First drive of the Chevrolet Volt prototype

[heartlessvietboy]

The Chevrolet Volt costs $1.75 cents to fully charge.

[disconsolate1]

GM needs to get back to setting the standard. The interiors are all cheap plastic and almost their whole line up is under powered and handles like ride lawnmower. GM better get their shit together if they want to be around for another 100 years.

[joker0187]

so when do we get the volt to go on 140 miles per charge just like the EV 1 instead of the mediocre mileage given on the volt. 40 miles per charge, GM is not even trying

FUCK GM

[HeadTater]

The range was decreased for several reasons. First of all, they sacrifice range to increase batter life and decrease cost. The Volt sacrifices range to make it more practical and attractive to consumers. After all, what good is a zero-to-low emissions car if no one buys it?

[joker0187]

i can understand decreased price, but battery life.

dude, we are in 2009, battery technology has significantly improved.

just by looking at our "healthy" economy, people would want to waste little money on gas. it would be great if GM even tried to have 70 miles per charge.

if no one wanted something close to zero emissions, why is the prius is still a heavily demanded car

GM 1950's-1973

[HeadTater]

Battery life is affected by range because the level of charge in the battery affects its lifespan. Charging the battery over 80% or running it under 30% decrease its longevity.

[HeadTater]

I agree, they do need to increase the range, but most of that stuff is easier said than done. Besides, you need to remember the scale we are talking about with the price. Over the length of the EV1 lease, the owner paid almost $40k for it. No it has never really been released (as far as I know) exactly how much an EV1 cost. Over the life of the project, GM spent over $1billion. The EV1 was much more expensive. But, they are working on it (at least they say they are).

[honestrunescaper]

does 230 mpg sound like not trying. Secondly the volt will drive 300 miles while using the engine to recharge the battery.

[joker0187]

government motors hasnt yet explained well in detail how can this be obtained.

plus, this is not confirmed by the epa, so how can i trust a shitty car company like gm to give me "accurate" results. this is just a publicity stunt.

i'd rather drive a broken down hyundai than drive the pieces of shit gm makes : )

[honestrunescaper]

Thats your decision. Just don't get in the way of everyone else buying one.

[irocx29]

GM WAS Number #1 Now you are BLACK Listing your CO. Y ? COME ON CHEV BE Number #1 Agin! OK TY.

[heartlessvietboy]

The Chevrolet Volt will be a car that will sell very well. I hope it does well. The Volt offers you a very long range without worry. It is clean and runs on electrcity. It has a great concept in mind. Great work!!!

[adeutsch6178]

cant we figure out how to use the technology from the wind up flashlights in a car that way while the wheels are spinning its putting a charge into the battery that would be a 100% green car correct me if im wrong

[TranCendenZ]

The looks of the Volt just screams, "Geezer-mobile!" It has those boring edges that old people like (similar to Buicks).

AutoObserver is the one who described the Volt as, "Grandma's electric vehicle."

Edmunds said the Volt was, "Electrifyingly Bland."

Anyone who pays $40K for Granny's car is an idiot.

[greatwisdomnow]

is my math wrong? the volt prototype was made in 2006, i think that's only 3 years. oh i forget lets exaggerate our uniformed opinions while were spewing vile lies form our mouths...

[dude198player]

I'll skip this. C'mon guys, you've been "developing" the Volt for almost 6 years now. it's time to finish it. November 2010? please. in 2007 you said that we'de be driving the Volt by October 2009.

[jdsmartdude911]

The title mislead me to believe this was more of a hands on with the car video, not a Q&A. The video was nice, but I don't see how some quick facts about the car is a "first drive". I did notice the segment of it in action, what little there was, but there was barely anything to it. The window rain droplet close-ups were absolutely great additions though.

[mjkobb]

I disagree with both of you. This has real potential. I've been driving all-electric vehicles (a GM EV-1 and now a Toyota RAV4-EV) for the last 9 years. Most of the time, my 80-100 mile range is all I need, and indeed I only have to charge every other day. Occasionally, though, I need more range. A range-extended vehicle like Volt, with 40 miles all-electric range, would work beautifully for me, and for most Americans (whose daily commutes are <40 miles).

[greatwisdomnow]

how did you get to drive an ev-1?

[mjkobb]

I leased one from 1999 until mid-2002, when GM started to take them all back and crush them. That's when I bought the RAV4-EV from Toyota.

[zyodei]

Sorry guys, buy this is going to be the Chevrolet Vega to the Japanese Civic and Corolla. DOA.

[digitaldud]

It's going to have to be a lot cheaper than planned.