The Chevy Volt is still months away from hitting showrooms, but that hasn’t stopped people from speculating on the next generation of Chevy’s plug-in hybrid. Will it make the jump to a fully electric vehicle? Will they make a sportier SS version? Will anybody actually buy the Volt? These are just some of the questions people are asking.
Some of the focus has been on the range-extending engine, which as it stands is a smallish, 4 cylinder, 1.4 L Ecotec powerplant which can recharge the batteries on the fly. But will they stick with the conventional engine, or go with something… different. Like a rotary engine, or perhaps even a diesel?
It is no secret that the Chevy Volt isn’t going to be cheap…most estimates place the car’s price around $40,000 before a $7,500 Federal tax credit. Even $32,500 isn’t all that cheap —especially considering its main contender, the Nissan LEAF, is going to be 25K after the tax credit. Sure, the Volt promises up to 40 miles on electric-only power, plus a range extender which means the car can travel over 300 miles on a tank of gas which will be more alluring to some people than a pure battery car, but the engine packaging is quite expensive and requires heavily regulated emissions controls, and GM is already testing ways to bring the costs down.
One such idea is using a single-rotor rotary engine. Mazda popularized the use of these engines in their RX-7 sports car, but the engine did not present enough of an improvement to overtake standard overhead camshaft or pushrod engines. But, rotary engines are smaller, and GM engineers think a single rotor would provide enough power for the Volt’s generator. On the flip side, a rotary engine would consume more fuel. So GM is also considering a small, two-cylinder engine, or perhaps even a diesel.
For me, the diesel presents the most logical option. Even small diesel engines make lots of torque, and can easily deliver upwards of 50 mpg. And Americans want more diesel engines.
What do you guys think? Two-cylinder, diesel, or rotary engine for the next Volt?
Source: Inside Line | Image: GM
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About Christopher DeMorro
I like it. I’ll add another engine to the mix.
2 stroke direct injection technology. In the early 1990s, Orbital Engine Company, developed a two-stroke automobile engine that met then-current U.S. emissions requirements, exceeded the four-stroke fuel efficiency numbers, weighed almost 200 pounds less than a four-stroke that produced similar power, vibrated less than an equivalent four-stroke and cost from $300 to $500 less to manufacture. They’re also smaller.
I like it. I’ll add another engine to the mix.
2 stroke direct injection technology. In the early 1990s, Orbital Engine Company, developed a two-stroke automobile engine that met then-current U.S. emissions requirements, exceeded the four-stroke fuel efficiency numbers, weighed almost 200 pounds less than a four-stroke that produced similar power, vibrated less than an equivalent four-stroke and cost from $300 to $500 less to manufacture. They’re also smaller.
I like it. I’ll add another engine to the mix.
2 stroke direct injection technology. In the early 1990s, Orbital Engine Company, developed a two-stroke automobile engine that met then-current U.S. emissions requirements, exceeded the four-stroke fuel efficiency numbers, weighed almost 200 pounds less than a four-stroke that produced similar power, vibrated less than an equivalent four-stroke and cost from $300 to $500 less to manufacture. They’re also smaller.
I like it. I’ll add another engine to the mix.
2 stroke direct injection technology. In the early 1990s, Orbital Engine Company, developed a two-stroke automobile engine that met then-current U.S. emissions requirements, exceeded the four-stroke fuel efficiency numbers, weighed almost 200 pounds less than a four-stroke that produced similar power, vibrated less than an equivalent four-stroke and cost from $300 to $500 less to manufacture. They’re also smaller.
Why don’t we just get off oil already and go electric? I will never buy a gas-powered car ever again, and certainly not one from Detroit.
I hope Tesla, Nissan, Toyota, and the rest destroy these pathetic dinosaurs.
Why don’t we just get off oil already and go electric? I will never buy a gas-powered car ever again, and certainly not one from Detroit.
I hope Tesla, Nissan, Toyota, and the rest destroy these pathetic dinosaurs.
I agree, the only way to move forward into a future with hope is not to go back with dino fuel.
I agree, the only way to move forward into a future with hope is not to go back with dino fuel.
I agree, the only way to move forward into a future with hope is not to go back with dino fuel.
GM always seems to do it wrong. Maybe we’ll see a small-block V8 -LOL.
GM always seems to do it wrong. Maybe we’ll see a small-block V8 -LOL.
The biggest obstacle towards going mainstream for the Chevy Volt system is still the cost of the batteries. If battery cost can be reduced significantly, a diesel engine would provide more power per pound of engine than almost any alternative. One other possibility is the Bloom Box, which is a fuel cell system that converts natural gas directly into electricity, so that a gas or diesel engine (and the generator) would not be needed at all.
The biggest obstacle towards going mainstream for the Chevy Volt system is still the cost of the batteries. If battery cost can be reduced significantly, a diesel engine would provide more power per pound of engine than almost any alternative. One other possibility is the Bloom Box, which is a fuel cell system that converts natural gas directly into electricity, so that a gas or diesel engine (and the generator) would not be needed at all.
The biggest obstacle towards going mainstream for the Chevy Volt system is still the cost of the batteries. If battery cost can be reduced significantly, a diesel engine would provide more power per pound of engine than almost any alternative. One other possibility is the Bloom Box, which is a fuel cell system that converts natural gas directly into electricity, so that a gas or diesel engine (and the generator) would not be needed at all.
The biggest obstacle towards going mainstream for the Chevy Volt system is still the cost of the batteries. If battery cost can be reduced significantly, a diesel engine would provide more power per pound of engine than almost any alternative. One other possibility is the Bloom Box, which is a fuel cell system that converts natural gas directly into electricity, so that a gas or diesel engine (and the generator) would not be needed at all.
How about their second generation volt go all electric???
How about their second generation volt go all electric???
How about their second generation volt go all electric???
A common misconception is that the gasoline engine can recharge the battery. The engine can only spin the generator that powers the electric motor, it cannot recharge the battery.
A common misconception is that the gasoline engine can recharge the battery. The engine can only spin the generator that powers the electric motor, it cannot recharge the battery.
How about the opposed cylinder crankless diesel engine, which simply drives a linear alternator? Simple and efficient. 1.4 liters is WAY too much engine.
Look at what Audi is doing with their small wankel range extender engine…
How about the opposed cylinder crankless diesel engine, which simply drives a linear alternator? Simple and efficient. 1.4 liters is WAY too much engine.
Look at what Audi is doing with their small wankel range extender engine…
How about the opposed cylinder crankless diesel engine, which simply drives a linear alternator? Simple and efficient. 1.4 liters is WAY too much engine.
Look at what Audi is doing with their small wankel range extender engine…
How about the opposed cylinder crankless diesel engine, which simply drives a linear alternator? Simple and efficient. 1.4 liters is WAY too much engine.
Look at what Audi is doing with their small wankel range extender engine…
@ Harry, never mind GM, what about Chrysler!!??
@ Gale: you’re exactly wrong.
@ Harry, never mind GM, what about Chrysler!!??
@ Gale: you’re exactly wrong.
@ Harry, never mind GM, what about Chrysler!!??
@ Gale: you’re exactly wrong.
My pick would definitley be a diesel engine as a “range extender” which would run on 100% biodiesel fuel. (zero petroleum!)
My pick would definitley be a diesel engine as a “range extender” which would run on 100% biodiesel fuel. (zero petroleum!)
I’m not sure high torque is that important for a generator engine which usually runs at a constant speed.
I’m not sure high torque is that important for a generator engine which usually runs at a constant speed.
I’m not sure high torque is that important for a generator engine which usually runs at a constant speed.
I’m not sure high torque is that important for a generator engine which usually runs at a constant speed.
I’d be interested except that the Government is wasting $7500 of my money per example….
When they sell for what they cost then I’ll think about it.
I’d be interested except that the Government is wasting $7500 of my money per example….
When they sell for what they cost then I’ll think about it.
The generator engine seems a nice application for a micro sized gas turbine.
The generator engine seems a nice application for a micro sized gas turbine.
Electric = Coal, since 52% of the power in the US is generated by burning that fuel. Do we have to wake up advocates of electric vehicles one at a time to the consequences of that choice? And beyond coal, particularly in the northeastern states is burning oil and gas.
I don’t want to have to burn anything, but the sad truth is that utility bills can only go higher with any other alternative. When a retired person lives in a climate that requires air conditioning, and when they can barely afford to do that, smug enviros don’t advance their cause when they suggest that we would all be better off if electric bills were doubled or tripled.
The sad truth is that we are going to need a lot of generating capacity to meet the additional load that plug-in electric cars will put on the grid. Recharging an electric car overnight is a like doubling the size of a home’s central air unit, as far as how many kilowatts of damand there will be.
The customer always pays, and we don’t respect the truth when we try to hide or sugar coat just where the electricity must come from when it comes time to plug in an electric car.
Electric = Coal, since 52% of the power in the US is generated by burning that fuel. Do we have to wake up advocates of electric vehicles one at a time to the consequences of that choice? And beyond coal, particularly in the northeastern states is burning oil and gas.
I don’t want to have to burn anything, but the sad truth is that utility bills can only go higher with any other alternative. When a retired person lives in a climate that requires air conditioning, and when they can barely afford to do that, smug enviros don’t advance their cause when they suggest that we would all be better off if electric bills were doubled or tripled.
The sad truth is that we are going to need a lot of generating capacity to meet the additional load that plug-in electric cars will put on the grid. Recharging an electric car overnight is a like doubling the size of a home’s central air unit, as far as how many kilowatts of damand there will be.
The customer always pays, and we don’t respect the truth when we try to hide or sugar coat just where the electricity must come from when it comes time to plug in an electric car.
What about a rotary diesel? IIRC the Wankel can be made as a diesel.
The problems with a micro turbine is it eats more fuel than a Wankel.
I believe the real long term solution is coal to methanol and use methanol fuel cell – plug in Electric Cars. All doable right now with off the shelf technology.
What about a rotary diesel? IIRC the Wankel can be made as a diesel.
The problems with a micro turbine is it eats more fuel than a Wankel.
I believe the real long term solution is coal to methanol and use methanol fuel cell – plug in Electric Cars. All doable right now with off the shelf technology.
If I’m not mistaken, many large military vehicles are already diesel/electric powered. Diesel runs a generator and electric motors run the wheels. Fewer mechanical parts to break.
If I’m not mistaken, many large military vehicles are already diesel/electric powered. Diesel runs a generator and electric motors run the wheels. Fewer mechanical parts to break.
How about a gas turbine? They are ideal for this dort of “stationary” application, (at a high, constant load, they are about the most efficient heat engine there is)and can be made extremely light.
How about a gas turbine? They are ideal for this dort of “stationary” application, (at a high, constant load, they are about the most efficient heat engine there is)and can be made extremely light.
Don’t buy from the bailout sucking Chevy ever again.
Go Ford.
Don’t buy from the bailout sucking Chevy ever again.
Go Ford.
It will be hard to justify either. Weight is always an issue and wasting the extra weight on a diesel engine is questionable. I also can’t see how the diesel forte of torque would be a benefit in this application. I assume little rotaries will have the same maintenance issues (constant oil addition) that the bigger ones have. Not a problem for the true believers but maybe a fatal flaw for the fill it and forget it crowd (probably a given for the Volt.)
While I am not real crazy about ethanol, I am at least moderately less worried about it in storage than biodiesel. Since Diesel fuel can (and will be required to by law in the near future) contain up to 5% biodiesel without notice, I would prefer to stay with gasoline.
It will be hard to justify either. Weight is always an issue and wasting the extra weight on a diesel engine is questionable. I also can’t see how the diesel forte of torque would be a benefit in this application. I assume little rotaries will have the same maintenance issues (constant oil addition) that the bigger ones have. Not a problem for the true believers but maybe a fatal flaw for the fill it and forget it crowd (probably a given for the Volt.)
While I am not real crazy about ethanol, I am at least moderately less worried about it in storage than biodiesel. Since Diesel fuel can (and will be required to by law in the near future) contain up to 5% biodiesel without notice, I would prefer to stay with gasoline.
Diesel diesel diesel. So many misunderstandings in here (and everywhere) about diesel. Benefits:
1)30% better energy density than gas
2)Lower RPMs for peak torque, meaning; less rpms over life cycle (longer life)
3)High compression; better combustion
4)Larger engine components to accommodate higher compression; longer life
5)Way better torque
The benefits of diesel in a generator are exactly the same as for locomotion. It’s not all about mpg either. It’s about torque delivered at mpg, ie; 40 mpg at 130 ft/lbs is not the same as 40 mpg at 250 ft/lbs of available torque.
Diesel diesel diesel. So many misunderstandings in here (and everywhere) about diesel. Benefits:
1)30% better energy density than gas
2)Lower RPMs for peak torque, meaning; less rpms over life cycle (longer life)
3)High compression; better combustion
4)Larger engine components to accommodate higher compression; longer life
5)Way better torque
The benefits of diesel in a generator are exactly the same as for locomotion. It’s not all about mpg either. It’s about torque delivered at mpg, ie; 40 mpg at 130 ft/lbs is not the same as 40 mpg at 250 ft/lbs of available torque.
You guys are just a bunch of polluters. I favor wind power. Put a windmill on top of each car. You only have to get up to about 50mph then watch the power come surging out of that windmill…enough to overcharge your battery. It’s so simple, do I have to think of everything?
You guys are just a bunch of polluters. I favor wind power. Put a windmill on top of each car. You only have to get up to about 50mph then watch the power come surging out of that windmill…enough to overcharge your battery. It’s so simple, do I have to think of everything?
>Christopher DeMorro Says:
>>Even small diesel engines make lots of torque,
>Sean Says:
>>5)Way better torque
Don’t forget that in a true series hybrid like the Volt, the torque to the drive wheels is entirely from the electric motors (which can be designed for huge low-speed torque). The engine only drives the generator, so there’s no need to ever run the engine at any speed except its one most power-efficient speed.
Low-RPM torque is quite important in a conventional drive train, because the engine must provide power across a wide range of RPMs. But engine torque is not a particularly important parameter in a series hybrid.
That said, diesels can still be (for simplicity etc) a good choice in such systems.
>Christopher DeMorro Says:
>>Even small diesel engines make lots of torque,
>Sean Says:
>>5)Way better torque
Don’t forget that in a true series hybrid like the Volt, the torque to the drive wheels is entirely from the electric motors (which can be designed for huge low-speed torque). The engine only drives the generator, so there’s no need to ever run the engine at any speed except its one most power-efficient speed.
Low-RPM torque is quite important in a conventional drive train, because the engine must provide power across a wide range of RPMs. But engine torque is not a particularly important parameter in a series hybrid.
That said, diesels can still be (for simplicity etc) a good choice in such systems.
I already have a car that gets better than 40 mpg highway and I’ve gotten over 340 miles from a tank of gas. The car is a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDi, i.e. a diesel. Sounds like the Volt would do better installing a diesel engine and getting rid of the batteries. It might even bring the price down to the cost of a new VW Jetta.
I already have a car that gets better than 40 mpg highway and I’ve gotten over 340 miles from a tank of gas. The car is a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDi, i.e. a diesel. Sounds like the Volt would do better installing a diesel engine and getting rid of the batteries. It might even bring the price down to the cost of a new VW Jetta.
What everyone seems to be ignoring is the simple fact that battery technology is not nearly sufficiently mature for electric vehicles to be commercially viable, nor is that technology likely to become sufficiently mature absent a series of near miraculous scientific leaps forward. In addition, battery powered vehicles, in cold climates, are essentially very expensive paperweights much of the year, relegating the vehicles to the southmost portions of America (they’re far too expensive for most folks south of the border.)
I’m not sufficiently forward thinking? I’m an environmental criminal raining on the bold, socialist, alternative green future? Why then do such vehicles cost between $30,000 and $40, 000 for base models, and why do they require heavy government and manufacturer subsidies merely to get them off the showroom floor? Absent the miraculous breakthroughs that will produce range akin to gasoline powered vehicles, complete charge times measured in minutes rather than hours, and batteries unaffected by cold, contemporary electric cars will never occupy more than a tiny niche market and will never turn a profit for manufacturers. In fact, several have already admitted as much.
Rotary or diesel engines in electric cars? If my grandmother had wheels, she could be a wagon.
What everyone seems to be ignoring is the simple fact that battery technology is not nearly sufficiently mature for electric vehicles to be commercially viable, nor is that technology likely to become sufficiently mature absent a series of near miraculous scientific leaps forward. In addition, battery powered vehicles, in cold climates, are essentially very expensive paperweights much of the year, relegating the vehicles to the southmost portions of America (they’re far too expensive for most folks south of the border.)
I’m not sufficiently forward thinking? I’m an environmental criminal raining on the bold, socialist, alternative green future? Why then do such vehicles cost between $30,000 and $40, 000 for base models, and why do they require heavy government and manufacturer subsidies merely to get them off the showroom floor? Absent the miraculous breakthroughs that will produce range akin to gasoline powered vehicles, complete charge times measured in minutes rather than hours, and batteries unaffected by cold, contemporary electric cars will never occupy more than a tiny niche market and will never turn a profit for manufacturers. In fact, several have already admitted as much.
Rotary or diesel engines in electric cars? If my grandmother had wheels, she could be a wagon.
Mike,
mikemcdaniel ,
You must seriously work for the oil lobbyist because I can’t believe someone on there own would openly exude the ignorance that you have shown in your post
The model “S” from tesla which they plan to manufacture in 2011 gets over 300 miles to charge. I don’t call this a niche car. There are no breakthroughs to be had , battery technology storage has been increasing steadily for years and continue to grow at fast rate.
Lets not talk about government subsidies because the gasoline that you are paying at the pump today does not reflect the true value of what you should be paying which 3-5 times that price.
Another point you fail to see is that 75-85% of drivers drive less the 40 miles a day.I hope you can understand the implications of this fact never mind the technology exist to perform exponentially better.
I could go on… but who has the time.
Mike,
mikemcdaniel ,
You must seriously work for the oil lobbyist because I can’t believe someone on there own would openly exude the ignorance that you have shown in your post
The model “S” from tesla which they plan to manufacture in 2011 gets over 300 miles to charge. I don’t call this a niche car. There are no breakthroughs to be had , battery technology storage has been increasing steadily for years and continue to grow at fast rate.
Lets not talk about government subsidies because the gasoline that you are paying at the pump today does not reflect the true value of what you should be paying which 3-5 times that price.
Another point you fail to see is that 75-85% of drivers drive less the 40 miles a day.I hope you can understand the implications of this fact never mind the technology exist to perform exponentially better.
I could go on… but who has the time.
What all of you fail to understand about the rotary engine they are talking about, it could be about the size of a large shoe box probably less than 100 pounds. Rotary engines have a very flat torque curve so they are excellent at running at constant RPMs.
Oil consumption, a Mazda RX-8 with a 2 rotor engine that can hit 9000 rpms will go through less than a quart of oil in 5000 miles under easy driving, the more/faster reving you do the more oil it consumes. In the Volt application you can very finely tune the oil consumption to easily extend the time interval between adding oil.
moving parts, a one rotor engine like they are talking about has TWO moving parts. Can anyone say low maintenance?
Fuel consumption, in the rotary car application like the RX-8, a 1.3L 2 rotor engine that makes over 230 bhp will get 22-24 mph on the highway. Almost any sports car with similar performance numbers won;t do very much better than that.
Now for the best part, the rotary engine is uniquely suitable to running on HYDROGEN, in fact, MAZDA already has an essentially production RX-8 and mini van that runs on Hydrogen, and they can switch between gas and hydrogen with a flick of a switch. There is also work being done on a diesel rotary.
So you would have a light, almost maintenance free multi-fuel capable engine with 2 moving parts that would take up the room of a carry on bag.
What all of you fail to understand about the rotary engine they are talking about, it could be about the size of a large shoe box probably less than 100 pounds. Rotary engines have a very flat torque curve so they are excellent at running at constant RPMs.
Oil consumption, a Mazda RX-8 with a 2 rotor engine that can hit 9000 rpms will go through less than a quart of oil in 5000 miles under easy driving, the more/faster reving you do the more oil it consumes. In the Volt application you can very finely tune the oil consumption to easily extend the time interval between adding oil.
moving parts, a one rotor engine like they are talking about has TWO moving parts. Can anyone say low maintenance?
Fuel consumption, in the rotary car application like the RX-8, a 1.3L 2 rotor engine that makes over 230 bhp will get 22-24 mph on the highway. Almost any sports car with similar performance numbers won;t do very much better than that.
Now for the best part, the rotary engine is uniquely suitable to running on HYDROGEN, in fact, MAZDA already has an essentially production RX-8 and mini van that runs on Hydrogen, and they can switch between gas and hydrogen with a flick of a switch. There is also work being done on a diesel rotary.
So you would have a light, almost maintenance free multi-fuel capable engine with 2 moving parts that would take up the room of a carry on bag.
Check out Rotapower: http://www.rotapower.net
They have the technology to produce a multi-fuel rotary engine that has a very high HP-to-weight ratio. This would be the perfect companion to the Chevy Volt. It could consume anything from gasoline to 100% ethanol to 100% biodiesel to 100% vegetable oil.
The advantage of a hybrid over a straight diesel (like the VW TDI) is that the engine only runs when needed, and some of the energy used to accelerate the car can be recovered during stopping (with regenerative braking). Since most people spend 80-90% of their time driving in the city, this translates to a large fuel savings.
With a series hybrid like the Chevy Volt, we can take advantage of much more efficient modern power generation facilities– even the coal fired plants are over 95% efficient, and produce very low pollution. Even the very best of gasoline cars will get only 20% (or so) of efficiency. So, even with the inefficiency of battery chargers, storage batteries, power inverters, and electric motors, the combination of an electric car and a modern power station is 3-4 times more efficient than the average petroleum-powered car– even the very efficient VW TDI.
With the Chevy Volt, most driving (by the vast majority of people) will be in the electric mode– so no imported oil needed there. If Chevy decided to put in a diesel engine to run the generator that could run on 100% biodiesel (or even better– 100% vegetable oil), then there would still be no petroleum based products used.
Oil-palm trees are 20 times more efficient (in terms of gallons of oil per acre) than soybeans. These could be planted in the vast desert areas in the southwest. This could then be processed on-site into biodiesel (or left as vegetable oil for those engines that can burn that).
This, in combination with wind, solar, micro-hydro, etc. could put a huge dent in use of petroleum based fuels– and even eliminate the importation of such fuels.
In north America, there are vast reserves of natural gas– so converting many city cars (and taxis, buses, etc) to burn compressed natural gas would also help tremendously. Some of the natural gas could be converted into methanol, which can be burned in engines, or used in the process to create biodiesel.
With all of that said, there is no one technology that is going to get us out of the energy crisis– it will take all of the known technologies working in unison to get the job done. We should also continue research on better batteries, better solar power generation, etc.
Check out Rotapower: http://www.rotapower.net
They have the technology to produce a multi-fuel rotary engine that has a very high HP-to-weight ratio. This would be the perfect companion to the Chevy Volt. It could consume anything from gasoline to 100% ethanol to 100% biodiesel to 100% vegetable oil.
The advantage of a hybrid over a straight diesel (like the VW TDI) is that the engine only runs when needed, and some of the energy used to accelerate the car can be recovered during stopping (with regenerative braking). Since most people spend 80-90% of their time driving in the city, this translates to a large fuel savings.
With a series hybrid like the Chevy Volt, we can take advantage of much more efficient modern power generation facilities– even the coal fired plants are over 95% efficient, and produce very low pollution. Even the very best of gasoline cars will get only 20% (or so) of efficiency. So, even with the inefficiency of battery chargers, storage batteries, power inverters, and electric motors, the combination of an electric car and a modern power station is 3-4 times more efficient than the average petroleum-powered car– even the very efficient VW TDI.
With the Chevy Volt, most driving (by the vast majority of people) will be in the electric mode– so no imported oil needed there. If Chevy decided to put in a diesel engine to run the generator that could run on 100% biodiesel (or even better– 100% vegetable oil), then there would still be no petroleum based products used.
Oil-palm trees are 20 times more efficient (in terms of gallons of oil per acre) than soybeans. These could be planted in the vast desert areas in the southwest. This could then be processed on-site into biodiesel (or left as vegetable oil for those engines that can burn that).
This, in combination with wind, solar, micro-hydro, etc. could put a huge dent in use of petroleum based fuels– and even eliminate the importation of such fuels.
In north America, there are vast reserves of natural gas– so converting many city cars (and taxis, buses, etc) to burn compressed natural gas would also help tremendously. Some of the natural gas could be converted into methanol, which can be burned in engines, or used in the process to create biodiesel.
With all of that said, there is no one technology that is going to get us out of the energy crisis– it will take all of the known technologies working in unison to get the job done. We should also continue research on better batteries, better solar power generation, etc.
Great topic. Actually given the green nature of an electric car and the fact that Bio-diesel is already a reality in some areas I was shocked that the first-generation didn’t have them. At this point I’ve met the Volt in person, and was suitably impressed (even as a traditional luxury auto driver. However, I so hate the gas industry for what they’re guilty for, I don’t want to do it half-way. I want my diesel Volt, so generation 2 it is. Hopefully Chevy will accommodate me.