There are many things that General Motors has been incredibly forthcoming about as they’ve developed the Volt for all the world to see. Certainly no other vehicle has been the subject of so many videos and webchats detailing its trips through 2 feet of water or its visits to the arctic or some other form of vehicle torture.
But when it comes to the Volt’s real-world fuel efficiency, GM has methodically avoided comment. Now, thanks to the keen eyes of some web denizens, it appears that one video shot by a Volt test driver shows that the Volt achieves less than 30 mpg after the battery has been depleted—in what’s called charge-sustaining mode. Given that the Prius is capable of obtaining 50 mpg on average, the revelation is rather shocking.
So what gives? Up to this point commentary from GM has pegged the Volt’s efficiency around 50 mpg after the battery has been depleted. As most Gas 2.0 readers know, the Volt has a 40 mile all-electric range, after which point the combustion engine kicks on and runs a generator which charges the batteries and can propel the Volt down the road for an additional 300 miles of range.
It was long assumed, and even hinted at, that the Volt had a fuel tank around 6 gallons given that it could get about 50 mpg and had a 300 mile gas range. But earlier this year, Consumer Reports reported that the fuel tank on the Volt was more like 9 gallons. When this little tidbit came to light, the immediate reaction was that it meant you would be able to drive the Volt more like 450 miles on on tank of gas. Add the 40 mile electric range and all of a sudden it seemed like the Volt was a 500 mile monster of an alternative car.
But then came the rebuttal from GM. Although they wouldn’t give any actual specifics on the gas tank size, they alternately said that 9 gallons was an assumption and that the Volt wouldn’t use all of its fuel and that accounted for the discrepancy. But now it’s all starting to make sense. If the Volt only gets about 30 mpg in charge-sustaining mode, then you would need a 10 gallon tank for a 300 mile range.
Hmmm… a 40 mile electric range and only 30 mpg after that… is the Volt really worth the $41,000 price tag, especially when compared to the Nissan LEAF’s $33K? The more details that come out, the less enticing the package is.
Source: GM-Volt.com
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Dr. Abbas Nazri from GM commented in 2008 that there will be no way for a consumer to use the same battery throughout the lifetime of the vehicle (10 years). Here is his original words: “People have to get to used to the idea of buying a second battery”. Of course he denied this when what he said become public.
GM is a crooked company run by crooks. Their engineers are in no doubt highly talented, but they can’t defy basic physics. They are dishonestly hyping this DOA, eventually they will be a failure because Chevy Volt is not competitive in anyway.
Dr. Abbas Nazri from GM commented in 2008 that there will be no way for a consumer to use the same battery throughout the lifetime of the vehicle (10 years). Here is his original words: “People have to get to used to the idea of buying a second battery”. Of course he denied this when what he said become public.
GM is a crooked company run by crooks. Their engineers are in no doubt highly talented, but they can’t defy basic physics. They are dishonestly hyping this DOA, eventually they will be a failure because Chevy Volt is not competitive in anyway.
Dr. Abbas Nazri from GM commented in 2008 that there will be no way for a consumer to use the same battery throughout the lifetime of the vehicle (10 years). Here is his original words: “People have to get to used to the idea of buying a second battery”. Of course he denied this when what he said become public.
GM is a crooked company run by crooks. Their engineers are in no doubt highly talented, but they can’t defy basic physics. They are dishonestly hyping this DOA, eventually they will be a failure because Chevy Volt is not competitive in anyway.
First off, that video was made at the michigan proving grounds, i.e., not your standard driving conditions. The reporter was gunning it, running on the rough road track, cruising at 70mph, etc. Also, they initiated mountain mode, which would use gas to bring the battery buffer up higher than normal, which would use gas more than normal operation. Also, we don’t know if the software for the mpg display is finalized. I don’t think you can glean any useful information from this video, beyond the fact that the car is a blast to drive.
As for Battery Expert’s comment, the battery in the Volt is 16kwh total, but only 8kwh is used. The battery is purposely over-engineered to last longer. For example, the DoP [depth of charge] goes from 80% at full battery to 30% depleted. As the years go by, you will still have the same electric range. Also, they have warrantied the battery for 8 years.
First off, that video was made at the michigan proving grounds, i.e., not your standard driving conditions. The reporter was gunning it, running on the rough road track, cruising at 70mph, etc. Also, they initiated mountain mode, which would use gas to bring the battery buffer up higher than normal, which would use gas more than normal operation. Also, we don’t know if the software for the mpg display is finalized. I don’t think you can glean any useful information from this video, beyond the fact that the car is a blast to drive.
As for Battery Expert’s comment, the battery in the Volt is 16kwh total, but only 8kwh is used. The battery is purposely over-engineered to last longer. For example, the DoP [depth of charge] goes from 80% at full battery to 30% depleted. As the years go by, you will still have the same electric range. Also, they have warrantied the battery for 8 years.
Until it comes out and we start seeing some real-world numbers, articles like this are useless.
Until it comes out and we start seeing some real-world numbers, articles like this are useless.
Until it comes out and we start seeing some real-world numbers, articles like this are useless.
The Volt was a failure from the moment they decided to stick an gas engine in it (IMHO). I hope GM succeeds until they pay back every dime due to the American people, then they can continue to watch other manufacturers leapfrog them in tech + efficiency which will ultimately bring them to their doom.
The Volt was a failure from the moment they decided to stick an gas engine in it (IMHO). I hope GM succeeds until they pay back every dime due to the American people, then they can continue to watch other manufacturers leapfrog them in tech + efficiency which will ultimately bring them to their doom.
The Volt was a failure from the moment they decided to stick an gas engine in it (IMHO). I hope GM succeeds until they pay back every dime due to the American people, then they can continue to watch other manufacturers leapfrog them in tech + efficiency which will ultimately bring them to their doom.
MikeD:
I certainly understand that the battery cycle life is dramatically improved by reducing DOD to 50%, the main problem here is the pouch cell is subject to failure, gasing or perforation, so with 50,000 Volts on the market, you are talking about ~10 million cells, if any cell fails, the whole pack can be destroyed, so a new pack has to be installed, the expenses will be very high, making this commercially untenable.
MikeD:
I certainly understand that the battery cycle life is dramatically improved by reducing DOD to 50%, the main problem here is the pouch cell is subject to failure, gasing or perforation, so with 50,000 Volts on the market, you are talking about ~10 million cells, if any cell fails, the whole pack can be destroyed, so a new pack has to be installed, the expenses will be very high, making this commercially untenable.
MikeD:
I certainly understand that the battery cycle life is dramatically improved by reducing DOD to 50%, the main problem here is the pouch cell is subject to failure, gasing or perforation, so with 50,000 Volts on the market, you are talking about ~10 million cells, if any cell fails, the whole pack can be destroyed, so a new pack has to be installed, the expenses will be very high, making this commercially untenable.
This is such a weird number, since the Volt’s gas engine never directly powers the wheels. Lots of factors to consider, not enough info. I think the point of the article is that the Volt is not the Messiah Mobile, which seems to be how GM wants us to see it.
This is such a weird number, since the Volt’s gas engine never directly powers the wheels. Lots of factors to consider, not enough info. I think the point of the article is that the Volt is not the Messiah Mobile, which seems to be how GM wants us to see it.
This is such a weird number, since the Volt’s gas engine never directly powers the wheels. Lots of factors to consider, not enough info. I think the point of the article is that the Volt is not the Messiah Mobile, which seems to be how GM wants us to see it.
There is nothing I find surprising here. If you expect to regularly run over 40 miles then a Volt is not your game. If you run less than that, except for a few times a month when you do say 50/100 miles then your well ahead and have enjoyed most of your motoring in quietr comfort.
It is however good to see Americans being shocked by a mileage that is under 30mpg. The rest of us wondered if that moment would ever arrive!
There is nothing I find surprising here. If you expect to regularly run over 40 miles then a Volt is not your game. If you run less than that, except for a few times a month when you do say 50/100 miles then your well ahead and have enjoyed most of your motoring in quietr comfort.
It is however good to see Americans being shocked by a mileage that is under 30mpg. The rest of us wondered if that moment would ever arrive!
There is nothing I find surprising here. If you expect to regularly run over 40 miles then a Volt is not your game. If you run less than that, except for a few times a month when you do say 50/100 miles then your well ahead and have enjoyed most of your motoring in quietr comfort.
It is however good to see Americans being shocked by a mileage that is under 30mpg. The rest of us wondered if that moment would ever arrive!
The revelation is rather shocking?
This has been predicted over and over again.
Using an ICE to spin a generator loses a lot of energy. Carrying around hundreds of pounds of discharged batteries imparts another penalty. The Prius does not have a generator thermal bottleneck or hundreds of pounds of dead batteries to lug around.
It would be shocking if the Volt got anywhere near the mileage of the Prius.
The revelation is rather shocking?
This has been predicted over and over again.
Using an ICE to spin a generator loses a lot of energy. Carrying around hundreds of pounds of discharged batteries imparts another penalty. The Prius does not have a generator thermal bottleneck or hundreds of pounds of dead batteries to lug around.
It would be shocking if the Volt got anywhere near the mileage of the Prius.
Do any of our scientists and I doubt it, or the “Media” think out the ramifications of alternative power for our vehicles?
Did anyone think what the current electric car power rage, with the new lithium or other newer, batteries entails?
One outfit claims that they can get 100 miles on a charge. What does that entail?
1. Was the air conditioner/heater used on that test?
2. Was the speed control used?
3. Were there a lot of stopping and starting and a lot of braking?
4. What was the condition of the roads?
5. Were turn signals used?
6. Was the power steering gear electronic (GM & Toyota are all electrical)?
7. If hydraulic steering gear was used more weight is added.
8. Was the car equipped with power steering?
9. Was the radio or CD player used?
10. Is the car equipped with a CB radio?
11. Was the Navigation Station used?
12. Were headlights used?
13. Chevy Volt’s battery weighs 400lbs.
14. Cost of lithium-ion batteries around $10,000.
15. Overcharging causes fires. (That’s why computers explode).
16. What was the condition of the roads?
17. Where do you recharge in an emergency?
18. What will the cost be to charge your car? At home? Away?
19. The Tesla Roadster doesn’t allow you to re-charge more than 95 percent of the original power or let it drain down to less than 2 percent [source: Eberhard and Straubel]. Also, the company projects the battery pack to last 100,000 miles, or five years. At that point, you would have to replace the battery (See No. 14 above).
20. The Volt Alternate power source (gas engine) requires premium fuel. And it appears that Volt achieves less than 30 mpg after the battery is depleted the Prius averages 50 mpg.
Do any of our scientists and I doubt it, or the “Media” think out the ramifications of alternative power for our vehicles?
Did anyone think what the current electric car power rage, with the new lithium or other newer, batteries entails?
One outfit claims that they can get 100 miles on a charge. What does that entail?
1. Was the air conditioner/heater used on that test?
2. Was the speed control used?
3. Were there a lot of stopping and starting and a lot of braking?
4. What was the condition of the roads?
5. Were turn signals used?
6. Was the power steering gear electronic (GM & Toyota are all electrical)?
7. If hydraulic steering gear was used more weight is added.
8. Was the car equipped with power steering?
9. Was the radio or CD player used?
10. Is the car equipped with a CB radio?
11. Was the Navigation Station used?
12. Were headlights used?
13. Chevy Volt’s battery weighs 400lbs.
14. Cost of lithium-ion batteries around $10,000.
15. Overcharging causes fires. (That’s why computers explode).
16. What was the condition of the roads?
17. Where do you recharge in an emergency?
18. What will the cost be to charge your car? At home? Away?
19. The Tesla Roadster doesn’t allow you to re-charge more than 95 percent of the original power or let it drain down to less than 2 percent [source: Eberhard and Straubel]. Also, the company projects the battery pack to last 100,000 miles, or five years. At that point, you would have to replace the battery (See No. 14 above).
20. The Volt Alternate power source (gas engine) requires premium fuel. And it appears that Volt achieves less than 30 mpg after the battery is depleted the Prius averages 50 mpg.
Do any of our scientists and I doubt it, or the “Media” think out the ramifications of alternative power for our vehicles?
Did anyone think what the current electric car power rage, with the new lithium or other newer, batteries entails?
One outfit claims that they can get 100 miles on a charge. What does that entail?
1. Was the air conditioner/heater used on that test?
2. Was the speed control used?
3. Were there a lot of stopping and starting and a lot of braking?
4. What was the condition of the roads?
5. Were turn signals used?
6. Was the power steering gear electronic (GM & Toyota are all electrical)?
7. If hydraulic steering gear was used more weight is added.
8. Was the car equipped with power steering?
9. Was the radio or CD player used?
10. Is the car equipped with a CB radio?
11. Was the Navigation Station used?
12. Were headlights used?
13. Chevy Volt’s battery weighs 400lbs.
14. Cost of lithium-ion batteries around $10,000.
15. Overcharging causes fires. (That’s why computers explode).
16. What was the condition of the roads?
17. Where do you recharge in an emergency?
18. What will the cost be to charge your car? At home? Away?
19. The Tesla Roadster doesn’t allow you to re-charge more than 95 percent of the original power or let it drain down to less than 2 percent [source: Eberhard and Straubel]. Also, the company projects the battery pack to last 100,000 miles, or five years. At that point, you would have to replace the battery (See No. 14 above).
20. The Volt Alternate power source (gas engine) requires premium fuel. And it appears that Volt achieves less than 30 mpg after the battery is depleted the Prius averages 50 mpg.
Nice advertisement, slowtrot.
In a few months, we’ll be getting Volt’s advertising from nightly news reports. “Can a car really use no gas at all? Details at 5:30″
Nice advertisement, slowtrot.
In a few months, we’ll be getting Volt’s advertising from nightly news reports. “Can a car really use no gas at all? Details at 5:30″
Nice advertisement, slowtrot.
In a few months, we’ll be getting Volt’s advertising from nightly news reports. “Can a car really use no gas at all? Details at 5:30″
I think it is very important that we the consumers, hold our manufacturers feet to the fire. Why should we after all, pay for their incompatence, while they play catch up. WE get no advantages from the FREE market we always hear about, but are not really a part of? Hell with the consumers, profit, profit, profit. Anyone for a bailout?