EPA rates the Volt: 93 MPG-equivalent on electricity, 37 MPG gas, 60 MPG combined
09-09-08, 09:05 PM
#31
Lead Lap
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: MD
Posts: 4,511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Im wondering since its a serial hybrid if the power fromt he gas engine has to go to the battery or can it bypass it and go straight to the electric motors. Im no electrical engineer.
09-09-08, 09:07 PM
#32
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
I think GM needs to get this car out ASAP.
09-09-08, 10:57 PM
#34
Lexus Fanatic
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: California
Posts: 6,084
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Two years. Ugh.
09-10-08, 04:57 AM
#35
Pole Position
Keep in mind, the original estimates were that the Volt would have a range of about 600-700 miles, starting with a full charge and a full tank. Don't know if those estimates have changed.
09-10-08, 04:00 PM
#36
09-10-08, 04:01 PM
#37
Well no matter what I think that 40 miles will vary. If youre doing 90 MPH it could only last 20 miles before the gasoline engine kicks in. If youre doing 25 MPH it could 60 miles before the gasoline engine kicks in. I always took the 40 miles figure as a general estimate.
Im wondering since its a serial hybrid if the power fromt he gas engine has to go to the battery or can it bypass it and go straight to the electric motors. Im no electrical engineer.
Im wondering since its a serial hybrid if the power fromt he gas engine has to go to the battery or can it bypass it and go straight to the electric motors. Im no electrical engineer.
Problem is what happens if you get stuck in rush hour traffic and you bought the car believeing you will tripple your mpg, and you only increase it by 40%?
It will be 30k-40k car...
09-10-08, 04:06 PM
#38
Racer
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: so. cal
Posts: 1,789
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What about people who live in area with hills, won't that 40 miles be compromised with hills, and the gas engine will have to start to engage, or will they still claim 40 miles under any circumstances?
We still have to wait till the EPA measures this under their testing methods to figure out if this will get those numbers
09-10-08, 05:30 PM
#39
Lexus Fanatic
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: California
Posts: 6,084
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Somebody is getting confused here. My understanding is that the Volt is an electric vehicle, period. The gas engine cannot be used to move the car, it is only used to recharge the batteries which are the only way the thing moves. The original article which granted is still talking about something two years off is saying that the thing can be fully recharged in 10 hours on 115VAC, less on 208. I don't know how smart GM is making it but if you are draining the batteries faster than the gas engine can recharge, you eventually run out of electrons. Sorry for the comment about the long haul into the mountains as that may have confused some of you. Going into the Sierras from the bay area can have an hour of uphill, or more, which could run the batteries out if the gas engine can't keep up with the discharge. In normal driving in places where the drain won't be anywhere near as bad, with stop and go to allow regenerative recharge as well as gasoline engine recharge, I assume GM is saying everything will be fine. Going to have to wait two years to find out what the real specs are going to be. Of course, your mileage may vary.
09-10-08, 06:56 PM
#40
Lexus Fanatic
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 7,864
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think we have to have faith that GM will factor every possible condition and have a powertrain that will handle what a sedan is supposed to be able to handle (within reason).
This means that even in unusual hilly areas and such, the recharging system will be designed to handle such a condition. Remember, this car supposedly will have a 3-cylinder gas motor which is very capable of generating a lot of recharge power (plenty of cars in the past have been built with 3-bangers that fully powered a car eg. Geo Metro).
This means that even in unusual hilly areas and such, the recharging system will be designed to handle such a condition. Remember, this car supposedly will have a 3-cylinder gas motor which is very capable of generating a lot of recharge power (plenty of cars in the past have been built with 3-bangers that fully powered a car eg. Geo Metro).
09-10-08, 07:36 PM
#41
Racer
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: so. cal
Posts: 1,789
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Somebody is getting confused here. My understanding is that the Volt is an electric vehicle, period. The gas engine cannot be used to move the car, it is only used to recharge the batteries which are the only way the thing moves. The original article which granted is still talking about something two years off is saying that the thing can be fully recharged in 10 hours on 115VAC, less on 208. I don't know how smart GM is making it but if you are draining the batteries faster than the gas engine can recharge, you eventually run out of electrons. Sorry for the comment about the long haul into the mountains as that may have confused some of you. Going into the Sierras from the bay area can have an hour of uphill, or more, which could run the batteries out if the gas engine can't keep up with the discharge. In normal driving in places where the drain won't be anywhere near as bad, with stop and go to allow regenerative recharge as well as gasoline engine recharge, I assume GM is saying everything will be fine. Going to have to wait two years to find out what the real specs are going to be. Of course, your mileage may vary.
09-10-08, 07:58 PM
#43
Lead Lap
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: MD
Posts: 4,511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Environmental Protection Agency is considering altering the way it determines mileage figures for hybrid vehicles which could ultimately result in much higher mileage figures being awarded to hybrids. Currently, the EPA test cycle involves city and highway driving, as well as speed runs and air conditioning loads. The Chevrolet Volt hybrid currently achieves figures higher than around 100mpg on these tests, thanks to its 40-mile electric-only range and the fact that its internal combustion engine is only used around 15% of the time for the EPA test.
But now the agency wants to change the requirements of the test drastically - the new proposal would require hybrid cars] that are tested to be kept at close to full charge, meaning that effectively their electric-only range is eliminated, reports MotorTrend.
The proposal would have far reaching effects on upcoming hybrid vehicles and plug-ins, and while it would be a more accurate measurement for long driving distances, it would provide a skewed result for short-distance commuters. For example, under the new system the Chevrolet Volt would achieve under 50mpg, despite the fact that many Volt purchasers would travel less than 40 miles per day and would thus only ever use the electric engine.
While the EPA is not yet fully committed to the proposal it comes as worrying news to GM, which may end up having to mount a new marketing campaign advertising the ‘true’ abilities of the Volt. The Volt will certainly not be the only hybrid affected either, with vehicles from every manufacturer set to experience falls in mileage figures if the new certification goes ahead.
But now the agency wants to change the requirements of the test drastically - the new proposal would require hybrid cars] that are tested to be kept at close to full charge, meaning that effectively their electric-only range is eliminated, reports MotorTrend.
The proposal would have far reaching effects on upcoming hybrid vehicles and plug-ins, and while it would be a more accurate measurement for long driving distances, it would provide a skewed result for short-distance commuters. For example, under the new system the Chevrolet Volt would achieve under 50mpg, despite the fact that many Volt purchasers would travel less than 40 miles per day and would thus only ever use the electric engine.
While the EPA is not yet fully committed to the proposal it comes as worrying news to GM, which may end up having to mount a new marketing campaign advertising the ‘true’ abilities of the Volt. The Volt will certainly not be the only hybrid affected either, with vehicles from every manufacturer set to experience falls in mileage figures if the new certification goes ahead.
09-10-08, 08:24 PM
#44
Racer
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: so. cal
Posts: 1,789
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts