High Voltage: Chevy Volt @ 2008 Paris Motor Show

[tnguyen318]

The Volt is a good car. However, can we use an on-board generator to propel the vehicle without needing to re-charge? If a transformer is said to double the voltage from the generator why cant we run on the transformer?

[ilovethatgirl2011]

The Tesla Roadster was kicking Volts ASS even before it went into developement!!!

[moty156]

why dont they just use the sun power?!

[klondikezappy]

@moty156 because during winter you cant get too much sun especialy when there is fog or its raining but u got a good point the solar panel could be switched on during summer or when hot or maybe it might just get enough power to power a radio or some lights or somtin

[thedoctor42209]

before anybody starts to claim this car is going to bounce a prius or insight. I am not sure if the general public is willing to spend $30k plus for this car. and lets not forget the prius is supposely getting a plug in version to.

[f1khamba]

thedoctor42209, I think people will be willing to pay +$30K for this car IF its driving and reliability standards meets or exceeds those of normal combustion engines. The reason is this: people will pay for new and innovate technology. Apple has proven that time and again. I'm curious to see how the overall quality of the Volt measures up...GM must continue to fight the PERCEPTION that its products lag in this department.

[jism901]

ugly as fuck. ill stick to my F250 and burnin the fuck out of diesel just to piss these little AAA batteries off

[lavakava]

ok you redneck stick you your piece of crap F250...those are the gas guzzling pos driven by rednecks like you that put america out of jobs.

fucking rednecks are directly responsible for americans out of jobs, not india/china.

[r3dw0lf88]

@lavakava tell me why? that's a weird thinking ... "you drive a F250 .. i lost my job cuz of you"

[InsideLosAngeles]

Will there be a bicycle emergency charger in the back?

[vintimv001]

great idea gm but i give it 1 year b4 it starts breaking down

[1bigibaLL]

Gm has the backing of the U.S. government and obama on this project. This car will bounce prius or insights out the door, at 230mpg epa approved. Gm has already re-payed the federal government 50% of its loan and will re-pay the rest b4 this car hits the market. Also you may pre-order these vehicles soon and get cash-for-clunckers $4500 discount plus tax incentives for buying energy effiecient car. I have owned a chevy for awhile, beats my old ford or dodge hands down in reliability.

[emforty2]

keep dreaming GM is bankrupt

[fun9neuf]

The Volt will be able to go up to 40miles or 64kms charged... then the 1.5L kicks in and charges it up 16 -20 times so multiply that by 40.. and it comes to 640-800miles on one tank of gas.

if you don't drive that far each day then you can do and live without GAS!! Or 150-170 MPG

Plus now they are putting these system in there new Cadillac Converj and the new HUMMER H3 will be able to do the same now!!

Wikapidea has it all the info on it too! COOL CAR!!

[buta20521]

hey guys i didnt get one thing... it has a oil engine beside the battery, so do you still need to buy gas???? please answer

[jamessicat25]

You still need to buy gas. The engine only runs to produce electricity to charge the battery when you are traveling over 40miles. If you travel everyday less than 40 miles, then you don't need to buy gas.

[emforty2]

Australian engineered and designed i wouldnt doubt it

GM outsources its engineering on cars as it does not know how to make reliable ones

[seksibeast28]

this car was designed and enginerd in Australia by Holden yes its owned by GM too, unfurtunatly

[Calvin5040]

There would be no such thing as Holden if GM had not have bought them in 1931 when there sells dwindled down to 4% of what it was the year before and went bankrupt.

[emforty2]

lithium=high energy=high risk

BOOOOOOMM !!

[liveoilfree]

EV batteries need 3 things, which Lithium has not demonstrated (yet):

1. High power, at least 50 kW;

2. Deep cycle, at least 25 kWh;

3. Long cycle life, at least 1000.

[dmax5678]

i am amused at all this talk from people who bash GM for canceling the EV1, yet none of them give them credit for BUILDING THE DAMN THING IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!

If they hated electric vehicles so much why did they build one in the first place? it is also an absolute fact that even Toyota execs also agreed that the EV1 should have been canceled since NO ONE WAS LEASING ONE.

EVERYONE BLAMES GM FOR CANCELING IT BUT NO ONE BLAMES THE PUBLIC FRO NOT LEASING THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE!

[liveoilfree]

Well, they were FORCED to make it; the first batch of 650 were sabotaged with bad batteries, and GM had to be forced to release the NiMH version a drib and a drab at a time.

[ferrarimanf355]

Wow, now you're getting into the tinfoil hat territory. Just quit it already.

[liveoilfree]

Answering the claim that Chris is now impressed with the VOLT. No, he bought a TESLA.

[liveoilfree]

The VOLT, in addition to being a hoax and a lie, is also not much fun to drive. The test drive in the Tesla reminded me of how much fun the EV1 was, the VOLT is junk by comparison. Screw GM, they deserve to pay for crushing and killing the EV1.

[ferrarimanf355]

... so you'd rather see GM go under, and see hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people out of work and a new Great Depression on our hands. Stay classy, Doug. [/sarcasm]

You're not helping 'em, you're hurting 'em, and you shouldn't be so callous on the Internet, man!

[SSparks555]

If GM goes under it is of their own doing... GM had a chance to be at the cutting edge of a new technology and they would have had the sales that they now need. Folks are ready for a change and GM crushed it.! The EV1 should, will live again.

[ferrarimanf355]

The EV1 will live on in the Volt. They HAVE to be using some EV1 tech in that...

[matrox]

They killed the EV1 because only 1 out of thousands would have bought it. Gas was fairly cheap and no one but green people were interested then. Just like today if gas was real cheap we would still be driving 12 mpg big mile long cars because in our hearts that really what we want. Because of gas prices we have been hyped and convinced to believing that we really really love and want a gas sipping tiny japanese car.

[TranCendenZ]

ferrarimanf355: The Volt concept car (estimated $30K price) was cool, but the Volt production car (estimated $40K to $48K) is hideous and bland. Nobody is going to pay $40K to $48K for a vehicle that automobile critics have dubbed "Grandma's electric vehicle". You can get TWO Toyota Prius cars for the price of the one Volt.

[ferrarimanf355]

Um, a fully loaded Prius is like $30K. I'd be shocked if the new Honda Insight isn't like $25K with all the options.

[TranCendenZ]

ferrarimanf355: I don't know where you get your numbers from. I can pick up a loaded 2008 Prius today for less than $24K.

[ferrarimanf355]

Um, did you even look on the Toyota website?

[liveoilfree]

Plus, the VOLT battery, being Lithium, won't last very long. Unless it's lead or NiMH, it's unproven.

[matrox]

Thats nuthin, there are lots of peeples like him around. They would be so happy so see the whole country go into failure just so they can blame somebody as long as its not the japanese. Its called self hatred, or hatred of country.

[liveoilfree]

GM is a liar, the VOLT is a hoax, took 10 months to make the mini-E but GM had two years already and can't make the volt until 2011.

"...is set to unveil its electric two-seater version of the Mini Cooper, the "Mini E," which it will have on the roads of California, New York and New Jersey in a lease fleet of 500 cars early next year. The new "Mini E" took 10 months to develop, and more than 9,500 people already have signed up...at $850 a month."

[ferrarimanf355]

That's because the Mini-E is just a retrofit of an existing car with the rear seat removed to make room for the batteries.

Do some goddamn research before trolling like you're pants-on-head retarded.

[liveoilfree]

The problem is, the mini-E uses unproven Lithium batteries; Nissan has a TERRIBLE record with EVs, having the only EV that failed (the Nissan Altra). Unless it's lead or NiMH, it's vaporware.

[emforty2]

why would anyone want to gamble $40k of their money from a company thasts going bankrupt ?

[kostea13]

Why the EV1 in 1995 had an 120 mile range but now in 2010 Volt hase only 40 miles range!

GM is still making lobby for the PETROL WORLD.

GM crushed the EV1 - Watch "Who killed the electric car"

[wildbloodydragon]

Actually that's a better approach to it. Once the oil companies make sure that Volt is not much of a threat, GM can start doing its thing and show the world what they've got.

[GSpotter63]

If I purchased an all electric car with a range of just 120 mil. for my all electric commute back and forth to work, I would not be able to pick-up my son living 330 mil. away. I would be forced to by a second gas powered vehicle for my long trips. Now I am forking out another $30,000 on top of the $60,000 I put out for the all electric car. No thanks; I will stick with the one car solution, like the extended range Chevy Volt.

[ferrarimanf355]

The director of said film is pretty interested in the Volt, so please find another line of argument already.

[liveoilfree]

Chris Paine is now driving a TESLA, which is in reality the third generation EV1. 180 kW, 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds.

[ferrarimanf355]

Change the subject much?

[CHUCKWAGON1009]

This looks nothing like the concept car what happend?

[biggieshortie13]

aerodynamics happened

[DNATS]

internal dispute happened.

[BenRichards87]

do you know what concept means? this new car is common sense.

[zupf]

And best of all, it isn't british.

[librano]

40 miles sounds weak.

[schweppes39]

Its 40 miles without gasoline if you didnt fill up on one charge, but it gets like 75mpg or something

[librano]

for everyone who gave me a thumbs down... research the Saturn EV from the 90's...

[crammage]

looks sweet!!

[crammage]

common subaru maka a

electric car for america!!!!!

[dude486]

Its a great looking car, but I can't see myself driving it in the next few years.

As much as like the body styling, I just don't like the idea of this car.

[jpbalkenende]

LOL you're the exact opposite of most people. They like the idea but aren't too happy about the styling.

I love the idea and think the styling is definitelly better than the concept. The stats and price don't impress me that much though. And I don't see the commercial viability to justify it's halo car status for GM.

[dude486]

I've seen this car being driven and I think I would have more fun driving a shoe box.

[jpbalkenende]

This car isn't really about fun. It's supposed to beat the Japanese so it doesn't need to be any fun (well they can make some really fun cars like the GTR).

I love the leap in technology though it's about damn time. We landed a man on the moon in 69 yet our cars are still pretty much the same as they were 100 years ago. Where's my flying solar powered car that runs forever hmmm!???

[GSpotter63]

Why? Please explain?

[dude486]

first of all, its an electric car. If you seen my channel you thats not how I roll.

If I'm to have fun in a car, there are certain sounds I like to hear. 1. engine rev

2. exhuast 3.squealing tires. Only one of which this car might be able to deliver on.

Speed is another factor. The fact that it is electric may be enough envirmentalists, but not enough for guy like me.

[GSpotter63]

You are right, I keep forgetting that even after 30 million years of evolution there are still some who must mark there territory by peeing on a wall, or howling at the moon to make their presents known, like some kind of barbaric Neolithic brainless animal.

[dude486]

What the hell?! You pulled the evolution card on the wrong person! I don't believe in evolution! Whats wrong with wanting that in a car?! And it makes me a brainless animal?!! I saw your reply and hell I humored you and replied! Only to be called brainless by some bitch who thinks she better then me?! NO! Screw you you stuck up bitch!

[GSpotter63]

First off I am not a bitch. I have a dick like every other real man in the world.

Second, If there is NO God, there is no amount of belief and praying that will make one POOF appear. Likewise, if the IS a God, there is no amount of disbelief an atheist could ever have that will make God POOF disappear. every man is entitled to his\her own opinion, even you. But it must be pointed out that reality, whatever it is, does not conform itself to your thoughts or opinions.

[dude486]

Look whatever! I didnt come here to talk or argue about evolution! You still refered to guys like me as brainless animals! Are you suggesting that your better than me or aren't you?!

[GSpotter63]

Your actions speak for themselves. You remind me of my 7 year old who cries, or throws a fit if she is not the center of attention. Of cores you use a car instead of throwing a tantrum, but the motive is still the same.

There are exceptions. If you make noises (Music for example) for self expression as an artist would and not for vanity, then perhaps the previous statements would not apply. But in this case I highly doubt that a roaring, and antiquated car would qualify as such.

[dude486]

I don't like you at all bro>:( here you come trotting in on your high horse acting like you know jack about cars when its obvious to me you don't. What you are assaulting is my personal preference not an attempt of self-glorification. You clearly misunderstood that!

[zenithbay]

Electric and hybrid vehicles seem to be driven by the slowest drivers, always blocking the fast lane-

It's just an observation; No HATE comments please !

[jpbalkenende]

They generally care about economy which means lower acc. That isn't really true for electric vehicles though so not sure about it.

[joness105639]

Wow, not only does it have less electric only range than the EV1 biut its SLOWER TOO! LOL get your act together GM. PLEASE!

[bajabusta]

So GM needs to get their act together, because a car is slow? I know MANY cars that are slow, and they are not produced by GM. Who else has anything close to this ready for production. No one. not Toyota, not Honda. I think they are very innovative w/ this vehicle.  I think you need to get YOUR act together PLEASE

[joness105639]

"So GM needs to get their act together, because a car is slow?"

Thats not what I said. I said it is SLOWER. Normally in the english language the suffix "er" implies a comparison between two objects. In this case the Volt is slower than the EV1.

Imagine for a momment that the new camaro had a 3 cylinder engine and would barely do 100 and have a smaller gas tank than the one that was produced 8 years ago that would do over 150 mph. I'd say something was wrong.

[joness105639]

"I think they are very innovative w/ this vehicle"

Hardly. This is not innovatinve. The ev1 was innovative. Most of the technologies on hybrids were first developed in that car. The volt is not anywhere even close to the level of enginuity and engineering powess displayed by such cars as the EV! or Hy-Wire. Heck GM had the patents on a special type of Ni/MH battery that was way better than the lithium batteries they will be using here (but they sold the patents to those to Chevron).

[joness105639]

"Who else has anything close to this ready for production. No one. not Toyota, not Honda"

Actually, Toyota will be launching a plug in version of it's prius. Honda is intruducing a new insight, which will get 70 mpg for less than 20,000. This is all happening in 2010. Meanwhile, you have the Aptera which, like the volt is a range extended EV except it will go 60 miles ev only (. Dodge is working On a Rage extended Town and Country minivan, jeep likewise with a wrangler.

[GSpotter63]

If I purchased an all electric car with a range of just 120 mil. for my all electric commute back and forth to work, I would not be able to pick-up my son living 330 mil. away. I would be forced to by a second gas powered vehicle for my long trips. Now I am forking out another $30,000 on top of the $60,000 I put out for the all electric car. No thanks; I will stick with the cheaper one car solution, like the extended range Chevy Volt.

[joness105639]

How often do you pick up your son? Daily? Weekly? Monthly? Yearly? The electric car was never sold. It was leased. MSRP of the EV-1 was $33995 in 1997. Adjusted for inflation, thats $43762.83 today. You wouldn't need to pick him up in your own car. There are other ways to work it out. I doubt you drive 660 miles every day. You can rent. You can use AutoDriveaway (dot) com. AD charges you nothing. You pay for refilling the tank, but thats it. Or, you could have him take the train.

[joness105639]

WOW, not only

[Lambo6fo]

They you need to power the camera's with electricity making the car use it's alternator more making it worse on gas.

[SlowCountry]

Possibly, possibly not. Drag plays a huge role in efficiency. Check out the Aptera, though it also has mirrors. I'm not sure if it's due to efficiency, a law, reducing the overall cost of the vehicle for consumer appeal, or a combination of several factors. Whatever the case may be, I think the Volt would look better without those mirrors.

[nwonknu8]

its great but after a while, batteries aren't as efficient. After a year, the volt wouldn't run 40 mpg. i don't know about how much it would run on but it won't be worth it in the long term, besides, the Volt will be really really expensive.

[SlowCountry]

Why are mirrors necessary? Cameras should be used to reduce drag and increase efficiency.

[turbochevynova]

yeah thats true