[Markjn]

Anyone know of any conversion done to remove the ICE and convert a Volt to pure electric? I am not looking to get it done, I like having no limit to my range since my days require it once in a while. But I am interested in what the Volt could do using the gas tank and engine space for more battery or storage space. Or just to lose weight for more range.

I have Googled this a few times and found nothing. Thanks.

 

[Steverino]

If someone has, I haven't seen it discussed anyway.

There was one guy in eastern Europe who claimed to have added some extra Votec battery packs in the cargo area, but no details how he integrated the cooling system, the system software, etc. Looked dangerous in a crash scenario.

 

[Mister Dave]

The gas tank doesn't occupy any space you'd put a battery in. Adding them to the nose of the car and off to one side would destroy the weight distribution. It might make really sharp right turns tough!

 

[VikAiRious]

The gas tank doesn't occupy any space you'd put a battery in. Adding them to the nose of the car and off to one side would destroy the weight distribution. It might make really sharp right turns tough!

I assume to do added battery to Volt after the ICE is out - you'd put only the weight of the ICE back in as a battery and keeping the weigh distribution the same - the question then comes up - how much range would that add? And would it be worth it?

 

[canehdian]

Other threads over the years estimated the "dead weight" to be ~500lb or so.
That's a lot of batteries, basically adding in a second set of what's already there.
Space-wise, not sure if it would fit.

But ballpark it, assume you could double the current battery capacity.

Gen1 (I doubt anyone is modding a gen2 that still has warranty )
used 65% of the battery - approx 6kWh unused (upper+lower) with the largest 17.1
Using a fixed kWh reserve, that would mean you'd have 17.1*2 = 34.2-6, or ~28kWh of usable energy.
With the EPA rating of a gen1 you'd be looking at a 99mi or so range.
Using a fixed % reserve, you'd have 34.2*65% or ~22kWh of usable energy, 79mi.

 

[Upper5Percent]

Anyone know of any conversion done to remove the ICE and convert a Volt to pure electric? I am not looking to get it done, I like having no limit to my range since my days require it once in a while. But I am interested in what the Volt could do using the gas tank and engine space for more battery or storage space. Or just to lose weight for more range.

I have Googled this a few times and found nothing. Thanks.

One problem you'd have to deal with is what do you do with the drive mode that engages the engine AND the battery

Also, all the Volt software that deals with the ICE component

 

[canehdian]

One problem you'd have to deal with is what do you do with the drive mode that engages the engine AND the battery

It's the same engine off or on.
Clutch in motor A when needed for efficiency. If it happens to be connected to the engine on the other side as well, so be it.

Also, all the Volt software that deals with the ICE component

You would obviously need to provide a dummy ECU that makes the computer think it's always there and write a program to counter EMM and FMM timers. Otherwise you'd be in perpetual PPR as it thinks the engine had a critical failure (which might also be an acceptable scenario if max 55kW and no remote starts are ok with you)

 

[Mister Dave]

Space-wise, not sure if it would fit.

Nope. Plus you have to package it somehow and add coolant lines and cables, etcetera.

There was one guy in Russia who claimed to have added some extra Votec battery packs in the cargo area, but no details how he integrated the cooling system, the system software, etc. Looked dangerous in a crash scenario.

I saw that a couple of days ago - can't find the photo now. 400 pounds of crushing inertia in a wreck.

 

[Loboc]

Be better to wait for 3x battery density with same cell size and just replace the cells. Or buy a newer car (Bolt) that fits your needs.

I might do both. ELR is such a gorgeous car.

 

[Steverino]

Here's the thread on the spare Volt HV battery packs mounted in the rear cargo area:
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?258793-Volt-with-130-140-km-(80-85-mile)-battery-range!!!

No idea how these are mounted to the car, but I would NOT want to be riding in the rear seat.

Related threads: http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?15222-Adding-More-Battery-on-our-Checy-Volt.

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?14116-External-battery-pack

 

[sduck]

No. Why would anyone bother? For the amount of time, engineering, and expense it would take you'd be better off just getting a leaf or bolt or tesla or something similar.

 

[llninja]

Ari_c (forum member) has driven his volt all electric for well over 20k Miles. But he did it by hypermiling, disabling erdtt, and planning short trips with lots of charging stations in between.

 

[wordptom]

Anyone know of any conversion done to remove the ICE and convert a Volt to pure electric? I am not looking to get it done, I like having no limit to my range since my days require it once in a while...

I have Googled this a few times and found nothing. Thanks.

You are aware, aren’t you, that when the Gen 1Volt is running in single-motor configuration in Extended Range Mode, the only function of the ICE is to run a generator to fuel the electric motor. GM refers to this as "electric-like" driving. What else would you call it when the car’s sole propulsion source is the electric motor that is now being fueled by gas-generated electricity created "as needed" instead of by grid electricity stored in the battery?

I suppose a mod to prevent a Gen 1 Volt from engaging split-power configuration in Extended Range Mode would allow one to call it a "pure electric" car...

 

[bjrosen]

Anyone know of any conversion done to remove the ICE and convert a Volt to pure electric? I am not looking to get it done, I like having no limit to my range since my days require it once in a while. But I am interested in what the Volt could do using the gas tank and engine space for more battery or storage space. Or just to lose weight for more range.

I have Googled this a few times and found nothing. Thanks.

The simple way to convert a Volt to pure electric would be to take it to a Chevy dealer and trade it in on a Bolt

 

[Norton]

Anyone know of any conversion done to remove the ICE and convert a Volt to pure electric? ...

Easy Peasy. Run the tank out of gas and never put any more of that smelly stuff back in.

You are aware, aren’t you, that when the Gen 1Volt is running in single-motor configuration in Extended Range Mode, the only function of the ICE is to run a generator to fuel the electric motor. ...

Are you aware that the Volt has two hybrid modes, series and parallel hybrid? In parallel it is like a Prius with the engine powering the wheels directly through the drive unit?

The simple way to convert a Volt to pure electric would be to take it to a Chevy dealer and trade it in on a Bolt

+1
The obvious answer !!

 

[srmarti]

If doing that, you'd probably wind up swapping the entire drivetrain for something else. Like a Spark drivetrain...)

 

[sosmerc]

You are aware, aren’t you, that when the Gen 1Volt is running in single-motor configuration in Extended Range Mode, the only function of the ICE is to run a generator to fuel the electric motor. GM refers to this as "electric-like" driving. What else would you call it when the car’s sole propulsion source is the electric motor that is now being fueled by gas-generated electricity created "as needed" instead of by grid electricity stored in the battery?

I suppose a mod to prevent a Gen 1 Volt from engaging split-power configuration in Extended Range Mode would allow one to call it a "pure electric" car...

Is it possible for the ICE to run with the shifter in N and also NOT be running the generator? (GEN II Volt) Just wondering if there is any mode or set of conditions that allows the engine to basically free wheel. Still wondering where the excess voltage goes IF the battery is full and not able to take any more charge.

 

[Mister Dave]

The simple way to convert a Volt to pure electric would be to take it to a Chevy dealer and trade it in on a Bolt

+2