LEAF dwarfs gm volt-hoax at ALT-CAR Santa Monica

[thoughtchallenge]

The Volt only uses a portion of the battery packs capacity. There's a few reasons for this, but one may be a marketing strategy. By reserving capacity they can increase EV range in future models with a simple software change. Its similar to decontenting only rather than reducing the standard price by making standard items optional, instead you increase performance with a simple battery management change. This gives GM the advantage of claiming performance improvements year after year.

[PlasticRocket]

Guess you don't drive in the snow much... Volt wins hands down at -20c on the streets of Toronto... GM did it right for once...

[daswada9]

i am trying to build an EV from VW Golf 3 chase,im gonna use 12x12v Lead Acid batteries,my question is how many KWh that would be and how can i calculate the millage and speed ?

[thencaesarfalls]

Tesla is still better than Chevy or Nissan. (that's my opinion, anyway.)

[gabbogabbo]

It is funny how alot of auto makers have made EVs before but you never hear about them intill now.

[danwat1234]

I have been asking Liveoilfree to help me win a Nissan leaf (via the Drive Electric Tour program) by helping me to get votes, but nooo, he won't even message me back!

Introvert I say. Introvert and maybe selfish!

But I cannot say for certain

[bjhorton2005]

@danwat1234 He's quite sick, and a wonderful guy. He can't help you win your leaf. :(

And if you read this Doug, I ended up with a Volt. Here in rural IL with the long distance driving I do I required it. :) I can only have one car. No worries though, hehe. Take care!

[danwat1234]

@bjhorton2005 Ah ok no worries, hope he gets better. Wow I forgot about that comment I made. The contest for the free leaf is over

[bjhorton2005]

@danwat1234 Oh ok! Well, I had preordered but they couldn't sell to me until at least a year after I purchased my Volt. So I went with Volt. Turned out good that I did. Also, I hope he doesn't mind me posting this... I don't think he would want sympathy just keep the movement alive! He isn't getting better. Mesothelioma. He threw an EV rally as a last farewell. If you want a link to the news story I can PM it to you.

[yakyakyak69]

A new study out of Purdue suggests that even if plug-in vehicle prices come down significantly, they still won’t be very cost-effective in places like California due to high electricity rates.

Chevy Volt buyers for instance, will spend $10,000 more in total costs compared to a Toyota Prius or a Chevy Cobalt, even after a $7500 tax credit, unless oil prices rise significantly – as high as $254 per barrel

[deadmantyping2]

I bought a LEAF because I only drive 30 miles a day around town but the Volt is a great car for people who want to drive electric but want the extended range option. I'd buy a Volt too if the budget would allow. I'm a fan of the LEAF and the Volt.

[dobe762]

how's your Leaf coming along?

[bradfordjhart]

Go Nissan! I can't wait to get my Nissian Leaf and drive all the way to grandma's ... oh wait I can't.

GO Volt!!!1!

[Tamayo1980]

@bradfordjhart if your getting a leaf; you prob already got another vehicle, so why you can't take that one to grandma's? Gas is too expensive. Ohh yeah the volt's got a 9 gallon gas tank that No one know how to fill up; Wonder y?

[nikanaughty]

Nice car!

Japan once again shows America how it is done.

[clarkkent0]

I'm happy, thanks for posting Doug

[JuniorAcoustic]

Volt is awesome! Buy American!!!

[Tamayo1980]

@JuniorAcoustic VOLT is a very weak display of corporate control, GM had their chance with the EV-1. Buy American yes; Buy a Tesla Model S when they come out, but for now support the American's out there working their ass off to make Americans lives better. (exp. the lady working for this Nissan dealership; bet she American too!!)

[daswada9]

@JuniorAcoustic Haha..thats a good one :D

[illegalsmilereturns]

I WANT ONE!!!

[TBman256]

they come in red too? awesome!

[fakexloser]

Why so ANTI VOLT?

[Laverne78]

@fakexloser: I think it might be the whole point of the "antivolt" sentiment is to get off gas as much as possible... the volt will drive 25-50 miles on electric (US news dot com), then all gas after that... reduce gas dependency may reduce a reason for war in the middle east... religion aside... and if you're a "greeny" then electric is better than gas... especially if the batteries are recycled properly... the best though would be Hydrogen cars... (check Hydrogen cars now dot com)

[fearfullpeople]

What was that noise? A volt mule?

[pvtjamesryan3]

Great video.

It's a shame that the GM Volt doesn't appear to be a real car at this point. A really good expo. They explained the history and their future commitment towards an electric vehicle.

The Warranty for the leaf sounds good on paper, but how much is it to replace the battery? probably more than $10,000 for sure.

Personally, I like electric vehicles because it will create a new type of demand on the market and will stem the competition from oil companies.

[sportsfreak800]

@pvtjamesryan3 Why do you say the Volt doesn't appear to be a real car? The cars are being delivered to dealers as I'm typing this. Some customers already have the cars. This whole "Volt hoax" business is such a joke. Electric car proponents should be thrilled that GM is coming out with an electric car that also is practical for most people. The LEAF just isn't. Being able to go only 73 (EPA) miles and then having to charge 8 hours just isn't going to work.

[pvtjamesryan3]

@sportsfreak800

"Should be thrilled."

That about sums up your intelligence level.

[sportsfreak800]

@pvtjamesryan3 My intelligence level? Wow. This sums up your extreme ignorance of the actual automotive market. Would I love pure electric cars to work right now? Of course. But they don't. There is not a shred of evidence out there that pure electric cars with a 73 mile range have the mass appeal needed for any significant reduction of our dependence on oil. The LEAF is the "hoax", because nobody is going to buy it. So please, tell me how MY intelligence level should be in question.

[Tamayo1980]

@sportsfreak800 Hey the EV-1 was a better car than the leaf; and ppl were begging GM not to crush them; they were willing to pay GM cash for the vehicle, but GM wanted to crush them in light of all the ppl in-front of their offices begging them not to crush the EV-1. The Volt is the true "hoax" because how efficient will that gas engine be @ making electrical power? hope its not as efficient as most combustion engines; which are about 26% efficient.

[paulb4uk]

You have to hand it to to the Japanese car company's they know how to make a success of things and nuild something that works well .

[edstar83]

This was very interesting thanks. I plan on buying the leaf when it's released here in Australia.