Chevy Volt MPG question
04-01-10, 02:23 PM
#2
I haven't brushed up on my Volt knowledge lately, but the car never runs on gas power alone. Instead the engine is used to charge the batteries which continue to run the car. In other words, we won't know until the EPA figures out how they want to score the car 
04-01-10, 10:36 PM
#4
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Does anybody know if it has a transmission or is direct drive (motor attached to wheels)?
Diesel-electric locomotives are quite efficient because they avoid drivetrain loss...the Volt should be more efficient if it was direct drive compared to the same engine going through a transmission, differential, cv joint, etc.
Diesel-electric locomotives are quite efficient because they avoid drivetrain loss...the Volt should be more efficient if it was direct drive compared to the same engine going through a transmission, differential, cv joint, etc.
04-02-10, 04:36 AM
#5
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That's correct. The Volt is an electric car through and through. It is not driven by an ICE at all. Its drive wheels are driven by electric motors only. The on board ICE only charges the cells. The mileage estimates are all over the board from 45 MPG - 274 MPG. The big question is, what method will EPA use to certify the thing?
04-02-10, 05:26 AM
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The million dollar question.
I would hope that the Volt could average 60 MPG, after depleting its charge. I can only speculate though. Given that it has all of the hybrid goodies, such as regen. brakes, I would think that a large Li-ion battery pack being supplied by a small, efficient ICE, running at an optimal speed should out do the Prius.
I would hope that the Volt could average 60 MPG, after depleting its charge. I can only speculate though. Given that it has all of the hybrid goodies, such as regen. brakes, I would think that a large Li-ion battery pack being supplied by a small, efficient ICE, running at an optimal speed should out do the Prius.
04-02-10, 08:13 AM
#7
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The million dollar question.
I would hope that the Volt could average 60 MPG, after depleting its charge. I can only speculate though. Given that it has all of the hybrid goodies, such as regen. brakes, I would think that a large Li-ion battery pack being supplied by a small, efficient ICE, running at an optimal speed should out do the Prius.
I would hope that the Volt could average 60 MPG, after depleting its charge. I can only speculate though. Given that it has all of the hybrid goodies, such as regen. brakes, I would think that a large Li-ion battery pack being supplied by a small, efficient ICE, running at an optimal speed should out do the Prius.
that being said...it shouldn't be that difficult to get the MPG numbers...EPA just needs to run thru a few full tanks of gas and see what the MPG comes to...now WILL THEY do it this way...?? who knows??
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04-02-10, 09:49 AM
#8
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Robert A. Lutz, G.M.’s soon-to-retire vice chairman, rode shotgun while I fiddled with the Volt’s attractive screen displays, which showed everything from fuel mileage to battery power levels. Mr. Lutz urged me to mash the gas on a short straightaway, which produced the instant-on torque of an electric car and reasonable acceleration; G.M. estimates a 10-second squirt from zero to 60 miles per hour. The Volt’s Sport mode can draw extra battery power for a bit more speed, and its regenerative brakes, which capture energy and return it to the battery, felt natural and linear.
04-03-10, 02:19 AM
#9
I like the Volt concept. Running through a few full tanks of gas to get an estimated MPG wont quite cut it though. The car is meant to be a plug in. Theoretically, you could get virtual unlimited MPG off the gas (Not that you would want gas sitting in the tank that long) if you keep plugging the car in to charge the batteries. Still though, I am curious how long a full gas tank would keep the Volts batteries charged.
04-03-10, 04:05 AM
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I don't believe that the EPA will be able to arrive at a number (or two - city & highway).
It's a mathematical impossibility. Because every single mile driven past the battery charge range changes that number. What a predicament.
They'll have to assign a new system of course. Basically, the window sticker may simply state the estimated 40 mile electric only range, and then the estimated regeneration mpg thereafter. You cannot figure a total mpg accurately (accept for one's individual trip). Marketing may be quite a challenge because of this.
It's a mathematical impossibility. Because every single mile driven past the battery charge range changes that number. What a predicament.
They'll have to assign a new system of course. Basically, the window sticker may simply state the estimated 40 mile electric only range, and then the estimated regeneration mpg thereafter. You cannot figure a total mpg accurately (accept for one's individual trip). Marketing may be quite a challenge because of this.
04-03-10, 04:45 AM
#11
04-03-10, 03:15 PM
#13
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I don't believe that the EPA will be able to arrive at a number (or two - city & highway).
It's a mathematical impossibility. Because every single mile driven past the battery charge range changes that number. What a predicament.
They'll have to assign a new system of course. Basically, the window sticker may simply state the estimated 40 mile electric only range, and then the estimated regeneration mpg thereafter. You cannot figure a total mpg accurately (accept for one's individual trip). Marketing may be quite a challenge because of this.
It's a mathematical impossibility. Because every single mile driven past the battery charge range changes that number. What a predicament.
They'll have to assign a new system of course. Basically, the window sticker may simply state the estimated 40 mile electric only range, and then the estimated regeneration mpg thereafter. You cannot figure a total mpg accurately (accept for one's individual trip). Marketing may be quite a challenge because of this.
04-04-10, 01:58 AM
#14
it is very unlikely that Volt will get anything above 40 mpg when batteries are depleted. Even 40 mpg will be victory, as it is less efficient system than Prius when batteries are out, and you have small petrol engine, powering electric motors which then power very heavy car. You have two added things in the equation - extra loses from petrol>electric and weight of car with useless batteries.
Unlike full hybrids like Prius, Volt will not recharge its battery during driving. More specifically, it will charge it only to keep minimum charge that is required for the health of batteries.
So when out of batteries, you are left with small engine in heavy car with extra parasitic losses. I see no way how could they get better mpg than Cruze for instance.
If you buy Volt, it would because you can fit into the concept of 40 miles of EV, with very few long distance trips. I for instance do not even need that, as a lot of europeans drive a lot less than that per day, so it is vehicle much better suited for Europe.
But, at the same time, due to taxing laws, you will be paying 50k-60k Euros for it in Europe, which is crazy expensive for that class (double the price, plus class itself is much lesser sold than in USA, here best selling cars are between 10k-15k euros), and most of us live in flats, so they need to build public charging stations next to parking slots.
Unlike full hybrids like Prius, Volt will not recharge its battery during driving. More specifically, it will charge it only to keep minimum charge that is required for the health of batteries.
So when out of batteries, you are left with small engine in heavy car with extra parasitic losses. I see no way how could they get better mpg than Cruze for instance.
If you buy Volt, it would because you can fit into the concept of 40 miles of EV, with very few long distance trips. I for instance do not even need that, as a lot of europeans drive a lot less than that per day, so it is vehicle much better suited for Europe.
But, at the same time, due to taxing laws, you will be paying 50k-60k Euros for it in Europe, which is crazy expensive for that class (double the price, plus class itself is much lesser sold than in USA, here best selling cars are between 10k-15k euros), and most of us live in flats, so they need to build public charging stations next to parking slots.
04-04-10, 12:09 PM
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^^ It would work great here in Metro Vancouver. I have never had a job further than 25 km (16 miles) round trip and most of my leisure trips hiking are less than 40 miles altogether. Plus, with the high gas prices, charging on electricity is going to cost pennies compared to $50 a tank. Since traffic is so bad, any car I drive gets around 15 L/100km (16 mpg) regardless of where I go...so this would use even less "fuel" since it can shut off.
The only issues I could see is the lack of charging bays in our condo building. Likewise, price will be a huge issue as well. However, I don't see why I would buy this if it was a solid, reliable, and quality built commuter car, though.
The only issues I could see is the lack of charging bays in our condo building. Likewise, price will be a huge issue as well. However, I don't see why I would buy this if it was a solid, reliable, and quality built commuter car, though.