First Ever Volt Nation Event - NYC 3/19/08

Get out the "Volt"

Some ideas to help maximize the impact of Volt Nation meeting (they are probably already being done but I figured it couldn't hurt to mention):
-Since time will be limited and all questions and ideas for the attendees won't be able to be addressed, let alone those not able to attend. Nasaman is already compiling some of the questions asked here. How about formalizing this into a document and sending to the GM folks in advance. Having some opportunity to prepare could help the discussion. Perhaps keep this document as a thread on the Forum or part of a Volt Nation section. Since Lyle has dedicated sooo much time to this site and the Volt, perhaps he might select his top 10 questions and the other attendees could rank the questions/issues to prioritize the balance. Not much time left to accomplish, I know, but it could be done quickly.
-Perhaps GM would be willing to prepare responses to all questions in the document even if time doesn't permit discussion at the meeting.

Since I was too late to commit, if the following questions could be considered I would greatly appreciate it (apologies for any reduncy in these). Obviously not all of these can be addressed at the meeting and many may already have been answered:

Several related to maximizing e-miles from the Volt:
-Many have daily drives averaging 25 miles or less, which translates to 91,000 miles in 10 years at best. Will buyers be allowed to opt for shorter warrantees (5 or 3 years) and be allowed to overide default 80% max charge (say to 90 or 95%)? This could be a overide setting that would need to be done each time the user has a lengthy (>40 miles) drive. E.g. daily commute is 12 miles and 52+ mile drive 6 times a month (extra charging could add as many as 860 e-miles per year based on 40 mile baseline range)
-For flat country like Florida is 30% leaving more than necessary in the tank? In certain driving conditions is it practical for the user (or dealer) to reprogram the discharge cylce to below 30%? Will these be allowed?
-Is the undercarraige being fitted with a smooth cover to reduce drag? Will there be a skirted wheelwell option, perhaps flared skirts for front and rear tires? Are reduced drag rear view mirrors being employed?
-Since it takes less energy to heat/cool the person directly than solely conditioning the cabin air, will heated/cooled seats be an option?
-Where will the exhaust heat exchanger for the liquid cooling system be located? Will it be practical to exhaust the heated air at the rear of the car?
-Are all running lights to be LED or Metal Halide?
-Is the 40 mile range goal a worst case for all driving cylcles, uncluding US06, and at end of life for the battery?

-Many have expressed interest in an electric only version. Is that a possibility as a downgrade option or equivalent price with extra battery capacity? If not, what are the overriding factors inhibiting this?

-It has been mentioned in the past that V2G will not be part of early generations of E-flex autos. Obviously it will take standards, policies, and coordination with power companies to implement V2G. Are there meaningful discussions or actions occuring now to move in the direction of implementing V2G?

-V2House is much simpler to implement and the immediate benefit is tremendous for those in areas prone to extended power outages ($7000 - $25,000 less than existing whole house energy backup solutions). Will V2House be an available upgrade if not available for the initial release?

-Does GM believe there will be government rebates proportionate to e-range in effect by 2010? What is GM doing to help bring these about?

-How important does GM feel having charging outlets available outside of the home is to e-miles driven and the ultimate success of plug-ins? What is GM doing to advance the installation of charging outlets? What does GM feel the governments should be and can be?

-Will there only be accelerator lift-off regenerative braking or will a portion of the break movement actuate additional regen? How much regenration is foreseen (max breaking power)?

-Given the control possible with A/C motor, what type of traction control will there be for acceleration?

I learned that for those of you that want a totally geeked out Volt, never fear, they are going to give it to you. Bluetooth? For sure. Want to know how far, how fast, how much, how little? It's in the works. Touch screen menus? You bet. Most likely, if you're thinking of it, so are they.

Good news for guys like me that just want drive the car, they are also giving consideration to supplying us good ol' analog knobs for everyday controls while you're driving where it makes sense. There will also be some sort of button somewhere to engage regenerative braking going down hills and the paddle shifter is going away. Just buttons for drive, neutral and reverse.

The engineers said 9 second 0-60, but then later Bob said 7 seconds and he asked the engineers if that was correct and I think they sheepishly said "Yes Bob." So I'm hoping and that Bob holds them to it and keeps the fun factor in this car. His years at BMW, his creation of the Dodge Viper, Pontiac Solstice and involvement with the new Camero, not to mention the L-39 Jet and Dornier Alpha jet that he owns and regularly flys, gives me hope that he'll want the same Volt I do. He also said "Zero percent chance that the Volt will not be produced". I really like Bob.

More Tidbits

Quite a bit of information from the VoltNation meeting has been mentioned in comments or on other posts, but following is some other information that I haven't seen mentioned yet.

Apparently this vehicle will be based on the Delta II platform. The Cobalt is now based on the Delta I platform. I am told that the Delta II platform is bigger than the Cobalt, but smaller than the Malibu (Cobalt I believe will move to the Epsilon platform in the future). The height of the roofline should be a few inches higher than the concept model.

As I looked at the concept vehicle, I didn't see where the large flow disturbances were that would give this car a poor drag coefficient. It looked fairly streamline to me. When I asked about the aerodynamics, the answer is that they needed to reduce turbulence and smooth the airflow from the concept. The design is still being refined as they finish components, but I did not get any number for a drag coefficient. Since the corvette has a Cd of 0.28, I would expect a number that is lower for the Volt (I think the EV-1 was something like 0.19).

From my various interfaces with the GM engineers, it is my impression is that a lot of attention is being made to make this vehicle efficient. Performance is not the priority. A lot of focus right now seems to be on low drag, low power consumption of auxiliaries (they might include an "Econo" setting for the AC), and system integration. With all the various operating scenarios, cold weather and cold batteries, hot weather with high AC load, regen braking after a full charge (for those who live on top of a hill), and other such possibilities, GM will probably need a great deal of computing power onboard to assess all of these situations and determine the best mode of operation.

From all I have read, they have successfully done this with the two-mode hybrid, that provides seamless power with both engine and electical power, so hopefully they can provide similar results for the Volt.