil companies...gm is losing billions as the oil companies are making 10's of billions....gm will sell what ever they think people will buy...the problem with this car is i see the starting price might be close to 35k-40k...

[liveoilfree]

There is NO requirement in the law for GM to supply spare parts!! That's just one more Lutz Lie!

[liveoilfree]

Anyone can make a 40-mile-range EV, that's not much of an event. The Toyota RAV4-EV goes over 100 miles on a charge, just add a range extender and it's better than the supposed "volt" hype. GM IS A LIAR.

[nucflashevent]

Why don't you go to Detroit and say that to some hard working people who are now OUT OF A JOB because people like you are trying to get Americans to buy FOREIGN automobiles.

[liveoilfree]

It's people like Bob Lutz ("Fiat Fiasco") and Rick Wagoner who hurt the auto industry. The line workers can't be blamed for making BAD cars; it's an executive decision.

It was the unions who helped kill the Electric car, but don't blame them for Rick's failures and GM's failure to build cars that people want to buy.

[nucflashevent]

I'll have you know I drive a GMC Sierra and my parents drive a Chevy Cavalier and we ALL think they are the best vehicles we've ever driven.

My parents came from a Mazda, and later a Honda, before buying their Cavalier and we ALL are of the opinion that they are the BEST vehicles we've ever driven.

[liveoilfree]

The VOLT is a hype and a con. GM also claimed the ev1 was "production ready" but they only made 650 of the 1997 version, and 465 of the 1999 (really, it was done in 1998 and was held back by GM).

GM has now ADMITTED the VOLT will not be present in more than trace quantities. NOT IN MASS PRODUCTION QUANTITIES!

[r4nd0mn4me]

What's with all this "range anxiety"? If you need to drive long distances, then you won't buy an all electric EV. But for the rest of us that only commute in the city about 80km or less a day, it will be just fine. And no crappy ICE that breaks down and needs constant maintenance. I just spent over $300 getting a standard A service on my car, and I even supplied my own oil.

I'm sticking with an all electric car as my next car and I'll keep my motorcycle for any long trips.

[hotFusionReaction]

Not to mention that the Volt has a small Gas engine.

If you drive 40 miles or less great, all electric.

But if any emergency hits, you can drive this car around the world as many times as you want so long as you can find unleaded gasoline (not extremely difficult).

[r4nd0mn4me]

For some that will be a good thing, but for someone like me, that is just one more thing that needs oil changes, tune ups, parts and labor.

[69slime69]

totally agree!

[hotFusionReaction]

You know, ALL of these anti GM comments seem to have been DELIBERATLY written in the same arcane fashion.

I almost makes it seem as though ONE particular group is trying to kill the Volt before it even hits the ground.

GIVE ME AN O! GIVE ME AN I! GIVE ME AN L!

[r4nd0mn4me]

A lot of people got really f#@ked by GM when they pulled the plug on the EV-1. People got arrested trying to buy them, people willing to pay cash outright. But no, the cars were crushed and shredded. Now what company would repo cars that were making money on the leases and crush them at a loss rather then sell them? One that doesn't want people to have them that's why. People building there own electric cars now and love them. Check out Gav's EV here on You Tube.

[hotFusionReaction]

People got arrested trying to FORCE GM to sell them.

Vehicles, even electric vehicles, require MAINTENANCE. GM had no interest in trying to keep these EV1s on the road when Gas was $1.25 per gallon. Accept for the VERY FEW who could have afforded the $80,000+ cost of the unleased vehicle, no else had much interest either.

I understand you liked them (I liked them, too) but GM was under NO OBLIGATION to change the terms of the contract signed by the leasees. Nowhere was purchasing mentioned.

[r4nd0mn4me]

You are right, why would a company wish to sell something and charge what ever they wanted to parts and maintenance, when they can take a loss, crush it, shred it, and piss on the rubble.

[hotFusionReaction]

Unfortunately, it is obvious you are not a business owner.

Decisions like this are not made haphazardly. You don't just decide one day "Well, might as well sell them".

The simplest reason why not to do this would be what if an unforeseen design flaw surfaced later, long after production of parts had ceased?

You simply CAN'T underestimate the legal risks in such a decision. Especially considering the product in question had a niche market, at best.

[liveoilfree]

You don't know what you're talking about, hot fusion. Study the history of the EV1 before you blunder on.

[liveoilfree]

There was NO REQUIREMENT for GM to support or maintain these EV1!

And Lutz lies, says it cost GM $80K for each; then why did GM CRUSH $80K cars????

Are they that STUPID??? (YES)

[69slime69]

you cant trust GM. your company hast lost the trust of the public years ago, with all GM's hype. Have not bought a GM product for 15 yrs. and never will also. Home made EV's get 40 miles to a charge with no problem, so what is wrong with the "volt"! ???

[texasgringooo]

Got ignorance? The volt has a 600 or so mile range, 40 on electricity and the rest on hybrid mode, this will succeed and no 40 or 100 or even 200 mile range all electrical car can compete because people want to be able to drive as far as they want in a day rather than having to stop and charge for 6-14 hours after 40, 100 or 200 miles.

[69slime69]

got ignorance?...good one!....Well, we the public will see what the hype is all about if and when it hits the market??? It is just a proto type???

[jerrydoubleu]

blah blah blah blah. I only judge the actions and not the blurbage. There is nothing on this video that shows support for the Volt is warranted.

[liveoilfree]

I seriously doubt, and so does GM, that there will be more than tiny numbers ever produced. With a 16 kWh battery that only yields 8 kWh, it's fantastically wasteful.

GM stated that the VOLT will not be available in any appreciable quantities before 2015, and should not be included in meeting its CAFE (MPG) problems.

Nothing more need be said. Wait in vain.

[diggingforgold]

I also agree it will be low volume, but it will be much larger volume than what we saw from car manufacturers making EVs during the late 90's and early 00's.

I believe that GM is serious about the Volt for the main reason that it will be an incentive for a government bailout. If they can get themselves a green image (with a technology superior to that of the Toyota Prius [E-Flex]), they will show that they are more beneficial to the US alive than dead.

[liveoilfree]

I hope you're right, but GM is a proven LIAR. If they wanted to make the VOLT (which is, after all, an EV with a 40-mile-range plus a range-extender) they could do it now.

The RAV4-EV, a 100-mile-range SUV EV, could be a 100-mile-range VOLT if you add a range extender.

So why is GM insisting on high-cost Lithium batteries? Lying again.

[texasgringooo]

You don't like to research before you write do you? The 8kWh range of use on the battery is so that it lasts as long as possible. In fact other hybrids out today do the same thing. I'll bet eflex also becomes standard on all vehicles eventually.

[liveoilfree]

Texas, you don't think before you write, apparently. The Toyota RAV4-EV has 28 kWh of energy in its 1000 lbs. of NiMH batteries, and can access ALL of that energy to go up to 150 miles in a pinch (always more than 100 mph at highway speed).

The VOLT has to pay for 16 kWh of Lithium but can only access half, this means your 400 lb. pack can only hold (in effect) 8 kWh. NiMH is 50% better.

[r4nd0mn4me]

Nissan, Smart, and Mitsubishi have smaller, faster and better ones out now doing road trials.

GM can suck my #%^@ they had the EV-1 and botched that one good, I will never trust them and never buy any of there products again. I am boycotting GM and all it's oil company investors.

"If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself" If all this falls through again, there are kits online and you can convert one for under 15K, learn!!! Look for S10 EV. Google is your friend :D

[texasgringooo]

What a moron. GM has volts running right now. The smart, nissan and mitsubishi are electric only (that means range limits and range anxiety). The EREV (volt) will revolutionize electric vehicles and make them usable by the public. GM is making the electrification of the car possible while these other car companies continue to built useless range limited junk.

[gandy74]

40 miles on a charge at what speed? 40 miles range isnt that good at any speed. The Toyota Rav EV all electric got 100 miles at highway speeds on Nickel Hydrate batteries.

[diggingforgold]

GM said their test mules were doing 40-miles 'going up hills and everything'. The range extender will kick in after 40-miles. Range is expensive. See how much those used RAV4-EVs you speak about are going for on eBay. Over $40K. The EV1 got 120-mile range and cost GM $80K each to make.

GM realizes that full-range EVs are not practical and not affordable. So they go with 40-miles (enough for most Americans' commutes) and have an onboard genset for extended range.

[liveoilfree]

There were two EV1, the lead-acid (110 miles range using PSB 1260 batteries) and the NiMH (160 miles using GM-Ovonics inferior to PEVE).

It's unlikely that either cost "$80.000". GM also once claimed that each cost $1,000,000, and the whole program $1 billion.

[hotFusionReaction]

What POSSIBLE motivation would they have to lie.

Do you HONESTLY believe they would NOT SELL a vehicle IF they believed YOU would buy it?

You have apparently never been in the selling business.

[texasgringooo]

Research the car, 40 miles all electric then switches to run like a hybrid burning gasoline. You have unlimited range, don't have to plug in for 6-14 hours after driving 100 miles, you just gas up. The gives the driver no limitations and gives him the ability to use only electricity as long as your drive is 40 miles or less.

[pjkPA]

Thanks for the update ... good job.

I drove a EV1 in 2000 for two days... rented from EV rentals at LAX... since then I've been all electric. The EV1 was the best car I've ever driven... makes any ICE engine seem antique. The effortless acceleration is unbelievable and every skeptic I took for a ride had the EV smile within 10 seconds.

I will be waiting for a utility version of the VOLT... Thanks to GM for the great concept I was never convinced that the Hybrids of today had a future.

[freddytuber]

Love the idea, but they for sure will screw it up as usual. 1. They will "redesign" the car to ugliness! 2. 40 miles per charge? 3. Put a solar roof on it to keep the interior and the batteries cold and charge them too?

Now, why should I buy this crap getting only 40 miles on a batterie charge? PUT MORE BATTERIES IN IT! Save the weight and the room for the engine and use MORE BATTERIES instead!

[coreymon77]

can't wait to see this car on the road

[IvanSorath]

the Tesla is 100% electric buy one

[705west]

it's 97 grand

[IvanSorath]

je je je :D i know

[frankodelic]

It's great to see GM moving forward with this, but it's hard to get excited about GM when Bob Putz... uh, I mean Lutz in charge of product development calls global warming a crock of shit.

Hope they actually sell it and not just lease, then recall and crush the thing. I've got my fingers crossed!

[GSpotter63]

They must make it, they have no choice. If they do not make it, others will, which could put them out of business. But that's ok, because no matter who makes it, we will have our EV's.