GM-Volt: Chevy Volt Forum http://gm-volt.com/forum Chevy Volt Forum en Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:49:47 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.gm-volt.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg GM-Volt: Chevy Volt Forum http://gm-volt.com/forum Volt: to be the first 100 mpg car! http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1815&goto=newpost Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:49:08 GMT Certification is almost complete now, according to EPA, for the first 100 mpg produced by an automaker. ---Quote--- *The first 100-mpg car* By Jeff... Certification is almost complete now, according to EPA, for the first 100 mpg produced by an automaker.

Quote:
The first 100-mpg car
By Jeff Green
Bloomberg

A car that gets 100 miles per gallon? It may not be as far a way as you think.

General Motors said it has reached a preliminary agreement with Environmental Protection Agency regulators that clears the way for the Chevrolet Volt, an electric vehicle that could be recharged at home or with a 1.4-liter gasoline engine, to be certified as the first 100-mpg car.

Even though the Volt is classified as an electric car, GM will still be able to claim it's the most fuel-efficient vehicle because a gasoline-powered engine would take over if the sedan exceeded the 40-mile range of its battery.

Earning a 100-mpg certification would give the country's biggest automaker the holy grail its industry first envisioned during the oil shocks of the 1970s. Detroit-based GM's sales of pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles collapsed this year as gasoline topped $4 a gallon.

"It's a huge milestone to beat 100 mpg. It's bragging rights," said Rebecca Lindland, an analyst at Global Insight in Lexington, Mass. "To many people, GM is just about gas-guzzling SUVs. They never get credit for fuel economy. If Toyota were doing the Volt, they would be having parades and waving flags."

While the EPA won't confirm how it gauges fuel economy of plug-in models until testing methodology is complete, Tony Posawatz, vehicle-line director for the Volt, said the agency preliminarily agreed to a method that will produce a rating of at least 100 mpg for the Volt.

But depending on assumptions in the test method, Volt could get 120 mpg to 200 mpg, said Michael Duoba, a research engineer at Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, Ill., and chairman of the Society of Automotive Engineers committee trying to develop fuel-economy tests for plug-in cars.

"It's a new process"

The EPA "hopes to have a final policy soon," said spokeswoman Catherine Milbourn.

The four-passenger Volt, scheduled to go on sale in November 2010.

Obtaining a 100-mpg rating will require the EPA to develop a new way of measuring fuel efficiency for a car that's likely to rely more heavily on electric than internal-combustion power, according to GM's Posawatz. The automaker promised to share mileage data captured from the Volt's onboard computers to verify real-world performance if EPA will grant the certification now, he said.

"It's a new process. No one has done a vehicle like this before," said Posawatz. "We would like to have 80 percent of the people get better than the (EPA rating) label."
More here: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm..._100mpg10.html ]]> News JoeReal http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1815 Gas shortage crisis http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1814&goto=newpost Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:58:43 GMT The news has been so wrapped up about the financial meltdown that you don't hear about the gas shortages that are happening in the Southeast.

Matt Simmons feels that if we don't stop driving now that the entire pipeline could be drained and we would run out of food 5-7 days after that! Hopefully he is wrong but his knowledge of our energy infrastructure is amazing. I had no idea it takes about 120 days for crude oil pumped in Saudi Arabia to become refined gasoline in Atlanta. That's insane!

I also didn't know the extent of the shortages. Here is one quote from a driver made last week:

“Every few days they say it’s going to get better,” Mr. Adams said, “but it only seems to get worse.”

Anyway, check out this very interesting video by Mr. Simmons. What do you all make of this? If it's so bad how come the news stations are not all over it. Do we need to run out of gasoline before the news will come out? Just in case, you might want to stock up on the food basics. ;)


Matt Simmons video: http://www.worldenergy.tv/ ]]> News Texas http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1814 Continuing Resolution Includes $25 Billion in Automakers Loans http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1813&goto=newpost Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:28:26 GMT (From the Department of Energy) President Bush last week signed a continuing resolution bill that keeps the federal government operating through... (From the Department of Energy)

President Bush last week signed a continuing resolution bill that keeps the federal government operating through March 6, 2009, but also includes funds for automaker loans that will encourage the development of plug-in hybrids and other advanced technology vehicles. H.R. 2638—the "Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009"—includes as part of its continuing resolution an appropriation of $7.51 billion for DOE to support up to $25 billion in direct loans to automakers and auto part suppliers. The amount includes $10 million for DOE to administer the loans, which were authorized by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, H.R. 6. That energy act designated loans to support the manufacture of advanced light-duty vehicles (cars and light trucks) that meet strict emissions limits and exceeded the average fuel economy of current model year vehicles by at least 25%. It specified that the loans would go to automakers and component suppliers to cover up to 30% of the cost of engineering the integration of advanced technologies into vehicles; designing the tooling, equipment, and manufacturing processes to produce the technologies and the vehicles; and creating the manufacturing facilities for the components and vehicles. The new act requires DOE to promulgate an interim final rule for the loan program within 60 days. See the White House press release, Section 129 of Division A of H.R. 2638, and Section 136 of H.R. 6.

In addition to the automotive loans, Section 130 of the continuing resolution provides a $250 million budget boost to the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), providing additional funds for the Weatherization Assistance Program, which offers energy efficiency services for the homes of low-income families. Other than that, funding for EERE will remain at fiscal year 2008 levels while the continuing resolution is in effect. However, as part of special funds for fire management at the U.S. Forest Service, Chapter 6 of the new act provides $175 million for hazardous fuels reduction, an effort that generates low-value wood waste that it useful for biomass energy production. The act specifies that $125 million of that amount should go toward fuels reduction and hazard mitigation activities on state and private lands. See Section 130 of Division A of H.R. 2638, as well as Chapter 6 of the act. ]]> News K MAN http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1813 GM and Porsche Win the American Le Mans Green Challenge http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1812&goto=newpost Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:24:21 GMT The winning Corvette Racing team is fueling with cellulosic E85 throughout this season of the American Le Mans Series. Enlarge this photo. Credit:... The winning Corvette Racing team is fueling with cellulosic E85 throughout this season of the American Le Mans Series. Enlarge this photo.
Credit: American Le Mans Series

General Motors Corporation (GM) and Porsche AG were named on Saturday, October 4, as the inaugural winners of the Green Challenge at the Petit Le Mans, the signature endurance race of the American Le Mans Series. GM's Corvette Racing team took top honors among the Grand Touring entries, which are modified production cars, while Porsche's Penske Racing team placed first among the prototype cars. While Audi Sport North America won the actual 1,000-mile race at Road Atlanta, the Corvette and Porsche teams won the race-within-the-race by achieving the best scores for overall performance, amount of petroleum displaced, and amount of greenhouse gas emissions. According to GM, the Corvette team's low score was achieved in part by burning cellulosic E85R, a blend of 15% gasoline and 85% ethanol derived from waste wood. The American Le Mans Series partnered with DOE, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and SAE International (an automotive engineering society) to develop the Green Challenge. See the announcement from the American Le Mans Series, the GM press release, the Green Challenge rating system (PDF 44 KB), and the Road Atlanta Web site. Download Adobe Reader. ]]> News K MAN http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1812 Volt in Sydney http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1811&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:51:40 GMT G'day,

Well I had the lucky chance to go see the GM-Volt showing at the Sydney, Australia Car Show.
Let me tell you, the website photo's don't give this car justice, it looks fantastic in real life.
I don't know if it was because it was super washed & buffed up for the car show, but seeing & feeling this thing in the flesh and bone (or should I say metal & other alloys) really did make my interest in this car go from good, to gimme now!

Although the story is it wont be released until 2012 in Australia, many Eastern State's people are interested in buying the GM-Volt, but where I'm from (Western Australia) the interest has gone from not to much, to worse.
By the time the GM-Volt hits the Australian shores, Western Australia's power companies will be murged to make 1 large company, but this is going to cost home electrical bills to a plus of 70% !!
This is a major blow for the electric car, even though we are told it costs the same as running your fridge over night, a few companies I deal with are already humming & hurring over ordering fleets of the electric car.
Sadness :( ]]> General RockyM http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1811 Idea to tell if one of your exterior lights are out http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1810&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:23:20 GMT You can use fiber optics strands to transfer light the from the exterior lights to interior of the vehicle. When no light shines through you'll know you may have a short or a burnt out light. My uncle did this to an older 80s Ford car. ]]> Engineering SilverMayne http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1810 GM shares fall to lowest level since 1950 http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1809&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:25:23 GMT http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/7847455

Let's just hope GM survives, if it continues that way, I am not that sure it will... it is still two years until the Volt will be released and I am not too sure if their current lineup is competitive... ]]> News well http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1809 the winning battery at GM - speculation by Bill Moore. http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1808&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:51:00 GMT INSIDER COMMENTARY by Bill Moore Snippets from: http://mail.google.com/mail/#inbox/11ce2e9fbbc25f9c ---Quote--- .... In the meantime, Vice... INSIDER COMMENTARY
by Bill Moore

Snippets from: http://mail.google.com/mail/#inbox/11ce2e9fbbc25f9c


Quote:
.... In the meantime, Vice Chairman Bob Lutz has been extolling the flawless performance of the battery pack, while GM Daewoo in South Korea reports being "very pleased" with LG Chem's battery technology, comments that understandably could be taken to suggest which way GM is leaning in its selection of battery supplier.

Frankly, my suspicion is GM is going to hedge its bet initially and utilize both LG Chem/CPI and A123/Conti. My theory as to why is explained at the end of this write-up......

Scroll to the bottom of the page and

Quote:
Picking the Winning Battery at GM
Finally, here's my thesis based on no particular known facts or communication--just a hunch. When GM decides to announce whom it will use to supply the batteries for its production Volt program, it will end up announcing it has selected both LG Chem/Compact Power and A123/Conti. My reasoning -- or lack thereof, take your pick -- is that the technology is still so new and the players still largely unproven in their ability to consistently deliver on-time and on-budget mass-produced, 16 kWh battery packs, that GM will hedge its bet by trial horsing both firms for the first production order. While I am sure Bob Lutz would love to have the first production run be 60,000 vehicles, I am guessing that they will settle for a significantly lower number initially, perhaps as few as a 1000 the first year -- remember they only build 1,500 EV1s -- but for scales of manufacture and costing issues, probably upwards of 20,000 cars. These they will lease in targeted regions, most likely California and -- assuming the next Administration green-lights the state's CO2 regulations -- those other states that have passed similar legislations. GM and their dealers will closely monitor the vehicles, treating these early adapters, who are willing to pay upwards of $350 a month for 30 months (with an option to buy at the end), as celebrities, similar to the approach they used to great success with the EV1 program. They will encourage them to bring the cars into the dealerships a regular intervals: 1,000 miles, 3 months, 6 months and then at 12 months.

From the data they collect through their dealers, GM will learn fairly quickly if there are any battery issues with either or both of their suppliers. Based on this, they will begin to gradually shift additional orders to whoever has produced the most reliable battery for the least cost.

The "also-ran" won't have to worry all that much about loss of business because, there will be plenty of other carmakers looking for a stable, proven supplier. The off-peak energy storage market will be a huge one, in and of itself, maybe even bigger than the car market ultimately.

That's my theory. Hope I don't have to eat crow this fall.
Until next time, stay plugged into EVWorld...
]]> Lithium-ion Batteries JoeReal http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1808 Submersible airplane... How about submersible Volt? http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1807&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:06:17 GMT News from DARPA... Which makes me wonder if there are submersible Volt in the works... Just dreaming! published in CNET:... News from DARPA... Which makes me wonder if there are submersible Volt in the works... Just dreaming!

published in CNET: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13639_3-10...eadlinesArea.0

Submersible airplane, another DARPA 'must have'


(Credit: Terra Tigershark)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Strategic Technology Office is looking for a submersible aircraft design and invites you to come up with a concept.

Performance requirements call for an aircraft that can cover 1,850km by air or 185km by sea, or 22km underwater in eight hours or less. And this is not some miniature pool hopper; DARPA wants it to be able to carry a crew of eight and a 2,000lb payload.

Speculation on design suggests an old-school snorkel to provide air supply for the power plant while your flying fish is in submerged mode, but don't rule out nuclear power or dilithium crystal for that matter.

Be advised, difficulties with developing such a platform will arise from the diametrically opposed requirements that exist for an airplane and a submarine, DARPA helpfully points out. Your concept should not only identify the technological limitations that need to be overcome to produce a swimming plane, you also need to provide proof that it's doable.

"In addition to the conceptual design studies, performers need to outline experiments or computational models that will be used to demonstrate that the major technological limitations can be overcome," DARPA warns, while admitting that "prior attempts to demonstrate a vehicle with the maneuverability of both a submersible and an aircraft" have, unfortunately, been unsuccessful.

One plan is to use the submersible aircraft to infil small SF teams off the coastline and then hang around for pick-up, a service already provided fairly effectively by surplus submarines. ]]> Off-Topic JoeReal http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1807 Maintenance http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1806&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:10:12 GMT Maintenance of the Volt has me questioning a few things, and maybe someone has the answers. Since it does have the gas engine, small as it is, are... Maintenance of the Volt has me questioning a few things, and maybe someone has the answers. Since it does have the gas engine, small as it is, are we still going to need to be doing the regular oil changes like we do an a conventional car or truck? What about all the other things that go along with a gas engine, like radiator flushes, transmission fluid changes, spark plugs and the works. Maybe I missed it but I haven't read anything about this. Can someone answer? Lyle? :confused: ]]> Engineering cooktin http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1806 For Gustav-Level Outages, Cities Tap Hybrid Buses for Power http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1804&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:59:45 GMT I wasn't sure which topic to post this in so I put it here:

Quote:
Researchers at BAE Systems, a major vendor of municipal hybrid buses, are leveraging research done for the military to pitch cities on tapping power from mass transit buses. “If you’re going to have these power plants rolling around, it would be good to have them do something when they are not rolling around,” says Sean Bond, president of BAE’s Platform Solutions group. “The primary demand [for hybrid buses] was emissions reduction, and that has morphed into preventing greenhouse gasses and fuel savings. Another unintended consequence is the ability to provide power off the vehicle.”
http://www.popularmechanics.com/tech...n/4280729.html ]]> General zhackwyatt http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1804 <![CDATA["SIGNS" of Life from EESTOR]]> http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1803&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:16:09 GMT LightEVs Signs with EESTOR for Two-and Three-Wheeled EV Markets 30 September 2008 Light Electric Vehicles Company (LightEVs) signed a world-wide... LightEVs Signs with EESTOR for Two-and Three-Wheeled EV Markets
30 September 2008

Light Electric Vehicles Company (LightEVs) signed a world-wide exclusive technology agreement with EEStor, Inc to provide electric vehicles and propulsion systems using EEStor’s Electric Energy Storage Units (EESUs) (earlier post) for the two- and three-wheeled vehicles markets.

The EEStor EESU—a high-power-density multi-layered barium titanate ceramic ultracapacitor—is expected to provide energy densities of more than 450 Wh/kg and more than 700 Wh/L; charge in minutes; and have extremely long life. They are expected to deliver high current without loss of efficiency or excess heat, and they should operate at optimum efficiency over a wide range of ambient temperatures. They are to be configurable for any output voltage that optimizes vehicle performance, and to maintain that output voltage at a constant level over the span of each discharge cycle. Production is now expected to start mid-2009.

LightEVs expects to offer a variety of electric propulsion systems for use in electric bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, and three-wheeled vehicles in partnership with existing manufacturers and under its own brands.

We are planning an electric bicycle that will have a one kilowatt-hour EESU weighing less than five pounds which should provide approximately 100 miles or more of range, and we are considering a three-wheel two-passenger electric vehicle which could offer EESU options permitting ranges from about 120 miles to over 500 miles on a single charge, and a top speed of over 85 mph.
—John Stephens, Executive Vice President, LightEVs

In January, Lockheed Martin signed an exclusive international rights agreement to integrate and market Electrical Energy Storage Units (EESU) from EEStor, Inc., for military and homeland security applications. (Earlier post.)


Complete Article: http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008...evs-signs.html ]]> News JoeReal http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1803 Konarka opens roll-to-roll thin-film solar manufacturing facility http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1802&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:30:05 GMT Look out Nanosolar! Konarka opens its own 1 GW capacity solar production factory using thin-film roll-to-roll technology. The main difference is that... Look out Nanosolar! Konarka opens its own 1 GW capacity solar production factory using thin-film roll-to-roll technology. The main difference is that Konarka uses a plastic backing and Nanosolar uses a metal alloy backing. We are going to see the price for solar panels drop significantly in the next few years. Of course if demand continues to outstrip supply the price will remain high. Regardless, the important thing is that the manufacturing cost will finally make solar power practical when compared to traditional energy sources. Even if I feel the two should not always be compared (fossil fuels are non-renewable and thus will have unstable and unpredictable pricing), it will be easier for companies to justify projects.




http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/s...leID=210800582 ]]> Off-Topic Texas http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1802 Stop idling trucks and cars just to keep cool! http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1801&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:59:05 GMT The idling of truck and taxis just to keep the driver comfortable is a huge waste of energy. Go to any truck stop or observe a parked taxi with the... The idling of truck and taxis just to keep the driver comfortable is a huge waste of energy. Go to any truck stop or observe a parked taxi with the driver inside. It's the same as using a huge generator just to power a tiny fan. Not only wasteful but produces pollution and that pollution is right next to the driver. Bad for our energy independence goals and bad for our health.

I ran across a truck cooling system that freezes water in a graphite matrix while the truck is driving down the highway. When the driver parks for the night that ice keeps the cabin cool for 9 to 10 hours in 90 degree weather. From the information it says that the pay-back for the system is around 1 year. That’s just in the fuel savings and doesn't take into account the savings from the reduction in pollution.

Since an ICE or diesel engine wastes most of it's energy in the form of heat, it would be a great idea to harness that wasted energy to freeze water to provide for later cooling.


Another application for SOTS (Solar on the Surface)? As the truck or taxi sits in the sun the unit stores that energy by freezing the water. Large and expensive batteries would thus not be needed.

One of my biggest pet peeves is to see idling cars and trucks. Just sitting there in traffic or parked. Such a huge waste in energy that just creates noise and pollution. Thankfully, the high price of fuel will drive the use of these technologies. Oh wait, is the dropping price of oil, due to the global recession, going to slow things down? Probably.




Website for the company:
http://www.bluecooltruck.com/

Information on the system - includes cost analysis and comparison:
http://www.webastoshowroom.com/pdf/N...CT_ROI_USD.pdf ]]> Engineering Texas http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1801 Chevy Volt vs. the Honda Civic and Insight Concept http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1800&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Oct 2008 23:54:41 GMT The side rear view mirrors seem to have a nice sleek, straight, flat on the bottom look this to me is an interesting feature. But is a little too... The side rear view mirrors seem to have a nice sleek, straight, flat on the bottom look this to me is an interesting feature. But is a little too long or too thin. If you look at the head lamps they are almost level with the rest of the lines of the car. They don't set too high or go up pass the side window, they set just below the window line. If you look at the side shot of the car the top edge of the head lamps are almost level and balanced with the rest of the cars lines. If you look at the 2007 Honda Civic Type-R you will notice a the top edge of the front and rear lamp line up with a crease line on the side. If you look at from the front it looks a little too rounded of on the sides, this may be because of the camera being too close. The hood is ok, except maybe for the side creases that are angled down. Most of the front end and grill need to change. It's like every thing is flowing as one complementing or assisting each others flow or angles. It's like a bunch of line that break at the then show up again still level with the previous line. It's like they are designing their cars without wheel wells (reminds me of a UFO or disc) and then cutting the holes in the clay for the wheels so that every thing lines up. They probably do the same thing with the interior design as well. They may also be using a CNC to cut the holes for the wheel wells. I wonder if they use CNC for the interior cuts for the steering, shifter, leg room, etc....


IMAGES:
Honda Insight - right Rear view mirror:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/honda...-live/1069296/

Honda Insight - left head lamp close up:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/honda...-live/1069313/

Honda Insight - left head lamp a step back:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/honda...-live/1069311/

Honda Insight - left side shot:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/honda...-live/1069303/

Honda Insight -Front end:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/honda...-live/1069298/

2007 Honda Civic Type R - left side shot:
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4...pe%20R%204.jpg

2007 Honda Civic:

Honda FCX concept 2006- I think this may be the flagship of the Honda empire - kind of like Star Wars -

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse:
]]> Design SilverMayne http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1800