Est. 230 MPG WOW

[KWSS1976]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,538902,00.html

If this is true how could this affect gas prices....?

[coadie]

It will drive 40 miles or less than 1 hour without a/c and with a 3 hour rapid charge.

[KWSS1976]

Coadie lets tell the whole story.......The Volt, which runs purely on electricity for the first 40 miles of driving, carries a small internal combustion engine on board to generate electricity after the battery has drained

[coadie]

Originally Posted by KWSS1976

Coadie lets tell the whole story.......The Volt, which runs purely on electricity for the first 40 miles of driving, carries a small internal combustion engine on board to generate electricity after the battery has drained

How does it compare with the Tesla?

General Motors is developing the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle and its lithium-ion battery pack on parallel paths—and both have passed significant milestones en route to a targeted November 2010 launch.

Q: How many miles per gallon will the Chevy Volt get?
A: A bit of a trick question. For the first 40 miles it will get infinite mpg, because no gas will be burned. When the generator starts, the car will get an equivalent of 50 mpg thereafter. One can calculate the average mpg per for any length drive starting with a full battery: Total MPG = 50xM/(M-40)
http://gm-volt.com/chevy-volt-faqs/

[Twisp]

It is going to be a hard sell at $40k+ outside of Hollywood. Step in the right direction, however.

[Justin]

Originally Posted by Twisp

It is going to be a hard sell at $40k+ outside of Hollywood. Step in the right direction, however.

The technology will become cheaper in just a few years. In a few years, I bet we'll see vehicles similar to this starting at 25k.

[KWSS1976]

Yea once the technology is out it will drop like everything else pretty soon if not right after ford and the rest will follow suit...

[CC1]

I think the Volt is an evolutionary step in the development of the electric car and all such things have high prices and are only bought by early adopters.

However one disturbing thing I read a few weeks ago that is the dirty little secret they don't want the public to know about is that the high mileage numbers are based on the car being fully charged every night from a high voltage hookup. At present the reality is that this car will appeal to many urban owners who will not have access to those type electrical hookups as their cars park on the street. This means the gasoline engine will be operating a a lot more for those folks and it is not all that efficient in driving that generator to power the electirc motor.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by CC1

I think the Volt is an evolutionary step in the development of the electric car and all such things have high prices and are only bought by early adopters.

However one disturbing thing I read a few weeks ago that is the dirty little secret they don't want the public to know about is that the high mileage numbers are based on the car being fully charged every night from a high voltage hookup. At present the reality is that this car will appeal to many urban owners who will not have access to those type electrical hookups as their cars park on the street. This means the gasoline engine will be operating a a lot more for those folks and it is not all that efficient in driving that generator to power the electirc motor.

Could end up seeing a lot 220v extension cords snaking out through apartment windows and down to the street. Watch your step - don't step in a rain puddle!

There will have to be some new construction for the infrastructure to support vehicles like this. Apt. and condo communities adding hook ups in the parking lot. Employers and big box stores doing the same. We may see a return of the "telephone booth" - only it will be somekind of kiosk to charge your car and get a wifi hook up.

[coadie]

Originally Posted by CC1

I think the Volt is an evolutionary step in the development of the electric car and all such things have high prices and are only bought by early adopters.

However one disturbing thing I read a few weeks ago that is the dirty little secret they don't want the public to know about is that the high mileage numbers are based on the car being fully charged every night from a high voltage hookup. At present the reality is that this car will appeal to many urban owners who will not have access to those type electrical hookups as their cars park on the street. This means the gasoline engine will be operating a a lot more for those folks and it is not all that efficient in driving that generator to power the electirc motor.

If air at the C-store is 50 cents and a car wash with water is $1.00. A charge at a charge station for 15 dollars will make sense. It is likely to be much higher because you will sit there for 3 hours.
E-Z go make the golf carts I use. Good for a round of golf. Railroad locomotives are hybrids. They are diesel driven and electric motors at 6 wheels.